Not Home for the Holidays

I have been musing over what must have been going on at home this Christmas since we had decided to stay out east. There is something unique about 'home' and not just the physical house but rather the people, the friends, the family, the smells (yes, even lutefisk). As I contemplate my desire to be at home God has been gracious to remind me of the ultimate home. No, not golden streets, or mansions but the people, the family, and particularly, our God. The desire, to be at home with family during this season, should pale in comparison to the desire of sitting with my spiritual family at the Marriage Feast where we will all be with the Lamb who was slain on our behalf.

To be more specific... I remember the past of sitting down at a long table stretching from the dining room to the living room which was packed with family and food. After we found our seats and the 'moms' took pictures we would all look down the table anticipating my grandfather's words of spiritual reflection and then his prayer of thanksgiving to the Lord. This aspect of Christmas will not be the same this year for any of us because Grandpa was called 'home' this year. It's bitter-sweet to consider these things but I would have to say that it is far more sweet than bitter. Why? Because the joys we have experienced as a family with our grandfather around a long table packed with family and food is a foretaste of our true family, our true home and our true Father! It will be nothing less than our experiences together as a family here but it will be exponentially more fantastic there for we will be together, face to face with our Redeemer... finally at home!

Unworthy Servants

Luke 17:7-10 "Will any one of you who has a servant plowing or keeping sheep say to him when he has come in from the field, 'Come at once and recline at table'? Will he not rather say to him, 'Prepare supper for me and dress properly, and serve me while I eat and drink, and afterward you will eat and drink'? Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded? So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded say, 'We are unworthy servants, we have only done what was our duty.'"

Recently, I have been privileged to carry some new responsibilities and in the midst of these opportunities I can feel my heart occasionally reeling inward. Although service is being rendered it can often be rendered, not in service to the King, but in service to the servant - me. Or when I have served with supposed great intentions for the King my heart yearns for prestige, comfort, or approval from others. My heart seeks contentment in things I have done and consequently causes discontentment with the King and what he has done on my behalf. I can't serve two masters.

And then I am reminded that my approval is Jesus, my prestige is Jesus, my comfort is Jesus... all that I am and all that I have to feel good about myself is Jesus.

A heart that fails to sense afresh its unworthiness is a heart that has become discontent with the person and work of the King. It's truly wonderful to be spent as an unworthy servant, in service to, the King.

(watch @ ccef.org or trinitarianjoy.blogspot.com)

Recovery or Redemption

Perhaps I am making too much out of words but as I have been studying addictions, 'recovery' has become a word of great concern. The question that looms in my mind is 'what are people recovering to?'.

Recently, Tim Keller wrote a book entitled Counterfeit Gods which explores the idolatry of the heart. Keller makes the point that we can honor, esteem or adore those things which are both good or bad. Having a child is a good thing. Having a spouse is a good thing. Holding a job and supporting a family is a good thing. Attending church is a good thing. However, when those good things become god-things the individual is left less than satisfied. For when a good gift becomes the identity, significance and worth of an individual it will inevitably fail to fill the void only the Giver of the gift can satisfy. How can the gifts be more satisfying, and thus, significant than the Giver?

Herein is the essential problem with recovery. 'Recovery' means going back to a previous state of well-being. Within the context of addictions, recovery entails aquiring an assortment of good things (i.e. principles of living and a higher power) with the desired outcome of well-being. But if well-being is the goal, or in other words, if recovery is the goal, then aren't we simply moving people from bad idols to good idols? Instead of finding escape, relief, identity or satisfaction in a destructive substance, we are telling them to find worth, esteem, identity and satisfaction in less volitile activities such as work, family, marriage, education, God etc. Herein God is lowered to another good thing in one's life. It's an irony to call God, 'God' and yet esteem him as just another good thing which accasionally is bowed down to. That is the travesty of recovery! So what is God's solution...

