Category: Good Life Journal

Journal Titus 1 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: “Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of God’s elect and, their knowledge of the truth (which accords with godliness), in hope of eternal life which God (who never lies) promised before the ages began AND at the proper time manifested in his word through the preaching (which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior),

To Titus, my true child in a common faith…” Titus 1:1:4

Observation:  I wonder why Paul wrote this preamble to Titus?  Certainly, they were familiar with each other, right?  Says it right there…

Analysis: When I began reading Titus, I wondered what common points I would find with Timothy?

Both referred to as “true child in the faith”.

Timmy was charged with settling down the church at Ephesus.

Titus was charged with settling down the church at Crete.

Without going through point by point, Paul gave both similar instructions concerning teaching doctrine, establishing leadership and qualifications for elders, overseers, and deacons.

Why is this important?  Why not address the congregation with exhortation, correction, and encouragement?

Paul is establishing his own “bona fides” in these preambles: reviewing again his good faith qualifications; his fidelity to Jesus Christ and the Gospel with his guys.  Paul appointed Titus (and Timothy) to be emissaries of the Gospel and, with the preamble to the Letters, he is establishing an example to follow and unfailingly declaring what the focus of Titus’s mission should be—godliness.

The rest of the chapter has to do with advancing the health of the local church…

An objective that I should take personally, beginning with the face in the mirror.  If Paul says these things (above references) about himself, what can I say about myself?

Prayer: Father, I keep pounding on this subject.  Help me not to fall into the trap of having a conviction and then seeing evidence of that conviction everywhere I read in so much untruth.  I want to see objectively, scholarly, like a good investigator and not running off into a rabbit hole.

You are, O Lord, the Truth that I seek, Your word a light on my feet and paths…

AMEN

Rick Sutton

Scripture

Vs 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

Vs 8 … Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica.

Vs 11 Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry.

Vs 16 At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. May it not be charged against them!

Vs 17 But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed …

Observation

Paul is writing to Timothy about his final circumstances and making some final requests.

Paul is content in his faithfulness … He has “fought the good fight”.

Paul laments those who have deserted him, in particular, Demas and “all” at his defense.

Paul pleads for those supportive of him, in particular, Mark.

Finally, Paul tells us the source of his strength … “the Lord stood by me”.

Application

Words of warning … and words of hope!

Both are provided here among Paul’s final words.

Do I want to start well … or finish well?

Paul is pleased to “finish the race” … the objective is achieved, and the goal is secured.

It is better to finish well.

Words of warning …

Paul had earlier described Demas as a “fellow worker”, but that did not provide security for Demas.

Demas abandoned the work.

Words of hope …

Paul had earlier vehemently opposed John Mark joining him because of his early misdeeds.

That, however, was not the end.

Later, John Mark was now “useful for ministry”.

I must follow the example of John Mark … leave past mistakes and regrets behind me.

There is a race ahead of me … finish well!

I must also follow the example of Paul.

Even in the moments when I feel alone in the race, I can know I am not actually alone.

The Lord is with me and provides strength!

And may I share the same grace of Paul for those I feel may not be running with me … “May it not be charged against them!”

Prayer

Thank you, God for your word

Help me finish the race

Help me know you are with me

Help me know your strength

Help me have grace for others

In Jesus name

Amen

Scripture –
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 of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

Observation –
Paul is exhorting Timothy to remain in the Scriptures as they are the Word of God, inerrant and infallible. As Timothy leads the church, Scripture is where sounds teaching originates. When someone is not walking in the path of righteousness, Scripture is where to turn and base correction .
The Word of God equips and completes a believer for God’s work.

Application-
The Bible is the holy inspired Word of God and needs to be my playbook for life. That Scripture is breathed out by God gives me encouragement to know His Word is true. Any teaching that I listen to must be expositional from the Bible as it allows the hearer to gain in wisdom. On the contrary, teaching which deviates from Scripture is not sound and can be damaging. Therefore, I must be in the Word to know the Word. The Word along with the action of the Spirit is what will convict us to move toward Christ in our walk.

Prayer –

Father,
Thank you for the truth in your Word and this passage that shows the usefulness of Scripture to teach and correct. Let the power of the Spirit guide me in wisdom to know your word and live it out.

