Author: BJ Armstrong

Matthew 13, Psalm 86

Matthew 13:47-50 (ESV) Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind. 48 When it was full, men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good into containers but threw away the bad. 49 So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous 50 and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Reading the parable presented in Matthew 13:47-50,  I find myself contemplating good vs. righteous.  Did you notice that the fisherman saves all the good fish?  Compare the fisherman to the angels in verse 49.  Alternatively, the angels don’t save good men, they save righteous men.  Why do these words change?  What is the difference? 

To start, consider what is good?  Who is good?  These questions remind me of Jesus’ conversation with the rich young man in Mark 18.  Jesus challenges the rich man’s definition of good.  Why?  Because it wasn’t enough.  In order to receive the full grace of God, being good didn’t earn him salvation.  The rich man needed something more.  Isn’t the same true today?  Everyone thinks that they are ‘good.’  In fact, just like the rich young man, we have followed the rules.  We have never murdered anyone, we don’t commit adultery, we don’t steal or bear false witness.  No, we do not defraud, in fact we are very honest and, yes, we honor our father and mother.  In fact, we see them every weekend and love them very much.  So clearly, we too, are good.  Unfortunately,  good is enough to save the fish, but apparently, not enough to save men. The salvation of men requires righteousness.

Verse 49, shifts the conversation from good to righteous.  Why?  Consider Jesus’ reminder in Mark 13:18.  Despite all our efforts, He insists that “no one is good except God alone.”  Paul backs him up in Romans 3:12, saying ‘no one does good,  not even one.”  As I consider these exhortations, everything in me wants to defend the good that I have done.  Maybe its about how much money I’ve given or how many hours I’ve spent serving and volunteering.  To be true, I have to ask, how am I, how are we, different from the rich young ruler?  Answering honestly, I must admit that we are not different.  We are just like him.  In fact, our failure to accept it strips all power from Jesus Christ, rendering his sacrifice on the cross impotent.  If, on the other hand, we embrace their admonitions, we are finally able to receive the deep desire of our hearts, righteousness.

When I think about good vs righteous in this way, I get a hint at their difference.  Good is about my life.  Good carries elements of carnality and the desires of the flesh.  Righteousness, on the other hand, is all about God.  It disregards my-self.  It prefers the kingdom of God over everything else.  There is only one way that this heart condition is rendered.  We see it in Romans 4:20-22.  Abraham “grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. That is why his faith was “counted to him as righteousness.”  How then, do we gain righteousness over goodness?  Give glory to God and rely on him to do what he has promised.

Luke 18, Psalm 66

As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind beggar was sitting beside the road. When he heard the noise of a crowd going past, he asked what was happening. They told him that Jesus the Nazarene was going by. So he began shouting, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”  “Be quiet!” the people in front yelled at him.  But he only shouted louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”  When Jesus heard him, he stopped and ordered that the man be brought to him. As the man came near, Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” (Luke 18:35-41)

Did you pay attention to Jesus’ question in this story?.  How would you respond to him?  Think about it.  If you captured Jesus’ attention and, point-blank, he asks you, “what do you want me to do for you?”  How do you respond?  My own answer to that question sends panic through my heart.  Why?  Because, my answer reveals the condition of my heart.

There are a thousand things that I want from him.  I want a new car, a new house and another sale.  I want my company to grow faster and have more influence.  I want him to heal my friend with cancer and to provide more money for the needy.  All of those things are what I want.  Do those Lord.  Should we be surprised that God doesn’t jump in and honor all of my requests?  We shouldn’t.   James 4:3 reminds us that, “You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.”  Yes, that answer stings a bit.  There is, however, a better way.  Consider the response of young King Solomon.

Similar to the blind man, the Lord appeared to Solomon.  He asked him, “What do you want? Ask, and I will give it to you!” (1 Kings 3:5).  Solomon replied, “Give your servant an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?”  (1 Kings 3:9).  Solomon’s response pleased the Lord.  So did the blind man’s.  He answered, “Lord, I want to see!” (Luke 18:45).  Jesus immediately responded to this request.  Why?  Because like Solomon, his request required faith in God for the sake of God.

