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For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. (Colossians 3:3)
Since we are united to Christ, God regards us in the identical way he does Christ. The Father treats us exactly the same way as he does his own eternal and beloved Son.
-Robert Letham, Union with Christ: In Scripture, History, and Theology, p. 53.
That is what it means to be hidden in Christ! The Father sees Christ instead of me. Thus, He relates to me as He relates to Christ for He sees the beloved Son in my place.
Oh to have this truth capture my mind!
When I feel anxious about desires unmet. When I feel distant from the Lord. When I feel that I miss out because of my striving to please the Lord. When I fail to please the Lord. When I feel the pull to give into sin. When I have no desire to do the things God wants me to do. When I feel unloved. And in pretty much ever other circumstance and thought this truth needs to be the determiner of how I understand and live in this world.
A very good perspective from Ray Ortlund for me as a young single man to keep in front of me…
The longer I live, the more I care about fewer things, and it’s good. Here are those fewer things:
1. God is patient. “. . . the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience” (Romans 2:4). Where would I be now, if God were not patient with me?
2. My wife is my most precious earthly treasure. “An excellent wife is the crown of her husband” (Proverbs 12:4). And how I delight in my family!
3. Everything man-made will fail. But it’s okay. Everything God-made will last. “God’s firm foundation stands” (2 Timothy 2:19).
4. Gospel doctrine creates a gospel culture. “If God so loved us, we also ought to love one another” (1 John 4:11). When the gospel gets through, our relationships becomebeautiful.
5. I will die in just a few years. What matters now is lifting up a bold new generation for Christ. “I endure everything for the sake of the elect” (2 Timothy 2:10).
6. God visits weakness with power, suffering with blessing, setbacks with progress. “My grace is sufficient for you” (2 Corinthians 12:9).
7. The Bible is my oxygen. “The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life” (John 6:63). How could I live a single day in this world of illusion without God’s inerrant Word?
8. The grace of God is the endless resource for everything I face. “Be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 2:1).
9. The highest truth is God’s mercy for the undeserving. “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). It’s all I want to talk about.
10. Whatever else I lose, I must keep my own walk with the Lord. “But for me, it is good to be near God” (Psalm 73:28).
Worldliness is whatever any culture does to make sin seem normal and righteousness to be strange. When we imbibe the Zeitgist (the spirit of the age) of worldliness, then we feel strange trying to think Christianly and act according to the Bible’s mandates. That is, when we think the world’s thoughts after it and do not think God’s thought after him, we will not be motivated to do the things that God wants us to do, but we will only feel comfortable acting in a manner that fits into the world’s way of doing things…
…this is why regular attendance at church is so important. At church we worship by hearing God’s Word, praising God, praying, partaking of the Lord’s and fellowshipping, all of which encourages believers and convinces them that they indeed are the ones who are normal and that the world is strange before God’s eyes.
-G. K. Beale, We Become What We Worship: A Biblical Theology of Idolatry, p. 300
Wednesday morning of Together for the Gospel, we were encouraged to rely on the transforming power of the gospel by Thabiti Anyabwile. Thabiti laid out, during his message, nine marks by which we can ask if we are confident in the power of the gospel. What follows is what I was able to write down in my notes.
- We would position ourselves to be around the worst of sinners so that gospel proclaiming opportunities would arise
- Because the power of the gospel resides in the God who saves sinners there is no class of “more savible” than others. The gospel can penetrate the most lifeless person we can imagine.
- We should share the gospel slowly and clearly.
- We are not about quick tricks to get people to say a prayer. We are simply called to release the gospel and then trust it will have its effect.
- We would redirect our fears from man to God.
- God is sovereign, not man. God is the one who reigns, not man. He is the one we should aim to please, not man.
- We would endeavor to proclaim the gospel every Sunday.
- The gospel should be made clear in every service on Sunday so that both unbelievers and believers may look upon Christ. God has only one story that is told through the bible—the gospel.
- We would be careful with new converts and evangelism by not making a conversions like Paul’s standard.
- Our trust is not in methods or means but in the gospel.
- Study the gospel in deep ways.
- Preach to open eyes not just to impart information.
- Ask,”Is my confidence in myself or in the gospel?”
- We want people to look to the message and not the messenger (1 Cor. 2:5).
Regrets can be hard on us. Whether they are about our lives before our salvation or what happened yesterday. We think back about what could have been only if we had not messed up or if we did what we were suppose to. How are we to interact with these regrets?
