by RobertCummins | Sep 21, 2016 | 38. Balance
For thus the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, has said,
“In repentance and rest you will be saved,
In quietness and trust is your strength.”
But you were not willing. (Isaiah 30:15)
Israel makes an allegiance with Egypt, which Isaiah advised against. Isaiah voices God’s displeasure and, in the process, reveals things about God (who is now our Father). The reality that God is my Father, alters how I read the Old Testament. It also provokes my imagination: if Isaiah were a contemporary author, how would he title his book? Perhaps it would be How Then Shall We Be Saved? Here is a chapter-by-chapter review of Isaiah’s bestseller.
Part I—Not Like This
Chapter 1: Making Plans Without God
Planning without God has exposed Israel as false sons. These rebellious children compound their misery by making and executing their own independent plans. To reinforce their delusion, they pressure God’s spokesmen to only speak to them pleasant words, not true words that would reflect God’s holy nature. The holiness of God is the thing—above all things—they do not want to hear about. (Israel was not unique. Check out II Timothy 4:3-4).
Chapter 2: If You Persist
In issuing God’s fair warning, Isaiah refers us to a clay jar. This jar might be useful in holding water, but it is going to be broken. It is not going to be merely cracked. It is going to be reduced to shards—crushed suddenly into unrecognizable powder. God also alludes to a sense of paranoia, which overtakes those unwilling to listen. Consequently they become isolated, easy prey.
Chapters 3: Accounts
These chapters will detail in one story after another how this has been a chronic pattern—always yielding the same disastrous consequence for Israel. The author further highlights the attributes of God’s holiness and justice.
Part II—Like This
Chapter 1: God’s Nature
This chapter is a review of God’s attributes, focusing on his holiness, his justice, and his compassion.
Chapter 2: God’s Intentions
Isaiah gives us a peek into God’s heart. He shows us that while being holy and just, God simultaneously longs to be gracious. God is waiting patiently to reveal His compassion.
Chapter 3: How God Has Planned Our Salvation
This is the Old Testament—the details are still sparse at this stage of God’s self-disclosure, but the spirit is clear. Put succinctly, “in repentance and rest you shall be saved, in quietness and trust is your strength.” In the absence of intellectually satisfying detail, the author whets our spirit with these words: “How blessed are all those who long for Him.”
Chapter 4: If You Obey
This chapter details the myriad blessings for those with ears to hear. For them, it will include a day of renouncing dependencies on things other than God. Consequently, the water will be turned on again and even the earth’s longing and thirst for moisture will be satisfied. With God, even the broken clay jar (which He personally crushed) will be repaired to carry water once again. Unbelievably bright days are ahead. The Lord’s wrath will be turned away from his own people and redirected, full bore, onto those who dealt treacherously with his own true children.
Epilogue
Isaiah boils it all down. Since his eviction from the Garden, man, in his fallen condition, tries to save himself. He attempts to save himself from his guilt with offerings of good works. He attempts to save himself from his insecurity through his independence. He insists on trusting his own initiative and ingenuity. Mankind compulsively makes alliances with the world. And, even though he reaps the whirlwind, he fails to understand God’s simple plan: Our alliances must be made exclusively with Him, or we will forgo his intended blessing.
The author confidently asserts his status as seer-in-good-standing. While it is painful to him, Isaiah unapologetically acknowledges that much of his writing is dark and leaves his readers hanging. However, knowing his message is but a prelude, he practically begs his readers to find the thread of hope in his words. He gives us a clue as to where we should look—pay heed to your longing. In verse 15, he tells us where and how longing will gain its traction: “In repentance and rest you shall be saved, in quietness and trust is your strength.”
He tells his readers to stay tuned, intimating that longing will be an ongoing theme, one that will be addressed by future authors, writing in the same spirit.
Father, please cause us to be those who long. Awaken us to the immeasurable privilege we have as your true sons and daughters. May profound gratitude be our daily response as the beneficiaries of a New Covenant. Let astonishment and wonder grip us as we consort with you as sons and friends. We rejoice in you Jesus—the consummation of all our longing. Amen.
by RobertCummins | Sep 20, 2016 | 38. Balance
The identity of any community is shaped in no small part by key words and their definitions. In Christian communities, one of those key words appears in today’s passage. The word is “apostle.” For unity’s sake, we should work together on a common definition of this word.
Half my friends come from the charismatic tributaries of Christianity; the other half do not, and these two rivers do not communicate well. However, they do have a joint strategy for unity: maintaining distance. Unfortunately, the strategy presents a fractured picture of Jesus to the world.
