Two weeks ago we looked at Peter’s famous statement that we are to follow in Jesus’ steps, and I said then that I wanted to come back to it for another look. In our first comments, we noted that in context the call is to respect, obedience, submission, suffering, and non-retaliation—all in our relationships with the authorities in our lives.
Peter is teaching us the Jesus’ principle that some have called “revolutionary subordination.” This may sound like some oxymoron leading you to just become a doormat for tyrannical and abusive people. In reality, it is living the kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven and showing the world how God gets things done.
But while Jesus’ message calls us to a radical submission in most cases, it also calls us to disobedience in others. This is never disobedience to authorities for its own sake. It is a disobedience that grows out of our submission to the reign of God.
We should pay our taxes, show honor to the president, obey everything from the copyright laws to the speed limit, and always with a positive attitude as if we were obeying the Lord (think about that for a while), but when government says to do something opposite of the words of Jesus, we must disobey. In the midst of such a test, this same Peter said in Acts 5, "We must obey God rather than men! (v.29)
Christians will be to some, annoyingly respectful of authorities and laws, but at times regarded as unpatriotic and dangerous, and both of these because they live in a kingdom that is not of this world.
Focus Scriptures
Romans 12:18-13:2
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. 20On the contrary:
"If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."
21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. [2] Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.
Acts 4:17-20
17But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn these men to speak no longer to anyone in this name." 18Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19But Peter and John replied, "Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God. 20For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard."
Acts 5:27-29
Having brought the apostles, they made them appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. 28 "We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name," he said. "Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man's blood." 29Peter and the other apostles replied: "We must obey God rather than men!
10/25/09
10/18/09
Forward Thinking
All of us know much more about the past than we do about the future. When it comes to the future, we have plans, but the truth is we don’t know anything about what will happen. We don’t even know if we will be alive tomorrow.
Now when you know a lot about something and have many memories about it, and you know almost nothing about something else, you naturally focus on the things you know, be they good or bad. And likely, most of us even more naturally focus on the “bad”: disappointments and hurtful experiences.
But, God, as he often does, calls us to focus on something we do not naturally focus on. In this case, it is what lies ahead. God calls us to lay those past things aside and press on toward what lies ahead. This is a significant mind change.
But you may say “My problem is that I do focus on the future and worry about it.” Response? God doesn’t just call us to focus on the future, but to do it with the faith that he holds the future. There is one word for this: hope.
So you can focus on the past, hurts and all, and cook up a nasty stew. You can focus on the future with the eyes of an unbeliever and let worry eat you alive. Or you can look to the future with anticipation because of confidence in God.
We must decide how we want to live and choose our view.
Focus Scripture
Isaiah 43:18-19
"Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.
[19] See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the desert
and streams in the wasteland.
Philip. 3:13-14
Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, [14] I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Now when you know a lot about something and have many memories about it, and you know almost nothing about something else, you naturally focus on the things you know, be they good or bad. And likely, most of us even more naturally focus on the “bad”: disappointments and hurtful experiences.
But, God, as he often does, calls us to focus on something we do not naturally focus on. In this case, it is what lies ahead. God calls us to lay those past things aside and press on toward what lies ahead. This is a significant mind change.
But you may say “My problem is that I do focus on the future and worry about it.” Response? God doesn’t just call us to focus on the future, but to do it with the faith that he holds the future. There is one word for this: hope.
So you can focus on the past, hurts and all, and cook up a nasty stew. You can focus on the future with the eyes of an unbeliever and let worry eat you alive. Or you can look to the future with anticipation because of confidence in God.
We must decide how we want to live and choose our view.
Focus Scripture
Isaiah 43:18-19
"Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.
[19] See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the desert
and streams in the wasteland.
Philip. 3:13-14
Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, [14] I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
10/11/09
In These Steps?
I preached yesterday on a familiar text in which Christians are called to follow in Jesus’ steps. Most believers know the passage, and it has given rise to such paraphernalia as the WWJD bracelets and tee shirts. Long before these, Charles Sheldon wrote a Christian classic with the title In His Steps.
What few seem to have taken the time to do is consider the context of the passage. It begins reminding believers that they are aliens and strangers in this world. They live by the principles of a kingdom that has come, but will come more fully. It calls them to an almost surprising course of action, and that is to demonstrate a great submissiveness to worldly kings, rulers and all those in authority.