Journal 2 Tim 2 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved: a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” 2 Tim 2:15

“And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome, but kind to everyone—able to teach; patiently enduring evil; correcting opponents with gentleness.

God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses…” 2 Tim 2:24-26a

Observation:  Aged Paul is giving young Timothy sound advice in teaching about the Way, sounding like Obi-Wan speaking to Luke…in a certain manner of speaking…

Analysis: The NIV translates 2 Tim 2:15a; “Study to show yourself approved…”  The NASB translates 2 Tim 2:15b: “…accurately handling the word of truth.”

The implication is clear: Nose to the grindstone is the order of the day if you want to be Biblically astute and handle the Word of God in an accurate manner, not haphazardly.

In the beginning, I was a haphazard student: I read my Bible, I underlined or highlighted “cool” sounding verses, verses I thought pertinent to being a Christian.  I was excited to find ‘truth” and was eager to share with LIKE MINDED friends of the Faith.

This is a significant statement: because when I shared these same things that lit up my heart and mind with some others, I reached obstacles and opposition.  I got a significant correction that was not gentle.  Concerning myself, I was quarrelsome, obstinate: I got stubborn, red-faced, tightlipped, and so much more.  So, I got quieter, listened more.  Compared what was taught and said to the Scriptures; tried to separate things into categories: Very Right, somewhat right, not right, and (significantly) TBD later—not enough information, background, or timing of life. (This last one is where Deut 29:29 comes into play: The secret things belong to God.  Sometimes I have to grow in other ways to be able to understand more mature subjects.)

However, it works the other way, too.  I can be on solid ground, biblically speaking: Doctrinal, historical, translational, etc., quotes, references, analysis…and face opposition because it does not line up with the position of the local church or the current position of American Christendom.  Easy example: Prosperity teaching.  If I offered a contrary position based upon Scripture, then I was without Faith.  Another, more difficult, example is Election and the implications of God’s Sovereignty concerning Election.

Therefore, it is incumbent upon believers to press in and be a student of the Word.  Obstinate, stubborn mental positioning is not Faith, it is just being stubborn.  Not bad in the beginning, but if years and decades go by and that is all we have, then that stubbornness masquerading as Faith gets weaker and weaker.

After all, these are the objectives to shoot for:

• Doing my best concerning the Scriptures
• To be considered Approved handling the Scriptures and doing it right
• Able to teach without stubbornness, but gently and patiently going through the Scriptures, gently enduring evil (and dumb responses)
• That GOD may give repentance.

Something helpful from the last 20 years: I need to get used to Mystery.  “I don’t know” can be the most theological statement of integrity a person can utter.

Just like in school, there are things I cannot learn without something other being learned first.  We don’t teach 1^st graders Algebra, you know…

Prayer:  Precept by precept, principle by principle, doctrine by doctrine: Father, you give this instruction so learning can be structured and not just scripture memorization alone.  It is our privilege to be able to humbly ask, “Why is it like this, Lord?” and know that you are pleased to answer your children—maybe not right away, but eventually.

Thank you so very much to not answer my dumb requests, but to answer those questions you want me to know about.  Deut 29:29 is a godsend (pun intended).

AMEN

Rick Sutton

Journal 1 Tim 6 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: “Teach and urge these things (writer prior in this Epistle).

If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing.  He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words (which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people…” I Tim 6:2b-5a

Observation:  What do you do with disagreements?  What do you do concerning positions of Doctrine that are ever-so-slightly out of synch?  What do you do when those you might disagree with are your friends?

Analysis: For the most part, many Christians can recognize when somebody is off the wall nutzo. It is more difficult to talk about when today’s societal norm is that everyone has a “truth”: “That is your truth, this is my truth…we can celebrate that our individual “truths” can live in harmony even though they don’t live in unison…”  When I was growing up, this was being recognized in the Church and Society as “relativism” … I think of it as “truth floating, no absolutes, no anchor to words or principles.”

Much of it has to do with what Paul started to write Timothy about in the beginning of this Letter:

“…that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, nor devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather that the stewardship from God that is by faith…Certain persons by swerving from these, have wandered away into vain discussion—desiring to be teachers of the law without understanding either 1) what they are saying or 2) the things about which they make confident assertions.”  1 Tim 1 3b-7

What, then, is Sound Doctrine?

