Tag: Others

Commanders and Servants aren’t Nothing

On By TimIn 2 Samuel 19, Exhortation, Love2 Comments

Then Joab came to the king in his house and said, “Today you have shamed the faces of all of your servants who saved your life today, as well as the lives of your sons and daughters, the lives of your wives, and the lives of your concubines, by loving those who hated you and hating those who love you. You have shown today that commanders and servants are nothing to you. I know that if Absalom were alive instead today and all of us were dead, then this would be right in your eyes. Now go out and speak reassuringly to your servants, for I swear by the Lord that if you do not go out, no man will stay with you this night, and this will be worse for you than any calamity that has come against you from your youth until now.”

2 Samuel 19:5–7 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

David is the man after God’s own heart. Yet throughout the accounts of his adventurous life, it is easy to see his shortcomings.

In the text above, David is mourning his son Absalom. Absalom had treacherously usurped the kingship from his father. David seems to do something wrong, and compound wrongs on to that. This was a day of victory for Israel, but the mourning from the king looks like histrionics.

Enter brave Joab.

Joab courageously confronted the king with a different perspective to get his eyes drawn off of his own belly button. He wanted the king to know how his mourning dishonored the work of his servants in defeating the king’s and the nation’s enemy.

Joab did not mince words. He spoke plainly.

And it was enough to move David.

So the king arose and took his seat in the gate, and the people were all told, “The king is sitting in the gate.” So all the people came before the king, but the children of Israel had fled, each to his tent.

2 Samuel 19:8 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

The lesson here is two-fold.

First, from David’s perspective… Life sucks. It brings all sorts of troubles. This wasn’t a one-off occurrence, but the culmination of years of shenanigans from David’s children. They brought him a fair share of despair.

Consequently, our focus tends to draw inward in those moments. All of us have a tendency to think of only ourselves and our sorrow.

I’m not saying to not have sorrow or to mourn. There are seasons for those things. But I am certain there are others that rely on us. Yes, take time to mourn. But no amount of mourning is going to fix what happened. A prolonged season of it may also hinder a celebration of the good that is worked. Remember how God works all things for good to those who love Him.

Don’t become so bogged down in self-introspection that we don’t see the real world of people that surround and support us.

Second, when we serve others like Joab, we see the reality from a different perspective… We may have to have a frank conversation with our leaders.

As any of us may find ourselves in a leadership role, when something like this happens we need to be careful to not take offense. Sure, the words used might be frank and seemingly brutal.

Joab served the king. He didn’t want to harm the king. He wanted David to have a balanced view. And to do that will require humility from all parties involved.

In closing, be like David a man after God’s own heart. Also, be like Joab, not unwilling to correct an injustice when it is in our ability to do so.

Live Honorably Even When Your Beliefs are Called Evil

On By TimIn 1 Peter 02, Daily Walk, Encouragement, Faithfulness, Sanctification1 Comment

Live your lives honorably among the Gentiles, so that though they speak against you as evildoers, they shall see your good works and thereby glorify God in the day of visitation.

1 Peter 2:12 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Though this was written to Jewish believers, it stands with very poignant encouragement for today. The news is rife with the pressure being put on Christians to conform to society.

People call Christians evil because of perceived “intolerance.” (I need remind all, tolerance is the last bit of virtue to be championed in a decadent society.)

Amongst other instructions, these are given:

Do not repay evil for evil, or curse for curse, but on the contrary, bless, knowing that to this you are called, so that you may receive a blessing.

1 Peter 3:9 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

By blessing others, it may seem as if we are giving the best stuff away to the least deserving. Yet, the promise still stands for those who give… Such receive a blessing.

They are surprised that you do not join them in the same excess of wild living, and so they speak evil of you.

1 Peter 4:4 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

This is exactly what is happening today. There pressure will continue to wax worse as the boundaries of decadence normalize what was once called perverse.

Peter also tells exactly why they speak evil. We do not join in with the decadence. We are called to bless and receive the sure reward. The promise still stands for them, also.

They will give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.

