by RobertCummins | Sep 22, 2015 | 38. Balance
Balance – 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12
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. These two rivers do not communicate well. However they do have a joint strategy for unity – Maintain 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 which are 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 inform 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 them with the words of God until those words and their definitions were embedded in their hearts. This was 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 has come to be 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 pastor and elder 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(s) 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 which do not necesarilly carry governmental authority.
If you come across a contemporary apostle, don’t run away – just observe if they are “fatherly” and “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 1 Thessalonians 2 – capital “A” variety. If the person is simply living out their specific calling and have 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 21, 2014 | 38. Balance
Hebrews 10:19-26
In our relationship with God, where is the balance between “full assurance” (vs 22) and “terrifying expectation”(vs 27)? Where is that “line”, that when I cross it, my destiny shifts from paradise to perdition? Through the centuries, verses 26-29 have rattled more than a few believers who sinned after their conversion. Its been a few years but to be honest these verses have gnawed at my confidence as well.
For many, who have sinned after investing their faith in Christ, the internal conversation can go something like this, “Oh no, I have sinned again! Am I now in that place where there no longer remains a sacrifice for my sins!?” Another part of us responds, “But, I am born again aren’t I? And, didn’t I read somewhere that there is a provision of cleansing if I confess my sins?” This schizophrenic conversation goes on within, bouncing back and forth across this imaginary line, usually taking our emotions on quite a ride and probably delighting Satan to no end.
We don’t usually go all the way from “full assurance” to “terrifying expectation”. Most of us are are just not that great of sinners. Most of us really consider ours as a kind of misdemeanor-level sins and so we have misdemeanor-level repentance and not surprisingly, lukewarm gratitude. Consequently, we mostly go from moderate assurance to mild concern and only moderate terror. (Check out Romans 2:15)
And from here, some of us convince ourselves that these defiled, guilt driven consciences that we lug around equate to brokenness, something we know the Lord will not despise. (Ps 51). This type of conscience creeps into our song making it sound more like a dirge and shapes our identity as those with a deep and irreparable flaw in our makeup , which is only partly true. I fear this, and variations of this confession, can become the centerpiece of our belief system and the core value of our identity. There can be a deeper veneration of our fallen natures than there is for our new resurrected ones. And as to our sanctification; If it is in fact done unto us according to our faith (in our depravity), shouldn’t we expect entanglement with sin, if we continually believe and confess the strength and superiority of our old nature?
I wonder how much guilt-energy and shame-motivation has been harnessed and is powering things being done in Jesus’ name? With that thought in mind, I am picturing a Christian life (with the aid of my own memory) where things are playing out like this: Albeit a weak one, I am confessing, not so much publicly, but at least to myself, that Jesus is my Lord and Savior, leaning by the way, far more heavily on the savior than Lord part. In my heart of hearts, with my track record and weak faith, I do not really feel like much more than a tolerated step-child of God’s and I hope I will be acceptable on that day when I stand before Him. I’m confident I am living a biblical life because I am behaving just as Paul said I would in Romans 7:21-24 – I am a prisoner (or victim) of the law of sin that is proving regularly what a wretched nature I have. In fact, this is precisely why I don’t do the things that I know are right and true. I am a wretch. It”s just who I am. However, the good news is that I am busy in the church serving the Lord and this provides me with some security (a little insurance never hurts) and it serves as some salve to my uneasy conscience.
I do not think the church is at risk of loosing this source of free or cheap labor anytime soon. Do you think these consciences are going to let go of their guilt and shame-driven works and just rest? What do you think would happen to that conscience when the salve is no longer applied? Wouldn’t the dread and uncertainty with God move them over the line, further toward moderate concern of judgement? (Hmm, the more I think about it, I will volunteer for nursery next term.”)
Carefully read verses 19-25. Don’t these words assure us that the author’s intent was not to frighten us into righteous behavior with the fear of hell? Can you also see how this passage would be unnerving to an alternating conscience; one that “accuses” one moment and then in the next “defends” (Ro 2:15)? The NAS uses those who “go on sinning” as the ones who should legitimately fear. The Message describes this same group as those who “give up and turn their backs on what the’ve learned, all the’ve been given and all that they now know“. The party that is to fear is the one who has totally hardened their heart toward God and has chosen a life of unapologetic, deliberate and premeditated sin. So, if we truly know Christ as our savior and our consciences are still alternating and uneasy, what is the solution? What can we do?
