Work Out Your Salvation

...continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. Phil. 2:12b-13

From Guest Blogger Jim Wiebel:

Work out your own salvation doesn’t mean “by your own effort,” as some have interpreted it. Paul’s saying, “Now that I am no longer present with you, you don't need to rely on my insights and counsel. Begin to walk without my assistance, for you have God’s Spirit at work in you, and that’s all you need!” In other words, stop leaning on me. Start applying these things yourselves. This is a necessary stage in Christian growth.

I recall teaching my youngest son how to drive. He had a learner's permit that required that I be with him in the front seat of the car. As we were driving, he’d sometimes give me a questioning look as a driver pulled out in the road or something developed ahead of us. Then I'd say to do this or that. He was relying on me. But the time would come when I moved out of the front seat and in faith committed him to what he had learned. From then on, he had to “work out his own salvation with fear and trembling,” even with me right there with him in the back seat!

Now “salvation” here doesn’t mean settling our eternal destiny, as we frequently find it used in the scriptures. A better translation would be the word “solution.” Work out your own solution, because what Paul has in mind here is working through the problems and trials and difficulties presented in ordinary daily life. He’s saying, use your mind and your will in solving your problems, in the confident expectation that in doing so, God is also at work in you to conform it all to both his will and his good pleasure. That’s a marvelous statement of the Christian's experience of being led by God.

But we’re not robots, simply responding to the pushing of buttons by the Spirit within. It's true we have another life within: God's life — Christ living within us! But our lives, hearts and wills are involved in this too. It’s true that we’ll never be saved apart from him. But it’s also true that he’ll never save us apart from ourselves. We do the living and the choosing and the acting, but we know a secret — that all along it’s he who’s living, acting and choosing through us!

Prayer: Thank you, Father, for allowing me to be used by you to show others how you are working in me by the power of your Spirit to lead a life which pleases you. Amen.

The Mind of Christ

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus. Phil. 2:5

From Guest Blogger Jim Wiebel:

Now we come to what is one of the most breath-taking passages in all of Scripture. You might say this is the Mt. Everest among the mountain peaks of revelation concerning the person of Christ — the amazing story of how the eternal Son of God stepped out of eternity into time and became a man, as God always intended man to be. These few short verses capture some of the most amazing truths that have ever been written.

Lest we be tempted to remove this passage from its context, however, we must never forget that it’s set against the background of two quarreling ladies in the church at Philippi. That quarrel was threatening to destroy the unity of the whole church. The apostle has made it clear that the secret of maintaining unity is humility. Wherever there is contentiousness, it’s a sure sign that pride is at work. Pride — whether in a person’s life, or a family, a church, a government, or a whole nation — always divides, destroys, and perpetuates conflict of every sort.

Paul’s antidote to quarreling — the only path to peace, in fact — is to seek the path of humility. When tempers are hot, passions are aroused, and patience is strained, how can you get people to calm down and start thinking about a humble attitude? How do you stop the urge to defend yourself, and the stubborn insistence of what we call our “rights”? The answer is in this marvelous passage concerning Christ.

Unlike cult heroes of every age, whose success stories follow a pattern from “rags to riches,” Jesus’ “success story” was just the opposite: “riches to rags.” And in that story of “downward mobility,” Paul is challenging us to rethink our whole picture of God around Jesus. This is a God who is known most clearly when he abandons his rights for the sake of the world. Yes, says Paul; and that’s “the mind of Christ” — that pattern of thinking that belongs to you because you belong to him! And if you are truly living “in him” and by his kind of life, the exhortations of verses 1-4 (yesterday’s post) suddenly make a lot more sense!

Prayer: Forgive me, Father, for insisting on “my way” and “my rights” so much of the time. Give me the mind of Christ, so that I might live to serve others in his name and so fulfill my calling as your dear child, just like Jesus. Amen.


#Uncommon

Partners in the Gospel

In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this: that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.  Philippians 1:4-6

From Guest Blogger Colin Proft:

The Joy of Partnership. The word “partnership” comes from the Greek word, koinonia. It is an intimate fellowship. It is the bond of a family. Our relationship with other Christians is not a business partnership or social club. To the contrary, we are to be completely united as one body under Jesus Christ, the Head of His Church.