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones helpfully lays out how we are to respond:
1. Dwelling on regrets is a waste of time. “Let us then lay this down as a principle. We must never for a second worry about anything that cannot be affected or changed by us. It is a waste of energy…You can sit down and be miserable and you can go round and round in circles of regret for the rest of your life but it will make no difference to what you have done.” (p. 82)
2. Failures in the past are not to make us depressed, but to spur us on to action. “if you really believe what you say about the past, if you really do bemoan the fact that you have wasted so much time in the past, the thing to do is to make up for it in the present. Is not that common sense?” (p. 83)
3. Turn away regret by focusing on who you are right now, at this moment. “What matters first of all if you are a Christian is not what you once were, but what you are…’I am what I am’—whatever the past may have been. It is what I am that matters. What am I? I am forgiven. I am reconciled to God by the Blood of His Son upon the Cross. I am a child of God. I am adopted into God’s family, and I am an heir with Christ, a joint-heir with Him. I am going to glory. That is what matters, not what I was, not what I have been.” (p. 85-86)
4. We are not to judge ourselves. “As Christians we must leave our judgement to Him [1 Cor. 4:1-4]. He is our Judge and you have no right to waste His time or your own time and energy in condemning yourself. Forget yourself, leave the judgement to Him; get on with the work.” (p. 87)
5. Forget yourself, know Him. “part of the trouble with these people is that they are still morbidly preoccupied with themselves, that they have not learned as Christians that they are to deny self and take up the Cross and follow Him and to leave themselves, past present and future in His hands….stop looking at yourself and begin to enjoy Him…If you were to feel more interest in Christ you would be less interested in yourself. Begin to look at Him, gaze upon Him with this open, unveiled face. And then go on to learn that in His Kingdom what matters is not the length of service but your attitude towards Him, your desire to please Him.” (p. 87-88)
6. Live knowing you are in the Kingdom of Grace. “Nothing Matters in the Kingdom but the grace of God…God has a different way of looking at things. He does not see as men do; He does not compute as they do; it is all grace from beginning to end…stop looking at what what you have not done and the years you have missed and realize that in His kingdom it is His grace alone that matters.” (p. 89)
To sum up, “Praise God for the fact that you are what you are, and that you are in the Kingdom.” (p. 90)
Quotes taken from D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Spiritual Depression, p. 82-90
For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. (1 Thessalonians 5:9-11)
What has already been resolved for you who trust in Christ is that there will be no wrath for you this coming year. No matter what has happen to you this past year, no matter what will happen to you this coming year. No matter if you still keep fighting the same sins you fought last year. No matter if you fail the godly resolves you make for this coming year. No matter if you can’t feel as if it is true as you start the next year. If your hope for being carried over from death to life is solely in the work of our Savior on the cross then next year has already been resolved for you. There is no wrath to come!
Instead, to the opposite of wrath, next year is another step towards what you have been destined for, salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. Everything that comes into your life, joy and pain, trial and victory, will be the working out of this purpose, to this end. God has set the destination and nothing can change the course!
Lets walk into this coming year encouraged and encouraging one another!
Below is a video that Challies linked to a few days ago where college students were interviewed over the question, “can men and women just be friends?” The result from the video was very fascinating (Note: video interviews can be deceptive things. One can just choose to include the interviews the person wants to include and so show the results they want to. So that warning must be understood and considered when watching such things). In the video several men and women are asked the question. All the women shown give the initial answer that they can be friends with no hesitation. The men, however, give the exact opposite answer stating it cannot be that men and women can just be friends. You can watch it below,
This is a very important topic because relationships play such a prominent aspect of each of or lives. And as believers relationships take on a very important role. Our God is one who exists in relationship and so have crafted His creatures as those who need relationship.
On top of that He has created different genders that are to relate to one another. They are different in that they are created equal in worth and dignity while intended to fulfill different roles. The differences are not part of the problem but instead part of ascribing glory to the God who created them. And the primary purpose of the created difference is that man can cleave to a women in marriage to fulfill the creation mandate (Gen 1:27-28). Thus, man and woman have woven into the fabric of their structure the functions of relationship and desire that will pull them towards marriage when they relate together.
Yet, there is more about how they are interact than just match making for marriage. The church is made up of both men and women. And these two genders are given commands to “Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor, Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly, Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law” (Romans 12:10, 15-16; 13:8) and many other commands of love, service, and exhortation.
