Of late, “intention” is a word that has been circulating within my mind. So, when I recently heard a Christian psychologist say something like, “Intentions don’t produce results,” my mind went to work.
“Intention” expresses our desired end, but does not necessarily express the actual end. So for us finite creatures, intention is good but not enough. It may start something, but mere intention won’t keep or complete it. For example, how many times have we been corrected/confronted by our spouse or friend only to respond, “Well, I did/didn’t intend to….”? The result was different from our intention. But our intention did not change the outcome, much less excuse our fault. So, good intention is necessary but not enough. It needs more. Intention must be accompanied with continual focus and consistent action. It needs to be tethered to decision-making, discipline, and diligence. Knowing and maintaining our intentions can help direct our decision-making, fuel our discipline, and strengthen our diligence, but, good intentions alone will not bring the desired results. So what good intentions are still lying dormant in our past? Have we intended to invite someone over for dinner? Have we intended to apologize and seek forgiveness? Have we intended to learn the Bible and increase in prayer? Have we intended to call a friend or family member? Have we intended to evangelize? Have we done it? Lest I leave us discouraged, first, we should rejoice that our salvation is not dependent upon our intentions, but upon faith alone in Christ alone. The gospel declares what God has done in Christ, not what we must accomplish! Second, we should fix our eyes on the faithful God who always fulfils what He intends. God intended to create humanity in His image; He intended to call a people for Himself; He intended to establish His rule through His anointed King; He intended to provide salvation through sacrifice; He intended to purchase redemption through ransom; He intended to provide reconciliation through vicarious death. And He did! He fulfilled all of these intentions through, by, and in Jesus Christ the Lord. God intends to sanctify His people; He intends to conform His children into the image of the Son; He intends to judge the living and the dead; He intends to condemn the wicked and establish universal righteousness; He intends to create the new heavens and earth; He intends to complete what He started; He intends to eternally dwell with His redeemed people. And He will! He will fulfil all of these intentions through, by, and in Jesus Christ our Lord! May God grant us grace to fulfil our godly intentions that we may reflect His image well. In Genesis 21:33 we discover that “the LORD is the Everlasting God.” This is a transcendent truth which goes beyond all that we are familiar with. The people we know, the bodies we inhabit, the possessions we own, the creation we see, even the experiences we have, do not last. They have a beginning and an end.
But not God! He is the Everlasting God! And the prophet Isaiah implies that we ought to know and continually keep this truth before our minds, “Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary.” (Is 40:28) The everlastingness of God is good news for His people. Because God is everlasting:
But what is good news for believers is tragic news for unbelievers. Because God is everlasting His judgment and wrath toward unrepentant, unbelieving sinners is also everlasting. (Mat 13:36-42; 22:1-13; 25:41, 46; Rev 20:7-15) Sinner-friend, there is no need for you to live and die under God’s wrath. For God, in love, sent Jesus to live the life you couldn’t (sinless) and to die the death you should’ve. Then He raised Jesus from the dead, declaring Him to be the Son of God in power. Now God has promised forgiveness and eternal life to all who repent of their sins and believe upon the Lord Jesus Christ. Don’t be unbelieving, but believe! The Everlasting God is waiting for you to turn to Him. There I was, warm in my study minding my own business, when the sweet voice of my daughter said, “Dad…I’m going on a run…” (oh no! here it comes) “Do you want to go with me?” Now, in the theoretical sense, yes, I wanted to go. But, in the immediate moment of moving away from warmth and comfort to coldness and exertion, no, I did not want to go. So with a laugh I responded “No, I don’t want to go for a run.” But then my conscience took over and I realized that I had just been given a great opportunity not just to run, but to spend time with my daughter. So, I layered up and laced up, and off we went. We talked a little, shivered a lot, and breathed hard, but my daughter helped me to keep moving forward in one of my goals.
