博客存档 - My Evensong

That I May Know Him

11/29/2025

Memory – Philippians 3.10 – 11 … that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead

When you are reading for comprehension it often helps to find the theme sentence or a summary thought that encapsulates what is central to the author’s thinking or purpose in writing. As I read Philippians within the larger context of the thirteen Pauline epistles I was struck by the five words in the middle of his exposition describing his calling and relationship with Jesus – that I may know him – this desire is at the heart of everything that Paul writes about being Christian (cf. Galatians 2.20 & 4.19; or Colossians 2.6-7; or Ephesians 2.10 & 6.10; or Romans 12.1-2). Remember what we spoke of in preparing for your baptism. You are putting off the old self and put on the new self, namely, Christ (Colossians 3.9-10). This is precisely what Paul is expressing in his statement about knowing Christ. Moreover, it aligns with what the Lord told Ananias about Paul’s calling to serve him: But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name” (Acts 9.15-16).

Pay careful attention to the immediate context of this expression of Paul’s heart to know Christ. Prior to his conversion to faith in Jesus as his Savior (cf. Acts 9.1-19) he was held in very high esteem among his scholarly Jewish peers. If anyone had bragging rights, he was the man; circumcised on the eighth day [according to the law], from the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; regarding the law [of Moses] he considered himself blameless, as a Pharisee he violently persecuted the early Christians; even participating in the stoning of Stephen, the first martyr of the church (Acts 7.54-60). Paul considered none of these accolades or positions of authority of any value compared to knowing Christ. Indeed, he describes the loss of all those things as rubbish or excrement (lit. in Greek skybalon). Paul’s desire was to be righteous in the sight of God and this he came to recognize as an impossibility by any means of his own effort. But there was a righteousness that came through faith in Christ.

In the gospels Jesus makes it clear what this entails. In Luke’s Gospel we read “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it (Luke 9.23-24). And later in that same chapter Jesus speaks of the cost of following him, Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God (Luke 9.57-62). Luke expands on this theme in several places; it may be worth your time to consider what takes place between Jesus and the rich ruler in 18.18-30. Jesus must have preeminence in the believer’s life. This is consistent with the teaching of the Old Testament’s greatest commandment in Deuteronomy 6.4-5; “Hear O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” In the Gospel of Mark 12.29 Jesus is asked what the greatest commandment is; he answered from this passage in Deuteronomy. Paul’s heart is to know and please God, and this can only be accomplished in knowing and pleasing Jesus (cf. John 6.40; 14.6-7).

God Commands & God Works

11/22/2025

Memory – Philippians 2.12-13 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure

I suppose you might think this is somewhat of an oxymoronic statement. On the one hand, Paul is telling his readers to work out your own salvation and on the other hand it is God who is at work within you to will and obey. So, is it God or is it me? Of course, the answer is yes; it is both God and it is you. It may be helpful to review your notes from October 26thwherein I shared some thoughts from J. C. Ryle’s book on Holiness about the difference between what only God can do and what God works within us to do (online link: https://www.myevensong.com/compline/grace-faith-good-works.) In a similar vein Augustine, a 5th century biblical scholar / theologian encapsulates this conundrum with the aphorism, “Give what you command and command what you will” (cf. Confessions 10.29.40). Augustine understood that we need to be able to discern right from wrong, that is, the moral law inherent in the Gospel; but more than that, we need to desire what is good. He also knew that given his own rapacious heart of a sinful man he could not live to a righteous standard that God required. What he needed was the inward working of the Holy Spirit to continue the work begun in him (cf. Philippians 1.6). Thus, he prays, God whatever you require of me give to me. This is the grace of God at work within you. In book one of the Confessions he writes “Thou hast made us for thyself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it finds its rest in thee.” As with Augustine, so, too, Blaise Pascal, the 17th century philosopher / mathematician, expresses a similar thought; “What is it then that this desire and this inability proclaim to us, but that there was once in man a true happiness of which there now remain to him only the mark and empty trace, which he in vain tries to fill from all his surroundings, seeking from things absent the help he does not obtain in things present? But these are all inadequate, because the infinite abyss can only be filled by an infinite and immutable object, that is to say, only by God Himself” (Pensees # 425, p. 87 Kindle Edition). So he writes in another place, “the heart has reasons that reason knows not.”