We can first settle something once and for all; “It is finished.” (vs 12) The only remedy for the defiled conscience was effected at the cross. Then, we can heed the council of scripture to “enter in” to the Holy place. The door or the veil to that sacred place was permanently removed for God’s children. We are to live with the awareness that there is no line out there to cross where sudden judgement may befall us. Even If it it did exist, it is redundant because His true children are not tempted to go out and see how much they can get away with before they tilt the scale. True children instinctively shun sin and are disturbed by it. The new nature has a disposition compatible with righteousness and can flourish when it is encouraged with grace. Alternately, the flesh flourishes when dealt with by the Law.
If we are Christians, who are captives of besetting sins, or just joyless souls who are working where they should be resting, let’s try a new approach in our battle. First of all, when we sin, let’s not think of it as a misdemeanor. Let’s just quickly acknowledge that any of our sins, however small they may seem, were sufficient to necessitate that Jesus suffer and hang upon a cross; and then, let us confess them openly. This includes the sins of bitterness, judgements, angry words, unforgiveness, gossip – those sins of the heart that we can hide or excuse because, over time, they have become normative to us in our religious hearts and unchallenged in our religious cultures.
Next, let’s elevate, even if at first it is just by faith, the understanding and confession of our new identity which is actually Christ Himself – the hope of glory. In the long run I predict that we will be more victorious over our sin by agreeing with God on this matter, confessing that we are new creations instead of always incorrectly interpreting Paul in Romans 7 as permanently casting himself and us as victims, whose identities are primarily driven and dominated by the flesh and therefore opposed to God. This would be like Paul teaching that the war he referred to that was being waged within him, was regularly and naturally won by his flesh over the Spirit of the resurrected Christ within him. I don’t think so.
Father, help us to find those with whom we can assemble – who are able, by way of their example, to demonstrate what sincere hearts living in full assurance look like. Help us to build and sustain growing communities of grace saturated men and women who are innovators in encouragement. Together, we will hold fast our confession of hope without wavering, for You who promised are faithful. We refuse to throw away our confidence, which is going to have a tremendous reward on that Great Day. Your love has cast out fear enabling our full assurance of faith, fueling our anticipation of your blessed return.
by RobertCummins | Sep 20, 2014 | 38. Balance
Now as they were traveling along, He entered a village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord’s feet, listening to His word. But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me.” But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:38-42
How is Jesus going to complete His work on earth? I am no missiologist but as an observer it would seem the plan conforms (at least) roughly to this template; send more people to seminary so more churches will be planted or built so that more sermons can be peached; more bible studies can be held; more programs can be sponsored; more missionaries can be sent; more crusades can be sponsored; more books can be written. In other words, we will add more gears to the existing machine and better lubricate the ones that are already whirling. Let’s call this Plan “a”.
Perhaps there is another overlooked possibility for furthering the kingdom of God. “Now as they traveled along they entered a village (a network of people) and met someone who opened their home to them“.
I have often wondered how the early church grew so rapidly without a bible, without books, and zero 501(c)(3)’s. They didn’t have an agreed upon mission statement. They didn’t have large buildings where they could assemble. They didn’t have the modern means of transportation and communication we consider “essential” to the completion of Christ’s work on earth. So, what was it that the early church had that God used so dramatically in the beginning? A superior dispensation?
In our passage, we just have Jesus, His friends, a house and a gracious host. What Jesus and company found in that house is what He found in every house he entered; people separated from God by sin and busily trying to make life work out somehow. It probably always involved people comparing themselves with each other and tormenting themselves and everyone around them with their protests against the inequities they perceive. One way people try and make life work is by striving to arrange their circumstances (or society’s if they are ambitious) to meet their own standards of fairness. A little fairness, that’s not too much to ask is it?
But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Jesus and said, ‘Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me.
Here is another example of a question that (in spirit) is really an indictment. This is really kind of rich isn’t it? “Jesus, don’t You care?” I see Jesus, fully knowing the predicament of Martha’s heart, totally without offense, lovingly saying (perhaps with his hands on her shoulders, looking into her eyes), “Martha, Martha, you are so worried and bothered about so many things.” In my imagination, I do not see Martha going off in a huff at Jesus’ penetrating observation. It may have stung her but I picture her drawing security from these hands which were the most loving thing that had ever touched her. I see her drawing rest from those eyes which she knew saw all there was of her but accepted her as His very own friend.
It may have also stung Martha that Jesus used her sister Mary who was the person she had (incorrectly) sighted as the source of her misery as the reference point for her repentance. Jesus was saying, “Martha, your sister is not your problem she is your example.” Ouch!