Redemption! Redemption is the deliverance provided by God to those who turn from their sin and trust in the Savior. Initially there is the birthing of new affections wherein one now sees God to be ultimatly valued above all the idols of life. However, as one grows in the knowledge and grace of Jesus there is a constant theme of redemption that is played out. This progressive redemption is the constant deliverance from competing idolatry to worship the God who is supreme. Furthermore, redemption allows us to find deliverance from idolatry, to God providing significance, identity, worth and functionality in Christ. Thus, the void is filled! God is magnified through the redemption of his people and we are satisfied in Christ!

It's been almost a year!!!

So much has been learned in such a short time, and yet 'they' tell us, the learning has just begun. What a joy fatherhood has been this past year. My pride has not been offended so much as it has in parenting which means the gospel has never been so relevant. Moreover, what a joy it has been to be a husband... with a child in the mix! Sharing the task of parenting has brought us closer together as a couple. We find that even really good teamwork breaks down in the flury of child rearing showing us, once again, the gospel is relevant.

Thank you Lord for a wonderful year. Your mercy has been overwhelming. Thank you Jodi for your work and patience. You have been a wonderful mother!

And an early 'Happy Birthday' to Trinity Joy. We love you... a lot!

Group Redemption

I am getting more excited as move closer to beginning Group Redemption. Group Redemption is an addictions ministry of Grace Bible Church where our fundamental goal is to present Jesus to those who are suffering from substance abuse. We want to present Jesus as the sole satisfaction of their heart's longing. We want to present Jesus as the answer to all the facets of our sin; for in every aspect of sin lies its counterpart in the Gospel.

We would appreciate your prayers as the team begins meeting together to seek God's wisdom in developing relationships with those who are from our local community.

Part of our curriculum will consist of Ed Welch's Crossroads. He gives an explanation of it in the following video.

Making Much of God?

Within the ebb and flow of life we often find ourselves either trudging through the valleys of dispair or leaping upon the peaks of prosperity. We are either in the Wilderness or we are in the Promise Land. In either case, unbelief can become an underlying variable which is evidence of idolatry. You see, in moments difficulty we fail to depend upon God and in moments of prosperity we miserably fail to continue to act upon that dependence by making much of God. We can get so enravled by the relief or success of the moment that God becomes secondary.

Recently, one of my friends from church was finally offered a job after several months of searching. These 'several months' were full of wilderness experiences. However, now that God has broken through how quick have we been to thank God? I was talking to a non-believer at a coffee shop. She was struggling with a similar wilderness experience. I aimed at encouraging her by the story of our friends from church. And yet, in the midst of encouraging her I neglected to make much of God's provision. I made much of their relief but failed to bring God into the conversation. And we wonder why unbelievers struggle to see the glory of God. Perhaps we don't make much of it. Perhaps we are full of unbelief ourselves.

Through the peaks and the valleys of life we are guided by the wise hand of God. Through Christ we are provided grace in all circumstances; so whether we walk through the Wilderness or stand within the Promise Land our lives are in the hand of a meticulouly sovereign God who is worthy of our dependence. Furthermore, he is worthy of our conversations with both believers and unbelievers! What can you do today to make much of God?

PGM

This is an old drawing from college. I had the opportunity to visit Pacific Garden Mission several times while in college. During a particular visit I had seen an individual on the streets who was huddled into a corner with newspaper scrunched in around his head. Obviously he represented a large population of homeless individuals who for a variety of reasons find themselves wandering the streets of Chicago.

Recently I came across Matthew 25:41-46 which provides a glimpse into the end times where Christ will stand as Judge pronouncing condemnation upon those who failed to serve the 'least of these' and consequently failed to serve Christ.

Now I don't want to leave it there. Also, I have been reading in Luke 7 where Christ is fulfilling the New Covenant by meeting the physical and spiritual needs of people. He is healing. He is raising the dead. He is forgiving sin.

The Prototype of the New Covenant is teaching us well. The picture that I drew shows a hand presenting a Bible which is to say that 'Christ is our only hope'. However, I wish I had incorporated a symbol of physical help as well. The New Covenant did not simply usher in spiritual healing but also physical healing through Jesus.