There is a list of subjects that folks are generally aligned to.  I think of them as expanding concentric circles; Inarguable doctrines at the center and, as the circles expand, other doctrines have room for opinions and disagreement.  Sound doctrines are biblically/biblical logic based and historical (proven by the test of time).

Paul does give us one hint on what to look for: “…with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness…”  Even this can be taken out of whack.  I know of a pastor in Australia that was totally convinced that the only eternal and power laden words in the Bible are the Red Letters in the 4 gospels—the rest of the Bible was somehow second class and without primary worth.  See 2 Tim 3:16 for the scriptural response, rebutting this position.

There may be many who would boil down “sound doctrine” to an inarguable minimum doctrinal statement: Confess sin, repent, and accept Jesus in your heart.  That is all that is needed—except that it is not.  As believers, as adopted children, as freed slaves from Sin now as elected slaves of Righteousness, we are to pursue knowing Him who chose us in mercy and grace, and search his Word line by line, precept by precept—expanding that minimum, center circle that we may build disciples unto Him and for the Glory of His Name.

Prayer:  Lord God, I write this one in fear of You.  There are so many beloved out there and they have sincerely held beliefs that I am not equipped to talk through.  I am convinced of many things concerning your Word: I consider myself Reformed with a sincerely held Charismatic component.  Not all believe this way.  Until then, I pursue you with this head upon my shoulders, in Fear of You always.

AMEN

Rick Sutton

Journal 1 Tim 5 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: “…let them first learn to show godliness to their own household…” 1 Tim 5:4b

“So also, good works are conspicuous, and even those that are not cannot remain hidden.” 1 Tim 5:25

Observation:  Godliness and good works are related but should not be thought about as the same…

Analysis:  1 Tim 5 is difficult this year.  Journaled about for about 4 years prior, all the cherry- picked verses (as few as they are) have been written about.  Time to dig in without prejudice.  Note to journalers: To journal well, nothing you read in the Scriptures is off limits to your personal journal. Remember that all scripture is breathed out by God and is profitable for changing lives.

Of this chapter, 58% is directly about various stages in a woman’s life.  The remaining 42% are either about men and leadership or general verses that could be applied to either gender in the Church.  I never considered 1 Tim 5 to those female specific bible references before today.  Being a guy in today’s social environment, I would find it difficult to preach on this because I wouldn’t know if I was preaching to a hostile or receptive audience.  That’s why guys like Kel get the big bucks.

And thus, because I am chicken to the max, I snipped these two references perhaps out of context so I can gain illumination today.

I pound on godliness, because godliness is what I am called upon to walk in whether I am with someone or not.  Strike that: because Jesus is ALWAYS with me, I am called to walk godly in His Presence.  You know those times where I want to “let my hair down” and “just be real?”  Those are the times to target real transformation to godly character—not “put on” stuff.

Hebrews 3:12-13 instructs to encourage (exhort) daily.  This is a direction to believers, not unbelievers (although it can apply).  But it is not stuff like “good job” or “well done” primarily.  The best encouragement comes from verbally recognizing godliness in another.  “I see grace coming out of you/being formed in you in [this way].”

These two scripture snips are about three things:

1. Godliness as an effort to your household.  Men and women have this injunction alike, and it is something LEARNED and PURSUED.
2. Good works (perhaps as a result of Godliness, I’ll bet) are conspicuous.  They are evident if looked for.  See 1 Tim 4:15b.
3. The bestest good works are those done in secret. “…so that your giving (also serving) may be in secret.  And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”  (Matt 6:4) But those same good works will not be secret forever: “For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light.” (Luke 8:17) If I do something, I should not toot my own horn:  Let God toot it for me at His own time and place.
4. This is where the latter part of Heb 3:12-13 comes into play: Recognition of evidence of Grace is to be done daily because people are weak daily.  Feeling like they are toiling in the darkness, by themselves, sin can easily overtake them—they can fall to sin’s temptations.  We can be an active part of countering sin in another’s life by just paying attention to Grace and telling them about it.

