New Goals or a Renewed Pursuit?

As the year draws to a close and a new year looms on the horizon, it is common to intentionally think through goals or resolutions for the new year, things that we hope to accomplish or do better than we did this year. I know for myself, however, these good intentions all too often become nothing more than that, and many of those resolutions that looked so good on paper are forgotten and don’t become a reality.

But what if I were to approach this new year, not so much with a set of new goals or purposes to strive for, but with a renewed commitment to pursue that which matters most in all of life? The new year does provide a good opportunity to reflect on what is truly important and to resolve anew to commit to the pursuit of that which is eternally valuable.

As I was thinking about this and reflecting on what the Bible says about that which we should be seeking after and pursuing as our goal, I was reading through the book of Philippians. Paul’s life goal was very clear to him, and so foremost was it in his mind that everything else faded in comparison. He says it in chapter 1, verse 20, like this:

“according to my earnest expectation and hope, that in nothing shall I be put to shame, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether by life, or by death.”

That which Paul was earnestly looking for with great confidence and hope was that Christ would in all things be exalted. This was not a new goal, but that which had characterized his life since the day of his conversion. Yet this desire and focus had not diminished with time, but had continued to drive everything that Paul did!

In chapter 3 verses 7-14, he says it this way:

But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Again, this was not a new goal in Paul’s life, but that which continually characterized his life from the time he came to know Christ. The more he came to understand and experience the surpassing value and beauty of Christ, the more he desired to know Him and be like Him, and this one pursuit overshadowed everything else, so that in comparison everything that was previously valuable from an earthly perspective seemed worthless.

In 2 Corinthians 5:9, Paul again states clearly his supreme goal in life:

Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him.

In Colossians 1:9-18, Paul’s pursuit of and focus on Christ spills over into his prayers for those he had ministered to, and his concern for them is inseparable from and driven by his desire that Christ would have first place in everything:

For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God...For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.

As I prepare to begin a new year, I can think of no better way to sum up what my pursuit ought to be in the coming year than the words of David in Psalm 27:4:

One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord and to meditate in His temple.

As I fix my eyes on Him and marvel and wonder at His beauty and majesty every day, this will give me the confidence and motivation to run with endurance the race that He has set before me each day. It is only by His grace, through Christ, that I can live a life that has meaning and purpose, and it is Christ and His work on my behalf that gives meaning to all that I do. If I am focused on Him each day and continually in awe of Him, then I will be pursuing the right goal, the only one that is truly worthy of pursuing!

Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Heb. 12:1-2

Why Did Jesus Come?

During this Christmas season, I have especially enjoyed reviewing what the New Testament has to say about the purpose of Jesus’ coming.  The Bible gives us many very clear statements that declare why He came into the world, many of them from the very words of Jesus Himself in the Gospels.  Here are just 10 of them to consider and meditate upon this Christmas.

·         Jesus came to serve and to give His life as a ransom.

Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.  Matt. 20:28

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.  Mark 10:45

·         Jesus came to seek and to save the lost.

For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.  Luke 19:10

·         Jesus came to provide eternal life.

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.  John 3:16

·         Jesus came to provide abundant life.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.  John 10:10

·         Jesus came to reveal and glorify the Father.

Jesus spoke these things; and lifting up His eyes to heaven, He said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify Your Son, that the Son may glorify You, even as You gave Him authority over all flesh, that to all whom You have given Him, He may give eternal life. This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. I glorified You on the earth, having accomplished the work which You have given Me to do.  John 17:1-4

·         Jesus came to testify to the truth.

Therefore Pilate said to Him, “So You are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.    John 18:37

·         Jesus came in order that we might be redeemed and adopted as God’s children.

But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.  Gal. 4:4-5

·         Jesus came in order to destroy the power of death and the devil.

Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil.  Heb. 2:14

·         Jesus came to be a merciful and faithful High Priest and to remove God's wrath against our sins.

Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.  Heb. 2:17

·         Jesus came to be a sin-removing sacrifice.

…but now once at the consummation of the ages He has been manifested to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.  Heb. 9:26

Father, thank You for the indescribable gift of Your Son!  Help me today to fix my eyes upon Jesus and to behold and marvel at such a great salvation as You have provided!

Emotions Aren't Good Leaders!

At a ladies retreat recently, I was challenged and encouraged by truth from 1 Peter that points us to the living hope believers have through Jesus Christ that is both future and now.  In 1 Peter 1:3-9, Peter reminds his readers, who were suffering persecution and facing many trials, of this hope that they could rejoice in – an imperishable inheritance that is being kept in heaven for those who are protected by God’s power through Christ!  This alone ought to give them, and all of us who belong to Christ, motivation and encouragement to endure and rejoice!  This life is not it!  There is something better coming!  Yet Peter then turns their attention to the beautiful purpose that trials themselves can have in the life of a believer.

