Acts 3-4 (ESV) by Wordle*

Today’s reading is Acts 3:1-4:37.

“Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and one soul, and no one said that any of the thing that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common” (Acts 4:32).

I’m not alone. I have a fellowship on which I can rely. What are my needs? I can turn to my brethren and lay them out. God will provide through them. Is my need material? We can help each other. Is my need spiritual? We can rely on each other. Is my need emotional? We can rejoice and weep with each other.

Only when I share my neediness and rely on the fellowship of God’s people are my needs met. I need to quit waiting around for someone to read my mind and heart. Instead, I need to partake in the fellowship of God’s family. I need to reach out and let someone know what is going on. Then I find the help that I need.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

PS. What struck you in today’s reading? You can give your input by clicking here.

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*Today’s illustration was generated by the creative tool at Wordle.net. You can find all my wordles here.

Today’s reading is 1 Timothy 2:1-3:16.

“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings, be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peacefull and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way” (1 Timothy 2:1-2).

What a relief it is to know that I don’t have to have political opinions to be a Christian. What a relief it is to know that I don’t have to agree with everyone else politically to be doing what God wants about politics and legislation. What a relief it is to know that Christ’s church can have unity while the world breaks its head in political unrest. What a relief it is to know that I don’t have to be a political activist, filled with anxiety about the latest laws. What a relief it is to know that I don’t have to argue about healthcare, gun control, immigration, taxes, or even the legislation about homosexuality or abortion in Christ’s church.

All I have to do is put the nation in God’s hands, praying to Him that our leaders will allow us to live our Christian lives in peace. And, of course, trusting Him to care for me if our leaders refuse to do that.

What a wonderfully glorious principle it is to see that we can have unity despite political differences because God’s will isn’t about getting certain national legislation passed and we can keep all that arguing and divisiveness out of the church. Oh it is so good when a body of believers can have this peace and leave all that political pressure and posturing outside the relationship we have in Christ.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

PS. What struck you in today’s reading?

Today’s reading is 1 Corinthians 12:1-13:13.

“But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose” (1 Corinthians 12:18).

This is great to know. The nose is exactly where God wanted the nose. The hands are exactly where God wanted the hands. The eyes exactly where God wanted them. So to the feet, the knees, the elbows, the head, the ears, the neck, etc. God designed our bodies and put everything exactly where He wanted them.

But Paul isn’t really talking about bodies is he? No. He’s actually talking about congregations. How easy it is to get bogged down because I think someone else does something better than me. How easy it is to think I don’t really belong. Not so. I don’t have to despair that I’m useless in Christ’s church. God has placed me in the body exactly where He wants me. There is something I’m uniquely suited to do within this body that is necessary and important.

I can have joy today knowing God has me where He wants me to accomplish something that I can do. He is not interested in me accomplishing what I can’t. He is not interested in me accomplishing what you can do (necessarily). He has put me here to accomplish what He has made me to do. Instead of quiting, giving up, or despairing because of comparisons, I can glorify God by doing what I can and knowing God has me here to do just that.

Praise God for His confidence in me.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

PS. What struck you in today’s reading?

Today’s reading is Philippians 1:1-2:30.

Sometimes, I learn that the chapter and verse breaks were simply unfortunate. In today’s reading, I noticed a pattern from Philippians 1:27-2:18. Prior to that section, Paul was talking about his own circumstances and how he was able to find joy despite what was going on his life. After that section, he wrote about the companions he hoped to send to Philippi. It would have been easier to notice this if this section had been a chapter all by itself.

In this section, he has two parallel movements. Notice in Philippians 1:27 his statement about how the Philippians should walk whether he is present or absent. Then in Philippians 2:12, he spoke again about how they should live whether he was present or absent. The first occurrence says they should stand firm, striving side by side for the faith of gospel. Fighting as a team, they should not be frightened by the opponents who will cause them to suffer just as Paul suffered. In the second occurrence, Paul encourages them to obey God and work out their salvation with fear and trembling because they are not alone, God is working with them.

However, the parallels do not stop here. In the first movement, Paul moves from talking about how they should behave whether he is present or absent to say in Philippians 2:3, “Do nothing from rivalry or conceit.” In the second movement, he moves from talking about how to live whether he is present or absent to saying in Philippians 2:14, “Do all things without grumbling or questioning.”

Both sections are talking about our relationships with one another. We need to view each other as more important. Instead of being like those erring brethren in Philippians 1:15-18, who preach out of rivalry with Paul wishing to cause him affliction, we must seek good for each other. We must not grumble and complain against each other. The terms translated “grumbling” and “questioning” often carry the idea of an internal complaint or questioning that is not voiced, but can also refer to private quarrels and complaints. I think the point is twofold. We shouldn’t “go along” with our brethren externally while muttering under our breath against them. At the same time, we must not clump together in secret groups forming up party lines and complaining secretly among ourselves against others.

