Category: Weekly

“…knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.”
Ephesians 6:8

The verse above is presented in the context of a servant laboring for a master. We all have earthly masters to which we must render service. Sometimes that experience is easy but other times those who have authority over us can make it quite difficult. Our scripture today reminds us that when we serve like Christ did, in spite of the difficulty of the situation, God notices! Even when there seems little hope of an earthly master rewarding us for our labor, we are encouraged to know that nothing escapes the careful eye of our heavenly Master, and when we serve others for His glory, He will undoubtedly reward eternally those who serve Him.

There is a little parable that has been much on my mind the last few weeks that has a similar point. It’s in Luk 14:12-14 and reads as follows:

Then He also said to him who invited Him, “When you give a dinner or a supper, do not ask your friends, your brothers, your relatives, nor rich neighbors, lest they also invite you back, and you be repaid. But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just.”

The point to our parable is not that it’s sinful to invite our family or friends over for dinner; rather, the emphasis here is that we should look for those opportunities to serve those who cannot repay us for our kindness. To serve dinner to the group in the text involves more than just cooking a meal.  There’s going to be additional care required as you lead the blind to the table or prepare a special spot to accommodate the lame.  Your effort can never be rewarded by this group, but that’s exactly the point.  We look most like Jesus when we serve the ones that can’t pay us back!  Can we ever do for Him what He’s done for us?  No way!   But what a privilege to honor Him by treating others just as He’s treated us.

As for reward, just like our text in Ephesians, our Lord would not have us think that our service ever goes unnoticed.  He wants to be sure that we know we “shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just.” And that treasure is one that moth and rust can’t destroy and that thieves can’t break in and steal! (Mat 6:19) So whether we’re serving a difficult boss for God’s glory or showing mercy to souls that can’t return the favor, our labor in the Lord is never in vain. We can never out-give our gracious God! “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life.” (Mat 19:29)

Jamie

Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
Eph 5:21-22

It is no coincidence that v. 21 comes just before v. 22 in our text. Only after understanding that we are called to submit to one another can we understand submission in the marriage relationship. Wives are indeed instructed over and over again to submit to their husbands in the Lord. (Col 3:18, Tit 2:5, 1Pe 3:1) It is a willful submission based on the command of God because he has established an order in the family unit–children obeying parents, wives submitting to husbands, and husbands answering to God; but the fullness of that command is understood in v. 21 where we realize that, as the wife properly submits to her husband, he is instructed also to submit to her needs by seeking her soul’s good as he leads.

This pattern of servant leadership is that which the Lord established in His earthly ministry. It is the standard of all proper leadership. We know that society breaks down when there is no authority or when people refuse to submit to those God has appointed to lead them. (Rom 13:1-2) But, all in authority must recognize that they must answer to God in that role. Col 4:1 drives this point home: “Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.” And so, Christ sets the standard for those who have others in subjection to them. It is not merely a call to lead; it is a call to serve.

The general instruction to every believer in Php 2:3-4 is “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.  Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.” That command doesn’t change just because you’re in a role of authority. In fact, the next verse says we should live this way because Christ did! “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus…” (v. 5) Those in leadership should be setting the proper example for those submitting to them, and so Jesus Christ did exactly that. He made a distinction between His children and the world as He taught on leadership in Luk 22:25-27:

And He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those who exercise authority over them are called ‘benefactors.’ But not so among you; on the contrary, he who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves. For who is greater, he who sits at the table, or he who serves? Is it not he who sits at the table? Yet I am among you as the One who serves.”

And so, “Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord.” Also, “Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.” But remember, “Husbands, love your wives…” (Col 3:18-20) Love her how? “…just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her”. (Eph 5:25)

Jamie

…giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ…
Eph 5:20

It’s hard to overlook how far-reaching the text above is when it comes to our call to be thankful. When should we give thanks? Always! If we try to somehow minimize the strength of that word and ask, “Yeah, but what kind of stuff should we be thankful for?” God’s reply is, “All things!” There is really nothing left out of that text when it comes to the things that touch our lives. A similar passage is found in 1Th 5:16-18: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” This attitude of rejoicing while praying in thanksgiving to God should be our continual, unceasing manner of life because in doing so we are walking according to the will of God!

How do we exhibit such behavior in our daily practice? Does it mean we are to always have a smile, laugh in every circumstance, and never weep, sorrow, or mourn? That can’t be the case because the same apostle who wrote our text said of the great number of souls who were walking contrary to truth, “of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ”. (Php 3:18) Paul wept over these lost souls! Can he behave that way while also rejoicing and giving thanks? Absolutely! He said in 2Co 6:10 that as ministers of Christ, he was “as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing”. The believer can display outward sorrow and still have inner joy and thanksgiving. But what does such an attitude look like?

I believe there is a key text that helps us with this question in Mat 28:9. It will be overlooked by many of us because several modern translations use an English word that makes the truth in this verse less obvious. In this text, Jesus meets the women that have just departed from his empty tomb. Some translations render Christ’s first word to them as, “Greetings”, but the NKJV and the AMP translate the Greek word correctly. His word to them is, “Rejoice!” (the same Greek word we quoted above in 1Th 5:16 where we were told to “rejoice always”) Well, of course they should rejoice. He’s risen from the dead! What else should they do?!! What they do next in this verse explains how we rejoice and give thanks always. They “worshiped Him”. That’s what true thanksgiving and rejoicing always produces in the heart of the believer. Even in difficult circumstances, we recognize that our Lord reigns over all, so we worship him in spite of the pain and suffering we experience.

