In Week 30 of 52 Weeks Of Gratefulness, I give thanks to God for safe places with authentic believers in Christ where the more sin I share the more I am loved.
They make 1 Peter 4:8 real to me, “love will cover a multitude of sins”
I don’t have to pretend.
I don’t have to be perfect to be loved, I am perfected by being loved.
This is not love that excuses wrongdoing but love that both warms my heart (affirms me) and burns away sin (holds me accountable).
I’m eternally grateful. #52WoG
You can tell what we are truly “seeking first” by what we fight for and what we fight against.
The world seeks commodities. (Matthew 6:32)
They fight for “all these things”: food, shelter, clothing.
They fight against losing what they perceive as theirs or against others gaining more.
The children of God seek the Kingdom. (Matthew 6:33)
They fight for communion.
They fight against what hinders communion (2 Corinthians 10:4-6): those things that work to separate the family of God, including the Father and His lost children —sheep that are not yet of this fold (John 10:16).
I must pay attention to what I get defensive about and what I fight for (James 4:1-5). It will reveal what spirit I’m really of, whether I’m of the world or whether I’m a child of God, not as a condemnation but as an opportunity for correction -so that I can repent and turn from my way, or the world’s way, to Him (James 4:6-7).
If I were seeking first the kingdom of God, I would be fighting for communion with the beloved in God through Christ.
What do the reasons I fight tell me about what I’m truly seeking first and how I need to correct course?
If I keep messing up, am I really saved?
Are you familiar with those challenges during a basketball game where if you make a shot from mid-court you’ll win a car, $100,000 or something like that?
Now imagine that instead of being awarded if you make the shot, that you die if you miss it.
Missing the mark is exactly what sin is, and killing us is exactly what sin does.
“the wages of sin is death” — Romans 6:23
It is important to understand that death is primarily a result of sin, not a punishment.
God’s desire is for us to live, not to die and He created us for this very purpose.
God is not lurking around every corner waiting for us to mess up so that He can punish us. We see in Christ that this is contrary to God’s very nature because Jesus, who is the Christ, proclaims, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” — John 10:10
Death is a natural outcome of sin because sin is missing the mark and the mark is God. It’s like a branch being separated from the vine, or if our planet were no longer in view of the sun -eventually, all processes of life would cease and everything would die.
Life is abiding in God.
Death is separation from God.
But God, desiring that we live and not die, sent His only begotten Son, Jesus. “His only begotten Son” means Jesus is the only direct and unmediated expression of God. He was sent so that the offense would be removed and the mark would be met, connecting us with God.
“In these last days [God has] spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person”
— Hebrews 1:1-3
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life”
— John 3:16
Just as a man, Adam, missed the mark (sinned) and plunged everything in his dominion into death, the man Jesus made the mark (abides), tipped (more like flipped) the scales in our favor satisfying the debt of sin through His death, removed the offense (stumbling blocks – “lies block love”) by declaring the truth, and came as a King establishing the Kingdom of God that is taking by force everything that was sold under sin (redemption) -establishing an everlasting kingdom that we receive when we believe and that grants us access to God, resulting in everlasting life. This kingdom, with Christ as King, is advancing until everything that opposes Him is put under His feet to the end that Christ will present the subdued creation to the Father that everything will forever bask in God’s life-giving presence to His ever increasing glory.
“For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous.”
— Romans 5:19
“Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. … Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.”
— 1 Corinthians 15:24
“They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain, For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD As the waters cover the sea.
And in that day there shall be a Root of Jesse, Who shall stand as a banner to the people; For the Gentiles shall seek Him, And His resting place shall be glorious.”
— Isaiah 11:9-10
Jesus makes the mark so that we can be with God.
Not only that, He’s made it so that we can also make the mark without fear of failure, completely destroying the threat of death through His resurrection.
“But [our salvation] has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel”
— 2 Timothy 1:10
“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit”
— Romans 8:1
To return to our basketball analogy, what Jesus has done for us is removed any risk of failure because He’s made the shot in our stead. In doing so, He’s removed all fear. Now we can just focus on becoming as great as He is.