There is another element that factors in to this story and perhaps into the story of the church’s early influence. It was Mary herself, the sister who had disengaged herself from the busyness around her. Jesus was saying, “Martha, take a good long look at your sister. While you are thinking that Mary is not carrying her load, I am telling you that she has chosen the only really “necessary” thing. Mary has simply chosen Me.”
God has done much with it and by all means press on with Plan “a” if that is where God has called you but let’s not overlook Mary’s plan that involves you and I right now. Let’s call it Plan “A”. Don’t we have everything available to us that was in this story? It makes me think that it was perhaps this scene and millions like it occurring wherever two or more had gathered sharing “their stories” which, authored and energized by the Holy Spirit, was the spark of the early church, explaining its explosive growth. ( The Original Plan “A”)
I think Martha left that encounter with Jesus as a woman with a transformed heart; one armed with a story about the loving correction, the goodness and the power of God. She, along with her friends, who likely had their own stories, engaged their friends and neighbors (more networks) as “they were traveling along” just living their lives out in their natural contexts.
Father, in the war You are waging to liberate Your sons and Your daughters from the tyranny of our own delusions of fairness, raise up these catalytic types who will sit at Your feet and listen. Confront us where we are busy and distracted. Set us free from our bitternesses born of comparison. Release us all into this world with fresh stories of Your intimate involvement in our affairs. Help us to courageously choose the only truly essential thing. Use us to provoke life in all our various networks, Amen.
An Army of Ordinary People is a book by Felicity Dale that gives modern day accounts of beleivers who are entering into Plan “A”. Her book is an account of the fruit being born in the organic networks that God has always infiltrated with his Holy Spirit through the rank and file of the Body of Christ. They are breaking out of the old wineskin of church attendance into a new one of being the Church. If you would like a copy, let me know. (I have 6 left)
by RobertCummins | Sep 19, 2014 | 38. Balance
Isaiah 55:1-12
I recall trying to start a conversation about Jesus with a guy doing graduate working at Oklahoma State. I’m pretty sure He was majoring in CIM (Crushing Inferior Minds). I was prepared to offer him an honorary doctorate by the time he was done with me. That was one of those days when I was pretty sure the Great Commission was just meant for the first 12 disciples. It was as if my would-be-convert had said, “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, thou worm, so are my thoughts above your thoughts”. And, in my heart, I said, “Amen sir, it is as you say.” Isn’t that a horrible feeling to know your thoughts are inferior!
How do we feel about this commentary regarding the relative impotence of our intelligence? Note; Isaiah even adds that His ways, as well as His thoughts, are in the “way-higher-than-ours” category. Is this less offensive coming from God? Or, is it more? What form does the offense take? One group just walks away from that thought or that way quietly as an agnostic or an atheist. Anther, which is more rare, just faces off with God as an antagonist.
Both have seen enough reality, in their assessment, to refute any possibility that an all-powerful, all knowing, all-loving God is involved directly or indirectly in the affairs of man. (especially the all-loving part). It is an interesting phenomena that life usually plays out for them just about as they suspected it would – free of any noticeable interventions by God. Could this phenomena be explained by the fulfillment of a spiritual law that is linked to Christ’s declaration; “May it be done unto them according their faith“?
Note: C.S. Lewis used the term materialist to describe those limiting their reality to only that which can be observed and quantified.
So much for atheists and agnostics. What about Christians? Are we offended by God’s word, or by the notion of our smallness next to His vastness? Can Christians be materialists in that C.S. Lewis-sense of the word, where we insist on seeing before we will believe? What would that look like if we were? I am proposing that many of us Christians are materialists and that often our offense finds expression in our questions.
A fascinating bible chapter regarding questions is the first chapter of Luke. Zacharias has not seen adequate proof of God’s faithfulness. He and Elizabeth had been praying all their lives for a child who never came. When God finally answers their prayers, he demonstrates that in his heart he is a materialist by the spirit of the question he asked Gabriel, “How shall I know for certain?”. The words that formed the question were innocent but the spirit of the question was not.
Was Zacharias’ question really that much different than that of Mary’s; “How shall this be, since I am a virgin?”. Perhaps there is some advantage to youth. Maybe she had not accumulated enough evidence against God’s faithfulness yet to indict Him as absent in the affairs of men. Mary’s was a true question. Zacharias’ was, in spirit, an indictment. There was, in Mary, that precious innocent quality of faith that agrees with heaven and says, “For nothing is impossible with God” regardless of what I have or have not seen.
A few years back, God arranged the circumstances of my life such that I discovered I had some “Zacharias” in my heart. It was filled with questions of the wrong type. My questions and prayers were just lightly disguised complaints and indictments. The disgruntlement was always just below the surface fueling a peculiar zeal and passion that actually passed as “elder-quality” spirituality. It is too lengthy to go into here but I eventually discovered a theme, or root, of bitterness, shading my perception of everything.