I remember hearing about a distinguishing mark of Christian churches in Turkey not to long ago. And the mark was a fascinating one. Out of all the things one could think of when the believers I knew met with these churches one of the things that stuck out to them was that men held conversations with women. In the surrounding culture you do not see men holding open conversations with women. Rules, regulations, and inward chauvinism keeps that from happening. But when Christ does a transforming work, by the Spirit, with the gospel relationships change. Men and women who are made anew in Christ start treating one another as family and the weirdest thing happen…they start talking to one another.
Believing men and women are called to live together in community. “There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all” (Ephesians 4:4-6). Christ calls His people to become part of Him, one body united, ”standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,” (Philippians 1:27). Thus, as members of the same body, Christ, there is more to the relationship than just finding who to marry.
So how does this all work out when we come to this issue? Is is right or wrong for men to make friendships with women when there is no intention for marriage.
As already laid out there is to be a relationship between believing men and women which is not mere acquaintance but which is not marriage. We could not fulfill the Biblical commands listed above if either of those were the case. So maybe it is how we think about what is a “friend” and what constitutes “friendship.” I believe that Scott Croft gives some great guidelines about what constitutes a friendship that the bible envisions between brothers and sisters. He answers how brothers and sisters are to interact with one another,
First, with care and concern. We should be concerned for each other. First and foremost, each other’s relationship with Christ. But additionally how are our lives being shaped to be more Christ like. Furthermore, we should treat each other with care. Protecting the reputation of our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ is part of glorifying the Lord.
Second, with interest. Relationships require some knowledge. Now I want to be careful here because the world will often tell us that more knowledge is always a good thing. In fact, that might well be inappropriate. But I think you will all agree that it is nearly impossible to have a relationship without any knowledge. Generally knowing each others lives is critical to brotherly or sisterly relationship.
Third, with encouragement. We should be spurring one another on in the faith. To do so, we need to know each other generally. We need to sit under the word together, be shaped and molded by the public proclamation of the word, discussing it and its implications.
Fourth, with service. We should be serving one another. Sacrificing our own needs and time for each other in order that others might see we are Christians in the way we love and serve each other.
Finally,…with absolute purity. Knowing how sin has twisted the good gift of sexuality , Paul exhorts Timothy to be pure so that his relationships with sisters in the faith might glorify God and not confuse or obscure the Gospel.
I think this is very helpful in understanding how we relate to one another. As different situations arise these principles of loving, honoring, protecting, and serving one another can guide us to the most faithful actions. If this level of relationship exists between us I believe it will produce much good. But beyond this I believe there is danger.
Sin is a ever present reality in our lives which works to destroy the joys of relationships. One of the things that stood out in the interviews is that both parties are working from a mentality of using someone to get what they want. Men enter into the friendship so that their might be the possibility for something more. Women enter into the friendship so that they can get what they want. Notice that most of the women knew that their guy “friends” had feelings for them that went beyond friendship. In other words they liked the attention and knowledge that a guy liked them. Lets call the drive for a lot of “friendships” for what it is, selfish ambition. Both parties are just putting themselves in a position where they can use the other to get what they want. This is in complete contradiction to the biblical command for believers to ”Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves” (Philippians 2:3). Sin brings its destructive effect upon relationships in many ways such making people, “foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another” (Titus 3:3).
Also, It is the reality that God designed men and women to marry. There is a level of relationship between a man and a woman which is only to be reserved for progress and attainment of marriage. “But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband” (1 Corinthians 7:2). The Lord knows how he has created us. Men and woman are designed to be attracted to one another so that they can become married. Their relationship capabilities are created for that end. We would be foolish to live as if this did not exist. Thus, our relationships should not communicate what we do not intend for them to communicate or try to live as we are not made to live.
When these two things are combined I think it is a strong word about not developing deep friendships with members of the opposite sex (and by deep I mean a relationship that is more than the the guidelines laid out by Croft). We play with fire where one can read more into the relationship than there is and we can easily be using one another for our own selfish purposes. The dangers out way the pros in this case.
In Conclusion, we should not retreat from brother and sister relationship. Instead, by God’s grace, we can move forward in growing to become better brothers and sisters of the risen Lord. And because we want to become better brother and sisters to one another we will guard one another in how we relate to one another. If we understand friendship in the parameters mentioned above I believe that we can live in harmony, joy, and holiness together. Yet, we must be careful that we do not let sin slip into our relationships where the only thing we are concerned about is ourselves and getting what we want.
Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me…Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.