Prayer: Father, thank you for the redemptive love shown in your Scriptures. Thank you for Paul giving us guidance in 1 Tim 5 and that it is not limited to the society of the First Century Church, but it is applicable today as well.  Help me and all who read this learn to follow You more radically today.

Open my eyes to evidences of Grace in others, learning how to serve them in this.

AMEN

Rick Sutton

Journal 1 Tim 4 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: “Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching.

Do not neglect the gift you have (which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you).

Practice these things…. Immerse yourself in them… so that all may see your progress.” 1 Tim 4:12-15

Observation: The so-called “pastoral” epistles (like both Timothy’s) are not meant to be exclusive to those with a pastoral bent: the are meant to tune Believers to be sharper and very intentional in their pursuit of God.

Persistence to becoming more mature in Christ is the calling of every believer—once surrendered, it is “full speed ahead” and no “half-hearted” attempts (the definition of lukewarm).  Only the radical need apply.

Analysis: “Let no one despise you for your youth…”  I am going to spin this differently: “Let no one despise you for your age, either.”

When I became a Christian in the early 70’s, I hung on to this verse because I was convinced that the old were hidebound in their practices of Christianity.  They were “traditionalists” in the worst sense of the word.  They resisted “new wine” and either hung on to the “old wine” or tried to keep up with the Jesus Movement by offering to put the “new wine” of the Spirit into the tried and true “old wineskins.”  Very few radical old guys back then—most all were radical young guys.

Today, it feels like the same thing again, except for youth is celebrated and old guys are put out to pasture.  One thing is consistent I think: Radical pursuit of God is still not front and center by the rank and file.  Those who think that they may have a “calling” may see this differently, but those who are “called” to be factory workers, plumbers, pool installers, etc., are called to be just as radical.

This is what the Methodist pastor, leading the Youth ministry said to the group that night: “If you are going to give your life to Jesus, mean business.  Do not go into it half-hearted.”

Old and young alike: Examine yourselves.  If you are half-hearted and not fiercely pursuing Christ so that it is plainly seen, change your ways.  Young: do not despise the old and deal gently with them.  They have wisdom of life you do not have.  Old: deal gently with the young just like you wanted to be dealt gently when you were the same age.  Ideas and thoughts need a sounding board: be that for them.  You have wisdom of life they do not have.  Hopefully you can be a Priscilla or Aquila explaining more thoroughly  the Gospel to them.

Prayer: Stir us up, O God.  Instill firmly your vision for us individually, for the family, for the local Church, and for the community.  Help us to be patient and to build step by step, brick by brick.

AMEN

Rick Sutton

Scripture –
1 Timothy 2:1 – First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.

Observation –
Paul is sharing with Timothy the importance of prayer for everyone. Paul specifically mentions prayer for (kings) leaders and those in position of authority. Prayer for all including leaders is to have a life with peace and quiet to live godly.

Application –
I need to pray for everyone, even those who oppose Christianity and want to shut us down. If I’m praying for someone there is less of a chance that I have posted something negative or bear malice towards them. We are to pray for leaders including those who we disagree with and for laws that would be honoring to God. Prayer for all in a peaceful life are contexts in which we, as believers, have unbridled freedom to share the gospel with a lost world that needs the hope of Jesus. That is how I will lead a godly life that pleases Him.

Prayer-
Father,
Thank you for the truth in your word, allow it convict me to be prayerful towards all including those leaders who are in opposition to our faith in you. Let the Spirit guide me to follow you to share your gospel in a godly manner to honor you.

Journal 1 Tim 1 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: “The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.

But I received mercy for this reason: that in me (as the foremost) Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.”  1 Tim 1:15-16

Observation:  Why did Paul assert that he was the foremost sinner?  That doesn’t seem like the first-place trophy I would want to talk about…

Analysis: This is a subjective analysis of redemption to the face in the mirror.

Are the Scriptures saying, in all of Man’s generations, there has been no greater, no more accomplished sinner than Paul?  “If you want to be a great sinner, come to God’s Word, gaze in these pages and you will find Paul, a sinner without peer!!”

Far from it.  What I think Paul is saying, that compared to His Holiness, my life is without redemptive value—I am a sinner, and I am the greatest sinner I know.

It’s true, you know.  I don’t know into anyone’s heart; I don’t know what God sees.  I do know that from birth I am (not have been but am) a sinner.  Ok, what do I do with that?