Unwittingly, she had just been used by God to remind me of two aspects of Christian living that are vital for producing healthy Christians and churches: encouragement and accountability. Just as my daughter provided the encouragement and accountability I needed to run on a cold day, so we are to provide mutual encouragement and accountability that we may grow in grace and godliness. My daughter’s encouragement and accountability came in three ways. First, she came to me and asked a question. Sometimes, that’s what a person needs. He needs someone to come and inquire about him. Someone who will take a genuine interest. This was a part of what the angel of the Lord did for Hagar in Genesis 16. “The angel of the LORD found her by a spring of water in the wilderness…And he said, ‘Hagar, servant of Sarai, where have you come from and where are you going?'” (Gen 16:7-8) Timely and appropriate questions are a kindness. Secondly, she provided an opportunity for me to run with her. She didn’t remind me of my goal and send me out the door. In the Christian life, we need to provide opportunities for encouragement and accountability where we are available to enter in with our brothers and sisters; to “run” with them. We need togetherness. “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!…And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him–a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” (Eccl 4:9-12) Togetherness is key. And finally, my daughter had established an example of disciplined running that encouraged me to try the same. In the faith, godly examples our powerful instruments in the hand of the Lord to grow and mobilize His people. We need to see godliness lived out in day to day responsibilities and relationships. Paul told Timothy to “set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.” (1 Tim 4:12) Godly examples are crucial. May God continue to grow us in the graces of encouragement and accountability! Heb 10:24-25 p.s.–Just an added thought–I could have reasoned, “Who does my daughter think she is. I have run many more days and miles than she has. I don’t need this young whipper-snapper’s help!” But, I would have been wrong. Let’s not resent the zeal of those young in the faith and discount our need for their involvement in spurring us on to love and good works. Yesterday, I kept bumping into the word “humility”. From the morning devotional, to a mid-afternoon meeting, till I closed the book I was reading and went to sleep, humility seemed to be the word of the day for me. No doubt, it’s because I need to grow down in Christ-like humility.
I want to submit to you just two thoughts regarding humility. First, humility comes from the gospel. In Philippians 2:3-9 the Apostle Paul writes, “Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves….Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him…”(bold-type mine) Humility, then, comes from and grows out of faith in the gospel of the Self-humbling of Jesus Christ who “came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mk 10:45) Secondly, humility sends us back to the gospel. The more we grow in the grace of humility, the more we see our desperate need for the gospel. Gospel humility makes us all the more aware of our sinful capacities. William Jay, a 19th century Presbyterian pastor, rightly observed, “the more [one] advances in the divine life, the more he sinks in his own estimation.” Isn’t this why the great Apostle Paul said toward the end of his life, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost”? (bold-type mine) Gospel humility produces a growing gospel dependency, for, the more I see my sins and shortcomings, the more I must see my Savior. Loved ones, we will never out grow our need for the gospel. So let us drink freely from the well-spring of salvation, and, as we grow in gospel humility, let us say with John Newton, “I am a great sinner, but Jesus Christ is a great Savior.” Well, we are at the threshold of a brand new year! Resolutions are on nearly every mind. At the top of the list for Christians, is a new or fresh commitment to read the Bible. But, where do you start? Or, if you have been reading for years, do you stick with what you know or branch out and try something different?
I’d like to offer 4 thoughts to keep in mind as you consider your choices. 1. The Bible itself does not prescribe any set method or amount of reading. Nowhere in the Scriptures are we commanded to read x-amount of chapters per day (chapters weren’t even in the original writings). Nor, are we commanded to read the Bible every year, even though that may be a good practice. What we are told are things like, “My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; yes if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.” (Prov 2:1-5) Or, “My son, keep my words and treasure up my commandments with you; keep my commandments and live; keep my teaching as the apple of your eye; bind them on your fingers and write them on the tablet of your heart.” (Prov 7:1-3) And, Psalm 1 pronounces blessing on the one whose delight is in the law of the LORD and who meditates on it day and night. Certainly we are to read our Bibles, but we are not prescribed how much. It may be different for each of us depending on where we are in spiritual maturity or seasons of life. 2. Bible reading is about relationship building. God wants us to have a love relationship with His Word not a legalistic reading list so that we can feel better about ourselves. He wants us to experience the life changing power and see the unfading treasure of His Word so that we seek it with all our hearts. He wants us to long for the soul-nourishing truths and taste the sweetness of the Word so that we delight in it, coming back to it again and again. For it is in the Bible, by faith, through the Spirit that we meet our God, and build an intimate relationship with Him! 3. Because thoughts 1. and 2. are true, disciplined Bible reading plans can be of great help for growing in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus. There is wisdom in following the path and patterns of other believers who have a vibrant, dynamic relationship with the Lord. So, prayerfully and thoughtfully consider some recommended systems and choose the one that will best fit you. Some can try to read the Bible in a year. A few may aim to read 10 chapters a day; while others may attempt to read the Bible in 3 years. Remember, the Bible does not prescribe which one to follow. You choose. 4. You/I will at some point fall behind the goal. It’s okay. Just get started again. You don’t necessarily have to catch up. Let it go and start where you are. Keep moving forward. Keep growing in consistency. Remember, the goal is building your relationship with the Lord. From that growing, biblically grounded relationship everything else will follow. So, go ahead; open your Bible, pray and read! “Taste and see that the Lord is good!” May God bless our church as we seek to continually be a people of the Book. P.S. - Here are a couple of online resources that may be helpful in your consideration of a Bible reading plan: “What Is Your Bible-Reading Plan for 2015?” at www.challies.com and, “Bible Reading Plans for 2015” a blog by Nathan Bingham at www.ligonier.org With great wonder they followed the star;
Though the journey would be very far. Westward to Jerusalem they went; From there to Bethlehem sent. With hearts empowered by exceeding joy Continued the search for the Holy Boy. Finally, they reached the desired place; And bowed before the Savior’s face. Gold, Frankincense, Myrrh they offered Him; This Christ Child born in Bethlehem. Truly, this Child was their joy; Not some gadget, trinket, or toy. To have the heart of a wise man, see, You too, must come and bow your knee. Merry Christmas! “Little children, keep yourselves from idols.” (1 Jn 5:21) And, with that clear command the Apostle John ends his inspired first letter. At first glance, this seems a very strange way to say “good-bye.” But the more you think about it, the more it makes sense.