Do you know what you want?  Do you know that the Holy Spirit is here, waiting for you to ask?  What do you want him to do for you?

Luke 4, Psalm 81

Where do you most often look for God?  Maybe its in your living room, or in your bed before you go to sleep?  It’s not important where you go, as long as you go.  There are times, however, when longer, more focused times are needed.   This practice called solitude.  Jesus did it too.  He can be seen retreating into lonely places, sometimes called the wilderness.  Today, in Luke 4, we get to witness this experience as Jesus is called into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit.

Why would the Holy Spirit call Jesus to a lonely place?  To the wilderness?  Doesn’t the wilderness seem like a bad place to be?  In the wilderness, we lose our sense of direction, fear is elevated, and attack by a predator is likely.  The answer is that he simply followed the Holy Spirit (Luke 4:4).  I can tell you that the picture in my head is wrong.  I see Jesus as an innocent child being lured into danger by the Holy Spirit.  That is totally wrong.  Instead, Jesus has one hundred percent trust in the Holy Spirit and the Holy Spirit is leading him with one hundred percent love.  The purpose, as Richard Foster so wonderfully puts it is, “so that he could all the more fully enter the divine feast.”  Do you hear that?  The Holy Spirit is leading Jesus toward a Spiritual Feast.  It will not include physical food.  No, it will be God only – spiritual food – for the next 40 days.

What would your life look like if you spent 40 days alone, no cell phone, no TV, no internet?  40 days with God.  If you don’t know, then we are even.  I cannot imagine it either.  What I do know is that Jesus comes away full.  Not just full, but complete and perfectly equipped to be our Savior.  Here is the proof.  Think of the physical toll 40 days without food would take.  Your body is weak and lethargic.  Your mind is starved.  Your thinking  is slow and dull.  The combination of these jeopardizes every action, every decision.  The same was true for Jesus.  However, instead of giving in to the Devil’s schemes, he drew on his deep well of God’s power to hold fast.  Why?  Not because Jesus was unable to be deceived.  It was because Jesus spent enough time with God to know that nothing, absolutely nothing compared.  The Devil was not able to offer him anything better than he already had possession of.  Even better, this opportunity sets up Jesus’ ministry.  By denying the Devils worldly schemes, ”He intended to demonstrate a new kind of power, a new way of ruling. Serving, suffering, dying — these were Jesus’ messianic forms of power.” (Richard Foster)

As I read the account of Jesus’ 40 days in the wilderness and his subsequent temptation, its easiest for me to believe that he was different than me.  That i am a mere human and he was God.  That belief confronts me with two problems.  First it denies Jesus identity as being fully human.  Second, it effectively eliminates any responsibility for me to follow the Holy Spirit into the wilderness.  That is where I too can “fully enter the divine feast.”  Will you go too?

Foster, Richard J.. Streams of Living Water: Celebrating the Great Traditions of Christ. HarperCollins. Kindle Edition.

Psalm 38

How do you view accountability?  As a child, accountability often looked like a yard stick.  Maybe that’s why I get nervous when I think about it.  I may not have liked it, but I always needed it.  Even now, as an adult.  It was true in Bible times too.  Today, as we ready to read 1 John, the apostle John is exercising his responsibility to hold Christians accountable.  When you examine it you will see three distinct components.  A reminder of who Jesus is, how we react to that understanding and finally, why it matters.

I John starts with a reminder of who Jesus is.  If you haven’t noticed, its easy to get mixed up about Jesus.  That is as true today as it was 2,000 years ago when John wrote this book.  People everywhere were questioning Jesus’ divinity.  After all, how is it possible to be human and God?  Our faith is easily sidetracked with such questions.  Many of us already have. For example, it is far easier to believe that Jesus was just a “good guy” than it is to believe he is God.  In 1 John, John rebutts these falsehoods with a strong message of truth.  He reminds us that Jesus was, in fact, “from the beginning,” meaning that he was with God before all of creation.  He also points to evidence of his humanity, recalling that they saw him personally and were able to touch him physically (John 20:27).  These reminders of truth hole us accountable to the core truth’s of Jesus.  