This entire section is about our relationships with one another. In contrast with the conceited rivals of Paul, we must learn to get along. The “one mind” of Philippians 2:2 is not saying we must have 100% agreement on every detail, but that we must all have Jesus’ mind that puts others first.

We have enemies in the world that will attack and make us suffer. We shouldn’t act like enemies within the body, competing, politicizing, complaining, and grumbling. We must learn to love each other and lift each other up, working out our own salvation while strengthening our brethren to face the struggles Satan will launch our way.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

P.S. What struck you in today’s reading?

Today’s reading is Mark 3:1-4:40.

This last week goes to show that even the guy running the blog can struggle with a daily habit now and then. Hopefully I can lead by example on this. As I’ve said, if you get behind, don’t worry. Just pick back up and move forward. That’s what we’ll do here. 

I’ve read the story of Jesus accused of casting out demons by the power of Beelzebul numerous times. But it hit me just a tad different today (I’m sure you get tired of me saying that, however, that is why we keep reading the Bible, because it will hit us differently as we keep reading). When Jesus was accused, He responded, “How can Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if  house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand.”

How often have I talked about this verse and how destructive to Satan’s cause it would be if his kingdom were divided against itself. But what about God’s kingdom? What about us? What happens when we are divided against ourselves?

First, I understand divisions will come. I Corinthians 11:18 demonstrates even Paul knew that would happen. Additionally, I understand there is a time when discipline should take place, thus dividing someone from the body (I Corinthians 5:1-13). Further, I understand there is a time to so stand for the truth that those who do not want to accept the truth leave. I John 2:19 shows that very thing happening.

However, even recognizing all that, I can’t help but worry about what Jesus’ statement about Satan and his kingdom means for us Christians today. If we are constantly dividing, God’s kingdom won’t stand. Certainly, I understand in the sense that God’s power upholds His kingdom it will stand. I’m referring to the very practical working of His church on earth. If we are constantly breaking up and dividing we are going to shoot ourselves in the foot. As Galatians 5:15 says, “If you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.”

The point I’m driving out is the almost morbid sense of division I see among too many Christians. I know we need to be on our guard (cf. Acts 20:29-30), but it almost seems that some have taken this to be the supreme command of all Scripture. It is as if their number one concern over all things is to root out all error that anyone might hold, to latch on to any tiny little mistake an eldership might make, to fear monger about every potential problem that arises, and then to clamor for more division. The problem is who will be left when this is our approach. Since we even know our own sins, we’d have to divide off from ourselves. 

This reminds me of Romans 14:19, which we highlighted a few weeks ago while reading Romans. “So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.”

Is there a place for division? Of course there is. But let’s not act like it is the first option the moment we see a problem. Let’s get rid of this idea that the moment something goes wrong we question, “How long do I stay?” Let’s pursue what makes for peace and upbuilding and not what will simply divide the kingdom making it lose its effectiveness in the world.

***Question: How do you pursue peace and upbuilding even when it is tough?

Keep the faith and keep reading.

ELC

Today’s reading is Ephesians 3:1-4:32.

I think it is ironic that I’m reading this today. On Saturday, I am scheduled to preach at the First Street congregation in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee. Their series is about unity and comes from Ephesians 4:4-6. My topic is “The One Body.” If you are in the Middle Tennessee area, drop down to Lawrenceburg on Saturday at 6 PM and let’s get to know one another.

However, because of my prep for that lesson, the issues of unity really stood out to me while reading today. While Paul speaks of some broad aspects of the universal church, he applies those principles to the practical unity of the local church. Instead of looking at all the religious division “out there,” we should each look at how we are living within the local congregation. In Ephesians 4, Paul provides the keys to maintaining unity within the local congregation. If we will all follow these keys, then the local congregation will be internally united in Christ.

Key #1: The unity must be based in Christ and His word–Ephesians 4:15.

No matter what else we do, if the unity is not based on growing up into Christ, who is our head, then our unity is pointless. We may all be united, but if we are all united in going the wrong direction, it won’t help us. Colossians 3:16, part of a parallel passage, points out that we must let Christ’s word richly dwell within us. That is the basis and foundation for positive unity. Therefore, individually, we must make sure the Word of Christ is our standard. This way, as Ephesians 4:14 says, we will not be tossed about by every wind of doctrine.

Key #2: We must each work and provide what we can–Ephesians 4:16.

Sadly, for many, unity merely means getting along. For Paul, unity meant working together, growing together, progressing together. Unity does us no good if we are not going somewhere with it. This only happens when we are working, when each member is providing what he or she can. We can’t all do the same things. We don’t all have the same skill levels. However, we can all do something. To have positive, progressing unity, we must all be using our strengths to further the growth of the congregation.