We should be looking to participate in a foretaste of the spiritual and physical restoration that will one day be completely known providing a glorious cause for worship to the One who will make all things new.

Sinners and the Savior: 'Depart or Deliver'

“Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” These were the words of Peter as they, at the request of Christ, had pulled in a miraculous amount of fish. Often times the glory of the Messiah brings about an acknowledgment of our self-sufficiency. God prompts us do something outside of the bounds of our self-sufficientcy and we stand stagnant in unbelief. And when God finally gives us a holy kick in the rear we are amazed at what supernatural plans he had all along. He desires to glorify himself by doing great things through incapable people. In these moments we are made aware of the pride of our unbelief. We are often tempted to respond as Peter did, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man...". However, when Jesus is on the scene there is no need to depart, but rather there is a need for deliverance. Here in Luke 5, the God-Man is dwelling with sinners. He is moving toward them. He is interacting with them. He is teaching them. He is befriending them. He is calling them. He is using them. The infinite condescention of God to man is one of deliverance and mercy. May it not be that we flounder in sin telling God who has drawn near to 'depart'. But rather may we flounder in the mercy that is ours in Christ who has drawn near and shedd his blood for the forgiveness of sins.

All I Have Is Christ from Sovereign Grace Ministries on Vimeo.

I once was lost in darkest night
Yet thought I knew the way
The sin that promised joy and life
Had led me to the grave
I had no hope that You would own
A rebel to Your will
And if You had not loved me first
I would refuse You still

But as I ran my hell-bound race
Indifferent to the cost
You looked upon my helpless state
And led me to the cross
And I beheld God’s love displayed
You suffered in my place
You bore the wrath reserved for me
Now all I know is grace

Hallelujah! All I have is Christ
Hallelujah! Jesus is my life

Now, Lord, I would be Yours alone
And live so all might see
The strength to follow Your commands
Could never come from me
Oh Father, use my ransomed life
In any way You choose
And let my song forever be
My only boast is You

© 2008 Sovereign Grace Praise (BMI), by Jordan Kauflin

Chandler on Sanctification

Once again, Matt Chandler gives a couple glimpses into his own life regarding his walk with Jesus. How intentional are we in our walk with the Lord? What are those 'innocent' activities that can rob us of affections for Christ? What are some disciplines that are helpful to stimulate affections for Christ?

Chapter 8: Repentance and Sharing Christ

"Until we have experienced the breaking down of pride by the Holy Spirit, we do not understand what witnessing is all about...The core problem is that we are inviting men and women to come under the power of the gospel without having first come under its power ourselves."

Jack Miller goes on to say that as we turn from our pride (which is often accompanied by fear) by turning to the Savior we are given love and boldness to share the good news with others. All too often self-righteousness reigns. In view of the unbeliever, we are more concerned about seeing ourselves as the spiritual elite rather than seeing ourselves in them. Seeing ourselves in the unbeliever reminds us of the power of the Gospel that is availed to us and that is sufficient for them. As we acknowlegde that it is only by God's goodness that we have freely received such grace, we can go to the unbeliever as a poor beggar pointing other poor beggars to free bread, that is, the Bread of Life.

'Holy Frustration'

I spoke with a friend a couple weeks ago and simply listened to the situations he was facing. There was a sense of inability, excitement, fear, passion etc. It was a moment where restlessness resided because discontentment, inability, and God's grace pervaded. As the Puritans spoke, it was 'Holy Frustration'. It is not to say that sin did not play a part in the process of discontentment, but it is to say that this discontentment and inability pushes one to God through a variety of struggles. It causes us to pursue God, to look for Him and to assess His plan and His gifting. Holy Frustration is the whirlwind where one finds nowhere to look but up. This is only the means to the glorious end where God breaks through the storm and speaks, 'be still'. It is not that He speaks it to the storm but He speaks it to our heart stirring us to a greater dependence upon and wonder in the Cross.