Understanding that OBJECTIVELY first is a requirement.  It is why the Gospel makes sense and has power.  It isn’t that Jesus died for a group of which I am a part of; He died for me, took my sin (root: rebel and traitor to God—conduct is only a characteristic of being a rebel and traitor), substituted himself to take the Wrath I deserve upon himself.

Understanding this SUBJECTIVELY is more difficult.  My inner man, the Old Self, the Sinner that I am, wants to rebel against the Gospel facts.  The general thought that exists within Man is “I am not as bad as this makes me sound.  I am nice, kind, go to church faithfully, give, serve, etc. etc.”  Or I want to do a comparative analysis: “I am not as bad as ‘so and so’ or ‘those guys.”  Or I want to do a statistical analysis: “I do more “good works” than “bad or not-good works.”

This is one of the main (if not THE main) ideas that I need to “renew my mind to prove the Will of God” about—that I need the mercy of redemption because I DESERVE the whole and complete Wrath of God otherwise.  Confession: This should drop me to my knees daily in fear and gratefulness—but it doesn’t.  It should, though.  Right now, I am still objectively pounding my confession in faith, hopefully that it will draw tears one day.

Again, why?  Paul says it bluntly: The reason I received mercy (grace) as a sinner is so that Jesus manifests/displays his abundant and perfect Patience to those who are to receive eternal life.  Paul says it another way in Romans: “What if God, desiring to show his wrath AND to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath (prepared for destruction), in order to MAKE KNOWN the riches of his Glory for vessels of mercy (which he prepared beforehand for glory) …Ro 9:22-23

Why does God put up with sinners like me and to offer redemption and to adopt me as a son and to conform/make me into the Image of the Son?

For His Glory as God.

Prayer: A thread here, a thread there: all of this to weave the Tapestry of the Gospel into a picture of undeniable Beauty of your Majesty.  Father: help my feeble mind to grasp deeper and deeper your Gospel (which is really a practical picture of your Sovereign character).

AMEN

Rick Sutton

Col 4

Scripture:

[5]Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. [6]Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

Observation:

Don’t let an opportunity to share the Gospel slip. Be ready at all times to share, knowing that it takes wisdom to know how to act to outsiders. Telling of God’s Grace is not enough. It needs to be wisely seasoned with salt.

Application:.

The Gospel is not only all about Grace. There is a perfect balance of Grace and Truth. Truth can be the seasoning with salt. Salt preserves, salt enhances flavor – adding salt to a conversation with an outsider, and to Christ followers for that matter, is to give biblical truth in the conversation even if the truth may be hard to handle

Wise conversation will have a good balance of Truth and Grace. Someone once described the proper balance of Grace and Truth with that of a trapeze artist walking the high wire with a pole where one end is loaded with Truth and the other with Grace. If not balanced correctly, it won’t end well. I think this is our preparation for conversations with others, whether they are Christ followers or not – be ready to converse with Grace while not dancing around Truth.

Having the proper balance shouldn’t make us nervous. Wisdom will come from the Lord through His Word, through prayer, and directly from the Holy Spirit. We have easy access to all three!

Prayer:

Lord I love You. Let me always be obedient to You when I speak with others. Keep me prepared and let me speak of biblical Truth and Grace in a humble manner pleasing to You. In Jesus holy name I pray, amen.

Journal Col 3 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness–which is idolatry.”  Col 3:5

“Do not lie to one another, seeing that 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).” Col 3:9-10

“Put on, then (as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved) compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience—bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other.  As the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.”  Col 3:12-13

“And, whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus…” Col 3:17a

Observation:  Growing in godliness does not happen effectively through osmosis (absorbing godliness through haphazard spiritual disciplines and just hanging out with other Believers), it happens through effort and growing in knowledge.  Purpose?  To effectively love one another.

Analysis: Something was going on in the church at Colossae. What it was could probably be inferred by the epistle.  A bit of this, a bit of that…really, it could be not only the Epistle to the church at Colossae, but the Epistle to Bradenton or Palmetto or Parrish.

Chapters 1 and 2 could broadly be a reminder of Who we serve; what lengths and width of fathomless love expended, and how Paul laboriously kept reminding Colossae of His Grace.