In his letter to the Colossians, Paul made it clear: “My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Col. 2:2-3).

Notice two things that lead to experiencing the full riches of understanding. We are to be encouraged in heart and united in love. The body of Christ is one body but made up of many parts. We do not function properly when we refuse to work in harmony. Paul is simply praying the same thing that Jesus prayed for just hours before his trial and crucifixion: “That they may be one as we are one — I in them and you in me — so that they may be brought to complete unity” (John 17:22-23).

Carried to Completion. We are sojourners and strangers on the earth; we are looking for a better country — a heavenly country. The world is not our home. Heaven is our home. As we journey through this life, we will experience all sorts of difficulties, setbacks and struggles. Sometimes this life can feel like a battleground. There will be blood, sweat and tears. We will experience brokenness, pain and loss.

Matt Redman, a worship leader and song writer based out of the UK, penned the following:

Scars and struggles on the way, but with joy our hearts can say,

yes our hearts can say: Never once did we ever walk alone.

Never once did You leave us on our own. You are faithful. God, You are faithful.

Matt Redman singing "Never Once"


Prayer: God, You have called me by name and promised to bring me safely home. Help me live in the security of Your promise that You will never leave me. Amen.


#Uncommon 

To Live is Christ

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.  Philippians 1:21

From Guest Blogger Colin Proft:

Paul had a victorious vision for his life. He didn’t fear death and he saw each day as a blessing from God. To live was to be with Christ on earth and to share in the encouragement, love, and joy of his fellow brothers and sisters. To die was to receive the crown of glory which Jesus had won on Calvary. In short, Paul couldn’t lose. Neither can we.

Paul didn’t draw his joy from his circumstances. If that were true, he would have had a rotten life. He wrote to the Church in Corinth:  “Five times I have received from the Jews forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?” (2 Cor.11:24-27)

No, Paul’s source of joy was found in Jesus. He fully understood that this world was fleeting and that he had everything he could possibly want or need in Jesus Christ. That is the true meaning of Philippians 4:13, “I can do everything through Him who strengthens me.” Paul considered everything else as loss for the sake of knowing Jesus Christ. He bought the pearl of great price (Matt. 13:44-46).

Rather than complaining about the circumstances he found himself in, Paul continued to rejoice and worship God. Through his obedience, God used Paul to reach the entire palace guard where he was imprisoned. It’s incredible.

As you go through your day today, look for how God is moving in your life. Place your fears and frets in His hands; trust Him to deliver you from each snare and difficulty. Wait patiently for the Lord. And live this day through His power and love.

Prayer: Father God, I will fix my eyes on You. With you by my side, I will not be shaken. You are my portion and my cup. You are my strength. You lift me up when I am discouraged. You are my ever-present help in time of need. As I go throughout this day, I pray that You would strengthen me by Your power and fill me with Your love. Come, transform my faith and life. I love You. Amen.

Christ in Me

Filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ — to the glory and praise of God.  Philippians 1:11

From Guest Blogger Colin Proft:

For much of my Christian walk I have struggled with feeling like I’m supposed to produce the fruit of the Holy Spirit through my own strength. Shouldn’t I be ever-increasing in “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control” (Galatians 5:22)? Yes. Absolutely! But the reason for such a change is not due to my own effort! It’s because of Who lives inside me.

In Colossians 2:9-10, we read: “In Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness.” Earlier, Paul simply stated, “Just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness” (Colossians 2:6-7).

Stop trying to produce fruit in and of yourself. Just abide in the Vine. Abide in Christ. Be rooted and built up in Him. He is the Cornerstone of the spiritual temple, the Head of the Christian body, and the Spiritual Rock from which we drink from in the desert (1 Peter 2:4-6, Colossians 2:19, 1 Corinthians 10:4).