Many have plumbed the depths of this text – not the least of which is the Danish philosopher Soren Kierkegaard in his book “Fear and Trembling.” However, the simplest and most direct approach is to keep in mind that whatever God requires of you he will enable you to do. At the end of this epistle Paul writes, “… In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me”(Philippians 4.11b – 13). In his last meeting with the disciples in the upper room Jesus tells them “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing (John 15.4-5).

A Life in Humble Service

11/17/2025

Memory – Philippians 2.3-4 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourself. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others

The context to this week’s memory verse is a key to an underlining theme permeating the Pauline corpus; namely, how is Christ formed in you (e.g. Galatians 4.19). Notice the emphasis that Paul puts on Christians having the same attitude or mind among themselves. That is to say, the mind or disposition that comes from being rooted in Christ (Colossians 2.6). The apostle John’s record of the upper room discourse does not focus on the Passover meal but on his act of servanthood in washing his disciples feet. When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. (John 13.12-16).

How does Paul’s greeting in this letter capture the essence of his calling as an apostle? I suppose it is a rhetorical question. He says plainly that he is a servant of King Jesus. What does King Jesus require of those who serve him? In his own words he says: A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another (John 13.34-35). What does this service look like? When Jesus is speaking about the final judgment and the separation of those who truly love and serve him from those who don't he says: … I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me. Of course, the faithful servants did not understand and Jesus explains: … “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me (Matthew 25.31-40).

In the latter half of Paul’s letter to the church at Rome he describes how Christians ought to put into practice their faith in Christ. He begins with this exhortation: I give each of you this warning: don't think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us (Romans 12.3 NLT). Paul’s play on words stresses the importance of thinking properly about oneself. The need for a humble self-assessment is accompanied by a healthy respect for the giftedness of others. The heart is naturally inclined toward self-deception; it easily thinks more of itself than it ought. Thus, Paul’s warning may not be aimed at particular individuals but is a general note of caution for all to be mindful of the pride of self-sufficiency. Being conscious of one’s dependency on the Spirit for all things ought to produce heartfelt humility and gratitude. There are a multitude of things that are indispensable to life in the Christian community and no one person has everything that is needful. So there is no place for the pride of self-sufficiency.

Just before Jesus’ final entry into Jerusalem, the brothers, James and John approached him about potential positions of authority; that is, they were posturing for positions of leadership in his kingdom. Namely, one could be seated on his right hand and the other on his left. The other ten got wind of what the brothers were planning behind their backs and became indignant. Jesus called them all together and said: You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many (Mark 10.42-45).

An additional comment on unity is worth noting from Paul’s epistle to the Ephesians: I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift (Ephesians 4.1-7). It would be difficult to overstress the importance the New Testament places on Christian unity for those who ought to be like-minded. Paul’s admonition to consider others more important than oneself (Philippians 2.3) is in keeping with Jesus’ instruction to the disciples to love one another (John 13.34-35). In practice this means that Christians belong to each other: Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another (Ephesians 4.25 [emphasis mine]).

My Eager Expectation

11/15/2025

Memory – Philippians 1.20-21 … it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Paul is writing this letter to the church at Philippi from prison and while the years of persecution and suffering that Paul has endured now continues while he awaits his trial in Rome. Yet there is no undercurrent of sadness or regret any place within the letter. Rather, there is a sense of gratitude for their empathy and partnership in propagating the gospel. Consequently, Paul is writing to encourage the Philippians to continue to live pure and exemplary lives devoted to prayer and righteous living. It is obviously counterintuitive that his many hardships in fulfilling his calling to be an apostle to the Gentiles (2 Corinthians 11.16 – 12.10) should prove to be a means for advancing the gospel, but that is precisely the case. Now, after a long and arduous trip to Rome shackled to his jailer the suffering continues. Ironically, some who “preach Christ” are, for some undisclosed reason, at odds with Paul and wish to add injury to injury. Others are partners whose hearts align with Paul’s and preach Christ from good will. For Paul’s part Christ is proclaimed and in that he finds joy.