I love the wording in verse 6, where he says “you have had to be distressed by various trials.”  This gives the idea that suffering is not only allowed by God in our lives, but that trials are intentionally used by God to prove the genuineness of our faith, so that it may bring praise and glory to Him through Christ!  Genuine faith is responding in obedience to the truth of God’s Word and living out what we know to be true, even when we don’t feel like it.  True faith is not based on our feelings, but is based on the truth of Who God is and what He has said, whether we feel like it is true or not. 

One of the statements that the speaker at this ladies’ retreat said in the context of this passage was that “emotions aren’t good leaders.” God has created us to be emotional beings, and our emotions can be used for good when we allow them to follow our choices and actions.  But we often get into trouble when we allow our emotions or feelings to lead us and determine our actions.  God uses trials in our lives to remind us that we walk by faith, not by sight, nor by our feelings.  Another thing she said that I found to be helpful was that God never commanded us to feel Him, but He has commanded us to trust Him and obey Him no matter how we feel!  How very true!

The result of genuine faith, believing Christ and then acting in obedience to Him, is that we will love Him more, believe Him more, and rejoice in Him (verse 8)!  He will increase our love and our joy in Him, but this is God’s doing in our hearts and comes as a result of our choice to trust and obey Him even when it is hard.  So once again, Peter turns their focus (and ours) away from the difficulty of what they were facing and toward the Person and work of Jesus Christ.  We have a living hope in Him, to be revealed fully in the future, and that should motivate us today to live for Him!

Am I living today as though I truly believe that what God has promised for my future is true, or do my actions reveal that I don’t really believe what God has said?

Am I truly willing to take God at His Word and act in obedience to Him, regardless of how I feel?

When tested by trials, will my faith prove to be genuine and bring praise and glory to Jesus Christ?

“Now the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will personally restore, establish, strengthen, and support you after you have suffered a little.” 1 Pet. 5:10

Studies on the Prayer of Jesus

In a recent study of Jesus’ prayer in John 17, I was reminded of what my focus really ought to be in praying for myself and for other believers as I was pondering several key themes found in Jesus’ prayer for believers.  It is helpful to think through His desire for us as revealed in these verses.

First, Jesus prayed for spiritual protection for believers (verses 11-16).  He knew what a hostile world they were living in and what dangers they would face as His followers.  His physical presence and protection was being taken from them, and He knew they would struggle with that.  Yet He had already promised He would ask the Father to send them the Holy Spirit (14:16-18), whose indwelling presence would be even better than the physical presence of Jesus with them (16:7). 

One of the primary ways that the Holy Spirit would help them in their fight against the forces of evil would be by bringing to their mind God’s words which Jesus had taught them (14:26; 17:14).  Armed with the Word of God and the Spirit of God, believers are thus equipped for battle.  Because we belong to Christ and not to this world, we can be certain that God will protect His own (17:14-16), but it is critical that we recognize the dangers that we face and use the resources that He has provided for us!

Next, Jesus prayed for sanctification for believers (verses 17-19).  Jesus Himself was sanctified (set apart to do His Father’s will) in order that believers might be sanctified (set apart to God) through Him Who is the Truth (John 14:6).  It is God’s Word that He uses to draw us to Jesus, and once we have been set apart to God by our faith in and union with Christ, God continues to sanctify us (make us like Christ) through His Word (verse 17).  The need for the Word of God to be central and active in our lives thus becomes obvious.

It is interesting to note that immediately following His prayer for sanctification, Jesus focuses on the unity of believers (verses 20-23), though He had already mentioned this previously (verse 11).  Our unity should reflect the unity of the Father and the Son, who are one in character and nature.  Jesus is not referring here to organizational, ecumenical unity across denominations, but rather the unity of believers in the character and nature of the Father and the Son.  When believers are growing in sanctification and Christlikeness, they will naturally become unified with one another.  On the other hand, believers who are not growing more like Christ will likewise not be unified with other believers in character and purpose.

Twice within these same verses, Jesus states that our unity as believers will lead to the world believing Who Jesus claims to be (21, 23).  He had already stated (verse 18) that He was sending His followers into the world, and this is why we have been left in this world – to bear witness to Him.  Yet our effectiveness as witnesses for Christ will be directly impacted by the unity of character and purpose that unbelievers perceive among us as His followers!  Personal sanctification, therefore, leads to greater unity among believers, which in turn results in a more powerful witness for Christ in the world.