Worship leader and song writer Tim Timmons frequently talks about when he was a “Varsity Squad” Christian — he read the Bible faithfully, prayed, tithed and led worship for many years; in short, he was doing everything he was “supposed” to do. Yet, when these truths of Scripture began to dawn on him, it completely changed his perspective on what it meant to follow Jesus.

I pray we all discover the incredible meaning of, “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27). Jesus Christ, the risen Son of God, lives in us. What would happen if we really lived that way?

“Christ in Me”

by Tim Timmons

The same great light that broke the dark

The same great peace that calmed the seas, hallelujah, is living in me

The same great love that gives us breath

The same great power that conquered death, hallelujah, is flowing through me

And what, what if I believed in Your power and I really lived it?

What, what if I believed Christ in me, what if I believed?

I would lay my worries down, see these hills as level ground.

What if I believed, Christ in me?

Tim Timmons singing "Christ in Me"

Prayer: Lord, help me abide in You and know that Your power is at work in my weakness. Amen.


#Uncommon

Character

Let us behave decently, as in the daytime…  Romans 13:13

From Guest Blogger Dan Thews:

John Wooden, the legendary basketball coach, once said:

“The true test of a man’s character is what he does when no one is watching.”

I wonder if Coach Wooden had St. Paul’s words from Romans 13:13 in mind, “Let us behave decently, as in the daytime” when he penned that statement. It’s easy to do the right things when others are watching, but what about when we think “no one will know”? What about when “no one is watching”?

I’ve been home alone on my computer when that random link or popup appears and along comes that moment … one stroke on the keyboard and I’ll be somewhere I know I shouldn’t be. Invariably this battle begins in my mind, “Should I or shouldn’t I? Nobody will ever know!” What’s crazy is that I would never, ever even have this thought if my wife were home! Or if my friends at church were watching! Why is it that it’s easier to do things that are right in the “daytime,” when others can see, and hard to do things that are right in the “darkness,” when we think we are alone? The answer: character.

Character is doing what’s right, not because of what others will see but because it is just the right thing to do. Dwight Moody said, “Character is what you think in the dark.” You see, the idea that “nobody is watching” is really not true. You are always watching. You know exactly what your thoughts and actions are. If we’re honest about that, we’ll echo Paul, who cried out in Romans 7: 24, “What a wretched man I am!”

Not only do we know our true character, but so does the Lord. The good news here is from Romans 5:8, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this:  While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Jesus is watching. He knows our true character. He knows, not only what has gone on in the dark when we thought we were alone, He also knows the thoughts that are hidden in the darkness of our minds. Yet he loves us anyway! This is the motivation that enables us to grow in our character, no matter who is watching!

Prayer: Father, through Your love for us in Christ, enable us to be consistent in our thoughts and deeds, whether it is day or night. Amen.

Clothed with Christ

So, let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime … clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.  Romans 13:12b-14

From Guest Blogger Dan Thews:

St. Paul’s letter to the Romans holds a special place in the life of the Christian church. Commentator F.F. Bruce wrote, “Time and again in the course of Christian history it has liberated the minds of men, brought them back to an understanding of the essential Gospel of Christ, and started spiritual revolutions.”

One of those liberated minds belonged to St. Augustine, who is universally acknowledged as one of the world’s most influential Christians — in spite of his less than savory youth. One day as Augustine wept under a fig tree, in deep distress in his struggles with sin and living the Christian life, he turned to a copy of Romans and read from chapter 13, “Let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.” He believed and obeyed, and the great mind was liberated for the glory of God and the good of all mankind.

St. Paul teaches Augustine, and all of us, that we are to be concerned with two things: “putting off” and “putting on”. Because of what Christ has done for us we are determined to throw off those things in our lives that will have no place in eternity, with the same distaste that we would throw off filthy clothes when preparing for a formal occasion. Then with equal enthusiasm we are to clothe ourselves with those things that belong to the realm of light and glory, and are suitable (get it, suitable…) to our new life in Christ.