1 Peter 4:5 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

If you are waiting to be judged, you’re already on the wrong side. There is Hope for all of us. Email me, and we can chat privately.

Willingly Suffering for Another is Holiness

On By TimIn 1 Peter 03, Daily WalkLeave a comment

Finally, be all of one mind, be loving toward one another, be gracious, and be kind. Do not repay evil for evil, or curse for curse, but on the contrary, bless, knowing that to this you are called, so that you may receive a blessing.

1 Peter 3:8–9 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Peter’s constant theme is our conduct as Christians. First from a perspective of identity, ours and His. Then he turns toward a call to holy living. He provides practical exhortation to do that.

Peter’s instruction includes how to act toward unbelievers, civic leaders, our bosses, our spouses, and each other. It is this point in how we treat each other that he now calls to our attention.
Be All of One Mind

That’s not the kind of unity one would think it is. It isn’t the sort that ignores doctrinal or ecclesiological (how we do church) differences. It’s to be of the same mind in how we treat brothers and sisters in Jesus. We are to love each other with grace and kindness.

A Practical Example

Some of us may prefer to sit in a certain particular seat, row, or end of a row at church. I know it seems petty and small, but this serves well.

Suppose some usher escorted you (and your party) to a seat in church that was unsuitable to you, for whatever reason. Do you take it, or ask to sit elsewhere?

Of course, we can always ask for something different. I want to know… Why not choose the suffering?

Why not choose to bless the one escorting you by being compliant with his direction?

This is precisely what Peter is saying. Grace and kindness, when extended to someone require a bit of suffering.

First, we don’t get what we want another does.

Second, the person who is receiving the grace and kindness may not like it and give a rebuff, and even become downright nasty. ( Christians aren’t above that sort of thing, sadly. That’s why Peter’s point is needed today.)

Third, the person who receives it may be indifferent toward it.

Even when our kindness is returned with a curse or indifference, it is tempting to reflect such things back toward the other. That’s wrong. We are not to repay evil for evil.

Here is how Paul offers it.

Bless those who persecute you; bless, and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Do not pretend to be wiser than you are.
Repay no one evil for evil. Commend what is honest in the sight of all men.

Romans 12:14–17 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

It’s the same idea. It’s note new. Paul also iterates the same sentimentality of likemindedness.

Choosing to Suffer is Choosing Holiness

This may seem like an idea that is easily rejected. I mean, God always gets what He wants… Right?

Look to Jesus. He is God. Did He not choose to set aside what it is to be God to take on humanity?

He didn’t just animate a body. He is human, with all of our frailties. He knew to become human was to submit to death. He chose to suffer. He is our example of holiness.

Hear His words on the matter. See if they sound familiar.

But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer also the other. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic as well. Give to everyone who asks of you. And of him who takes away your goods, do not ask for them back. Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.

Luke 6:27–31 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

I think His words are plain enough.

Yet we Christians can be rather pushy. We want our own way. We want the best spots. We want to be first. We want to win.

Peter, Paul and Jesus are teaching us to want holiness. I know it doesn’t go with American pride and all that.

Personally, I think that watching how a person comports themselves with others will show you exactly how far along with the pursuit to holiness they’ve gotten. Some never leave the starting block. The vast majority are still stuck in the elementary principles. Still, others seem to have almost mastered it mostly. (Though I think if you ask them, they would not even own up to being anywhere near holiness.)

Others.

This whole idea of esteeming others above our own selves, placing the needs of others before our own, and even satisfying the needs of others before seeking to do so for ourselves is holy.

Jesus told us to love God and to love others. He used words that echo the superlative nature that is necessary for that love. He also said it is how the entire law is summed up.

The kind of love we ought to have for each other is necessarily sacrificial. That is what love is.

Safe Spaces

There are no real safe spaces for a Christian. Well, save for Jesus. That’s how I read the Bible.

If something offends you. That’s not holiness at all.

Self-love isn’t holiness, either.

If you’re easily offended, I have to be frank. You’re probably not too very much holy. And if that is the case, the safe space in Jesus isn’t going to be so safe. He wants you and me to be like He is.

