Grace & Suffering

Scripture:

2 Thessalonians 2:13-17
1 Peter 4:12-19

Grace is a most wonderful thing. It is freely given even before we seek it. John Wesley teaches three parts to grace prevenient or the grace God extends before you are aware of Him. 2 Thessalonians 2:13 (ESV) “But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.” Next is Accepting or justifying grace. Finally there is sustaining grace, or sanctifying.

2 Thessalonians speaks of prevenient grace. Prevenient grace is the grace extended to us before we are saved. It is the Holy Spirit at work in our hearts to prepare the way. As stated in 2 Thessalonians 2:13 God has chosen us from the beginning. He chose us before we were even born.

Even though we are a chosen people we are not promised an easy life. God never said we would live free and easy. In fact Jesus tells us to take up our cross. Luke 9:23-24 (ESV) “²³ Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. ²⁴ For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.” 1 Peter 4:12 tells us not to be surprised by trials that come our way. In fact 1 Peter goes on to tell us to rejoice in them.

As hard as it is to do we should be joyful in our circumstances. I have come to the realization that our joy is not so much for the suffering we go through. Instead our joy should come from knowing Christ is with us through all things. Matthew 28:20 “...And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." He hasn't forsaken us nor left us. Hebrews 13:5 “Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.'" Jesus is with us as we suffer. It is His strength that allows us to persevere. Through our perseverance God will be glorified and others can see Christ shine through us. If for no other reason this alone should give us joy.

Spiritual Infants

Scripture:
Nahum 1
1 Peter 2:1-3

It is amazing how fast a baby grows.  They start out totally and completely dependent on mom and dad.  They are fed, clothed, and diapers are changed.  They cry and are held.  What is also amazing is that a baby instinctively knows his or her mom right out of the womb.  There is no doubt or question to who mom is.  As babies grow their diets change from formula or breast milk to baby food.  Have you ever walked down the baby isle in the grocery store?  The choices of food can be overwhelming.  There are several different brands which offer three stages of food.  In each stage there are several varieties of available flavors.  As you go to the more advanced stages the varieties start combining different foods. 

As Christians we start out on the spiritual milk.  We are taught that Jesus loves everyone.  We are taught that anyone can be saved.  The only way into heaven is through Christ.  Simple basic and yet feeds us so we can grow.  1 Corinthians 3:2 “I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready.”   As we grow our spiritual diet will change.  We move on from the formula to the spiritual baby foods.  From there we move on to the spiritual adult foods just as a baby’s diet changes to eventually include regular table food.   Babies grow into toddlers.  Toddlers grow into young children and eventually into Adults.  As Christians we need to spiritually grow from spiritual infants to spiritual adults.  Let our spiritual diets change from milk to the adult food.  

God's Way

Scripture:

Proverbs 3:7-12

Malachi 4:1-6

There is an old country song that speaks about looking for love in all the wrong places and in all the wrong faces. That is not only good for love but wisdom. Too often people seek wisdom from the wrong places. Wisdom and knowledge is something everyone seeks to have. We will seek it just about anywhere. Proverbs 3:7 tells us not to look upon ourselves for it. Instead we need to seek God's wisdom. He will impart upon us wisdom if we just ask. If we will just honor Him and rely on Him He will fill us with His blessings.

I know when I think I am so smart and figure it all out on my own I usually stumble and fall. I end up getting it wrong and making huge monumental mistakes. On the flip side when I trust God and seek His wisdom and knowledge things turn out so much better. I rely on Him to figure it out and just do what He directs. I find in the end it works out much better and I am blessed by it. I keep learning the hard way that God's way is a better way...

Maps and Compassess

Scripture:

Proverbs 3:1-6

1 John 1:5-10

The wonders of modern technology allows us to find our way no matter where we are. Provided you have the right GPS in hand. A friend of mine shared with me a scouting event he went on. They were hiking along a path. Everyone was using their fancy hand held GPS system. He was using his map and land marks. Eventually they came and passed their turn off. He quietly allowed them to continue. After a few miles passed he asked if it was possible they missed their turn off. Everyone was adamant that they were on the right course. When they finally reached the end of the trail everyone realized they missed their turn. The GPS had given them false directions. My friend had relied on tried and true maps, compass, and land marks to find his way.

Satan will do anything to trick us into thinking we are on the right course. Sometimes we do not realize we have strayed. We see and hear new theories and theologizes all the time. People will tell us that the Bible was written a long time ago and is outdated. It wasn't written for our times so we need to make allowances. I have heard people say that when the Bible was written times were different. Things are not the same and therefore those rules do not apply to us. The Bible was written for those people in those times.

The simple truth is the Bible is the word of God. It is truth and is just as valid then as it is now. John 1:1 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” We need to make the Bible our Map. The Holy spirit is our Compass. Between the two we will always find our way back to God. When we do make mistakes and get it wrong we need to confess our sins to God. God knows anyway we cannot lie or hide anything from Him. We think we can and we even lie to ourselves and those around us. But God knows all and is all. Unlike the old saying “Only the Shadow knows” God knows. Let us walk in the light of truth using our tried and true compass and map. Let us confess our sins and shine forth to the world that God is truth and that Jesus is the way...