But just how do we do this? Paul gives some good advice. “Put on the Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 13:14) is a similar expression to “put on the armor of light” (Romans 13:12).  This conveys the idea that we are to arm ourselves with the resources of Christ Himself. These include His example, His teaching, His expectations, but primarily His divine power.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I cannot stand against sin alone. I feel the deeds of darkness rising in me; clothe me in Your righteousness. Amen.


#Uncommon

Love is a Verb

The commandments, ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ Do not covet,’ and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule:  ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  Love does no harm to its neighbor.  Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.  Romans 13:9-10

From Guest Blogger Dan Thews:

A few years back I thought I’d have some fun with a couple I was performing the wedding ceremony for. During the homily I pulled out a microphone and asked the groom, “What is love?” He just stared at me with this panicked look on his face totally befuddled and suddenly unable to speak! Getting nothing from the Groom, I asked the Bride the same question, “What is love? Her answer was priceless, “Being willing to marry him even though he couldn’t answer that question!”

How would you answer? What is love???

One of my favorite songs is by D.C. Talk, called Love is a Verb. The song reminds us that Biblical love is not something that just happens to you but it is something you do. This is what Paul is talking about in Romans 13:9-10. There is no doubt that love has its romantic and its sentimental aspects, but the love of which St. Paul speaks is a choice to act in a certain way, not necessarily because of romantic, sentimental feelings, but simply because it is the right and God-pleasing thing to do.

Then Paul gives some specific examples. To love, he says, means to refuse acts of adultery because they are unloving by nature. They show total lack of concern for the marriage partner, no respect for the sexual partner, and complete lack of restraint and discipline. He goes on to say the same for murder, stealing, coveting or whatever other laws there may be. Love is a verb. It is active, not just a feeling. Love is evidenced, not in what you feel or in what you say, but in what you do or don’t do.

In fact, Paul says that all the moral laws are satisfied when we act and love our neighbors. He reminds us that love is to be shown, first to God and then to the neighbor; and when that happens there is no need for the law.

How might you show love today — in your family, your workplace, your school, or your neighborhood? Imagine a world where we all remember that love is a verb!

Prayer: Father, thank you for not just saying that You love us, but showing it in your Son Jesus’ life, death and resurrection. Help us make love an active verb in our lives too, in Jesus’ name. Amen.


#Uncommon

Debt

Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another…  Romans 13:8

From Guest Blogger Dan Thews:

Two men are walking down a dark alley. Suddenly, robbers jump out from a corner and demand money. Nowhere to go, the two men take out their wallets; one of them says to the other, “Wally, remember that debt I owe you of 200 dollars? Now I give it back to you before these here witnesses. My debt is paid!”

Debt!  Who likes debt??! In the beginning of Romans 13, the apostle Paul speaks of the obligation we have to pay our taxes — like it or not. Now, in verse 8, Paul turns his attention to our private financial concerns and says, “Let no debt remain outstanding.” That probably doesn’t surprise us. We know that as Christians we should meet our commitments as a matter of spiritual and moral obligation. But then, St. Paul does surprise us by adding an instruction concerning the obligation to love, calling it “the continuing debt to love one another.”

Love is a continuing debt for the Christian? Love is a debt that needs to be paid? How does that make any sense? In the world, love is the theme of countless movies, songs and poems. Love is a warm and fuzzy feeling that everyone hopes will somehow come their way — but there is no guarantee. Love seems to reside in people’s minds as something between a noble ideal and a pleasant optional extra. The apostle insists, however, that love is an obligation as real as taxation and personal debt repayment!

In 1 John 4:19 we hear, “We love, because He first loved us.” Think about how much God loves us! Enough to send Jesus to die for our sins. How could we ever repay that debt? We can’t. But we acknowledge that continuing debt by loving one another. If someone wrongs you or hurts you, “forgive as the Lord forgave you” (Colossians 3:13). “Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another” (Colossians 3:12-13). In doing so, you reflect the love of God and say “thank you” to our amazing God!

Biblical love is a continuing debt we can never repay. But unlike worldly debt, it is a joy to try!

Prayer: Lord, help us acknowledge the debt of love we owe and use us to love like You love, in Jesus’ name.  Amen.