"These inward trials I employ
From self and pride to set thee free
And break thy schemes of earthly joy
that thou may'st seek thy all in me."

Repentance:Making the Most of the Cross

Often times repentance is short circuited. This is done by assuming that the forgiveness of sin, via a terse prayer,is sufficient for repentance. However, repentance does not equal forgiveness. Forgiveness is simply a part of repentance. Second, repentance is often short circuited by self-willed change. A self-willed change of behavior does not equal repentance. Third, forgiveness of sin and self-willed change is not sufficient for repentance. This is actually a gross offense to the Cross.

Bruce Ware mentions that true spiritual change involves the head, the heart and the hands. Tim Keller mentions that true spiritual change involves the intellect, affections and will. It is herein that repentance, i.e. biblical change, finds its full expression. Each component will be active for true repentance to occur.

Often the heart is the missing link. The heart is the octagon in which the spiritual battles are waged. As our minds are saturated with the truth of the Gospel our hearts are fueled for war. This is not self-willed warfare. This is Gospel-purchased-grace. This is Holy Spirit empowered skill and ability that over time will be trained and honed for wise living. This becomes the expression of our worship to God; a Gospel-Centered Life.

The Spirit illumines categories of truth to be intellectually established. Our heart's affection is supernaturally aroused for battle. In faith our hands begin to move upon God's enablement.

Hence, repentance is moving from being inactive, or a rebel to God's cause, to seeking forgiveness, claiming the cross, and actively engaging in the fight for faith. What must stand at the center of the octagon? The Cross! Repentance is simply making most of the cross; for it is our fountain of grace, the power to true biblical change.

Marital Intimacy pt. 3

Marital Intimacy pt. 2

Marital Intimacy pt. 1

The Glory of Christ

The glory of Christ has always been a bit confusing to me. I recognize that it is essential to the process of sanctification and that it is a direct work of the Spirit to help me see Christ's glory. However,what am I looking for? Am I looking for sheer majesty; a Damascus Road experience? Do I take what seems to be exhausted by Scriptural language and attempt to conjure up awe in lieu of it?

(In attempting to make sense of all of this, John Owen has been so helpful.) Although the passages referring to the throne room are glorious and overwhelming, Christ's glory is seen most clearly in his incarnation. This is what the gospel writer John is so stoked about. In John 1, there is this Light that bursts onto the scene of redemptive history with supernova-like intensity. It is the glory of Christ incarnate. Yet we are also told that he carried no comeliness or reputation. He was not desireable. He was simply born to a virgin, jr. high girl in a donkey trough. He grew us in a small farm town and worked with his step-dad hammering nails. So where's the glory? John is careful to revolutionize our perspective by saying that this Light shines forth not because he fits the glory of a cultural icon, but because he was full of 'grace and truth'. He was and is the antithesis of cultural nobility. His glory was that of grace and truth.

Read the Gospels and look for grace and truth. What you will find is that you need to read and reread because at first sight his grace and truth are always misunderstood by feeble minds; minds that are not only finite but sinfully unaware, disinterested and unable to comprehend the infinite riches of the glory of Christ. It is by the sending of Christ's Spirit, who serves our feeble minds with the glories of Christ, that we might attain such an understanding.

How do I Change?

Although the Spirit helps us to name specific sins and recognize the situations in which they are most likely to show up, we have not yet been changed. We are simply more aware of what needs to be changed.

It is in this that we often fall into the pit of legalism. We often attempt to atone for our own sins by beating ourselves with guilt. We refuse to move forward until we have felt enough sorrow for our sin. This is often self-pity incognito. Self-pity, at its root, is pride. We wallow in guilt, ('woe is me') while at the same time stirring up pride. And we wonder why we go to Scripture and fail to see the glory of God. "God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble."

An awareness of sin must be taken immediately to the Savior. We must cling to his atonement. We must see his glory in light of our sin so that the Spirit might arouse faith in Christ, the agent of change.