On the one hand, Christians are citizens of heaven, and yet are called to submit to and obey the authorities that rule on earth. They are not to just do this legalistically but as part of a whole attitude of showing respect to everyone, loving the brotherhood and honoring the king (who, in the first century, just happened to be the infamous Nero). Peter even adds that slaves are to show this submissive spirit in relationship to harsh masters.
After praising those who will suffer unjustly because of their faith, often at the hands of these very government officials, he makes his famous statement: “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps (1 Peter 2:21). “To this”—obedience, submission, suffering, and non-retaliation—we are called, because we are conscious of God. Hardly what some wearers of WWJD apparel are thinking much about.Please think about this real “mind change”and let’s talk about it more next week.
Focus Scripture:
1 Peter 2:11-25
Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. 12Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.
13Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, 14or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. 15For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men. 16Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. 17Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.
18Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. 19For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God. 20But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. 21To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
22"He committed no sin,
and no deceit was found in his mouth."
23When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 24He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. 25For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
What few seem to have taken the time to do is consider the context of the passage. It begins reminding believers that they are aliens and strangers in this world. They live by the principles of a kingdom that has come, but will come more fully. It calls them to an almost surprising course of action, and that is to demonstrate a great submissiveness to worldly kings, rulers and all those in authority.
On the one hand, Christians are citizens of heaven, and yet are called to submit to and obey the authorities that rule on earth. They are not to just do this legalistically but as part of a whole attitude of showing respect to everyone, loving the brotherhood and honoring the king (who, in the first century, just happened to be the infamous Nero). Peter even adds that slaves are to show this submissive spirit in relationship to harsh masters.
After praising those who will suffer unjustly because of their faith, often at the hands of these very government officials, he makes his famous statement: “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps (1 Peter 2:21). “To this”—obedience, submission, suffering, and non-retaliation—we are called, because we are conscious of God. Hardly what some wearers of WWJD apparel are thinking much about.Please think about this real “mind change”and let’s talk about it more next week.
Focus Scripture:
1 Peter 2:11-25
Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. 12Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.
13Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, 14or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. 15For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men. 16Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. 17Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.
18Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. 19For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God. 20But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. 21To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
22"He committed no sin,
and no deceit was found in his mouth."
23When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 24He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. 25For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
10/5/09
Free Door
Driving through a neighborhood of rundown houses this week, I saw a large pile of dirt near the curb in front of one home (which by the way was for rent). Mixed in with the dark clay, in rather bizarre fashion, were sofas, chairs, plumbing fixtures and miscellaneous items. But what really got my attention was that on the front of the pile facing the street was a shabby door with the words “free door” spray-painted on it. If you think I am making this up, I am posting the photo on our new blog site.
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Now call me desperate for analogies if you like, but the moment I saw it, I thought of something I wanted to share with you. Sometimes our circumstances are a real mess—about as attractive as that pile I saw. Things appear to be chaotic or depressing. But right in the middle of it all God has posted a sign that says “free door.”
In my book, Mind Change, one of the key principles is that in every situation there is a right and spiritual way to think. That is another way of saying that whatever our circumstances, God always provides a “free door” that can be opened to lead us to a right and better way of thinking. In our most confusing and difficult moments we can find something God promised or something Jesus said , or just Jesus himself, who can take us through the difficulty. And it is free, a gift of his grace. Thanks be to God for free doors.
Focus Scripture
John 10:1-10 NKJV
1 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” 6 Jesus used this illustration, but they did not understand the things which He spoke to them.
7 Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who ever came before Me[a] are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
Now call me desperate for analogies if you like, but the moment I saw it, I thought of something I wanted to share with you. Sometimes our circumstances are a real mess—about as attractive as that pile I saw. Things appear to be chaotic or depressing. But right in the middle of it all God has posted a sign that says “free door.”
In my book, Mind Change, one of the key principles is that in every situation there is a right and spiritual way to think. That is another way of saying that whatever our circumstances, God always provides a “free door” that can be opened to lead us to a right and better way of thinking. In our most confusing and difficult moments we can find something God promised or something Jesus said , or just Jesus himself, who can take us through the difficulty. And it is free, a gift of his grace. Thanks be to God for free doors.
Focus Scripture
John 10:1-10 NKJV
1 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” 6 Jesus used this illustration, but they did not understand the things which He spoke to them.
7 Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who ever came before Me[a] are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
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