“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.”
— 1 John 4:18
“Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.”
— 1 John 4:17
So, to the original question, “If I keep messing up, am I really saved?”
Messing up -sin, is not necessarily an indication that there’s a question about my salvation.
We mess up because there’s stumbling blocks in our lives (pre-existing and those that are continually being put in our way) which are lies that block God’s love.
Everyone has sin (1 John 1:8) -the saved and lost alike.
However, God gives the saved capacity through the manifold grace of His Word, the revelation of Jesus Christ, His Holy Spirit and His church, to discern these cancerous areas of rebellion in our lives, to confess them and to be healed of them. These are the weapons of our warfare to advance the Kingdom of God, starting in our own hearts.
Conviction, the very awareness of “messing up”, is a good indication of my salvation!
The key distinction of someone who is truly saved, returning again to our basketball analogy, is that they want to make the shot.
Michael Jordan, arguably the greatest basketball player of all time, is known for his exceptional scoring ability. He is also widely known for the sheer number of shots that he has missed. But despite missing over 9000 shots in his career, what we can be sure of is that he took each shot wanting to make every single one because he has a heart of a champion that wants to win.
Those who are born of God, as a new creature, have a new heart that desires excellence because He is excellent.
So, though we may mess up and miss the mark at times, those who are saved aren’t frivolous about it.
We don’t carelessly throw up the ball. We don’t foolishly throw it into the stands.
We want to make the shot.
But if Jesus already made the shot, why would I even bother shooting at all?
Because, making the shot -living as Christ lived, abiding in God’s love and being governed by it, brings God glory, and like Jesus, there’s nothing that authentic children of God want more.
Every time we take to the court, we want to contribute, increasing the glory of His already glorious victory. And when we have a bad game, we submit to the necessary practice and gym time to work out our bad form.
The aim is development, to be more and more perfectly aligned to Christ so that His life: His purposes, His power and His production shines through.
“But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.”
— Romans 8:11
This is a work that God does in us, that when we submit to it, we can’t miss.
“for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.”
— Philippians 2:13
“Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.”
— 2 Corinthians 2:14
So, the test of my salvation isn’t whether I mess up, it’s whether I want to make the shot.
Because of His life in me, I want to.
And because He makes it possible, I can
without fear.
Thank you, Jesus.
How we wait is as important as how we work.
What good is a spouse who’s only with you when things are moving and exciting?
A true spouse not only helps you move, but also helps you maintain.
It’s amazing when you can feel God moving and when you can see how you’re playing a part in what He’s doing.
But even when I can’t, while I’m longing for that wonderful intimacy again, I should be holding it down, providing for the day-to-day needs of His house and for those in His household (Matthew 24:45-46).
How I wait is an important work.
Lord, I expectantly wait on You.
I will be faithful.
“Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.”
— 1 Corinthians 4:2
For the first time in 20+ years of preaching, I am not at all nervous about preaching.
It has been revealed to me that I’m unnecessarily complicating it –trying to perform, to prove and impress. I repent.
The essence of preaching is found in John 21:15-19 when Jesus asks Peter, “Do you love me?” Jesus then follows up with what the product should be if we love Him, “Feed my sheep. Tend my sheep. Feed my sheep.”
Preaching is simply sharing the Father’s Love with those He loves.
Preaching, like every ministry is simply giving what I received to those the Lord loves –Love that will develop them (feed them), keep them in good shape and safe places (tend them) and grow them (feed them).
At any given moment, without preparation, I can speak fluidly to my children about my love for them or even their Mom’s love for them. Because I know our heart.
Preaching is no different.
“For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God.” – 1 Corinthians 2:11
I believe I have the Spirit of God.
And I believe His Spirit has shared with me His heart for His beloved through the revelation of Scripture activated and made real in my life through faith in Jesus Christ and obedience (however imperfect) to Him. All I am doing, all I should be doing, is sharing that.
Preparation is the same as preaching. It’s seeking and walking with the Lord.
The aim of my preaching is to present to the Lord, the Chief Shepherd, plump (well-developed), healthy, and clean (undefiled) skipping (full of joy) little lambs.