Key #3: We must walk with humility–Ephesians 4:2.

I love one of the definitions Strong’s gives this term for humility. “A deep sense of one’s (moral) littleness.” Sadly, too many Christians are like the Pharisee in the Luke 18 story of the Pharisee and the tax collector. With that mindset, we are just pushing division. We push others away with our arrogance and pride. Many Christians don’t even realize how puffed up they are. They simply think they are being spiritual while others aren’t quite making it. We need to recognize our own moral littleness. As Paul, who called himself “the very least of all the saints” (Ephesians 3:8), we should view ourselves this way. In that way, we won’t separate ourselves from our brothers and sisters thinking we are better.

Key #4: We must walk in gentleness–Ephesians 4:2.

This meekness or gentleness is not weakness. It is not submitting to others because we have no ability to do otherwise. Rather, this is strength under control. This term was used of a tamed horse, who clearly had the power to throw off its rider and then trample him into the ground. However, the horse did not. The horse submitted to the direction of the rider. In the same way, instead of throwing off our brethren and trampling them in the ground, we submit to their needs. We humble ourselves before them and gently submit. As Philippians 2:3-4 advises, we must view others and their desires as more important. This is especially important when we need to correct others. We should do so with gentleness (Galatians 6:1) lest we too be tempted and fall. We do not correct them to put them in their place, to show our superiority, or to vent our wrath. We do so to help them because they are more important than we are. I know–this is tough for us.

Key #5: Walk with patience–Ephesians 4:2.

The term for patience here specifically means having great restraint when it comes to responding to being wronged. Wow! That’s tough. But, if we want to have congregational unity, we have to learn to deal properly with the wrongs others do. No, this doesn’t mean sweeping them under the rug. However, it does mean not blowing up and taking vengeance. If someone wrongs us, we go back to the last principle and approach them with gentleness. Our goal should not be to see them grovel. Our goal should be to help them grow. This is easier if we have the humility mentioned above, remembering the times we have wronged others and wished they were patient with us.

Key #6: Walk with forbearance–Ephesians 4:2.

We must learn to bear with one another. As I Corinthians 13:7, when we love others, we will bear and endure anything. This means to hold up, to strengthen and stand firm. As Galatians 6:2 says, we should bear one another’s burdens. We hold each other up. Sadly, too often we keep asking the question, “When should I leave the congregation?” Perhaps this is the wrong question. Paul seems to suggest our question should really be, “How can I stay and help lift up those who are struggling?” Who knows how much unity we might maintain if we worked from this standpoint thus leaving division only for the extreme cases when others simply won’t submit to God.

Key #7: Walk in love–Ephesians 4:2.

This encompasses all the other keys and then stretches them. This is the “agape” love we’ve heard about in so many sermons. We know what it means. It means unconditional love. In other words, we don’t walk in any of these things as long as someone else does. We strive to walk in them regardless. No matter how we have been treated, no matter what has been done to us or what can be done for us, no matter how others are walking, we walk in these principles.

Key #8: Walk in peace–Ephesians 4:3.

We must be eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Peace must bind us together. While we can certainly talk about the Christians as peacemakers (cf. Matthew 5:9), in the context of Ephesians, this is not simply talking about peace in general with others. This is specifically talking about the relationship between the Jews and Gentiles in Ephesus (Ephesians 2:11-22). Jesus Christ is the peace between Jews and Gentiles. Through Jesus, each group had peace with God and therefore should have peace with one another. They should work together and love one another. They should follow all these principles with each other. The Jew/Gentile division is not as big a plague for us today. But what about the other divisions we have, namely race. It is a sad tragedy that churches often continue to be divided along racial barriers, black churches and white churches. We should be ashamed. I am ashamed. Rick Warrens purpose driven marketing to a set group within our culture aside, each congregation should be for all. We should not market to one group but learn how to meld the cultures together. Paul would have thought the idea of having two congregations in town, one marketing to Jews and one to Gentiles was anathema. How can we take up that banner cry as if it is going to be beneficial for the congregation. Oh, I have no doubt we might get more numbers. But we won’t have the unity God wants us to have. Walking in peace means learning how to work together with people from a different culture and background.

No doubt, divisions will come (I Corinthians 11:18-19). Clearly there will be people who will leave us because they are not of us (I John 2:19). No doubt, there will be times when we must discipline the impenitent, removing the leaven from among the congregation (I Corinthians 5:1-13). However, these ought to be the exceptions, not the rule. Further, we should live by the principle of Romans 12:18. As much as it depends on us, be at peace with all. Let us make sure we are living by these principles. When the divisions come, let them be in spite of us and not because. Let them be laid at the feet of others.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

P.S. What did you get out of today’s reading?