Be Just to Yourself

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9 (ESV)

How many saints struggle to forgive themselves when the forgiveness of the Father is already upon them! The statement in 1 John 1:9 is airtight and sure. If this, then that. If you have come to to the precious Christ who not only knows your sin but even died for it, and if you make it known and proclaim it to him, then nothing else you could do has a bearing on your spiritual condition. The trustworthiness and the fairness of God takes over at this point. He is faithful and just.

He is faithful in that he can be trusted. If the Lamb of God came to take away the sins of the world, then there is nothing more to atone for. His blood is sufficient. The promise of the propitiation of sins stands strong.

He is just in that he is fair. It would not be fair for Christ to die for an incomplete prize. He did not come to wash away even nine tenths of our sin, but he came for the whole. It would not be fair to Christ to give him any less that what he is fully due. Rejoice, believer, for the promise of your forgiveness and your cleansing is sure.

This has ramifications for your self-concept. Do you toil inwardly with regret? Can you not live within the status of one who has been cleansed and forgiven? Be just to yourself, as God has been just to you. Breathe in a deep and peaceful breath; you are cleansed and you are forgiven.

Exchanging Fear for Fear

If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities,
O Lord, who could stand?
But with you there is forgiveness,
that you may be feared.
Psalm 130:3-4

Are you still undone by the thought of your forgiveness? Do you fall on your face in amazement on account of his grace?

You certainly still should!

Think, not too long but just long enough, on your many shortcomings and sins. The times in which you’ve failed others or broken good faith with them. The times in which you’ve even dealt unrighteously, even with God. “If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities… who could stand?”

We could not stand, not for a moment. Frightful realizations fill the minds of those who brave such a meditation.

But the psalmist is quick to say, “but with you there is forgiveness.” When the danger is accurately apprehended, the salvation feels all the sweeter. While we cannot appreciate something which we ignore (indeed, the truth that Jesus dies for sins is a mockery to those who reject sin itself), we appreciate and savor all the more that which we reflect on.

Your sins are very great. And you could never stand before God. And yet with him is forgiveness and pardon.

Curiously, the psalmist suggests that a result of this is fear, but how could the solution to the fear of being cast down in God’s presence be fear again? The solution is that this use of fear speaks of worship and awe.* Consider Deuteronomy 10:12-13,

¹²“And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, ¹³and to keep the commandments and statutes of the Lord, which I am commanding you today for your good?

Mentally walk through the thoughts of this psalm and exchange your fear for fear. Let the great grace that has come upon you in forgiveness move you to a new kind of fear––to walk in God’s ways, love him, serve him, and keep his commands. Indeed, his burden is comparatively light.

* Willem VanGemeren, ed., New International Dictionary of Old Testament Theology & Exegesis (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1997), 529.

Faith in the Waiting Place

The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot him.
Genesis 40:23 (NIV)

On the verge of breakthrough, Joseph must have been bubbling with excitement. Finally, his wrongful imprisonment might end. Finally, he might be free. Finally, he might be able to pursue the vision for his life that God had given.

Except it didn’t happen. The chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph; he forgot him.

Letdown of letdowns, Joseph is stuck again––waiting.

Where is God in the waiting? Isn’t he there? Can’t he clearly see that all this waiting amounts to nothing? Can’t he clearly see that it is pointless?

Except it isn’t.

There is purpose in the waiting, and usually we don’t understand why. Those familiar with the story know why God kept Joseph in prison for two additional years, but Joseph didn’t know.

Keeping faith in in the waiting place feels exhausting yet proves essential in time. What was accomplished inwardly while waiting could not have grown otherwise, and its fruit is precious.

Your Attitude is Your Witness

Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world
Philippians 2:14-15

It’s a shame that the American church is not regularly regarded as those who never grumble or dispute. Perhaps that might be true elsewhere, but it isn’t here.

The command to never never grumble and fight is based on a Christian mentality––literally the same mind as Christ himself which is explained to be found in his humility, lowliness, and willingness to consider others before himself (vv. 2-11).

One of the lies about happiness is that you will find it in “self care” and essentially pursuing selfish activities. While the meaning of these activities certainly varies, the scriptures frame the true source of happiness in a radically different direction: outward service and selflessness. This is where the joy of Christ emanates from the service of Christ, like warmth glowing from firelight.

The inner joy found from living in and with Christ in his service is simply attractive. Those without it will find it freeing, illuminating, transforming.

Find your joy in living as Jesus, and let your attitude be your witness to a world thirsting for genuine contentment. After all, he is calling you.

Caiaphas Did Not Know

Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
Matthew 26:64 (ESV)

They struck him after he said that. They spat on him. They hated him. They accused him.

They crucified him after he said that.

What the high priest Caiaphas did not know was that the man of glory did not lie. Truly he is seated at the right hand of Power and truly he is coming again on the clouds of heaven.

And we rejoice that he says this.

We wonder at him. We glory in him. We long for him. We take hope in that he says this.

For the reality of his coming is as comforting a truth that you can find. One day he will come and make all things new. Every sickness healed, every sorrow salved, every corruption made pure.

While we toil against the evil in this age, both within and without, we thank the one who sits in power and has promised to come again.

He is coming again. We know it and are glad.