Which I will do if the Spirit permits.
Please pray for me and for everyone seeking to share the heart of God through preaching Christ and Him crucified.
A
safe
loving
strong
healthy
joy filled
thriving
house (people under and bound by the Husband’s name)
is the focus of a wife.
I am the bride of Christ.
I should be focused on His house.
Why wouldn’t I be?
No. Let me be real.
Why am I not?
Because I’m too busy building my own.
Because I’m in the streets, an adulterous whore, chasing what my flesh (a mind conformed to the pursuits and the ways of operating of this world) believes is a better suitor: riches, popularity, power, and pleasure apart from my Husband for my satisfaction and fulfillment.
But having been out there before, I can tell you definitively, there is nothing good in the streets.
Not one good thing.
So, how did I get here?
By being entangled with unnecessary things and having the fruitfulness of the Word choked out in my life because of the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches (Mark 4:18-19).
By worry of what I will eat, what I will drink or what I will wear and not instead seeking first (foremost) the Kingdom of God (my Husband’s house) so that every other pursuit serves the first one (what it means to “seek first”, Matthew 6:25-34).
By having my mind conformed to this world, seeing myself and measuring myself according to the world’s standards, thereby becoming self-conscious and being seduced into pursuits that profit nothing —not one good thing (Romans 6:21, 12:2).
I repent.
Focus on my Husband’s house is a constant work because the poisonous vines of the world are constantly trying to creep into my life to pull me away and overtake me.
Focus requires husbandry.
Focus requires constant pruning, a taking away of the dead, useless and invasive things that are harmful.
So then, focus requires a constant presenting myself to my Husband.
Focus requires what the Husband provides: sensitivity to the guidance of the Holy Spirit by the heart He gives and protection against its hardening by the washing in the water of the Word, and accountability through the fellowship of the beloved.
I am the bride of Christ.
I should be focused on His house.
When I have lost focus, I regain it by turning to Him.
Remembering His goodness, I return to Him.
But, if He so readily receives me again, does it even matter that I lose focus, that I am seduced away into sin (outside of the circle of love, outside the government of His house -the Kingdom of God [sin state])?
Yes.
Sin does not only offend God, it hurts me too. Sin hardens my heart, leaving scar tissue that decreases my sensitivity to His touch, His voice and His presence.
Yes, when we confess, He will forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). But the cleansing, Him lifting that scar tissue in the washing of the water by His Word, is a process that takes time to return to the intimacy and fellowship I once enjoyed.
There is no thing better than intimacy with God. It’s too precious to lose, even for a moment.
There is no place better than the House of God.
Now, I remember by the Spirit God has sent forth in the hearts of all who love Him,
“For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.”
— Psalm 84:10
In Your house, serving Your house, with You, is where I want to be.
Help me.
Cleanse my heart, O God.
Renew a steadfast spirit within me. (Psalm 51:10)
I miss You.
It’s been a difficult season.
God’s getting me right this summer.
I am being prepared for the next assignment. He’s transforming me from glory to glory, more and more into the image of Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18).
I shouldn’t expect promotion without preparation.
Even Jesus learned obedience by the things that He suffered (Hebrews 5:8)
It’s been rough. I don’t like it.
But, I’m thankful.
Why can church seem plastic and empty?
Because I come to the King’s treasury laden with debt but I pretend like I’m rich.
I only leave empty because my pride prevents me from taking advantage of the King’s debt forgiveness program.
In order to do that I have to openly declare bankruptcy.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
— Matthew 5:3
In James 5:16, the author writes,
“Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”
Notice that confession of our sin PRECEDES healing —the establishment of healthy function.
Very often I get nothing from church because I pretend that I have it all together.
A pastor and mentor of mine, Pearson Liddell, advised me regarding ministry, “get real as quickly as possible, otherwise you’re wasting people’s time”.
When we don’t confess our sin, we leave money (healing) on the table.
So, for me, moving forward, every church service, fellowship, Bible study will begin with this question, “Where is the sin in my life?”
