December 10 / Romans 1-4

Romans 1-4

What is your standard? What rules or guidelines do you think people should follow? What’s the bare minimum for acceptable conduct?

It does not matter what the standard is. The standard could be God-given, like the Ten Commandments or the rest of the Torah, or it could be societal norms, or it could be one’s own conscience, or it could be whatever set of rules we wish to use to condemn others and make ourselves look good. The standard may not even present a particularly high bar. It can be exceedingly low. Regardless, we all have such a standard for ourselves. And we all violate our own standard in one way or another. Even those who say there should be no such rules and quote Jesus with “judge not that you be not judged” (Mt. 7:1), then turn around and condemn all those that they think are improperly judging others, thereby themselves judging others. We all fall short. We all need to be justified. We all need a Savior.

But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it—the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, Whom God put forward as a propitiation by His blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in His divine forbearance He had passed over former sins. It was to show His righteousness at the present time, so that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

Romans 3:21-26

See also:

December 9 / II Corinthians 8-13; Acts 20:2-3a

II Corinthians 8-13;
Acts 20:2-3a

But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

II Corinthians 12:9-10

Feeling strong and capable, confident that you have within yourself what it takes to do a job for Jesus? You may indeed do well. You might impress the audience and get plenty of accolades. Aware of your own inadequacies, weaknesses, and struggles? Wondering how you’ll get it all done? Perfect! Now we’ll all know that it isn’t really you, but Christ’s power at work in you. And that, my friend, is much better!

That is not to say that we should not put our strengths and talents to good use for the kingdom. Of course we should, just as Paul clearly does. But we should not be discouraged by our weaknesses and shortcomings, either. We should instead view our weaknesses as opportunities for the Lord to be glorified. As Paul says in II Cor. 4:7, we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. Let’s be clear about what is clay and what is treasure.

My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.

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December 8 / II Corinthians 1-7

II Corinthians 1-7

Today we are racing through several chapters that I find to be some of the most difficult to understand in all of Scripture. Part of the problem that we have is that the context is very unclear. In Acts, Luke does not tell us absolutely everything about Paul’s comings and goings, so we do not know for certain how many times Paul might have visited Corinth or when. Neither do we know how many letters Paul might have written that we no longer have in hand, nor what the occasions might have been for writing those letters. Furthermore, II Corinthians itself seems to be somewhat jumbled up — at least, it seems so to me — so you might want to take a look at my comments about rearranging II Corinthians. All in all, we are left to guess about quite a bit. Even so, I trust that, in God’s sovereignty, we have what we are supposed to have — but that does not mean it’s easy!

But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.

II Corinthians 4:7-11

Does this sound anything like what you might hear from various “Christian” authors, televangelists, and other purveyors of prosperity theology? Does God promise the Christian health and wealth, a grand life that is free of pain, illness, suffering, and poverty — if only you have enough faith? Are the difficulties you are facing a sign of sin in your life or of a lack of faith? Maybe. Or maybe not…

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December 7 / I Corinthians 15-16; Acts 19:23-20:1

I Corinthians 15-16;
Acts 19:23-20:1

For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.

I Corinthians 15:3-5

Be honest. Do you believe all that? Is that truly a Reality for you? Or is it for you just a fantasy, a nice metaphorical story inspiring us to overcome difficulties? Is this all just a myth, invented by Peter, Paul, and Mary with no more basis in fact than “Puff the Magic Dragon”?

These are not idle questions. The bodily Resurrection of Jesus is the fundamental tenet of Christianity. Everything hinges on it:

If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that He raised Christ… If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.

I Corinthians 15:14-15,17

Without the Resurrection of Jesus, we have nothing. We especially have no hope, certainly no hope for life beyond the grave.

Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.

I Corinthians 15:18-19

Without the Resurrection, why in the world would Paul and the other Apostles endure beatings and prison time? Why in the world would Paul persist in preaching after being pelted with rocks and left for dead? Why in the world would he trade a life of honor and respectability to be hounded, persecuted, reviled, and abused? If there is no Resurrection, it is simply not worth it!