It is said, be holy for He is holy.

But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return. Then your reward will be great, and you will be the sons of the Highest. For He is kind to the unthankful and the evil. Be therefore merciful, even as your Father is merciful.

Luke 6:35–36 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Choose to suffer. Just like Jesus did.

There’s a real and lasting blessing there.

Peter’s Direction for Living in Marriage

On By TimIn 1 Peter 03, Daily Walk, Marriage, TemperanceLeave a comment

Peter continues to encourage his readers to live righteously. Yes, that includes living in good moral character. There is an underlying theme in the reason why he says this. He hints at it in chapter 2, verse 9; and says it outright a bit later in verses 12 & 13. It’s for the glorification of God and to make Him known to others

We do it because there are so many who have come before us, laying the foundations for us to live that way. They served us.

The liberty of Christian living is not asserting our own needs but meekly seeking to fulfill the needs of others. Peter continues to develop this pattern of encouragement to those who are married.

Likewise you wives, be submissive to your own husbands, so that if any do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, as they see the purity and reverence of your lives.

1 Peter 3:1–2 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

It is easy to see how most will use this to admonish the wife to be submissive to her own husband. It’s there and that is the proper order.

Shame on the man who is disobedient to the Word of God!

In such a marriage, a wife is called to serve him any way that his heart may be turned.

I am so thankful to God that I have a wife who did this very thing. When we married she wasn’t a believer, and I didn’t live out my faith. She did convert and became a believer. It was at that time that I watched her. Her own reverence for God was the encouragement for me, time and again, to return to God. (She still does that. I marvel at her gift for building relationships.)

Do not let your adorning be the outward adorning of braiding the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine clothing.

1 Peter 3:3 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Peter isn’t forbidding jewelry, a fine hair treatment, or fine clothing. He is attempting to show how not to use these as ways to win your man’s heart.

Again, Peter’s attention is toward the wives, this is also for us husbands. God is going to show you what is most important in the marriage relationship.

Nurture the Inner Beauty

But let it be the hidden nature of the heart, that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.

1 Peter 3:4 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

The hidden incorruptible nature of the heart is where the Spirit is. These are the inner treasure from the Holy Spirit. From which flushes out with the fruit that Pail details.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and self-control; against such there is no law.

Galatians 5:22–23 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Peter’s underlying theme is this idea of self-control. That is, not asserting self and your needs, but seeking to honor and fulfill the needs of others even if yours aren’t met.

For in this manner, in the old times, the holy women, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands, even as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. You are her children as long as you do right and are not afraid with any terror.

1 Peter 3:5–6 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Peter is pointing to the Sarah who put up with the folly of Abraham. She did as he asked, even if it were wrong. In so doing, she was freed from the accountability of the wrong-doing as Abraham has the responsibility. He is the “lord” of the house.

Not Afraid

A woman ought not to have to live with a man that she is afraid of. That isn’t submission, that’s terror. (If you are a woman and find yourself in such a situation, get out to safety, please!)

Sobering Words for Husbands

Likewise, you husbands, live considerately with your wives, giving honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they too are also heirs of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.

1 Peter 3:7 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Personally, I see this entire portion of Peter’s epistle as more of instruction to husbands and prospective husbands. Peter says to live considerately with your wife. Knowing that she isn’t as strong as you. You don’t get to bully, control, and/or degrade her into submission like Artaxerxes did with his wife Vashti. Your wife is a child of the Most High if she is saved. Even if not, she is someone else’s daughter and an image-bearer if God. Treat her with that honor. There’s a reason why.

Your Prayers Won’t be Hindered!

Good night nurse Nickel!

If you’re a married man, here is the secret to maintaining an effectual prayer life. Honor your wife!

She isn’t your trophy. She isn’t your possession. She isn’t your servant to be commanded. She isn’t someone to bully. She isn’t someone to degrade in front of others.

She is graciously loaned to you by your Heavenly Father as a helper. Us husbands need help because more often than not, we’re really boys. Serve her! Bless her!