"But we all, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord are being transformed into the smae image from glory to glory. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."

For Instance: Naming Sin and Preaching the Gospel

God has been good to make me aware of a particular sin. He has exposed the sin of self-love. In situations of service to my wife there have often been underlying motives for self. God has been good to open my eyes to see my sin specifically and the situations in which it typically has been demonstrated.

Now what is the counterpart of the gospel? In reading Andrew Murray's book on humility, there has been a greater awareness of Christ's unending love and obedience to the Father. John 4 "My meat is to do the will of the Father." John 8 "I do nothing on my own authority but speak just as the Father taught me". Christ never thought "hmmm, I am going to plan a day just for me." He always demonstrated love to the Father by obeying him. Not only did Christ demonstrate love to the Father but he also demonstrated selfless love to those he encountered. He befriended others. He healed. He taught. He blessed. He washed feet. He DIED. John 13 "...he love them to the end."

In large part, the substance of the gospel is self abandonment, reckless obedience to God and devotion to others. Now in Christ, by God's grace, I can love this way! In Christ, grace and truth can pervade from our lives. But in the throws of life, I must be postured to preach these truths into everyday circumstances where I am prone to love self.

A Moment with 'The Gospel Primer'

"...if Christians would do more preaching of the gospel to themselves,non-Christians might have less trouble comprehending its message, for they would see its truth and power exuding from believer in indisputable ways."

Recently, I am becoming more aware of our need to name our sins specifically. Generalizations such as lust, pride or laziness generalize the gospel. In doing so the potency of the gospel is lost and the multifaceted nature of the gospel is glazed over.

As I become aware of my sin by the Spirit's illumining grace, I am asking Him to help me name my sin specifically. But I would be amiss to leave it there. I am also asking Him to awakened my eyes to see the gospel's expulsive counterpart to my sin. With an awareness of a particular sin and the specific couterpart of the gospel, I am prepared to preach to myself. It is herein that a fresh experience of the gospel often takes place.

Have you named your sin and have you been struck afresh by the gospel today?

Watch the last half! Are you the worst of sinners?

Q&A with James MacDonald from Sovereign Grace Ministries on Vimeo.

Here's My Girl - Trinity Joy

Humility: The Beauty of Holiness

"His service is our highest liberty - the liberty from sin and self" -Andrew Murray

Recently I finished this book and I am going to read it one more time. Very few books that I have read make me more aware of my sin. What a means of grace! It was as if the Spirit used this book to pull back the veil of my heart providing a glimpse into the dark chasm of my inability. Of course, this is an inability to operate outside of motivations for self. "But God, who is rich in mercy, because of his great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ..." The theme which is articulated throughout this book is an awareness our inability and an awareness of Christ's ability. As we have been brought into union with Christ we share in the his death - a death to self- and we share in his life - a life to God. It is a union which reaches to the farthest recesses of this dark chasm and causes light to shine out of darkness. My reckless inability satisfied in Christ! It's time to start reading...again.

From the Pastor's Conference in April

Glorious and Mighty Choral Performance from Sovereign Grace Ministries on Vimeo.

Honoring a Man by Celebrating his Savior

As the procedures of the funeral took place last week there were several individuals who spoke to me and complimented the life of my grandfather, Russell Fahlgren. Those who gave compliments were right to do so! I enjoyed hearing others speak of the unique character of this great man. However, as the funeral procedures carried on and more character qualities of Grandpa were mentioned there was one phrase that the Holy Spirit continued to impress upon me. It was this, "What... a... Savior!".

Grandpa's life was impressive, but there is only one reason for it. It certainly had little to do with his upbringing. Nor was it a result of unique personal abilities. Rather, all that was impressive in my grandfather - his kindness, compassion, honesty, discipline, patience, contentment etc.- is a direct result of his Savior. For it was his Savior that paid the infinite penalty of sin so that God's favor- His grace- might abound. God's grace did abound in the life of my grandfather as seen in his Christ-like character. God's favor not only gave Grandpa the strength and ability to be kind and compassionate but God's favor made him aware of his deep need for dependence upon his Savior.