(Philippians 4:11-13; 17-18)
-Contentment is not the ambivalence of what one does not have. Paul knew he was hungry when he was hungry. “and hunger.”
-Yet, Contentment allows one live as if all needs are met. “Not that I am speaking of being in need.” One is not ultimately dependent upon the things of this world. He has an all loving and wise heavenly Father who knows what he needs and when to give it to him.
-Contentment is needed when one lives in abundance as much when one has little to nothing. Paul had learned it while in “plenty and hunger.” Finally receiving what you have wanted does not make one content. Like a friend of mine once remarked, “only contented single people make contented married people.”
-Contentment is a mindset. “I know.” It is about how you think about your circumstances. Are you in a random place in your life where you are not getting what you want? Or are you keeping your mind on the reality of who God is and speaking truth to yoruself?
-Contentment has to be taught to one’s self. “I have learned.” Like all works of the Spirit we don’t immediately obtain them when we become believers. We don’t instantly attain contentment. We have to be trained by grace (Titus 2:11-12) throughout our lives.
-Contentment is not the obvious answer to the ups and downs of life. “the secret.” The obvious answer is to get what you want. But that answer is very false. The secret answer is to not find ultimate joy in what you want.
-Contentment is a consistent mindset through the ups and owns of life. “to be brought low, and I know how to abound.” There are times you will have a lot and there will be times that you think you have little. The circumstance of life might change but contentment is firm throughout, because it looks to the One who is firm throughout.
-Contentment makes you relate to people differently. You don’t build relationships to get from them. Instead you build relationships so that they can get. ”Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit.” When contentment starts to become our mindset our view of people beings to change. People do not become means to our own ends. Instead, because we are not dependent on them for happiness we are free to love and serve them—even if they give nothing back. We build the bridge to the other side regardless if they will build one back or not.
-Contentment is preformed only by being empowered by God. ”through him who strengthens me.” This not not a mindset and way of relating to people that you can get by your own self effort. You are completely dependent upon God for the strength to to this.
-Contentment can be learned because it is empowered by God. “through him who strengthens me.” You are not a lonely soul fighting for sanctification. The Spirit of the living God is within you! You could never obtain it if you were by yourself. But you are not. Sovereign love and power has promised to finish in you what He has begun in you. You can be a content person! For God is for you in all things!
Great words from pastor Ortlund,
Fear not, Abram. I am your shield; your reward shall be very great. Genesis 15:1
Last October 29, sitting in a deer stand in Georgia, I jotted down these thoughts about what to do with the promises of God in the Bible. More could be said about the hermeneutical filters to run the biblical promises through on their way to us today. But to get right to the point at a personal level:
1. Receive God’s promises by faith. Do not test them by sight. Do not take a “wait and see” stand-off-ish position. Embrace the promises as yours in Christ. Just believe God. And ask yourself, “Okay, how should I live right now as someone destined to inherit blessings only Almighty God could think up?”
2. Change your self-concept. See yourself not as doomed but as graced, a person of destiny and greatness, defined by the kindness of God. It doesn’t matter what others say about you. It doesn’t matter what you say about yourself. Everything has changed. What matters now is what God says about you, for the sake of Christ.
3. Look for the beginnings of fulfillment in this life. His promises are way too bigfor our little existence here. But you can expect previews of coming attractions. He will encourage you along the way.
4. Expect setbacks. You will encounter appearances directly contrary to his promises. When (not if) this happens, do not be robbed of your confidence. God tested Abraham too. You and I need to be deepened in our faith, more than we know.
5. Defy the present, defy even yourself, by rejoicing in God before the fulfillment comes. Even when life is hard to bear, there is a place in your heart that can rejoice in hope, because you know that God is not hemmed in by your limitations. They are, in fact, part of his strategy to catapult you forward. Only God can do that. And he will.
6. When God fulfills his promises, you will inherit something else too – a new responsibility to love him more, to praise him more, and to care for others who are still on their way. God will give you a story to tell to others for their encouragement. Get ready to tell it, though in some ways the narrative will humble you.
HT: Ray Ortlund
What does it mean to love Christ practically? Erik gives J. C. Ryle’s answer to the question,
- If we love a person, we like to think about him.
- If we love a person, we like to hear about him.
- If we love a person, we like to read about him.
- If we love a person, we like to please him.
- If we love a person, we like his friends.
- If we love a person, we are jealous about his name and honor.
- If we love a person, we like to talk to him.
- If we love a person, we like to be always with him.
Go over to J. C. Ryle Quotes to read the explanation of these points.