And what is the overarching purpose of all of this?  Back in verse 1, at the very beginning of Jesus’ prayer, His focus is on glorifying the Father.  The glorification of the Father has always been Jesus’ purpose.  He came to reveal the Father and make His name known.  In verse 24, Jesus wraps up His prayer by bringing it all back to this end once more.  His desire is for those who have been saved to be with Him to see His glory.  When Jesus is glorified, the Father is glorified!  The ultimate purpose, therefore, of our salvation, protection, sanctification, unity, and witness in the world is that God’s name and glory might be made known and worshiped for eternity!  Wow! 

There is much more in this prayer of Jesus in John 17, and most likely I will write on this passage more in a later post.  For now, though, some questions to consider in closing:  Are my prayers first and foremost centered on God’s glory?  Am I praying for believers to be spiritually protected, sanctified, unified, and effective in their witness for Christ?  Am I making the Word of God central in my life, so that by it I might grow in Christlikeness and thereby be more unified with other believers and bear witness to the truth of Jesus?  Do I desire God’s glory more than anything else and long to make His name known to others? 

“This is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God, and the One You have sent – Jesus Christ.  I have glorified You on earth by completing the work You gave me to do.”  John 17:3-4

It's Not How Strong My Faith Is, But How Big My God Is!

“How do you do it?”  I was at the gym doing my regular work-out routine, and a fellow believer that I met there some time ago was asking me again if I had met “Mr. Right” yet.  I just laughed and said casually, “No, not yet, but still trusting the Lord with that.” It was a simple response, and I didn’t think too much about it as I continued my workout.  Just a few minutes later, however, this same person was asking me, “How do you do it?” 

“How do I do what?” I asked, taken by surprise at the question.

“Stay so strong in your faith.”  As he went on to express how hard he was trying to believe God and help his family grow in faith, but how hard it was and how much he struggled, I knew I had to clarify one thing - I am not strong at all, and I struggle, too!  I prayed a silent prayer for God to guide my response, and what came to my mind at that moment, which I shared with him, was Rom. 10:17 – “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.”  The only way that we can grow in faith is through the Word of God, as we seek Him daily and fix our thoughts on Him.  If I take my eyes off of Him and stop depending on Him for even a moment, I quickly falter!

As I reviewed this conversation later in my mind, I thought about the fact that faith always has an object, and I was reminded of even some recent studies that we have done in my Sunday School class at church about this very topic.  What is important is not how strong my faith is, but how strong is the object of my faith. 

This is why Jesus could say in Luke 17:5-6, after His disciples had asked Him to increase their faith, that if they had faith the size of a mustard seed they could see a mountain be moved and cast into the sea.  The problem was not the size of their faith, but that their view of God was too limited.  It is not our faith that moves mountains, but it is God’s power that will do whatever God chooses to do, and our faith is simply that which unleashes His power to work in miraculous ways!

I decided to do a little more digging in Scripture for passages that speak about faith, and I came across Hebrews 12:1-2.  The really cool part is that this very same weekend my church celebrated its 50 anniversary, and the theme for the weekend was based on this exact passage!  These verses further reinforced in my mind the truth that running the race with endurance and staying strong in my faith is not about my own efforts, but about that which Jesus has already done and will continue doing in my life.  It is He who is the author, or source, of my faith, and He is the perfecter, or completer, of my faith as well!  From beginning to end, it is His work in me!  My responsibility is to keep my eyes fixed on Him and on His finished work on my behalf.  If I begin to focus on my own faith or lack thereof, I will certainly become discouraged and begin to falter in the race.  But if I keep my eyes on Him, trusting in Him for every step, and confident in His ability to complete what He began in me, then and only then will I be able to run with endurance the race of this life.  That is the essence of enduring faith – fixing my gaze on Christ each day by seeking Him in His Word, and trusting not in my own strength or faith, but in Christ’s power to complete His work in and through me as He has promised!

Abraham is a classic example of this, as seen in Romans 4:20-21.  We read that he was strengthened in his faith, because he was “fully assured that what God had promised He was able also to perform.”  Likewise, we see in Hebrews 11:11 Sarah’s example of faith, in that “she considered Him faithful who had promised.”  Moses, too, endured by faith when he left Egypt (Heb. 11:27), because He was focused on Him who is unseen.  This reminds me of the well-known description of faith in Hebrews 11:1: “Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” 

While we cannot see God, and we often cannot see how He is working or what the result will be in our lives, a faith that is founded upon and focused on His unshakeable promises and His character as revealed in His infallible Word will be steadfast and enduring.  So, like the disciples, what we need is not more faith, but a bigger view of God and a gaze that is firmly fixed on Him!

“…let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”  Heb. 12:1b-2

“I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” Gal. 2:20

Lord, Make Me Needy!

