Relationships

Interrupt the sin cycle.

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Scripture:  2 Peter 1:3-4

3His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, 4by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.

Observations:

A relationship with Jesus Christ makes the following available to us even though we live in a world that would corrupt us through sinful desires.

God’s power:  So now we have what we need for life and godliness.

God’s promises: So now we are “partakers” in His divine nature.

Application:

Those who enjoy sport remember reading and watching Lance Armstrong ride to glory over and over.  This week we waited for Lance Armstrong’s confession at the Chapel of Oprah so we could hear him come clean about doping in order to win.  Now in the wake of his ill-gotten glory and years of aggressive lying, the stories of ruined lives are coming into focus.

Sin wreaks lives.  The corruption of the world is always seeking to wreak us through the pathways of our sinful desires.

These verses (2 Peter 1:3-4) reveal a new reality available for us through our knowledge of Jesus.  These verses remind me that sin in my life and even the sinful desires are not a fault of the Gospel.  The Gospel has not failed me.  Rather when I become aware of gross and ugly sin in my life, I know that I must lean into my walk with Jesus.  I need His power for this new life and I need His promises that shout “I am loved by God.”  These promises interrupt the sin cycle and usher me into His grace for life.

Prayer:

Oh, Heavenly Father, have mercy on us.  May Jesus’ power and promises be evident in our lives.  Thank you for rescuing us from utter destruction through Him.  Now may your Word lead us into your path for life and may your Spirit empower us to love well.  AMEN.

The kiss of love

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Scripture:  1 Peter 5:12-14

12By Silvanus, a faithful brother as I regard him, I have written briefly to you, exhorting and declaring that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it. 13She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings, and so does Mark, my son. 14Greet one another with the kiss of love.

Peace to all of you who are in Christ.

Observations:

Peter encourages them to greet one another “with the kiss of love.”

Application:

I have a friend who regularly greets me with a slap on the back or a chest bump!  Its all about the affection and the happiness of seeing each other.  In general Canadian culture is not predisposed to greetings with kisses… or even hugs!  However, the spirit of this command remains for us.

I think Peter must have remembered how Jesus was betrayed by a kiss from Judas.  (Luke 22:47-48)  The contrast is striking.  The followers of Jesus as beneficiaries of His death and resurrection now greet each other with a kiss that recalls the great expense paid for their fellowship.  And thus our kin-ship in the church is based not just on affinity and blood-line, but on the grace of our Lord.

Because of Jesus, may our greetings of other brothers and sisters in Christ be infused with real affection for each other.  So… let’s warm it up and let the love and brotherhood we feel with Jesus into our relationships with others in His church.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank you for moving toward us and expressing your love for us in real ways.  Help us build the kind of friendships and relationships together in your churches that honour Jesus.  AMEN.

Songs that make me listen longer.

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Blessed.

Some write songs with generic sentiment; it lasts about 4 minutes.  I’m weary of such dribble.

Some write songs that cause me to look into this very moment and to consider my ways.  I want to listen longer.

Thanks so much Said the Whale for Big Sky!

7Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart, for God has already approved what you do.

8Let your garments be always white. Let not oil be lacking on your head.
9Enjoy life with the wife whom you love, all the days of your vain life that he has given you under the sun, because that is your portion in life and in your toil at which you toil under the sun. 10Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going.  Ecclesiastes 9:7-10

I’m so humble…

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Scripture:  1 Peter 5:6-7

6Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

Observations:

“Humble yourselves” is a choice.

As a follower of Jesus humility is a choice made with a prevailing view of life and all the pressures we face that says God is above all and that His timing is right.  See vs. 6

Choosing humility doesn’t mean we ignore reality, rather the cues that create anxiety become cues for faith — for us to trust Him, “To cast our anxieties on him” because He cares for us!

Application:

I’m so humble, except when I’m not getting my way.  Ha!  Peter’s audience was a group under increasing pressure because of their faith in God and identification with Jesus.  They were having to wait for relief.  When I am under pressure does it cue up faith? Do I somehow believe God has forgotten me?  or Do I revert to a twisted view of God that is not consistent with the Gospel?   Anxiety can paralyze us from doing what we must do.  And anxiety can create compulsive and frantic behaviours.  Being busy or going into hiding may not be actions of faith.  But they could be.

The first action of Gospel inspired faith in Jesus when the pressures of life come screaming at us is to pray: to audibly cast our anxieties on Him, in a declaration of His faithful care.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank you for the grace to trust that you care for me.  When the pressures of life scream at me, let me learn the new habit of humility: to prayerfully trust you with my issues and to declare your care for me.  I trust that you will direct me and those with me to keep in step with what your Spirit is doing here and now for the glory of your Son and His Kingdom.  AMEN.

Beyond Dress Up

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Scripture:  1 Peter 5:5

5Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

Observations:

To those who are not old– be subject to the elders.  All of you: the elders and the younger:  Put on humility.  “clothe yourselves”.  toward one another.  God is against the proud.  God gives grace to the humble.

Application:

The ancient world did not value humility on a broad scale. Even today there are cultures  and people that do not value humility.  John Dickson argues in Humilitas that valuing humility broadly in our culture is a Christian development.

Hubris or pride is antithetical to the life God wants for us.  Humility opens the door to God’s grace and actually enlarges a person in their influence and their capacity to love well.

The problem with pride is that we are usually not conscious of it.  I reek of it and don’t know it, because its the “odor” I’ve gotten used to.  So the Word of God asks us to develop a new habit in response to the Gospel.  In our relationships with those who are older and with those who are younger we must make a decision to “put on humility” toward each other.

The younger person thinks the older people don’t know anything.

The older person thinks the younger people don’t know anything.

Ah, humility.  Humility says I can learn from you, younger and older.  Humility says, I can let you know the truth about me, younger and older.  Humility says, I am looking for God’s grace in my relationships with you because of the incredible hope and potential of the power of Jesus Christ unleashed in your life through the Gospel.

Listen to John talk about humility and his book.

Prayer:  

Heavenly Father, I don’t want to just play dress up when it comes to humility.  Grant me the wisdom to appreciate your mercy and grace shown me in the Gospel of Jesus.  Fill me with your Spirit.  I need you to change me from the inside out.  Help me learn from others, both younger and older today.  AMEN.