Author: BJ Armstrong

Proverbs 6

My coach used to tell me, “You play with poop, you get it on your hands.”

Duh! Why would anyone want to do that?

Yet we do it all the time.
We convince ourselves we can get close to sin without getting dirty.

That’s a great question. So why do we do it? Have we forgotten what is right and wrong? No. If you’re a regular reader of BibleJournal, it’s probably written upon your heart and hung around your neck just as the Scriptures suggest.

Proverbs 6:16–19 (ESV)
There are six things that the Lord hates,
seven that are an abomination to him:
haughty eyes, a lying tongue,
and hands that shed innocent blood,
a heart that devises wicked plans,
feet that make haste to run to evil,
a false witness who breathes out lies,
and one who sows discord among brothers.

It’s easy to sit back with relief and say, “Phew, I’m clear. I’m not any of those.”

But when you look closer, you’ll see that you might not be doing those things—but you are often standing right next to them.

It’s all around you.

We easily ditch our beliefs and engage with it, declaring it “innocent entertainment.”

It’s not.

You cannot play around with it without it shaping you. It’s true that when you play with it, you get it on your hands.

Proverbs 6:4–5

Don’t put it off; do it now!
Don’t rest until you do.
Save yourself like a gazelle escaping from a hunter,
like a bird fleeing from a net.

So how do you do that?

Think about Truth.
Delete that app.
Block that website.
Walk away from that conversation.
Remove yourself from the text thread.
Walk the other hallway.

Romans 5

When asked, “How much is enough?” John D. Rockefeller famously replied, “Just one dollar more.”   In the movie Wall Street, Gordon Gekko responds similarly. “It is a zero-sum game,” He says.  They May have been motivated by greed and selfish ambition, but they did know one thing: there is no such thing as enough.

“How much more?” Paul asks three times in Romans 5. Paul, however, is not talking about greed, riches, and ambition. He’s talking about grace—the grace that covers our sin, the grace that redeems us, the grace that makes us worthy.

If you have ever considered that you might have just outstripped God’s grace, that you’ve stepped over the line one too many times, that you keep repeating and going back to that same old infraction, you might be tempted to to give up and surrender to your sin.  It would be easy to believe that God’s punishment and wrath are coming for you. But that’s not what Paul is saying. He’s making it clear That there is more grace. How much more? “SO much more” He says.

Grace is a zero-sum game. It’s infinite.

1 Samuel 17

“You do you.”  I hate that phrase. It’s defeatist. It gives up. It stops caring. UDU says, “I’m not going to interfere with your life. I will just go live mine.”

Isn’t that a picture of Christian America today?  The vast majority of us are pacifists refusing to get offended by words and even actions.  The evidence is seen every day in our response to the taunts and teases of those that defy our God.

Young David didn’t see it that way. He heard of the actions of the Philistines and their giant He couldn’t believe it. “How could this man defy God?” He asks, shocked. Not only was Goliath spitting in the face of God he was taunting all of Israel. And, Israel was the army of God! David was offended. So offended would not, could not, stand for it.

Do you get offended, when you see people spit in the face of God?  How do you respond? how do you respond?  Do you wave the white flag of defeat? Do you dismiss the offense, look the other way and say, “You do you?”  I do.

Two things contribute to my response: fear and identity. You see, I’m afraid of what comes with being offended. Like David, being offended comes with responsibility that I would rather not accept. It’s way easier to be a victim than it is to take action.  Especially when that action comes with severe consequences. The second thing is identity. David called Israel “the army of God,” and he was a soldier.  We don’t see ourselves as soldiers today, but Christians used to. As a child in church, I remember singing the hymn, “Onward Christian Soldiers!” I wonder why we don’t sing it anymore?

If you’re inclined to take up arms and assume your role as a soldier in God’s army, you’ll want to keep in mind what a Christian soldier looks like. Jesus didn’t arm himself with weapons of war. In fact, he chastised Peter for using a sword. Jesus’ weapons are love and kindness, generosity and care. That tells me that the fight is not the fight that you think it is. Victory is not achieved by being the loudest voice in the room, winning the debate, or bloodshed. Victory comes when souls are redeemed, lives are made whole, and love prevails. 

1 Onward, Christian soldiers,
marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus
going on before!
Christ, the royal Master,
leads against the foe;
Forward into battle,
see his banner go!

Refrain:
Onward, Christian soldiers,
marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus
going on before!

2 At the sign of triumph
Satan’s host doth flee;
On, then, Christian soldiers,
on to victory!
Hell’s foundations quiver
at the shout of praise;
Brothers, lift your voices,
loud your anthems raise!

Philemon 1

When my kids were young and had a cold, I would bring them cough syrup. It comes with that neat little cup that will deliver the perfect dose to make them feel better. But they wouldn’t drink it. Maybe it was the taste, maybe it was the burn, it was probably both. Despite the attempts of the manufacturer at a delicious cherry flavor, my daughter would grit her teeth and clench her lips tightly inside her teeth to avoid whatever unpleasantness would follow.  I had to develop a new technique to deliver this much needed elixir.  That method came in the form of a syringe.  The small plastic tip was small enough to pierce its way between her lips so that the medicine could be delivered into her mouth.  Once in, I had to cover her mouth so that she wouldn’t spit it back out.  It was a painful process, but a necessary one.