Chapter 3 gets into doing something about it.  And what does Paul start with?  The face in the mirror.

This is where paying attention in English class pays off: Look at the use of the personal pronoun: You.  Even in passive sentences, the “You” is clear.  The idea of spreading the pain around, as though to lessen the impact (like using “everyone” or “all of you”) is non-existent—I can’t water this down, He is talking to me!!

The Holy Spirit is speaking in radical terms: “Put to death the sin that rages within you.”

“Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments FOR righteousness.” Ro 6:13

Sin such as sexual immorality, greed (covetousness), lying, etc. are fairly well recognized.  After all, Paul is basically reciting the 10 commandments.  However, he tosses one in that may not easily come to mind: Forgiveness.

Not forgiving, giving mercy and grace in the face of wrongdoing, having an attitude that I am due my grudge for being wronged, etc., that is a sin of the magnitude of idolatry—putting my thoughts, anger, and attitude of being “owed” contrition by someone else—that deserves a pass by God?  “Yeah, the Three of Us totally get what you are going through, son—NOT!  Good thing I didn’t cop that attitude at the Cross, huh?”

Boy, the deeper I get into the Word, the more grateful I am for Grace!

AMEN

Rick Sutton

Journal Col 2 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: “Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we present everyone mature in Christ.

For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.  For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea (and for all who have not seen me face to face), that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ…” Col 1:28 through Col 2:2a

Observation:  What is so mysterious about Christ?  From what I have learned over the years, am I just scratching the surface of what God wants me to search Him for?  Are there even more riches of understanding and knowledge to be obtained?

Analysis:  Is it more important to preach the Gospel or to make disciples?

Preaching the Gospel is something we are supposed to do–with our mouth and voice, but also with our visible and invisible lives.

• The invisible part is progressing to maturity, reaching the riches of understanding and knowledge of Christ’s mystery.  It is the stuff that is going on inside our hearts and minds, what we strive for, what we call on the Holy Spirit to illuminate in us so we can lay aside every chain of sin that binds us.
• The visible part is how our lives are conducted; that is, what is seen.  Do I straddle the line between righteousness in Christ and the unrighteousness of the World?  Is my heart being knit with other believers (like in my local church)?  Do I understand and exhibit what the Gospel is about in my family, with my spouse, with my children?  Do I counsel with worldly wisdom or with godly wisdom?  Do I even know the difference?

Paul struggled with that.  Took him 17 years to get the Gospel straight in his mind and heart to be able to present it to others.  I am still working on it for the past 50 years—and I still don’t think I have it all.

Just the same, I am along the road searching and I think all the better for it.

What is mysterious about the Christ?  Why would a perfectly good, eternal, omnipotent, omniscient God, happy in Himself, even think about making a creation that He would give Himself up as a sacrifice to redeem them from an obvious verdict of destruction by His Own Hand?

That, folks, is the mystery—to be searched for but will never be found in its entirety.  On a personal level, the question is not about why Jesus gave himself up for the World, but why would he give himself up for me?

Hymns were written to teach doctrine in a catchy, memorizing way.  See below for a modern hymn:

… Lord, what moved Your heart to love lowly man
Before any star could herald Your praise?
And why did You come, abasing Yourself,
Veiled in a robe of frail human clay?
Why would You the pure give Your life fore the vile,
The innocent seeking the guilty to be reconciled?

… I can’t comprehend this fathomless love.
I’m gripped and amazed at what You have done.
Why would the adored become the despised
To bear all the furious wrath that was mine?
How awesome this mystery
Of Your fathomless love for me.

… Why would You adopt and take as Your own
Those who had crushed Your one precious Son?
Why mercy and grace towards Your enemies?
Your name they have cursed and Your throne they have shunned.
Oh how could You choose to show kindness to these?
The ones who would mock You and hate You,
The ones just like me? (Steve and Vicki Cook)

Prayer:  Lord, preach or teach?  Preach and teach?  I have always been bothered by this except recently.  Once I figured out that conversion is all you and the Gospel is objective, then preaching the Gospel got so much easier—I got that salesmanship mindset out and am learning that the Gospel to the populous is counter to their lives and really so very harsh.