It is in this that a godly trajectory has been established for our extended family, all of whom love the Savior. Once again, this is due to God's favor through his Son. And yet, God had chosen to use my grandfather as an overwhelming means of grace to our extended family. God has graced our family with the life of Russell Fahlgren.

And this is simply the beginning! For the Savior not only provided the grace for Grandpa's impressive character, and He not only provided grace to our extended families through the life of Russell Fahlgren but He, through the cross, has made my grandfather fit for glory!

My grandfather, by God's grace, has lived well and has led our family well providing us a wonderful opportunity to honor a man by celebrating his Savior. WHAT A SAVIOR!

Do we really live the Gospel or do we formulate another?

Mysticism:

Mysticism seeks for emotional experience after emotional experience. Mysticism is the idol of dynamic experiences of God rather than growing in God. It does not take advantage of all that Christ is nor does it consistently take one deeper into the glories of Calvary but it seeks temporal blasts of emotional experience. This is not to say that biblical faith is not emotionally charged nor experiencial. However, as we are Spirit indwelt, as we feed on the Word of Christ, change often takes place in the little moments of life. Faith and repentance are exercised in these little moments. 'The danger of mysticism is that is can become more a pursut of experience than a pursuit of Christ.' Pursue Christ!



Activism:

Activism seeks to defend and promote what is right. Activism is the idol of righteous living rather than a joyful pursuit of Christ. Often times activism is the fighting off of external evils at the expense of the internal evils. You will see these individuals in the picketing lines or finding and promoting new material that raves against the political, social, or even religious ills of the day. However, 'when you believe that the evil outside you is greater than the evil inside you, a heartfelt pursuit of Christ will be replaced by a zealous fighting of the evil around you.' Celebration in the Christian life is marked by the relief of social ills rather than the transforming grace of God. Hence the Gospel is reduced to a participation in Christian causes.



adapted from How People Change

The Discipline of Grace:

What is God's role and your role in sanctification?

This book has been immensely formative for me. It has brought about a renewed desire to act upon grace in all things. Therefore, Bridges mentions several disciplines that are necessary but all seated in God’s enabling grace. So what is God’s role and what is my role in sanctification? I have the responsibility to actively fall in debt continually to grace; just depend upon God’s grace.
So how has this impacted my life? I had finished this book about a year ago and about six months ago it became very helpful when God exposed the sin of the fear of man in my life. There was a circumstance where the Spirit called me to meet the need of another and I compromised the situation and cowered in fear of what others would think. The Lord would not let this sin go by unnoticed. He gracious brought this book to mind as well as a panel discussion where C.J. Mahaney discussed the need to come to a thorough conviction of sin. As a result of reading this book, I new that my responsibility in sanctification was to dependently seek a thorough conviction of my sin before God.
In depending upon God’s grace to lead me in this pursuit, I sought to explore books that dealt with my sin, passages that spoke to my sin and friends who could constructively point me in my sin to Christ. It was my responsibility to do this – to act upon grace to come to a thorough conviction of sin so that true repentance could take place.
As a result of seeing my role in sanctification I sought to act upon grace. In doing so, God responded with overwhelming means of grace. He orchestrated several messages at church to speak to my sin. He prompted friends to confront me specifically with my sin. He tangibly worked in my heart to involve myself in the lives of others that otherwise I would attempt to avoid due to a need to uphold my selfish reputation. He opened the eyes of my heart to see the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ as my complete acceptance and approval before others. This meant my purpose, identity and functionality were all enveloped in the work and person of Christ!
What a blessing to fall into the arms of God being confident that he will not treat me according to my sins but bring me along as an adored child. He will continue to provide the grace necessary to continue to grapple in spiritual warfare and to have victory through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Do we really live according to the Gospel or do we formulate another? pt. 1

adapted from How People Change.