Christians too often underestimate the power of the gospel. They fail to recognize the way God works to reconcile a lost world to himself and he does this without the help of sinners. Salvation is solely God’s work, from first to last. Of this gospel Paul writes in Romans 1.16 that he is not ashamed. However, that is not to say that he was not often humiliated and often suffered because of the gospel. Indeed, there is an extensive theology of suffering associated with faith in Christ (cf. Luke 9.23-27; 14.27), and more particularly with the life and ministry of Paul (Acts 9.15-16). I have frequently heard people tell me that they just try to live by the principles of the beatitudes from the sermon on the mount, but here is the irony of that naivety when we read what Jesus said: Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God [that sounds good but here is the kicker]. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you (Matthew 5.9-12). So, then, it ought not to be surprising that Paul encourages his readers to join with him to advance the gospel, even if it means suffering: For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have (Philippians 1.29-30).

It was a red flag day at camp Lejune North Carolina; the humidity was in the nineties, and the temperature matched it. We were on a two-week training exercise and there was nothing comfortable about living in swamp like conditions; one Marine had already been killed in a tragic accident, and you might think that anyone who could divorce himself from such “life-experiences” would do so in a heartbeat. A captain friend of mine who had already served on active duty and was ABD (all but dissertation for his PhD) and whose wife was a medical doctor was taking a short breather before heading out on an assignment. I asked Captain B why he was still serving in the Marine Corps reserves. “Clearly” I said, “you’ve fulfilled your service requirements, you don't need the money, and you have a brilliant academic career ahead of you; so, why are you here?” His answer was one that struck a chord with me: “chaplain, there is no fellowship like the fellowship of suffering.” In that same unit (surprisingly, a cold weather unit) I was 125 miles north of the arctic circle in the winter doing a NATO war exercise and I asked my tent mate, a physician assigned to the reserve unit, a similar question. He was a neurosurgeon (BS, MD and 7 years neurosurgical residency) plus he had an additional PhD and was doing seminal research in neuron regeneration. His response was similar. They were attached to a sacrificial calling and bound themselves to it. We are attached to the One who sacrificed himself for our eternal calling.

Suffering for the gospel was a way of life for Paul, a way of life that he encouraged others to join: Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, and which has now been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the God, for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me (2 Timothy 1.8-12).

The Day of Completion

11/14/2025

Memory – Philippians 1.6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ

In 1964 I was stationed at Goodfellow AFB in San Angelo, Texas for my training as an analyst for my work with the Air Force Security Service. While undergoing this training I was confronted by a fellow Christian about the level of my commitment to Christ. That very night I made a very conscious decision to follow Christ more fully. Bill Cord, the believer who challenged me, followed up by meeting with me multiple times each week to help me get grounded in my faith. We started our study with the epistle to the Philippians. I was particularly captured by what Paul wrote about his desire to know Christ: For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith – that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead (Philippians 3.8b – 11).

Decades later when I was teaching others about the basics of the Christian faith, one of the books I put on the reading list was Basics for Believers by D. A. Carson. Interestingly, this well-known biblical scholar returned to the basics when introducing the essentials to new believers. I still find it helpful to refresh myself of the fundamental truths of the faith. Just like the tennis axiom – keep your eye on the ball. Over the course of the next couple months I will be giving you a Scriptural sampling from Paul’s letter to the Philippians. The letter is short, only 4 chapters long, but it may serve as a basic framework for some essential truths a Christian ought to know. As you are memorizing these few verses it may be helpful to read through the letter a few times – it’s a ten-minute read at most.

Paul opens his letter addressing the believers as those who are called to be saints. Essentially this means that they all belong to Christ (cf. Romans 1.6-7; 1 Corinthians 6.19). If you belong solely to Jesus you are, by virtue of this relationship, separated from the things of this world (cf. Colossians 2.6). The apostle John uses the imagery of being grafted into Christ (John 15.5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing). I like the urgency of Paul’s concern for the Christians in Galatia … my little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you! (Galatians 4.19; cf. 2 Peter 1.3-11). There is no place in the Christian’s life for complacency or mediocrity in the believer’s commitment to Christ. I like D. A. Carson’s humorous, albeit sad, description of too many would be Christians in his commentary Basics for Believers.