There is perhaps no clearer example of this truth among God’s saints than in Job 1. In this one moment in time, this wealthy ruler of men and father of many gets the news that he has lost everything. His many livestock are stolen or dead, all his servants but a few have been murdered, and his ten children have been crushed to death when a strong wind causes the house to collapse upon them. I can’t imagine the grief Job must have felt at this moment. His spirit was broken, his soul was mourning, and his outward appearance conveyed his great sorrow: “Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground…” (Job 1:20) Can we say that he still gave thanks and rejoiced even in the midst of this tremendous trial? We can because of how the verse finishes. After all of this, Job “worshiped.” Even in such bitter suffering, Job praised God saying, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; Blessed be the name of the LORD.” (v. 21) He acknowledged the Lord was still reigning even in these devastating circumstances and that He was still worthy of praise!

Dear soul, that is the key to continual thanksgiving and perpetual joy. We hurt so badly at times that it would be a lie to smile. It’s okay to let our grief show as long as we don’t “sorrow as others who have no hope”. (1Th 4:13) We have an everlasting hope because Christ conquered the grave! He sits on the right hand of the Majesty on high reigning over all! No tears ever fall from the eyes of his saints without purpose, and He has a glorious end in mind for every trial His children endure. Worship Him! Are you afraid in the midst of your present storm? Let that fear drive you to the Lord. As the psalmist said, “Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You.” (Psa 56:3) Don’t forget Jer 29:11, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” And so, give “thanks always for all things…”

Jamie

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.
Eph 5:8-10

Often my prayers have to do with seeking direction from God. I want to know Him better, to know His desire for my life. Sometimes I just want to understand in general what to do. On other occasions, I have a specific choice before me. No option is the clear choice, and I don’t mind either path. I just want to be clear concerning God’s will so I can please Him.

Asking to know His will is clearly a part of obtaining that needed direction. As Pro 3:6 says, “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” But our text today clearly teaches there is another important factor in knowing the will of God: “Walk as children of light… finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.” In other words, obedience is key in understanding what God would have us do.

I think of it this way. If we walk in the light God has already given, then He will give us more light! Paul spoke of his fervency in following Christ in Php 3:12-14, using phrases like “press on”, “lay hold, and “reaching forward”. He urged the Philippians to follow his example of obedience v. 15: “Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you.” His point was that when we lack knowledge but are faithful to be obedient in the knowledge God has already given us, the Lord will reveal more of His will so that we might walk in even greater understanding.

Do you want to grow, dear Christian? Do you want to know the mind and will of God? Prayer and study are needful, but never overlook the importance of obedience. When we see our children being consistently obedient to past instruction, then we know they are ready for more instruction and greater responsibility. In Joh 14:23, Jesus said, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word…” The proof of our love is obedience to what He’s taught us.  He continues in that verse saying that, when a man walks in love and obedience to Him, the result will be that “My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.” If someone moves in with you, you’ll know that person better.  That’s exactly what the Lord promises to do for those who keep His word, walking as children of light!

Jamie

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light.
Gen 1:1-3

I couldn’t help but think of this passage after watching the eclipse last Monday. Light was revealed on day one of creation and yet the sun, moon, and stars weren’t made until day four. So what was this light? We know a better question is, “Who was this light?” Joh 1:9 says Christ is “the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world”. On day one of creation, it wasn’t the sun that was revealed but rather the true Light of the world, the Lord Jesus Christ, Who was declared! Mat 5:45a says that the rising of the sun is a common mercy from God experienced by all men, saved and lost! Such is the case with the true Light as well.  His Light shines upon all. His glory is clearly seen.

They say that here in Atlanta we only saw about 5% of the sun as the eclipse was at its maximum coverage for this area. What amazed me during that time is how bright it was still! It was a little darker, the world around me looked a little hazy, but everything was clearly illuminated. What a tremendous testimony to the eternal power, glory, and majesty of the Lord! Even with all the sin and wickedness in the world, no matter how great the darkness and deception becomes around us, nothing and no one can put out the true Light of the world!! There is tremendous comfort in this fact if you are His. As our Lord said in Joh 8:12, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” If Jesus gives you this light of life, you will always be illuminated. Why always? Because the life He gives is always! It’s eternal life!! He will always make the path clear for those who trust in Him.

As Mal 4 speaks of the coming of Christ, we read in v. 2: “But to you who fear My name the Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings…” This passage is perhaps the most explicit comparison between Christ the sun. We see here that if the Sun of righteousness has risen and healed us, then we don’t need the natural sun to have light. The famous hymn writer Fannie Crosby was blind shortly after birth, and yet she wrote in her wonderful hymn “Blessed Assurance”, “Perfect submission, perfect delight, Visions of rapture now burst on my sight“! Though she was physically blind, God had given her sight in Christ, and so she proclaimed, “This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long!” Those who reject Jesus Christ will be cast into outer darkness, in a forever state of blindness. (Mat 8:12, 22:13, 25:30) May we praise our Savior along with Sis. Crosby that the eternal experience of the saints will be one of sight and light! “They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever.” (Rev 22:4-5)

Jamie