Much of what we consider to be good becomes the means through which the Gospel is supplanted. If we are honest, we will see that in some way we are all guilty of consistently supplanting the Gospel. It becomes secondary and our own efforts and wisdom becomes primary - sheer idolatry.

Formalism:

Formalism seeks to be apart of everything that the church is doing. It is faithfulness to a church calendar. It is works oriented with aggresive physical involvment and passive spiritual engagement. This is done so that I retain control of my life, my time, and my agenda. It is often seen a healthy aspect of a good life, however, it often reduces the gospel to participation in the meetings and ministries of the church. God hates formalism. (Is. 1; Matt. 23:23-28)

Legalism:

Legalism seeks to establish rules and standards for which Scripture does not. Hence, God is a god of unreasonable rules and harsh judgment. There is little joy in the life of a legalist because there is no grace to be celebrated. It is all about the performance of gaining a position before God. Hence, the gospel is reduced to what I accomplish instead of what Christ has done. God's requirements for me as a sinner really aren't that difficult which means God really isn't that holy. However, in assuming my righteousness comes from conformity to my own established standards, I supplant the gospel with another gospel - my own. I become the standard of holiness and the saviour of my sin. God hates legalism. (Gal. 1:6-10)

Vintage Church and my Trinity Joy

The Hero of the Bible

Religion vs. The Gospel - pt. 3

Religion:

My self-view swings between two poles. If and when I am living up to my standards, I feel confidnet, but then I am prone to be proud and unsympathetic to failing people. If and when I am not living up to standards, I feel humble, but not confident- I feel like a failure.

My identity and self-worth are based mainly on how hard I work. Or how moral I am and so I must look down on those I perceive as lazy and immoral. I disdain and feel superior to 'the other'.

Gospel:

My self-view is not based on a view of self as a moral achiever. In Christ I am simultaneously sinful and lost yet accepted in Christ. I am so bad he had to diei for me and I am so loved he was glad to die for me. This leads me to deeper and deeper humility and confidence at the same time. Neither swaggering nor sniveling.

My identity and self-worth are centered on the one whwo died for His enemies, who was excluded fro mthe city for me. I am saved by sheer grace. So I can't look down on those who believe or practice something different from me. Only by grace I am what I am. I've no inner need to win arguments.

Religion vs. the Gospel: pt. 2

this is adapted from Tim Keller

Religion:

1. When circumstances in my life go wrong, I am angry at God or myself, since I believe, life Job's frineds that anyone who is good deserves a comfortable life.

2. When I am criticized I am furious and devastated because it is critical that I think of myself as a 'good person'. Threats to that self-image must be destroyed at all costs.

3. My prayer life consists largely of petition and it only heats up when I am in a time of need. My main purpose in prayer is control of the environment.

Gospel:

1. When circumstances in my life go wrong, i struggle but I know all by punishment fell on Jesus and that while he may allow this for my training, he will exercise his Fatherly love within my trial.

2. When I am crticized I struggle, but it is not critical for me to think of myself as a 'good person'. My identity is not built on my record or my performance but on God's love for me in Christ. I can take criticism. That's how I became a Christian.

3. My prayer life consists of generous stretches of praise and adoration. My main purpose is fellowship with Him.

A Concise Process of Repentance:

Since we have been afforded infinite riches of grace in Christ we should never be caught in a stagnant pursuit of holiness. Since we have continued - moment by moment - life in Christ, we must grapple with sin by bringing the supremacy of Christ to bear upon sin. This can only be done by grace; the stewarding work of the Spirit.

I have found these series of questions to help me in this pursuit when I have acted in unbelief. Recently the Lord has exposed the sin of impatience. Plugging this sin into these questions has helped begin the pursuit of a growth in grace.

1.) What is the situation?

2.) What was the nature of your evil deed? (ex: anger, dishonesty, fear, evil speach etc.)

3.) What evil filled your heart? (ex: what do you wrongly believe that leads to this sin?)