#Uncommon

One Body

Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body.  Romans 12:4-5


It’s really easy to compare ourselves to others. Sometimes that leads us to think too highly of ourselves (see yesterday’s post on “sober judgment”!). Conversely, comparing ourselves with others sometimes leads us to think too little of ourselves. We wish we had someone else’s talents, someone else’s lifestyle, someone else’s skinnier, younger body.

People of the first century (the time of Jesus and Paul) were no different. Some would think, “Because I’m not a leader, I don’t count as much. Because I don’t preach, I’m not as important as the pastor.” Paul counters that untruth with the words of Romans 12:4-8. (He goes into even more detail in 1 Corinthians 12. Read that when you have time.) For those who think their gifts are more important … as well as for those who feel their giftedness is less significant … the word is the same: “In Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us” (Rom. 12:5-6); but we are all part of the body.

Every single gift is critical. Do not resent the gift God has given you (thinking it is less, envying others); and don’t begrudge the gifts God has given others (as if yours is better, looking down on them). Be content with the part He’s given you to play. You have a role for which you are uniquely designed. So, as Paul says, if your gift is leading, lead. If God gave you the gift of teaching, teach. If serving, serve with joy. If encouraging is your thing, be generous with your affirmation and cheering, as if you were giving it to the Lord (see Colossians 3:23; Ephesians 6:7).

God has crafted you by His grace to be just what He wants you to be. Enjoy that. Celebrate it. Understand that even the rough places and the difficult experiences have shaped you for the unique role you play “for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14). And on the flipside, don’t expect others to be just like you. They are uniquely gifted by God’s grace too. Enjoy the diversity of Christ’s body; marvel in the ways each person is “uncommon.”

Prayer: Father, by Your design You give different gifts to each person, making each of us uncommon. Lead me to live in gratitude for how You fit all the pieces together. Amen.


#uncommon

 

Sober Judgment

Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment …  Romans 12:3

We all know him. The guy who talks about himself incessantly. Like the guy next to me on an airplane once. He went on about himself for 45 minutes. I couldn’t get a word in. Finally, he paused and asked, “So where did you say you’re from?” Just the mention of my hometown reminded him of a trip there, which meant another 20 minutes of him talking about himself!

Another man invited his boss to his house for dinner with his family. All through supper the boss kept using this phrase, “I am a self-made man.” Finally having enough, the employee’s daughter leaned to her dad and said, “If he’s a self-made man, why did he make himself that way?!”

We don’t tend to like people who are arrogant, puffed up, and full of themselves. We use a lot of unkind words like pompous and conceited. Yet how often do we ourselves fall into the trap of thinking of ourselves “more highly than we ought,” to use Paul’s phrase (Rom. 12:3)? When we have a disagreement with a spouse, are we more interested in restoring peace … or being right and getting the last word? When we face criticism, do we choose to take the heat … or do we pass blame onto others? I believe that much of our criticism of others is much more about making ourselves look better by comparison than it is about prompting change.

The sad truth is that we often think of ourselves too much and consider others far too little. But this should not be the way of those who follow Christ. The common pattern of the world is to elevate yourself and tear down others. The uncommon way of Christ is to consider others better than yourself (see Philippians 2:3-8). Think about this: even Jesus Christ, who was God Himself, did not think of Himself highly. He lived with extreme humility and was even willing to die a humiliating, excruciating death — putting Himself below, while lifting us up.

If we follow Christ we should have the same humble posture. Rather than tearing others down, we are quick to understand, slow to judge, generous with forgiveness, rich in showing love, willing to serve, and sacrificial in lifting others up.

Prayer: Jesus, You gave me a great example of humility. Help me to have sober judgment, thinking of myself less and others more. Amen.

In View of God's Mercy

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices …  Romans 12:1
 

 

Don’t miss this!! Paul is about to say something extremely important. Romans 12, verses 1 and 2 are pivotal. My church in Appleton, WI is just beginning a 40-week spiritual journey, called "Uncommon," and verse 2 gives us the title for the first part of our journey: “Unconformed.” Do not miss Romans 12:1-2!