But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

I Corinthians 15:20

See also:

December 6 / I Corinthians 12-14

I Corinthians 12-14

Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.

I Corinthians 12:4-7

For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.

I Corinthians 12:12-13

Each one of us is a unique individual. God knows each of us individually, loves us individually, and bestows spiritual gifts on us individually. But we are not meant to live simply as individuals. My relationship with Christ is never just “me and Jesus”; it is always “Jesus and the rest of His body and me”. I am not in this alone. Neither are you. I need you. And you need me.

Do I have reason to boast over whatever spiritual gifts I might have? No! Why should I? They are unearned gifts after all! Or should I be envious of your gifts? Again, no! The Holy Spirit distributes His gifts perfectly as He wills. Should I desire the higher gifts? Absolutely! And then hoard them, keeping them to myself? No!

I will show you a still more excellent way.

I Corinthians 12:31b

That more excellent way is love, apart from which the gifts are worthless.

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December 5 / I Corinthians 9-11

I Corinthians 9-11

Americans often seem to be obsessed with “rights”. Insofar as we stand firm to protect the rights of others, particularly those who might otherwise be powerless or oppressed, that is a good thing, for without the protection of individual rights or the rights of a minority, a democracy can quickly become indistinguishable from a lynch mob, where the will of the majority is done efficiently and effectively. So it is imperative that we stand up for rights as an act of love for those who need protecting. The alternative is tyranny.

But how about when we stand up for our own rights? How about when we assert our own freedoms at the expense of others, or — more importantly — at the expense of the Gospel? Do we love our rights more than one another? Do we cling to our rights more than to God?

“All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.

I Corinthians 10:23-24

In other words, just because you technically have the freedom or the right to do something, does not mean that you should go ahead and do it. First consider the effect of that action on others, and seek their good, not your own. This principle of love is sprinkled throughout today’s reading, from whether to eat meat sacrificed to idols (an issue we may not directly face today, but for which I am sure you can find parallels), to Paul’s own refusal of compensation (though he clearly has a right to such compensation), to sharing (or not sharing) a church meal.

So, the next time you partake of the body and blood of Christ (I Cor. 10:16-17; 11:23-32), consider Christ’s surrender of rights before you think too much about asserting your own.

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One more thing…

For future reference, it would be better to put the previous chapter, I Corinthians 8, together with today’s reading, rather than yesterday’s, as that is where Paul introduces the principle of willingly surrendering one’s rights and freedoms for the benefit of others.

December 4 / I Corinthians 5-8

I Corinthians 5-8

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

I Corinthians 6:19-20

The immediate context here regards sexual conduct, with the obvious focus on the body and the need for holiness, a message that we would do well to heed, especially as our culture grows ever more overtly sexualized and ever more twisted in its thinking. But that middle sentence — You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. — goes well beyond sexual morality. It is a central truth that applies across the board throughout our lives.

You are not your own. How our natural selves rebel against that thought! But what is life in Christ apart from this truth? All sin is ultimately a rejection of the idea that we might owe allegiance to One other than our selves. But we do owe such allegiance: for you were bought with a price. The price paid is the Cross of Christ, a higher price than we can ever imagine, and one we must never forget.

See also:

December 3 / I Corinthians 1-4

I Corinthians 1-4

I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.

I Corinthians 1:10

How are we doing on that? If one looks at the global Church (or what purports to be the Church), with the Great Schism of 1054, the Protestant Reformation and the English Reformation of the 1500s, and the thousands of resultant current denominations, one would have to say, “Not so well.” Apart from the power of prayer, you and I can have very little influence on that global scenario. More significant to our daily lives is how we ourselves are doing right here locally. Are there squabbles and divisions among us? Do we let minor differences of opinion fester into factionalism? Do style preferences prevail over relationships? Are we truly united in our faith in Christ? Do we love one another as Christ loves us?