I would like to buy about three dollars’ worth of gospel, please. Not too much—just enough to make me happy, but not so much that I get addicted. I don’t want so much gospel that I learn to really hate covetousness and lust. I certainly don’t want so much that I start to love my enemies, cherish self-denial, and contemplate missionary service in some alien culture. I want ecstasy, not repentance; I want transcendence, not transformation. I would like to be cherished by some nice, forgiving, broad-minded people, but I myself don’t want to love those from different races—especially if they smell. I would like enough gospel to make my family secure and my children well behaved, but not so much that I find my ambitions redirected or my giving too greatly enlarged. I would like about three dollars’ worth of the gospel please.

Grace, Faith & Good Works

11/13/2025

Memory – Ephesians 2.8-10 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

When I first memorized these verses (2.8-9) decades ago it was part of the Navigator’s Topical Memory System. I carried a small packet of Bible verses that I was trying to memorize around in my shirt pocket to help me commit God’s Word to memory. The text is profoundly significant in that it reinforces the beginning and end of salvation as rooted in the gracious work of God. Thus, there is no room for self-aggrandizement. The Christian does not have any justification for claiming any reformation in their life based solely a result of their resolve to be a better person. That is not to say they do not aspire to live a righteous life, but they recognize that God in Christ is working in and through them. It was only a few years later that I realized the importance of connecting verse 2.10 with the foregoing verses 8 & 9: For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Sometimes, fully understanding the meaning of a text is just joining it together with the preceding or following verse(s). As you gain more familiarity with the great themes of Scripture you will recognize reoccurring thoughts and patterns threaded throughout the Bible. For example in Paul’s letter to the church at Philippi he writes: And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1.6). Or consider the psalmist David who wrote: The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands (Psalm 138.8).

Two important biblical doctrines (a set of beliefs or teachings) are inherent within these three verses: namely, justification and sanctification. In some ways they are alike and in other ways they are different. They are alike in these ways: a) Both find their origin in the free grace of God and are a part of the larger work of salvation. b) Both begin at the same time, and both are necessary for salvation. Second, these two doctrines differ in these ways: a) Justification reckons a person righteous, but sanctification is the process of making a person righteous (though perhaps only to a very limited degree). b) Justification results entirely from the work of Christ, sanctification results from the working of the Holy Spirit in a Christian’s life; perfection mingled with imperfection. c) There is no place for works in justification, but in sanctification the Christian cooperates with the Holy Spirit in doing good works. d) Justification is a finished and complete work, while sanctification is an uncompleted work until the believer reaches heaven. e) Justification refers to the believer’s person, that is, his standing before God, or God’s act about the Christian. Sanctification on the other hand, refers to his nature, that is, the moral renewal of his heart, or God’s act within the Christian. f) So, then, justification gives one title to heaven, but sanctification prepares one to enjoy living there (cf. J. C. Ryle, Holiness, pp. 30-31).

Scripture: The Breath of God

11/12/2025

Memory – 2 Timothy 3.16-17 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man [Greek: anthropos refers to human being man or woman] of God may be complete equipped for every good work

The Apostle Paul’s second letter to Timothy was probably written shortly before he was martyred in Rome for his preaching / teaching about Jesus’ redemptive work. Perhaps in fear of their own persecution many of those who had once been close to Paul in sharing in the evangelistic ministry had deserted him (You are aware that all who are in Asia turned away from me … 1.15). Still, Paul remained faithful to his calling as a preacher and apostle and teacher. It is in this capacity that he writes a final pastoral letter to his protégé and faithful partner in the ministry not to neglect his God-given gift; he reminds him that God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control (v. 1.6-7). So, in light of what God has done in Timothy’s life, Paul encourages him to remain faithful and not to be ashamed of the gospel nor of him even though that may mean suffering to the point of death (read 2 Timothy 1.8-14; cf. Luke 9.23-26; Revelation 12.11b). [As an aside, you may find it productive to read the counterintuitive passage in Matthew 11.28-30 and try to reconcile these two thoughts.] Nevertheless, Paul is constant in his faith and declares: But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.