I think of that process as I read Philemon.  Paul, has someone, Onesimus, that would benefit Philemon. But, Onesimus was a bitter pill for Philemon.  A runaway slave that had already cost him time and money, not to mention his authority.  Convincing Philemon to take him back would not be easy. Even tougher is convincing Philemon to take him back, not to work, but to set him free.

Paul uses every persuasion tactic he can, challenging him with reciprocity, providing social proof, revealing scarcity and urgency.  Paul skillfully reframes the narrative and illustrates stark contrasts.  While those may be formal persuasion techniques, each one can be easily seen in this story.  No matter the technique, there is something bigger going on here.  What effect do Pauls efforts have on Philemon’s heart?

The Bible does not record Philemon’s response. But I know what mine would have been. In fact, it jumps out of my chest as I read this book.  

“Heck no! Why would I do that? And, thanks for the guilt trip, Paul!”

That response puts my pride and arrogance on full display. But, if I sit with it just a little longer,  I begin to see a bigger opportunity – an opportunity to participate in the redemption of Jesus. 

Paul was offering Philemon had an opportunity to welcome Onesimus back, despite the hurt and financial loss he caused. But, remember, Paul was asking for more.  He wanted Philemon to welcome him back, then free him. That would cost him even more!  I am hearing the footsteps of Jesus in that.

What about Jesus? Did Philemon remember that Christ gave up everything for him? That he welcomed him back and gave his life in the most costly and dreadful way, so that he could be free, so that he could live, so that he could share in the joy, peace, and love of God?  Do You?

It may have taken Philemon a minute to digest Paul’s letter. He had to overcome the bitter taste and make a hard swallow. I bet he was relieved after he did.  I bet we will be relieved too.  Yes, that hard swallow takes humility, and sometimes a forced feeding.  Thankfully, Jesus will do whatever it takes to get His sweet elixir grace and love into our soul.  

Titus 2

“Proclaim these things; encourage and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.” Titus 2:15

What exactly is Paul telling Titus to “proclaim?”  Everything that he has just written.  It’s both the practical instructions for living, and the Gospel that empowers and motivates our behavior.  My natural tendencies, however, are to modify my behavior through discipline and lounge in the comfort of grace. While I work to keep them separate, Paul shows us that theology and practice are never separated. So, when he tells Titus to ‘proclaim these things’ in verse 15, he means both the practical instructions for living AND the gospel that empowers them.Titus 2 is not about behavior modification; it’s rooted in the reality of Christ’s redemption and the transforming power of grace.

Do you feel the motivating power of God’s grace, or does it just make you comfortable?
Grace is more than a comforting idea; grace is the manifested reality of Jesus Christ entering human history.

• Grace saves us
• Grace teaches us
• Grace transforms us

Paul roots every command that follows in this truth: what we do flows from what Christ has done.  I love the way Timothy Keller says it.  He writes, “grace does not merely forgive, it changes us.  It is not opposed to effort, but to earning.”

Because of Christ’s redeeming work, we are now His people, purified, treasured, and eager for good works (Titus 2:14). Our obedience is not the cause of His acceptance, but the result of His transforming grace.

As much as I’d like to lounge in the comfort of God’s grace, Paul won’t allow it.  He couples practical instruction with it, that is powered by grace.

• Grace calls us to renounce ungodliness
• Grace enables us to turn from worldly passions
• Grace helps us live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives
• Grace points us toward Christ’s return
• Grace gives us confidence to walk as a purified people as His possession
• Grace compels us to do good works

This is not self-improvement. It is Spirit-empowered formation, through grace. We live differently because we are different.  We are redeemed and renewed in Christ.

2 Timothy 4:2 (NLT)
Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.

What would make it good timing to preach the word? I can think of 1,000 reasons why it’s not a good time—and probably never will be.

• • Sorry, I’m in a hurry, let’s talk later.
  • Sorry, I’ve got these reports to go over.
  • Oh hey, yeah, not now, I’ve got a meeting coming up.
  • Oh man, can it wait? I just walked into a meeting.

Jesus didn’t do it that way, he preached – always –  even when his good friend, Lazarus, was dying. Instead of dropping everything as we expect, he stayed where he was for the next two days (John 11:6, NLT). Talk about bad timing.

Do you know what he was doing for those two days? I have to assume that he was teaching, preaching, and healing, just like he always was. Truth is, it’s always a good time to preach Jesus. Always.

Hold up. Maybe you are ready to exclaim that you are not a preacher. That may be true in the sense that you do not deliver sermons. Fine. But what about your neighbor? What about that coffee group or book club that you see all the time?

Timothy Keller calls that “Level 1 preaching.” Every Christian has the responsibility to understand the message of the Bible well enough to explain and apply it to other Christians and to his neighbors in informal and personal settings.  If we are to do that, we must “be prepared,” as Paul exhorts.