I called my zeal peculiar because, while my burden as a Christ follower should have been light, mine had become unbearably heavy. Yet, I was toting it around, with a bit of pride, as “my cross to bare”. My definition of faith at that time was: trusting that God is good in the presence of overwhelming evidence to the contrary. Is this the faith that we are told pleases God? I don’t think so. I had some friends whose faith seemed peculiar in the other direction. Their definition seemed to be: trusting that God is good all the time, looking for and regularly finding sufficient evidence to support it. For this group as well, it seemed that it was being done unto them according to their faith. This makes sense;
And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is rewarder of those who seek Him.
Since dealing with that bitter root, it has been an unfolding discovery that God is in a much better mood than I had thought. I am no longer reading books like; Why God Does Bad Things to Good People (imaginary title) or Wilderness Spirituality (real title) or reading the scripture and only finding places where it seemed God’s word contradicts itself. There is no question that the light (or spirituality) in me is of a far better quality today. It is like having a father-filter on the lense through which I see life as opposed to a step-father filter. So, not too surprisingly, faith and trust are not nearly so difficult.
Because of my experience I no longer see agnostics, atheists or even Christian materialists as beyond coming to Christ. I believe they too are thirsting at some level. I believe, since we are made in His image, that all our interpretations and impressions about life which seem to indict God which have been stored away in our “The God Who Is Not” or the “God is Indifferent” file, might just have been secretly slipped into a master file called, “Oh, But How I Wish It Were True”. I believe there will be some who hear afresh Jesus’ invitation which will not return to Him without accomplishing that for which it was sent, which was to win back our fractured and deceived hearts for Himself. Listen;
“Ho! Every one who thirsts (asks honest questions of God) come to the waters; and you who have no money (no discernable faith stirring that you know off), come, buy and eat….Incline your ear to me and come to Me. Listen that you may live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you.”
Father, may You receive this reward of Your suffering; an understanding among the prodigals as well as us elder brother types of Your kind and long suffering heart. Root out the things awry within us that alienate us from Your affections and those of others. Amen.
by RobertCummins | Sep 18, 2014 | 38. Balance
Matthew 6:25-34
This teaching of Jesus from today’s passage was given because, “No one can serve both God and mammon“. I believe that Jesus is saying our heart’s basic nature is to give treasure-level value to one thing or the other, trusting that it will meet our needs. Our trust-wired natures give us no choices other than Him or the material world. I believe Jesus taught (in verses 22 and 23) that our choice dramatically influences how we will perceive reality (i.e.; the capacity for “light” and “truth” in our inner most selves). So, in light of that, here is Jesus solution stated emphatically in command form;
Don’t be anxious.
So, is Jesus saying in order to serve Him, we must simply manage our emotions? Do we really have choices in what we feel? Instead of choosing to manage our emotions directly, I believe Jesus is saying, “Please continue to listen to Me because I am going to give you a rationale and an alternative for your trust-wired hearts”. We may not be able to immediately choose how we feel but we certainly can choose what we think. Emotions will eventually follow thoughts. Here is the rationale Jesus offers;
Life, as Jesus defines it, is not associated with what we eat or wear. He is teaching that if we are preoccupied with external material things, we will miss eternal things. He didn’t say material things weren’t legitimate needs. He just said that He would cover those needs if we will only focus on life as He defines it. He uses “birds of the air”, “lilies of the field” and the “grass of the field” to illustrate life. These are all things that are inherently beautiful and vibrant that never ask, “Where have I come from? How do I look? How will I survive?” To receive life we must become as “the sheep of His pasture” – creatures radically dependent on Him alone.
The alternative Jesus gives us is to “seek first His kingdom and His righteousness“. He promises that if we do this the external things will be made available. The kingdom of God is a big topic but we may know more about it than we think. We know that righteousness can only be sought by receiving it as a gift. The other thing we can learn about the kingdom is inferred by Jesus statement, “Do not be anxious for tomorrow“. The kingdom of God is the now-realm of Christ’s rule. He is always offering the grace for abundant life in this moment.
We must choose life. To taste Christ’s abundant life requires that we obey His commands which He tells us are not burdensome. We can undermine any victimhood delusions we may have as “anxious ones” by taking responsibility for our thoughts. That is a domain that God has entrusted to us as stewards and children of light. He instructed us through Paul to “renew” that domain. We must replace the thoughts this world has conditioned us with. Through our obedience to His counter-intuitive teachings we will learn a radical dependency on the Lord and as the hymn goes, “The things of this earth will grow strangely (and wonderfully) dim. Anxiety will be undercut as our hearts find their home (or treasure) in Christ.