And what is sin?
Missing the mark.
It’s being outside the circle of love, outside the Kingdom of God. (sin state)
The result is always that we don’t love properly. (sin action)
Leading with the confession of our sin requires humility, looking into the mirror of the perfect law of liberty, turning the sword of the Word (which is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart -Hebrews 4:12) on myself (rather than against others as we so often like to do) and praying, “Lord, show me where I’m apart from You. Show me the areas where Satan sits on the throne in my life. Show me where I’m failing to love properly.”
There will always be something to confess, always an area where we can be healed, always a place where God can make us more glorious.
“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.”
— 1 John 1:8
There’s no sense in being sick, coming to the hospital and pretending that I’m OK.
I come to Christ through fellowship because I’m in need.
We should lead with our need.
I’ll start:
One of the greatest hindrances to my loving properly and to God’s glory being expressed in my life is that my regard for many things in this world have not yet descended to the level of trash.
“Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ”
— Philippians 3:8
I am preoccupied with my appearance and have burdened myself with debt and unnecessary things to bolster it which keeps me from fellowship and hinders me from following Jesus completely and fearlessly.
Please pray for me.
My plate has been overflowing as of late and I find myself tremendously stressed and my internal dialogue dominated by, “I have to do
But after a moment of prayer and bringing the thought captive to Christ, it occurred to me that the phrase “I have to do…” sounds like a great way to identify an idol.
Why do I feel like “I have to do” these things?
In many ways fear is the reason. I’m afraid that if I don’t do these things I’ll lose some security: income, a client, a job, approval, or that I won’t be loved. This fear enslaves me and drives me to do things that are neither profitable or healthy.
Also, there are times in my life when I felt “stuck” and it is usually due to me not sticking to a course of action that progresses my mission. Instead, I allow myself to be distracted and allow my time and resources to be diverted to someone else’s mission.
So, I’m starting to push back and examine the assertion that I have to do anything besides what God has commissioned me to do.
Jesus was constantly approached with the desires and priorities of others, but Jesus was singular in His focus,
“For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me.”
— John 6:38
As my example, I want to be like Jesus and be successful in my mission. To do that I must first be focused on His will and secondly be centered in the security that God provides:
“And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.”
— 2 Corinthians 9:8
I believe that when I work on behalf of God, and unburden myself from debt and unnecessary things, that God will provide everything I need.
Operating from this confidence, I hope to be more intentional about what I do and more courageous about rejecting activities that do not further my mission.
There are dozens of new potential tasks that I am confronted with everyday. So, I’ve developed the following decision tree to help evaluate which of the following responses are most appropriate: Delete, Delegate, Delay, Date (schedule), Do.
And as far as advancing the mission goes, there’s a sixth “D” or category of activity: Discipline. There are some activities that I should be doing routinely (such as prayer, Bible study, communication with my wife or going to the gym) that perhaps more than anything else, contributes to progress.
#thriveday
Beloved, be careful with all the -ologies and -isms. It is easy to confuse human wisdom and philosophy for faith.
With philosophy, we can stay in our heads.
But, unlike philosophy, faith requires an other person because our faith is in a Person.
So, the principal thing is a real, dynamic relationship which is characterized by an ongoing encounter with, producing a growing understanding of, an other Person.
All the -ologies and -isms may have some utility in technically describing what happens as a result of the encounter but cannot be used for technically achieving the encounter or what happens as a result of it: knowing God and being known by Him, salvation, sanctification, intimacy, or love.
All of these things, an authentic encounter and its effects, are outworkings, responses to the Person you’re relating to —all which are out of your control. It’s grace, that flows like water that you flow with, not works like points you plot.
Jesus came so that you can know God, not so you can have ideas about Him.
“Hear Him.”
Scripture is closed, but God is still speaking. The Word, through the facilitation of the Holy Spirit, trains our ear to know His voice and to hear Him.
“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
— Romans 10:17
We can really know God and have a real, living, growing relationship with Him.
It starts with humility and the Word.
Seek Him.
Not philosophy, but the person of Christ.
“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”
— Hebrews 11:6