If you were prepared to preach today, what would you say?

That means that yes, we must have some idea of what we will say, but it also means that we must be willing. Being willing is kind of like budgeting: if I don’t decide beforehand where my money will go, it will decide for itself, and I usually regret it.

That’s why, once we are willing, we want to be prepared.  Here is a simple formula: start with the Gospel and finish with the Gospel.  Once again, Tim Keller gets it right. He says that “telling listeners only how they should live without putting that standard into the context of the gospel gives them the impression that they might be complete enough to pull themselves together if they really try hard.”  So this isn’t about having the perfect thing to say; it’s about sharing Jesus.

1 Timothy 6:11 (ESV) But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love steadfastness, gentleness – 1 Timothy 6:11 (ESV)

Pursue righteousness
Flee compromise, even though it feels easier.

Pursue Godliness
Flee old habits when they hum their familiar song.

Pursue faith
Flee doubt when it offers simple answers.

Pursue love
Flee self-protection when it builds thicker walls.

Pursue steadfastness
Flee quitting when it feels like relief.

Pursue gentleness
Flee anger when it promises power.

“What comes into your mind when you think about God is the most important thing about you.” ~ A.W. Tozer

Psalm 94 serves as a reminder for me about who God is. Sometimes we forget. Maybe you’ve been shunned or put down. Maybe “good people” have treated you unfairly, or you were left out — not invited to the table, not included in the group.

In those moments, we might assume it’s discipline. We think, “I deserve this because of what I’ve done.” But statements like that reveal a lot about what we actually believe about God. If we see Him as only just, then we might interpret hardship as punishment, it’s His justice being served. If we believe we must be good to earn His favor, then we assume our suffering is somehow keeping us in His grace.

But Psalm 94 paints a different picture. It reveals several encouraging truths, even in hardship, about God: His steadfast love (v.18), His active consolation (v.19), and His role as our stronghold and rock of refuge (v.22). The psalmist doesn’t describe a God who punishes His children, but rather One who holds them steady when they’re about to slip.

Today, we also remember another expression of God’s character, the ultimate gift of Jesus. Because justice demands a price, God sent His Son to pay it in full.

“But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.” — Isaiah 53:5 (ESV)

Through Jesus, justice was satisfied and mercy was magnified.

Psalm 87

When I hear the word Zion, I shudder. Internally, I translate it to Zionists and Zionism. Those words, in the context of modern world affairs, stir images of rage, hate, bigotry, and nationalism. That’s part of what’s broken in our culture. We take good and pure things and turn them rotten. I think that’s exactly how Satan works. He trades truth for lies (Romans 1:25) and light for darkness (Isaiah 5:20).

This becomes clear to me when I read Psalm 87.

On the holy mount stands the city he founded;
the Lord loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwelling places of Jacob.
Glorious things of you are spoken, O city of God. — Psalm 87:1–3 (ESV)

I don’t get past verse 2 without feeling it. That word Zion catches in my throat. Is this how it all started?

The answer is both no and yes. No, because the Zion I hear about on the news is not the Zion of Scripture. But yes, because the original Zion, the place where God chose to dwell, is where the story begins. To understand it, we need a full picture of what Zion truly is.

Zion is a hill in Jerusalem, not just any hill, but the one where God established His dwelling. There, His people gathered to worship. Yet Psalm 87 reveals something remarkable. The city’s register includes names from far beyond Israel: Rahab (Egypt), Babylon, Philistia, Tyre, and Cush (v. 4). Nations once known for slavery, pride, and sin are written as if they were born there. Even Babylon, later described in Revelation 17:5 as “the mother of prostitutes and of the abominations of the earth,” is named among those who belong.

How can that be? Because Zion isn’t about who controls the ground; it’s about who is welcomed home. It isn’t about who has sinned and who has not. We all have. Zion points higher to God’s presence among His people and His desire to gather the nations to Himself.

Zion is a picture of Jesus. Through Him, we are purified and made worthy to live in God’s presence. He writes our names in His book, making us citizens of His eternal city, permanent residents in His household, together on that holy hill where God dwells with His people.

1 Thessalonians 1

“When you think of me, what comes to mind?”

Maybe you’ve seen that question floating around social media. Believe it or not, it’s often used in sales training. It serves two purposes: discovery—realizing the impact you’ve had—and encouragement—being reminded that your life matters and inspires others. Most people are surprised by the responses, discovering they’ve made a bigger difference than they realized.

Now imagine asking that as a Christian. What would people say?

The believers in Thessalonica didn’t ask that question, but Paul offered his answer freely in 1 Thessalonians 1:3: “We always thank God for all of you and pray for you constantly. As we pray to our God and Father about you, we think of your faithful work, your loving deeds, and the enduring hope you have because of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Despite persecution, their faith had become an example throughout Macedonia and Achaia (v.7).

So what about you?
– Are you allowing the Holy Spirit to work through you faithfully?
– Is He empowering you with loving deeds and enduring hope?

The evidence lives in your fruit. And one more thing: Who do you know that is faithfully living this way and might appreciate your encouragement today?