4.) Who is the Lord? (what truth about God is antithetical to your sin)

5.) What good fills your heart? (what gratitude concerning God should fill your heart specifically when you are most likely to sin)

6.) What good can you do instead of evil?

these questions were adapted from Tim Lane @ the CCEF

Religion vs. the Gospel: pt. 1

adapted from Tim Keller

Religion

"I obey-therefore I’m accepted."

Motivation is based on fear and insecurity.

I obey God in order to get things from God

Gospel

"I’m accepted-therefore I obey."

Motivation is based on grateful joy.

I obey God to get to God-to delight and resemble Him.

Weekly Musings

by Matt Chandler

“Weekly musings on the gospel, depth and lesser realities” is how we are describing this blog. Fleeting moments of inspiration and insight are what we hope to capture. We’ll seek for ways to express the pulsing ache in our hearts to grow deeper in the grace and truth of Christ, and an assortment of casual observations about life – the good, bad and ugly – will also find its way here. As these thoughts intersect and coalesce…hopefully you will find some encouragement for your journey.

Ultimately we hope to connect the dots. Life in a fractured world means that we often live fragmented lives. It doesn’t always make sense, and it can easily become compartmentalized. The danger is that we start to think that “the gospel of Jesus Christ is the most important part of my life.” There is a subtle trap in this thinking…Jesus is a part, not the whole. So we can miss that He is ultimate Reality and the One who reveals what all of life is about. Jesus allows us to get beyond the sun (Ecclesiastes), that is, beyond fragmentation to unity. We gain clarity as we clearly see that life is about the glory of God and our opportunity to enjoy Him forever. So, the gospel is the lens by which we hope to view life, live life and enjoy life. As we connect the dots, the picture is clearly seen: Life is about Christ. (italics added)

Fear of Man or the Son of Man

(I am beginning more clearly to see that... this is my story!)

The fear of man is a silent killer. Sadly, for years many of us (including myself) have interacted in relationships with underlying desires to acquire acceptance and approval before others. This is demonstrated in a variety of ways. It is not always that one will seek out relationships with the intention of getting praise from another. Rather, some will cower in silence refusing to interact in relationships for the purpose of preserving a reputation. This one's interaction will be reserved and well thought through before ever contributing a word. Sadly he is motivated by how others perceive him and his potential failure before them. Therefore he is not quick to respond to situations nor to involve himself with others in order that over time his reputation might be established without flaw by way of external appearance. He at times is extemely passive with the motivation of not ruining "all the work" he has put forward in establishing himself before others.

Unfortunately, he never thinks in these categories. He goes along in his relationship with the Lord being aware of his discomfort around people but never being aware of this silent killer that screams of rebellion in the face of God.

So what brings life? What frees this man to love God and love others as he was intended to? Personally, two truths about Christ have been life giving in regard to the fear of man. First, my reputation is in Christ. He is my acceptance and approval! There is no "work" that I have to do in Christ to put myself forward in order to be looked up to by others. My acceptance is before God! In fact it may be that God would have me fail - that my reputation might be shattered in order that my self-centered boasting might be put to death and that Christ might be put forward.

Second, the fear of man is suddenly quenched when the fear of God becomes a functional truth in the heart of the believer. Not only is Christ my acceptance and approval before God but Christ is my King. He is the King who is worthy to receive the praise of all of creation. He is the King who is given all authority to judge and rule. He will strike down the nations of the world with a sharp sword from his mouth and he will rule all nations with a rod of iron.

Just read Revelation and consider that the sin of the fear of man puts me forward as king of my life and assumes I can bring life to others. This is an assault upon the throne of Jesus Christ. This is the spirit of Satan and his anti-christ. Who am I to boast in myself when the King stands before me now to impart grace to make much of himself through me for his glory and my good. I have something to offer others, its Christ... and he often times is most clearly seen when I have been humbled and my self-centered reputation has been shattered.

Fear of Man is just a grown-up's word for Peer Pressure. It's amazing how sophisticated we make it the more "mature" we become, yet how equally foolish it is!