So much has been entrusted to Timothy and now that Paul is awaiting his execution he pens these poignant words in his last letter: You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also (2 Timothy 2.1-2). Central to what Paul is entrusting to Timothy is to gain a solid grasp of the Word of God – Indeed, Paul writes in another place he brings every thought captive to obey Christ (2 Corinthians 10.5) – It is a submission to the truth of Scripture that equips the Christian for every situation in life. Earlier in his missive he exhorts Timothy to do his very best to present himself as an approved worker who properly handles the sacred Word (cf. 2.15).

Paul is steeped in the words of the old covenant (Old Testament) and knows that all things are accomplished according to the prescribed Word of the Lord, e.g. For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it (Isaiah 55.10-11). God spoke through the prophets in the Old Testament and through the apostles in the New Testament. Jeremiah wrote: Then the Lord put out his hand and touched my mouth. And the Lord said to me, “Behold, I have put my words in your mouth” (Jeremiah 1.9). And to the church at Thessalonica Paul wrote: And we thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, … (1 Thessalonians 2.13). And finally, consider Hebrews 4.12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

As is no doubt obvious by now, gaining a working knowledge of the Bible is not an easy task, but it is doable when you are consistent in your walk with Christ. Remember not to let some inconsistency derail you from your end goal – Christ being formed in you (2 Peter 1.3-11). Just pick up where you left off. Keep in mind that it is how you finish the race not how you started or if you fell down or if you momentarily got off course. The measure of character is what does it take to stop you? I learned fairly early on in my life not to listen to the voices of faithless people. More than a few “counselors” told me to forget academic pursuits – I was clearly not cut out for college. Though Paul was not writing about higher education, I found encouragement in his closing comments to the Philippians nonetheless: I can do all thing through him who strengthens me. Commit yourself to be grounded in the word of God and know whatever God asks of you, you will find that he is faithful and he will surely do it (1 Thessalonians 5.24).

Hubris & Temptation

11/11/2025

Memory – 1 Corinthians 10.12-13 Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape that you may be able to endure it

Wisdom in a biblical sense is primarily knowing right from wrong and choosing to do what is right. Sometimes the choices are fairly clearly defined black and white sorts of issues. Knowing that shoplifting is wrong is fairly clear. Sometimes, it may seem as though the situation is minor and not worth your trouble to correct it. As when the clerk gives you too much change for a cash transaction and you discover that as you are about to drive home in your car what is the right thing to do? Does it depend on whether the clerk gave you $10 too much or .10 too much? Do you just pocket the money reasoning that it’s a big business and they will never miss the few extra dollars they gave you. How much sin is really sin? What actually constitutes temptation and sin?

James (the brother of Jesus who wrote the epistle that carries his name) said: Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death (James 1.12-15). Later he summarizes this with: Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin (4.7 & 17).

The reality is when a person no longer resists sin he or she eventually reaches a point where they will display their sin openly. The prophet Isaiah speaks of this in chapter five as not the sin of ignorance, but the sin that results from willful self-deception. There is a progressive nature to sin. Initially the cords of sin are slight flaxen-like, but over time they are woven into unbreakable strands that bind the heart and mind to its own passion. These cords of death enslave the mind and pervert the will, until, if unchecked, there is no longer any recognizable good in the life of the sinner.Who can deliver such a person from this slavery to sin? Paul writes about deliverance in Romans 8.1-2, There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. The witness of the Spirit is at war with the desires of the flesh. The flesh attempts to rationalize its unbridled pursuit of pleasure, but its reasoning is corrupted by the very sin it pursues. Ethical dogmas dependent upon human reason alone are no match for unchecked self-interest. It is a commitment to the revealed wisdom of God in Scripture that protects the heart. Guard your heart for it is the well-spring of life (cf. Proverbs 4.23). Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths (Proverbs 3.5-6).