John wrote to encourage the believers to abide in Christ and to grow in holiness; all the while, acknowledging many threats to this desired goal. The darkness from which the believers had been delivered, seemed to call out to them. The world with all its riches, pleasures, and enticements beckoned them to come and enjoy. Sin and unrighteousness relentlessly pursued opportunities for the flesh to indulge. Selfishness, anger, and hatred threatened to wrap their icy cold fingers around hearts that had been set ablaze by the love of God. And, the spirit of Antichrist through false teachers sought to negotiate the truth claims of Jesus Christ as the eternal Son of God manifest in the flesh. Indeed, the sage and experienced apostle recognized the very real dangers and hostilities facing the beloved people of God. He also knew that at the heart of these threatening temptations was idolatry. Consider: Why would we choose darkness over the light? Because, in that moment we love it more. Why would we choose sin over righteousness? Because, in that moment we desire it more. Why would we choose worldliness over godliness? Because, in that moment we value it more. Why would we choose hate over love? Because, we love ourselves more. Why would we compromise the truth claims of Christ? Because in that moment we love the praises of men more than the glory of God. You see, idolatry is at the very heart, because idolatry lies in the heart. Calvin said that “man’s nature….is a perpetual factory of idols.” Thankfully, in Christ and by the Spirit, our natures are being renewed into the image of our Savior. But, the work of renewal is a lifelong process and the sin of idolatry must be guarded against and confessed when committed. We commit idolatry when we reject God’s commands for our sins. We commit idolatry when we refuse God’s self-revelation in the Bible opting to fashion Him into our own likeness and preferences. And, we commit idolatry when we cherish His good gifts more than we cherish Him. Let us learn to continually confess and forsake idolatry for, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 Jn 1:9) May we gratefully remember that God “richly provides us with everything to enjoy.” (1 Tm 6:17) Lord Jesus, forgive us for our wandering hearts and misplaced affections. Please make us strong in your grace so that we will keep ourselves from idols. Amen. “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.” (Isaiah 9:6)
“In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, ‘Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!….Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And The Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.’ And Mary said to the angel, ‘How will this be, since I am a virgin?’ And the angel answered her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy– the Son of God.'” (Luke 1:26-35) “….an angel of The Lord appeared to [Joseph] in a dream saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.’ All this took place to fulfil what The Lord had spoken by the prophet: ‘Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel’ (which means God with us).” (Mt 1:20-23) Jesus–the child born and the son given; the son of Man and the Son of God; the God-Man! Jesus–the Christ and the Holy One; the King of Israel and the Savior of the World; Immanuel! Christianity is radically different from all other religions because Christ is wonderfully and incomparably unique! “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12) (bold print mine) With the Christmas season upon us, gifts are on the minds of many. Gifts for family, friends, neighbors, ministries and/or the needy. Cheerful and generous gift giving can be a noble way for us to reflect the generous heart of God especially celebrated in the sending of His Son to be the Savior of the world. With the Apostle Paul we joyfully proclaim, “Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!” (2 Cor 9:15)
However, what we sometimes fail to remember is that with the gift of Jesus also comes the gift of the church. The Lord Jesus wonderfully saves individual sinners in order to incorporate them into his body and to make them a part of His people (1 Cor 12:1-13; 1 Pt 2:9-10). In doing so, He has given different gifts and functions to each of His members. Therefore, it is important that we learn to appreciate, serve, and depend upon one another. Today, my heart is rejoicing in the gift of the church. I am blessed to belong to brothers and sisters in Christ who love and care for each other. In our small local congregation I see the grace and gifts of God at work. I see it in tangible tokens of kindness (such as hand-crafted gifts) and willing acts of service (like a well prepared meal or piano moving). This very blog and the sermons on this webpage are not the result of my abilities, but those of faithful brothers. Yes, I rejoice in the gift of the church! So, this Christmas as we give and receive gifts, let’s worship God for the gift of His Son Jesus which also includes the gift of the Church! |
AuthorChuck Cook is the pastor of Grace Bible Church - Rolla. Archives
April 2020
Categories |