Both camps confess the scriptures are inspired and authoritative, but charismatics tend to look to the Holy Spirit as a person with an active voice. This frightens non-Charismatics. They tend to see the Holy Spirit as the author and interpreter of scripture. The perceived mission of the Holy Spirit is like the continental divide within Christendom—the headwaters of two great rivers, flowing in opposite directions.
My Bible-only (or Bible-mostly) friends look to this passage as one that adds clarity to their understanding of the word “apostle.” Scripture informs them that apostles 1) suffered mistreatment 2) delivered the gospel amidst persecution 3) always leveraged character above (and as evidence of) title 4) lived and worked among the believers in order to model life 5) lived to see their charges walk in a manner worthy of God’s kingdom glory 6) were orientated to the flock as “mothers” and as “fathers,” tenderly and affectionately encouraging, exhorting, and imploring with the words of God until those words and their definitions were embedded in their hearts. This is not an exhaustive list of apostolic attributes, but it contributes to the past tense understanding of God’s Bible-only (or mostly) children.
The charismatic, kingdom now, side of our family has looked at the Greek definition of “apostle” and seen that it means “one who is sent away—an emissary.” An apostle, in this camp, can be any individual with proven gifts and specific callings who has been recognized and commissioned by a particular apostolic network.
The division created by the apostolic is not only between charismatics and non-charismatics. The apostolic, as it is known, can also cause division within independent charismatic assemblies—who, unfortunately, did not do the commissioning. The independent local assembly may be confused that some upstream-network commissions individual with titles who, biblically speaking, trump local elders in terms of authority. Unless the local assembly is collectively operating under the auspices of the commissioning network, tension is inevitable. Blessed is the leader who successfully manages this tension.
Our passage is using the word “apostle” as one commissioned within the original apostolic network. Apostles from this stream had authority, which was recognized by local assemblies. This authority was legitimized as they lived and worked along side others. “Apostle,” in its resurrected meaning, refers instead to missional apostles with unique tasks that do not necessarily carry governmental authority.
If you come across a contemporary apostle, don’t run away—just look to see if they’re “fatherly” or “motherly.” Determine if their lives are intertwined at an eye-to-eye level in the local community. If they are, perhaps they are apostles of the I Thessalonians 2, capital “a” variety. If the person simply lives out their specific calling and has been honored with the small “a” apostle designation, then honor is due them. They have proven themselves worthy of that title in the upstream-network where it was bestowed.
However, I could imagine, if an Apostle of the capital “a” variety were present they might suggest we go light on titles – especially one’s which have acquired extra-biblical definitions. Given how far we have been carried downstream, I believe they would suggest we work hard at understanding each other, because, in spite of our differences, we came from the same source and our streams will eventually flow into a vast common sea.
For the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. Then in that day the nations will resort to the root of Jesse, who will stand as a signal for the peoples; and His resting place will be glorious. (Isaiah 11:9)
Father, one day all the tributaries and streams will flow into a common ocean. There, we will know as we have been known. Until then may we be known to each other and to the world by our love. Call us anything you want, but please call up the legitimate fathers and the mothers who know how to raise children in the spirit and the word. Amen.
by RobertCummins | Sep 19, 2016 | 38. Balance
My soul waits in silence for God only;
From Him is my salvation.
He only is my rock and my salvation,
My stronghold; I shall not be greatly shaken. (Psalm 62:5-6)
A good friend who along with myself was a part of a men’s group that met faithfully for years commented, after reading one of my recent Blue Book installments, that he didn’t know I was in so much pain back when we were meeting. That set me to thinking. How could he have known?
I recall that time frame. I was intensely seeking the Lord and I was fairly aggressive in encouraging others around me to do the same. But, while it may have appeared I was riding a big wave, some undercurrents threatened to pull me under. It’s not likely my friend could have known because, except with God, I was pretty silent about it.
My soul waits in silence for God only;
From Him is my salvation.
He only is my rock and my salvation,
My stronghold; I shall not be greatly shaken. (Psalm 62:1-2)
I really didn’t understand what God was doing anyway. It was at this time I had put verses 1 and 2 of this Psalm to memory. I recall, as I was walking around the YMCA track, a melody came to me, and by the second lap or so, I was singing a new song. That evening I found the guitar chords to go with it. I had made it mine.
In the 12 verses of this Psalm, the word “my” is used repeatedly. Twice, those verses are used like a chorus or a refrain from dark observations and warnings for men of base character.