As we recall his perfect nature, John begins to encourage us to act accordingly.  The behavioral change John is talking about starts with our heart which is justified through Jesus’ sacrifice. We need to remember our need for forgiveness and salvation, often.  This remembrance causes behavioral changes.  He fills our renewed hearts with His love and goodness.  Out of this river, flows righteousness and good deeds.

In conclusion, John encourages us to be confident.  Not just for eternal life, but for true life.  Right here on earth.  God cares about our struggles.  He wants to intercede.  He will intercede.  Sometimes, we just need a reminded.

James 2, Psalm 24

Do you say that faith is the only requirement for salvation?  That if you confess with your mouth and believe with your heart you are done?  Maybe you prefer to think that your “goodness” will pave the way for you.  That salvation is about how you treat others and what you do to care for the world.  Today, in James 2, we get a full dose of reality.  Apparently, both are true and neither is true.  How can that be?  For me, it’s easier to think about faith and works as two sides of the same coin.  To help illustrate that, I am recalling a movie series from the late ‘70s called Oh God.  Those movies captured my imagination and probably, in some twisted way, shaped part of my theology. I’m thinking specifically of an exchange where God, played by George Burns,  was talking with a young girl, Tracy.  He was attempting to explain the paradox of good and bad.  It went like this:

God: I know this sounds like a cop-out Tracy, but there’s nothing I can do about pain and suffering.  Its built into the system.

Tracy: Which you invented

God: My problem was I could never figure out how to build anything with just one side to it

Tracy: One Side?

God: You ever see a front without a back

Tracy: No

God: A top without a bottom?

Tracy: No

God: An up without a down?

Tracy: No

God: OK.  Then there can’t be good without bad, life without death, pleasure without pain.  That’s the way it is.  If I take sad away, happy has to go with it.

It is this conversation, along side James 2 that shows me how faith and work are two sides of the same coin.  You can’t have faith without works.

We must have faith.  We must believe that Jesus died, for our sins.  We must acknowledge that this sacrifice removes allows us to live free and abundantly.  Through Jesus, we have no guilt, no shame and no punishment.  We are justified and sanctified.  Righteous even.  Sounds great, doesn’t it?  Some would have us believe that nothing more is needed.

The other side of the coin, however, is works.  Many in this world believe that their “goodness” is all that is needed.  They care for others and the world giving freely of their time and money.  They say, “I will show you my faith by my works” (James 2:18). 

What faith alone fails to acknowledge is that Jesus’ resurrection gives us power.  What works alone fails to acknowledge is our need to be justified and sanctified.  They attempt to be fronts without backs, or backs without fronts.  Nonetheless, faith and work are two sides of the same coin.  When they work together, God’s plan is realized.

Consider Jesus’ challenge to his disciples.  He said, 

Truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you” (Matthew 17:20).

God wanted the disciples to have great faith.  Not just so that they would be saved from eternal damnation.  He also wanted them to do great works.  Likewise, he wants us to do great works.  It is through faith that we are empowered to do anything.  Even move mountains!  Of course, we have to get on with moving the mountain.  Otherwise, all that power is useless.  It’s like an electrical generator running at full power with nothing plugged into it.  What a waste!

I could never write about faith and works without adding in a little Rich Mullins. One of my favs!

 

Hebrews 2, Psalm 10

I spent two days last week at the Global Leadership Summit, hosted this at Eastview Christian Church.  They presented a fantastic array of world-class that provided their wisdom, insight and instruction to become better leaders.  These talks are nothing new to me.  In fact, I consume an unbelievable amount of similar information every week.  I read blogs and books, listen to podcasts, even receive daily tips in my email.  Why?  Because I want to become everything that God created me to be.  Filling my heart and mind this way helps to assure my success. I must be careful, however, with who I listen to.