 

Most importantly, don’t miss the word “therefore.” I know, it doesn’t seem like a significant word. But it really is key. “Therefore” makes you ask: “What’s the ‘therefore’ there for?” And in this key verse it is there to indicate this: when Paul calls all Christians to “offer your bodies as living sacrifices,” we have to understand that that does not happen apart from everything Paul has just said in eleven preceding chapters of Romans! You can read the whole thing (especially Romans 3:23-24 and Romans 6:23!); but for the sake of brevity, just understand that it is all summed up in one critical phrase: “God’s mercy” (Romans 12:1).

 

“Mercy” is “not getting what we deserve.” If I get caught speeding yet the officer chooses to let me go with no consequence, that’s mercy. With God, we deserve death and eternal condemnation (Rom. 6:23). Yet God chose to release us from that fate by taking our punishment on Himself — making Jesus Christ a sacrifice in our place (Rom. 3:24-25).

 

Paul understood that if we are going to live an uncommon life, unconformed to the pattern of this world, that is only possible “in view of God’s mercy.” Here’s the point: it all starts with God. As in the beginning, when there was nothing and God created, nothing we do happens apart from God. (see John 15:5; 2 Cor. 5:14)

 

Here is the second critical piece: because God has given us life when we deserve death, we owe God everything we have. Paul says, “Offer your bodies as living sacrifices.” That means going ‘all-in,’ holding nothing back. You can’t just give a little time or a little money or a little lip-service and call that good. Offer your “bodies,” he says — that means your whole self: your body, your thoughts, your passions, your present and future — everything! Let God use you for His purposes. Paul goes on to say: this is your worship. Not the songs you sing at church; giving your whole life for His work is your act of worship. Give it all to Him today!

 

Prayer: Father, I don’t deserve anything You give me. In view of Your mercy, lead me to give You all that I am, as an act of worship. Amen.

Uncommon

Call me a FOOL.  Seriously.  I want to be a FOOL.

A "fool" for Christ, that is.

The apostle Paul says, "If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a 'fool' so that he may become wise" (1 Corinthians 3:18).  Which means that what GOD thinks is important is quite different than what the WORLD thinks is important.  The world values power, prestige, possessions.  God values submission, selflessness, sacrifice.  1 Corinthians 1:  "The message of the CROSS is foolishness" to the world.  But "God chose the foolish things ... the weak things ... the despised things."

Most people look to be on the top ... to be the best ... to out-man, out-pace, out-score, out-gun.  Most seek glory by what they do or what they own ... to be better, to be noticed.

But consider how Jesus Christ turned glory on its head!

• Matthew 16:  Jesus has just told his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me."  Then he says, "Some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom."
• Matthew 20:  The mother of James and John comes to Jesus with the request, "Grant that one of these sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom."  Jesus replies, "You don't know what you are asking ... These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father."
• Matthew 27:  They crucified Jesus.  "Two robbers were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left."

Christ's kingdom and glory are evident, not in how we would normally view triumph, but in the self-sacrifice ... in what looks like defeat ... in what looks like shame and humiliation.  The cross is utter foolishness.  Yet God's power and God's wisdom are on display there!

So if God's power and wisdom are found in what the world calls foolish ... I WANT TO BE FOOLISH for Christ.  Paul said in Romans 1:16, "I am unashamed of the Gospel" ... which is the CROSS ... "because it is the POWER of GOD for the salvation of everyone who believes."


So, here's what I believe:  God has rescued me in Christ.  He has set me apart to be His own child.  God has called me into a life that seems utterly foolish to many people — taking up self-sacrifice and humility and service in His name.

In a word:  now that God has called me in Christ ... he calls me to be UNCOMMON.

My church, this next week, is setting out on a 40-week journey of faith and spiritual growth.  We're calling the journey, UNCOMMON.  We're using these words from Colossians 3:1-3 as a basis for the next 40 weeks:  "Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.  Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.  For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God."

Setting your hearts and minds on things above means viewing life and success in very different terms than what we hear in the news and in sports and in politics.  It means being rather UNCOMMON.