There is really no 12 Step Guide for The Ways of God In The Heart of Man, but the Psalms do a superb job in that particular book’s absence. How does the Christian religion get translated into the personal relationship that it purports to offer? Is it just given to us, or do we have to make it ours? How has your personal relationship with God been formed?
I think the Psalmist answers those questions for us. Through the seasons of our lives, we are hit with things that shake us physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I have not met anyone yet exempted from these things. There are some, who follow the Psalmist’s wise advise and make relationship out of religion by: “Trusting in Him at ALL times ” (especially those in which we think we may be pulled under) and “Pouring out our their hearts before Him” (being intentionally present with God and being emotionally honest with Him—and, if possible, a few trusted friends).
I believe we are given an abundant gift of salvation that is a free gift. I also believe, we must make it ours by intentionally choosing to trust Him (especially in the turbulent seasons). In doing so, we can actually create new seasons within us –more independent of outward circumstances, either good or bad. The outcome of this persevering is the most valuable thing a human can enjoy: the ability to say, “God, You are my hope! You are my rock! You are my strength! You are my refuge! You are my hope! You are my salvation! You are my all in all! You are mine! I believe the abundant life Jesus offers can straighten out all the question marks that trials raise and turn them into exclamation points as He proves Himself faithful in our personal experience. Until we make it ours, we may have salvation (the forgiveness of sin part), but the fullness and abundance of that word may be wasted on us.
Father, may we learn that, in all things, it is with You whom we have to do, that You are present always inviting us to enjoy the fullness and abundance of Your salvation. Help us trust where we cannot understand. Help us to let go of our insistence on rational explanations before we will trust. Your work is finished! Help us to do ours. Amen.
by RobertCummins | Sep 18, 2016 | 37. Time
Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end. (Hebrews 3:12-14)
Here, somewhere near the buckle of the Bible Belt, many of us speak (or at least think) this thought about eternal security: “We were once saved, therefore we are always saved.” Our salvation has no force majeure clause, whereby eternal security, in certain instances, could be rendered null and void. When we asked Jesus into our hearts, we were born again. We reason: “One cannot be unborn; we invited Jesus into our hearts and that was that!” Yet, with one word, the writer of Hebrews casts a shadow on our security.
We have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end. (Hebrews 3:14)
Here on the range, where the skies are not cloudy all day, it’s not that there never is heard a discouraging word; it’s that never (or at least seldom) is heard the discouraging word—“if.” It is not a comforting word—at first blush—since it implies that to win the prize (heaven), we must maintain firm hold on the baton of eternal security, even as we cross the finish line. In fact, if we hold it loosely or carelessly, today’s passage implies our hearts are evil and unbelieving!
With all my heart, I believe I have been born again. I believe, in Christ, I have been buried and raised from the dead. I have become a new creation. So…if I entertain the “if” in Hebrews 3:14, will I be loosening my grip on the baton, drifting towards the evil of unbelief? I don’t believe so. In spite of its apparent discouraging nature, we need to face off with this “if,” crediting it instead, with encouraging possibilities.
The verse presents the troubling concept that a born again believer’s heart could be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. This idea is often covered here in Bible Land by the doctrine of backsliding. Backsliding is considered to be a hardened state of heart where God has been shoved off his throne and an individual is functioning as the lord of his own life. With God overseeing the race, classic backsliding doctrine still has the wayward soul crossing the finish line, baton in hand. Exactly how it got there, without the rebel’s grip, no one seems to know—but a sovereign God is credited for the grace that accomplished it. I don’t think I would question this photo finish if it were not for the word “if.”
I find myself in a quandary. I am a son of God, a new creation who has become a partaker of Christ, if I hold fast the beginning of my assurance firm until the end. This sounds absurd though. Its like saying, “I am the son of Bob Cummins (my biological father) if I adequately assert this fact until I die. Is sonship accomplished by confession? I’m contending its conception.
I have a real problem—two apparently incompatible ideas are pressing me for their allegiance. It feels like works versus rest. My options: I could discard one of the puzzle pieces because it obviously doesn’t belong to this puzzle, or I could take a high view of scripture and say, the puzzle is a deep mystery and I can’t understand it. By design, the puzzle is beyond solving. In other words, “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is too high, I cannot attain to it.” (Psalm 139:6)
When I say I have a high view of scripture, what I mean is that it is too high for even John McArthur (And admittedly, that’s pretty high!). Having a high view of scripture means God’s words are critical, but they are only the approach lights to the airport. We will eventually deplane and find ourselves at a high elevation where we see things from the Puzzle Maker’s vantage point and say, “Oh—That’s where that piece fits!”