 

One thing I have discovered about myself is a tendency to want to be needed by others.  Whether it is my students or coworkers needing my help with something, my friends or family seeking me out to do things together, or my church family asking me to help out with different ministries - I like to feel like I am needed and that I have something to offer to others.  Our hearts are so deceitful and full of pride that serving others can easily become more about boosting our own ego than glorifying God and pointing others to Him.  Thus, all too often we wait to serve until we feel that we are really needed, and if we never feel needed then we never serve or reach out to others.

As I was reflecting on Psalm 63 recently (which just happens to be one of my favorite passages in the Bible), I was reminded yet again that God not only desires to be needed by us, but He is also the only Being who can truly satisfy any of our needs!  We were created for Him, and to seek to have our needs ultimately met in another is nothing short of idolatry! Therefore, in my desire to be needed by others, I must consider carefully whether I am really putting myself in the place of God in their lives.  This is a serious thing, for God will not tolerate being dethroned (Is. 42:8; 48:11).

Instead, I must be quick to point others to Christ as the only One who can satisfy them and fulfill their needs.   I also have to be daily made more aware of my own need for Christ and for others who will help point me to Him, and not get offended or feel threatened when my needs are exposed.  The beautiful reality is that we are more effectively able to point others to Christ by being open and transparent about our own desperate need for His grace than by looking like we have it all together. 

If I want to be an effective witness for Christ, I must be humble enough to let others see someone completely in need of grace and living daily in dependence upon my Savior.  The Christian life is not about striving to be acceptable before God in my own strength, but about recognizing that I need Another who stood in my place to provide His righteousness on my behalf and daily clothes me with His power! 

If I am looking to Christ daily as the One Who sustains me and am being filled up by Him, then I will be able to overflow into the lives of others and serve them, not in order to feel good about myself or because I feel like I am needed, but out of love for the One Who is completely satisfying and a desire that others would know Him and be filled with Him as well!

Do I feel my need for God’s grace each day?  Do I recognize how completely needy I am?  Do I look to Him alone to fulfill my every need and faithfully reach out to others in order to point them to Christ?

 

“For You have been my help, and in the shadow of Your wings I sing for joy.  My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me.”  Ps. 63:7-8

“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.” 

2 Cor. 4:7-10

 

 

 

 

Am I Growing?

“Look!  I’m almost as tall as you!” The last time I visited my family, my teenage brother was once again eagerly comparing his height to mine.  He gets taller every time I see him!  He was pretty excited when he passed Mom up, and he is looking forward to being as tall as his older siblings and even dad eventually! 

A new year is a good time for reflecting on other kinds of growth, too – most importantly, growth in our walk with God.  Though harder to measure than physical growth, God’s Word does give us a measuring stick by which we can evaluate spiritual growth in our lives, and it gives us important truths about how this growth takes place. 

Consider the following verses:

 Eph. 4:15 - But speaking the truth in love, we may grow up in all things into him, who is the head, even Christ.

In spiritual growth, the goal is Christlikeness!  He is the One that we should be measuring ourselves against, not one another!  And if we want to grow to become like Christ, we must keep our eyes fixed on Him!  If we are focused on Him, we will more readily be able to point others within the Body of Christ to Him, so that we may mutually encourage one another in growth!  It should also keep us humble as we realize that, if Christ is the standard, we all have a long ways to go!

 

Col. 1:9-10 - For this reason also, since the day we heard this, we haven’t stopped praying for you.  We are asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, so that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him, bearing fruit in every good work and growing in the knowledge of God.

                We grow in Christ as we gain a deeper understanding of God’s will and His character.  This is both the means by which we grow and the end that we pursue as we grow!  The more that we learn about Him, the more fruitful we will be in living a life that pleases Him, and the more  we are devoted to living for Him, the more we grow in intimate knowledge of Him!

               

1 Pet. 2:2 - As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the Word, that ye may grow thereby.

            The Word of God is the spiritual nourishment that we need in order for growth to take place!  Therefore, just as a baby cannot grow apart from continual physical nourishment, it is impossible for any real spiritual growth to take place if we are not committed to time spent in God’s Word every day!

 

2 Pet. 3:18 - But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever. Amen.

            Ultimately, spiritual growth is a work of God’s grace in us, through His Spirit, and it is for His glory!  Therefore, our aim should never be to exalt ourselves or boast in how much we have grown, but to display God’s grace and faithful work in our lives by giving all the glory to Him for any growth that is evident in us!

 

May God help each of us this year to fix our eyes on Christ, mutually encourage one another in the goal of knowing Him more, feed on His Word day by day, depend upon His grace to work in us, and pursue His glory first and foremost in our lives!