Each of last week’s speakers and authors has credibility.  For example, in her talk about forgiveness, Immaculee Ilibagaiza described, in detail, the horror and terror she experienced during the Rwanda genocide in 1994.  Her personal experience and resulting triumph offer me encouragement and hope in any circumstance. Clearly, she is a trustworthy source.  

As I reflect on last week’s speakers and consider Paul’s conversation with us today in Hebrews 2, I noticed an interesting correlation.  God, did the same thing.  He experienced life, just as we do, right here on earth.  He did it for two reasons.  First, so that he can understand exactly what it is like to be human. The only possible way to do so, was to send his son, in flesh and blood to live life, just like us.  

Because God’s children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—the Son also became flesh and blood. Hebrews 2:4 (NLT) 

The second consideration in God’s becoming human is credibility.  Why should we listen to Jesus Christ?  What makes him an authority?  Simple, his performance during and after hardship and suffering prove his character.

Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested. Hebrews 2:18 (NLT)

Thankfully, Jesus can help us better than any speaker or leadership guru. He conquered death.

For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death. Hebrews 2:14 (NLT)

Because of his living sacrifice, we are no longer bound, but are free.  Nothing can prevail against us (Matthew 16:18).  Nothing.

 

Today’s Reading: 1 Timothy 6

Not too long ago, I scheduled Friday evening walk-thru to discuss some problems a customer was having with his house.  It was the only time he had available.  Not surprising, this busy executive was running late.  When finally he walked into the house, I greeted him with a handshake and a big smile, expecting him to unload on me about the busy and tumultuous week that he has had.  Cautiously, I asked, “did you have a good day?”  His response was one that I will never forget.  He said, simply and authentically, “I fought the good fight.”  What an interesting comment!  Since that conversation, I’ve stopped thinking about my days as good, or bad.  Instead, at the end of my day, or week, I remind myself that I am fighting the good fight.  Paul gives us some interesting feedback today about the good fight.  He uses four words to outline how we do it.

Flee – (v11) to escape, shun, run away from

From what in your day, or week did you flee?  Or, maybe you did not flee when you should have.  Perhaps, there s something in your life this very moment that you need to flee. 

Pursue – (v11) to run swiftly in order to catch something, to seek after eagerly, earnestly attempt to acquire

What are you pursuing in your life?  Are you full throttle in your career?  For what purpose?   Maybe its money, or is it power?  In this passage, Paul is encouraging us to pursue faith and only faith.  That means running after God, earnestly and swiftly.  The goal is to catch him!

Fight – (v12) struggle, strive, to contend with an adversary

No, it will not be easy.  Things won’t go our way.  It will often feel as if someone is fighting against you.  The good news is that we have been given amazing tools for this battle.  Ephesians 6:10-18 describes how God protects us.  He gives us “full armor” so that we can stand firm.  Additionally, He wants us to fight hard against our adversary with his sword of truth.

Take Hold – (v12) take possession, attain, seize

God does not want us to wait until the battle is over.  He wants us to claim the prize, now!  Don’t forget, he already won the war.  He sent his only son to die on the cross (1 John 2:12-14).  Its time to stake our claim.

Father, thank you for simple ways to better understand your Truth.  Give us wisdom today to see clearly what we are pursuing.  Provide us with the courage we need to flee from temptations.  Resolve in our hearts a desire for you that enables us to fight.  We trust in your armor to help us stand firm.  Today, Lord, victory is yours.  Not even death can overcome it.

Today’s Reading: Ephesians 5

I had an interesting conversation with a woman recently about joining my my company.  As we talked, she appeared to be a perfect match.  We value similar things and have many goals in common.  We agreed that if she were implement the systems and models we provide, she would experience unprecedented growth. The only logical conclusion is to be in business together.  As the conversation moved toward commitment, however, her tone changed.  She began to talk about the things that she would need before we could partner and the considerable expense that she would incur.  Of course, she wanted me to bear the cost.  It was in that moment that I realized the truth.  Yes, she would make a great partner and no, she does not yet understand the benefits and opportunities of this organization.