Rest for Your Soul

11/10/2025

Memory – Matthew 11.28-30 Come to me, all who are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light

There are many notable themes that are threaded throughout the Bible. This word of encouragement given by Jesus may be somewhat reminiscent of Psalm 23 which you may have already committed to memory. In the Psalm we are told that even though we may walk through the valley of the shadow of death that the Lord is with us and will abide with us even in the darkest hours. So, too, with this invitation to rest and abide in Christ. Contextually, it follows chapter 10 wherein Jesus is sending out his disciples to preach that the kingdom of God is at hand. He warns them in advance that they will have a mixed reception. It is ironic that they will be vilified and persecuted for speaking the truth of God’s love and provision for sinners. Jesus said: If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul [a name for Satan], how much more will they malign those of his household (Matthew 10.25). So, Jesus cautions the disciples to keep their focus: And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell (Matthew 10.28).

This instruction is quickly followed by a close to home report of the godly prophet John the Baptist having been imprisoned for his condemnation of Herod Antipas’ who had forsaken his first wife and sinfully married his brother’s wife. A short time later we read in Matthew 14 that at a birthday party Herodias, Herod’s wife, persuaded her daughter to ask her likely inebriated husband for the head of John the Baptist on a platter, and he was immediately executed. His head was brought in for all to see. In the midst of all this religious and political upheaval Jesus invites all to come to himself and they will find a peace that passes understanding (cf. John 14.27; 16.33). Again this theme is repeated by Paul writing from prison in Rome, after being in prison for two years in Israel: Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness [from the Greek also meaning gentleness, patient, moderation] be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4.4-7).

When I served with the Marines we were told that we do not prepare for war after we find ourselves in the middle of armed conflict; we prepare for conflict during times of peace. We pray that such times may never come, but when they do come, we have an assurance that God is with us and will never forsake us – even to the end of the age (Matthew 28.18-20). So, the Christian prepares for the often-unexpected traumatic exigencies of life by being faithful in their regular prayer and meditation on Biblical truth (remember Psalm 119.9-11).

Walk, Rooted, Built Up & Established in Faith

11/8/2025

Memory – Colossians 2.6-7 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

There are many texts of Scripture that seem to capture just what you may seem to need at some juncture in your life. It is partially for this reason that memorizing a wide variety of biblical verses covering a host of circumstances that you or someone you know are likely to face can be very helpful. Yet, as helpful as this might be there is a caveat of which you ought to be aware. Namely, every text has a context and while you may not necessarily need to memorize the entire context of a Scriptural passage you ought to be aware of its contextual application. Such is the case for this week’s memory verse. Ergo, before you begin to memorize the text read its context in Colossians 2.6 – 3.17. Therein you will find that the apostle Paul is contrasting your new life in Christ with your old life and the influence of worldly peers. It is not merely a matter of what is obviously sinful behavior that is easily identified but there are patterns of behavior that sound very religious and have an appearance of wisdom, but they do not honor Christ (cf. 1 John 4.1-6).

Notice how he compares two worldviews with the repeated reference to putting off the old self with its patterns of living and putting on the new self in Christ. The pattern of these lifestyles is symbolized in the death and resurrection motif. That is, putting off the old self by being buried in baptism and putting on the new self as you are rise to a new life in Christ. That is why Paul encourages you to Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth (v3.2). So, put to death therefore what is earthly in you … because you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator (vv. 3.5, 9). He summarizes the life of the Christian believer with this admonition: And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. … And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him (vv.3.14, 17).

So, with that in mind, stay focused on Christ; be faithful in your devotions; be alert mentally – let the mind of Christ dwell in you. Paul wrote: Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, … (Philippians 2.3-6). Do not concern yourself about how much influence you have in and over others; rather, be concerned how deep your roots are in Christ and how you are being conformed to Christ (Galatians 4.19).

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My Compline

In the liturgrical tradition the compline is the last office of prayer and reflection for the day and it tends to be a contemplative devotion that emphasizes spiritual peace.