For those who are reeling in emotional pain, wrestling with seemingly uncontrollable worries and it seems like things might just fly apart, Jesus says, “Trust in Me. I promise I will never leave nor forsake you.” I believe He would add, “There is a place within you where I dwell and this is where, together, by way of My life, we can expand My kingdom. Keep deferring your anxious thoughts to me. Don’t be anxious. Just trust Me.”
Father, may You succeed in awakening us to Your abundant Life – that eternal kingdom without end that is present even now within us. Where there is darkness remaining in us, come as the Light of the world to expose us and deliver us. Take vengeance on our enemy. Deliver us from every lie that has entangled us in this domain. May the Light within us grow progressively bright until that day when all will see the radiance of Your glory. Amen.
by RobertCummins | Sep 17, 2014 | 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
In the context of this chapter, Israel has made an allegiance with Egypt which Isaiah has advised against. Isaiah is voicing God’s displeasure and in the process, revealing things about God, who is now our Father. God, being my Father, definitely alters how I read the Old Testament. I do not at all mean to be frivolous with holy texts but my imagination kicked in and I went down a path wondering; if Isaiah were a contemporary author, what would he title his book. Perhaps it would be titled; How Then Shall We be Saved? Without loosing track of our verse or text, here is my review of this imaginary book.
How Then Shall We Be Saved?
Part 1 – Not Like This
Chapters 1 – Making Plans Without God
Planning without God exposes 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 reflecting God’s Holy nature. The holiness of God is the thing they, above all, do not want to hear about. (2 Timothy 4:3,4)
Chapter 2 – If You Persist
This is God”s fair warning that to proceed on this path can best be likened to a clay jar that might be useful in holding water but which shall be broken; not just cracked, not just reduced to shards, crushed suddenly into unrecognizable powder. God alludes to a sense of paranoia overtaking those who were not wiling to listen. The consequence is becoming isolated and, consequently, 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. The author hammers on the attributes of God’s holiness and justice.
Part 2 – Like This
Chapter 1 – God’s Nature
A review of God’s attributes focusing on His holiness, His justice and His compassion
Chapter 2 – God’s Intentions
Gives a peek into God’s heart where it is revealed that while being holy and just He simultaneously longs to be gracious and He waits patiently to reveal His compassion.
Chapter 3 – How God Has Planned Your Salvation
The details are sparse (it still the Old Testament) but the spirit is clear. Put succinctly; It is “In repentance and rest you shall be saved, in quietness and trust is your strength“. In the absence of specific details and information to satisfy the intellect, the author attempts to entice and whet the spirit with these words; “How blessed are all those who long for Him“.
Chapter 4 – If You Obey
This chapter entails the myriad blessings of those who would “get it”. For them it will be 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 (that He personally crushed) can be repaired to carry water once again. Unbelievably brighter days will come. The Lord’s wrath will be turned from His own people, full bore onto those who dealt treacherously with His own “true” children.
Epilogue
The author tries to boil it down to a simple understanding. Since the Garden incident, It has always been inherent to man’s nature to save himself, whether it be from his original “guilt” which he compensates for through his offerings of good works or his “insecurity” which he compensates for by trusting in his own independent plans – born of his own ingenuity and initiative. In short, he compulsively makes alliances with the world (and reaps the consequence) but fails to make alliances with the Spirit, forgoing the blessing.
The author confidently asserts his status as a “seer in good standing”. He is unapologetic but acknowledges his, almost painful awareness, that many of His titles have dark themes and that he leaves the reader hanging. As one who seems to know his story is incomplete, he practically begs his readers to listen for the hope in all he has written. He claims there is an underlying theme (or spirit) of longing that is intended for the true children to pick up on. He indicates they will latch onto the spirit of verse 15:
In repentance and rest you shall be saved, in quietness and trust is your strength.
He concludes with a strong recommendation that this theme of longing will be picked up on by future authors who will have been given much to compliment Part 2 of How Then Shall We Be Saved?
Father, please cause us to be those who long. Please help us to somehow get a hold of the immeasurable privilege we have as Your true sons and daughters. Let profound gratitude be our daily response as the beneficiaries of our New Covenant revealed. Let astonishment and wonder grip us as we realize that The Spirit of Salvation, Strength and Peace has made an alliance with us and is available always for consultation and friendship. Yes Lord, grant that our spirits discover You, the consummation of all longing. Amen