Let’s listen to what Paul has to say here to the Corinthians. More than that, let’s listen to the Holy Spirit. Let’s recognize where we might be part of the problem — and repent.

See also:

December 2 / II Thessalonians; Acts 18:12-19:22

II Thessalonians 1-3;
Acts 18:12-19:22

While Paul is in Corinth, he writes a second letter to the followers of Christ in Thessalonica, encouraging them to stand firm in their faith in the face of persecutions and afflictions. Key to that faith is the expectation of Christ’s return, when God will set all things right, bringing to judgment their tormentors and giving relief to the believers.

Do we truly believe in the Second Coming? Do we look expectantly for Christ’s return? Oh, sure, we say we do. After all, it is a well-known doctrine of the Church, and we profess it when we recite the Creeds: “…He shall come again, with glory, to judge the quick and the dead…” But do we really believe it? Or, after 2,000 years of waiting, have we adopted a more “pragmatic” or more “realistic” view, in which we live in effective denial of this doctrine altogether? Has the Second Coming become blasé?

During this Advent season, as we remember and rejoice in the humble birth of the Christ Child, meek and mild, may we also look expectantly forward to that Day when Christ will come again in glory as King, revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire… (II Th. 1:7b-8a) In whose camp do you want to be on that Day? Are you ready?

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December 1 / I Thessalonians

I Thessalonians 1-5

Imagine that you are a Thessalonian. A man named Paul comes to town with a couple of traveling companions, one named Silas and another named Timothy. Paul and Silas bear the marks of a recent beating, and you wonder what they did to deserve it. These men start speaking about a Man named Jesus, Whom they call the Christ, the Anointed One. They say this Jesus was crucified, but that God raised Him from the dead, all in accordance with the Jewish Scriptures. “Ludicrous!” you think.

But the more you listen, the more you find their message compelling, not just because of their words, but because of how they act. They demonstrate a life you’ve never seen before. They show love and kindness and compassion. They speak with authority, but also with humility. They treat one another and their audience with respect. These men do not seek money. They work for a living and pay their own way. It is obvious that they are not fraudsters. They are authentic. They truly believe in this Resurrection. Seeing the reality of the Resurrection in how these men live, you come to believe, too, and you enter into fellowship with them and with their Lord, Who is now your Lord, too.

You’ve never known a depth of love that you now experience with these men and with your fellow Thessalonians who likewise come to faith in Jesus. But just as you are getting established in this new life, the Jewish leaders in town gather some of the local rowdies into an uproar. Fearing for their safety, you and your fellow believers hustle Paul and his companions out of town, and you wonder if you will ever see them again.

After some weeks Timothy returns and encourages you and your fellow believers, letting you know that Paul and Silas are OK. He teaches you more about Jesus and exhorts you not to be discouraged or dissuaded by the challenges that Paul and company might face — or that you yourself might face. Tearfully, you all send Timothy back to Paul with the report that you are standing firm in your faith in Jesus.

Then after several more days you receive this letter from Paul. You all gather around to hear what your dear friend has to say. What a letter! What encouragement! You look forward to seeing Paul again, but more than that you are reassured that you will meet Jesus face to face some day, even if you die before His glorious return. In that knowledge you find renewed hope, hope for yourself and hope for all your loved ones. And so you rejoice and give thanks to God, Who called you into His Kingdom.

OK, so maybe we’re not Thessalonians, and maybe we’ve never met anyone quite as gifted as Paul or Silas or Timothy. But we still have this letter and the rest of the Scriptures. And we have the same Father, the same Lord Jesus, and the same Holy Spirit. How might we live so as to encourage one another in the faith? How might we live so as to demonstrate the reality of the Resurrection? How might we live in the expectation of Christ’s return? How might we live as children of light, children of the day? (I Th. 5:5)

Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He Who calls you is faithful; He will surely do it.

I Thessalonians 5:23-24

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