We can always relieve intellectual pressure by discarding one of the other puzzle pieces, but we would have to forfeit (what I think of as) that high—really high—view of scripture in which if’s are inspired. Granted, “ifs” destroy the convenience of airtight, theological-puzzle solutions, but they more than compensate by leaving us with a lasting security that rests in Christ alone—an unfailing foundation who exists apart, and high above, even our best doctrinal puzzle speculations.
A final word about evil unbelieving hearts. I believe they exist and I’m not confident they will cross the finish line. However, for clarity’s sake, an unbelieving heart is not synonymous with a doubting heart. I believe a doubting heart can still be searching. In fact, faith is redundant without doubt. Doubt is the ever-present context in which faith is worked out; this is why fear and trembling are required. It is in the midst of our doubts where we persevere. Further down the trail, we discover doubts are not the intimidating giants they first appear to be. Over time, they prove to be mere phantoms.
The evil and unbelieving heart is at risk because it has faced doubt and found it to be a convenient excuse to do its own thing (check out the famous atheist, Aldous Huxley’s reasons for abandoning his faith in college. It was directly connected to lust). Here, in its freedom from God, a most frightening thing happens—God gives the heart what it desires: its’ independence. Does this heart cross the finish line with baton in hand? God knows. I don’t know, but I have my doubts.
Father, teach us to watch over our hearts, that there not be in any of us an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from you. Help us to encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “today”, so that none of us will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. Thank you that we have become partakers of Christ. By your grace alone, we shall hold fast to our baton from the beginning of our assurance firm until the end.
by RobertCummins | Sep 17, 2016 | 37. Time
Be dressed in readiness, and keep your lamps lit… Blessed are those slaves whom the master will find on the alert when he comes… You too, be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour that you do not expect. (from Luke 12:35, 37 & 40)
Jesus reveals that time has been entrusted to men. Today’s Blue Book passage reveals the startling incentives and disincentives associated with our stewardship. He even reveals his sliding scale of responsibility: “From everyone who has been given much shall much be required.” (from Luke 12: 48)
To mine as much wisdom as possible from Jesus’ words, let’s fast forward 20 years and listen in on an imaginary conversation between Timothy and his spiritual father, the apostle Paul.
Timothy: What did Jesus mean when He said, “Be dressed in readiness, and keep your lamps alight?
Paul: Recall: the context of Jesus’ parable was a wedding feast: “Be like men who are waiting for their master when he returns from the wedding feast, so that they may immediately open the door to Him when he comes and knocks.” Both Peter and John told me how much Jesus loved to use this parable. They said something came over Him when He spoke about the wedding feast; He seemed to invest Himself into this particular parable like no other. To Jesus, this feast obviously represented an actual event at the end of time where the guest’s attire was critical. Allow me to answer your question about readiness by speaking of our baptism, which ties directly into this issue of our wedding feast attire. For those of us who have repented and been baptized for the forgiveness of our sins, Christ has become our righteousness—Jesus Himself has become our attire. This is the critical thing: being in Christ is the only clothing allowed at the wedding feast. Recall, Timothy, it was by grace you were introduced to faith. And, it was by faith you have been justified before God and can now, clothed in Christ’s righteousness, stand continually and boldly in God’s presence with great joy. It is no longer about you and your performance. In fact, truth be known, you are no longer even alive. You died and were buried with Christ. You have been raised from the dead with Christ and Christ now lives in you. Christ is now your very life.
Timothy: Okay. I think I understand this, but later in His discourse, Jesus scolds the multitude, saying, “You people are great at predicting the weather based on your experience and observation, why then are you so dull in appreciating what is happening right now?” What do you believe Jesus was trying to say?
Paul: What an excellent question. I believe Jesus used this story to highlight the impossibility and the unprofitability of trying to time His return. To maintain our readiness, He said we should not focus directly on the when of His return, rather on the fact He has already come. In other words, we keep the door open for the Master best through our understanding that the Holy Spirit already resides in us! Therefore, our stewardship of time is composed in our celebration of what already is. We are new creations in Christ! Our clothing is the brightest as we recall our favored status as God’s children—those invited into, and participating in, an intimate moment-by-moment communion with the Lord of life.
That imaginary exchange was constructed from Paul’s teachings to the churches in Asia and in Rome.
Father, that we have been invited to a feast which you have prepared, where you will personally serve, is as blessed a circumstance as man will ever enjoy. Our anticipation causes our spirits to burn brighter. May you burn so brightly within us that this world will take notice and awaken to the grand reality that today is truly the day of salvation. Amen.
