A Life Worthy

But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.  What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things.  I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ… (Philippians 3:7-8).

Such beautiful words.

I can read them, recite them–hey, put them to music and I will gladly sing them.

But…can I mean them?  Because reputation, power, the praise of men–it’s pretty heady stuff.  Can I mean those words, down to the core of my being?

Can you, Beloved?

Something tells me that, in the day that we speak those words without a breath of hesitation, we will find some serious peace.

Perhaps today?

I’ll pray for you, Beloved.  You pray for me.

Watch out for those dogs, those men who do evil, those mutilators of the flesh.  For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh… (Philippians 3:7-8).

Paul is not happy.

He’s not afraid to let you know.

I like that.

In this passage, Paul is ticked off at a group of teachers who are telling new believers that they must follow the traditions of Judaism, particularly circumcision.  For some it’s a power thing–having control of the rituals gives these false teachers authority over new converts.  For others, it may simply be a faulty understanding of grace.  In either case, the message they’re teaching is that Christ Jesus is not enough.  

You need Jesus + rituals.

You need Jesus + accomplishments.

You need Jesus + stuff.

Frankly, if it’s “Jesus +…” it’s not really Jesus at all.  

You can see why this pushes Paul’s buttons.

And what of you, Beloved?  Are you stuck in “Jesus +” mode?  Are you trying to check items off an endless spiritual list, hoping to achieve what you’ve already been given?

Don’t answer that too quickly.

In fact, maybe you should let God answer that one for you.

I’ll leave you two alone to talk it over.

Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in his ways.  He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way (Psalm 25:8-9).

I’m a teacher.

I teach.

I teach the excellent students, and the ones I lovingly call “pathetic lumps of flesh.”  I offer what I have to both, because both need it.

And eversomuchmoreso with God.  He offers his wisdom to sinner and saint, because both desperately need it.

Why does he do this?  I mean, I get teaching your followers, but why waste wisdom on the wicked?  Well, it’s right there at the beginning of the verse:

Because he is good.

Also, I think God remembers something that I tend to forget:

The sinner?

The humble man?

They are both me.  Just depends on when you catch me.

Happy Thursday, Beloved

Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long (Psalm 25:4-5).

This is a psalm asking for deliverance. David is in a world of hurt–stressed, ill, and under attack by slanderous enemies.  I totally expect to find David asking for deliverance, healing, retribution, even forgiveness.

I didn’t expect this.

David asks God, in the midst of all this yuck (pardon the deep theological terminology) to teach him to be more like God.

Um…wow.

I wish I could tell you that, in the midst of deep physical and emotional crisis, I would ask God to make me more godly. Alas, I am more likely to ask him to heal me and cause my enemies to explode.

If you decide to stop reading me now, I understand.  But, there I am.

Beloved, I hope that God never allows great pain and sorrow into your life. I don’t care if it would make you more godly–I love you too much, and I’m just too selfish.  But, if the yuck of this sinful, broken world has to slop over into your life, I pray that God would use it to show you his ways, teach you his paths, and basically make you more like him.

But for crying out loud, don’t go looking for trouble, OK?

Happy Tuesday, Beloved.

Today is a day to sing.

Yes, you can.

Look, I don’t care if you’re pitch-perfect or if your singing makes children shriek and old people step in front of buses.  I guarantee that God loves your voice.  He crafted it just so you could praise him.

Right here.  Right now.

Worship with this hymn we’ve been talking about all week.  If you don’t know the tune, just say the words.  Make it your prayer today, Beloved.

Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart

Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art

Thou, my best thought by day or by night

Waking or sleeping, thy presence my light

Be Thou my wisdom and Thou my true word

I ever with Thee, and Thou with me, Lord

Thou my great Father; I thy true son

Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise

Thou mine inheritance, now and always

Thou and Thou only, first in my heart

High King of Heaven my treasure Thou art

High King of Heaven my victory won

May I reach Heaven’s joy, O Bright Heaven’s Sun

Heart of my own heart, whatever befall

Still be my vision, O Ruler of all