Making disciples is harder.  People are still laying down their lives with difficulty.  It is hard for folks like me to say, “Teach me.”

And yet, that is what you have to deal with.  It is all by your Spirit, O God.  Make your patience in me and keep me lowly.

AMEN

Rick Sutton

Journal Col 1 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.

For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—ALL things were created through him and for him.  And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

And he is the head of the body, the church.  He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.  For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.” Col 1:15-20

Observation: Sometimes I forget to understand how completely superior, how completely sovereign Jesus is.  I get sucked into the common perception of what and who Jesus is and neglect his absolute fullness of preeminence.

Analysis:  Lately I have been hearing (again) about the eternal conflict, and who the battle involves.  It does not involve God v. Satan, Jesus v. Satan, or any kind of invisible power Dualism.  It kind of involves Good v. Evil, but even that description is too broad and not focused enough on the facts.

Here is the eternal conflict: The Triune God v. Traitors and Rebels against his Eternal Supremacy over all things.

Before any discussions about the Eternal Conflict and the imagined combatants should begin, I think the line-up and the statistics need to be considered.

• “In him (Jesus) were all things created.”  All things.  Even the heavenly host (including the rebellious angels like Lucifer).  Check “complete supremacy.”
• “…in heaven and on earth, visible AND invisible, whether thrones, dominions, rulers, or authority…”  Check again “complete supremacy”, but this time defined minutely so there is NO misunderstanding the extent of Jesus’ supremacy.
• All things were created BY Jesus.  Check “omnipotence.”
• All things were created FOR Jesus.  Check “creator.”
• Nothing is rated “before” Jesus.  He is the First, Head of all things.  Not “first” like 1 then 2 then 3, but first in that He is primary, he is the foremost, he is FUNDAMENTAL to everything.
• “In him all things hold together…”  Nuclear explosion consists of fundamentally breaking the bond that holds an atom’s nucleus intact.  Think about it: Jesus holds all the universe’s nuclei intact by the Word of His power.

And all this for what? Two things:

1. Demonstrated and Recognized preeminence.  None of this was done to boast of His Preeminence, or to prove Preeminence, nor for us to be forced to acknowledge His Preeminence, for He is Preeminent.  All by his lonesome.  That is what he is: Preeminent, Superior, Supreme, Sovereign.
2. By eternal, before creation, plan: He reconciles all things to Himself.  Creation had to be shown through Judgment and Condemnation that the only thing that Creation deserves is the Wrath of God because of Rebellion and Traitorous ways.  But His intention was to be the Reconciler, to wrap up the Salvation of all Creation through His Blood.

I wouldn’t have considered that solution; I would have started all over.  God showed us the futility of that through Noah—the tainted seed of Adam continued.  Man needed to have his Operating System overwritten (be born again if you understand that better).  Jesus provided for that on the Cross.

The point for me to keep in front of my noggin is “get the fundamentals right.”  Don’t let myths, unsubstantiated so-called biblical theory (like any taint of Dualism in our conversations or thoughts) keep us from searching more of Him through His word.  That is what was being conveyed through Ps 119 recently.

Prayer:  Just like sports, everyday success can come from just doing the basics, the fundamentals, right.

Father: keep me on the straight and level in You.  Preaching and talking and singing about the Gospel.

AMEN

Rick Sutton

Scripture –

Philippians 3: 8-9 – Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.  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 in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith

Observation –

Paul is exhorting the church at Philippi to recognize the only thing that matters is faith in Jesus.  Everything else is garbage, can be lost, and is inconsequential to knowing Jesus.  Paul has suffered for the sake of the gospel.  Righteousness does not come from keeping the law/works but form faith in Christ.

Application –

Paul’s strong message to the church at Philippi challenges me today.  I need to know that Jesus is the only thing I need.  I must be careful and guard to not think there is anything I have done or will do to be righteous on my own apart from saving grace of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Be prepared to suffer for the name of Jesus and it will draw me closer to Him and have my identity in Him.

Prayer –

Father,

Thank you for the truth in this message from the Apostle Paul.  Let the Spirit guide me to submit everything to you trust you completely, realizing I am totally reliant on you. You are my greatest need and your grace is enough. Give me strength and courage for what challenges come for following you.  Let me identity be in you to glorify and point others to you.