As I reflected, I recalled Matthew 13:25-26.  Jesus is telling a story about a merchant who sees a pearl of extraordinary value.  He says,

“the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.”

You see, when we find something of real value – of more value than anything that we have – we will use whatever means necessary to get it.  Don’t get me wrong, I am not comparing my company to the kingdom of heaven.  I’m simply saying that the woman I met with didn’t understand the full benefit.  She, therefore, attempted to enhance her perceived value by negotiating.  How about us?  Do we recognize the full value of Jesus sacrifice, or are we trying to negotiate a better deal?

Consider that question in context of our reading today.  The people of Ephesus saw the benefits of a Christ-following life.  Unfortunately, like us, they haven’t fully given in to the cost.  In a sense, we negotiate with God to take the grace that we need and save our old selves.  For example, Paul confronts them about their sexual immorality and covetousness.  He also adds simpler things like filthiness, foolish talk and crude joking.  All of them are equally relevant to us today.  Don’t we push the boundary of sexual immorality?  Yes.  It is evident in every movie, website and catalog that I see.  What about crude joking and foolish talk?  How do we even define crude joking?  I found an interesting definition on Biblehub.com.  “Ready wit.”  Interesting.  I don’t know about you, but I can cut down a person faster than most.  It’s a skill that I have finely tuned.  I wield it fiercely, proudly and often.  Trust me, I am not admitting that easily.  At this moment, it brings forth guilt and shame.  God does not discourage my reaction.  In fact, he reinforces it through Paul, calling me a “son of disobedience.”  The action God expects upon my acceptance of his gift is not negotiable.  There is no “mostly” good.  My failure, our failure, to surrender fully and still expect the full benefits of His loving grace is nothing short of trying to negotiate a better deal for our salvation.

2 Corinthians 12

I read an interesting blog post last week from Seth Godin.  He talks about making two lists.  On the first, we list all of our troubles and ailments.  The second gets filled with our opportunities, strengths and talents.  Godin’s challenge is to choose, intentionally, which list you are going to focus on.  This list, you will read everyday.  There is no question that the list you choose will shape your day, your year and your life.  I found this axiom playing out in today’s reading as well.  As you know, Paul suffered from an ailment.  A “thorn” in his flesh.

Paul wanted nothing to do with his affliction.  Who would?  In fact, as it drew his attention and distracted his purpose, he did exactly what I would do.  He “begged God to remove it” (2 Corinthians 12:8).  (I would have added some complaining and self-loathing to the equation.)  As Paul persisted in begging God for relief, he was continually denied, which produced an interesting crossroad for Paul.  Just as Godin suggests, he had two choices.  Either focus on the his debilitating weakness, and wonder why God would do such a thing to him, or accept God’s sovereignty.

No matter our hardship, if we accept God’s sovereignty and authority in all things, He will offer us solutions.  Rather than shut God off, Paul continued to submit and listen.  As he did, God provided him with encouragement, assuring him that grace was all he needed.  Immediately upon his acceptance, Paul understood that any affliction, when compared to the grace that God supplies is irrelevant.  All work is possible despite our human weakness.  In fact, it is in our weakness that God receives the most glory.  Why?  Because without Him, our affliction is debilitating and the work is impossible to complete.

Paul’s new understanding prompts gratitude.  He comments that, “I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift” (2 Corinthians 12:9, MSG).

Take a moment to list of all your troubles, as Seth Godin suggests.  Now, imagine that they may never go away.  Rather than tuck them away in a drawer, consider what will change in your life when you submit them to Gods sovereignty and treat them as a gift, not a curse.  I find incredible peace in that exercise. The peace comes not from a second list of my strengths, but  from God’s presence.  It is His power, His strength, His glory, His perfection and His grace that make me whole.