I'm excited to see what God is going to do.  What He'll do in me, what He'll do in my family and in my church family during this school year.

Check out this intro video ... and wherever you are (not just the people of Faith, Appleton), feel free to join us on the UNCOMMON journey.

2 Peter 3:18 — "Continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."

More on Uncommon.

Want a real spiritual workout??  Take the 100-day Uncommon Bible Challenge.  Memorize 100 verses in 100 days.  Sort of like P90X for the soul.


#uncommon  #uncommonbiblechallenge

Soul Revolution

It's time for a SOUL REVOLUTION.

Tomorrow evening (June 3rd) celebrity Chef Jamie Oliver will appear on ABC for the third episode of his second season of FOOD REVOLUTION.  If you haven't seen the show, don't feel bad.  I haven't either.  Apparently, it's not the greatest success as a TV series.  But ... BUT ... the CONCEPT really got my attention last year and has had me thinking ever since.

Here's the idea:  Jamie believes we are killing ourselves and our kids with WHAT WE FEED OURSELVES.  We are eating JUNK!  No surprise, I guess.  But he's absolutely right.  I'm guilty too, but we put serious GARBAGE into our bodies!  So ... Jamie Oliver is promoting the "FOOD REVOLUTION" -- a call on America to change ... to REVOLUTIONIZE what we eat.  More natural produce; less processed, fatty, chemical-laced trash.  Jamie says:  "Our kids are growing up overweight and malnourished from a diet of processed foods, and today's children will be the first generation ever to live shorter lives than their parents. It's time for change. It's time for a Food Revolution.  This Food Revolution is about saving America's health by changing the way people eat.  It's not just a TV show; it's a movement for you, your family and your community."

Okay, so here's what I'm thinking:  having concern for our physical health is great.  It's commendable.  But I'm even MORE CONCERNED about our SPIRITUAL HEALTH!  And quite frankly, we continually feed our souls loads of GARBAGE!  We think that we'll be fulfilled by having success and having some accomplishments to show off (all type-A's, take note!).  But success and achievements are not real SOUL FOOD.  Neither are friendships.  Or alcohol.  Or having a nice house or kids that behave ... or whatever else we try to fill ourselves up with.  You're not going to be filled up because your favorite team wins the championship.  Ask Tom Brady.  He won the Super Bowl three times in four years with the New England Patriots.  But he still hungered for more.  AND HE WAS THE QUATERBACK OF THE TEAM!

What I'm saying is that you won't find the answer to that deep longing in your soul by finding just the right guy/girl ... by getting just enough money in the bank account ... by getting noticed because you said the right thing, did the right thing, or whatever.  The secret is not getting your spouse to change or finding a better job.  The secret is not in shedding more pounds or in pushing your kids to accomplish more than you did.

A famous Christian leader of the late-4th century, Augustine, once wrote of God:  "You have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless till they find their rest in you."  Perhaps with that in mind, the 17th-century philosopher Pascal wrote:  "What else does this craving, and this helplessness, proclaim but that there was once in man a true happiness, of which all that now remains is the empty print and trace? This he tries in vain to fill with everything around him ... though none can help, since this infinite abyss can be filled only with an infinite and immutable object; in other words by God himself."

What Jamie Oliver says about FOOD, I say about SOUL FOOD:  we've got to stop feeding ourselves TRASH!  Our spirits are malnourished because we try to fill up on success, stuff, sex, and all other things that can never fully satisfy.  We need to fill up with Jesus!

Paul to the Philippians:  "I consider everything a loss ... RUBBISH, that I may gain Christ and be found in him" (3:8-9).  Jesus:  "Man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4).

It's time for a SOUL REVOLUTION!  A change from junk food to REAL, HEALTHY, FULFILLING FOOD for the SOUL.  It's time we fill up with God -- more specifically, the LOVE God offers in Jesus Christ.  We will never rest until we are filled with Jesus.  Find Him in the WORD today.  Open your Bible.  Get to know it.  Take it in.  Let your spirit digest every word of hope and promise!  And you'll be part of the REVOLUTION.

What do you think?!  Comment below.