Catastrophically Good Stewardship

S - "Where is the wise person? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through its wisdom did not know God, God was pleased through the foolishness of preaching to save those who believe. … For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength. … But the foolish things of the world God chose in order that he might put to shame the wise, and the weak things of the world God chose in order that he might put to shame the strong, and the insignificant of the world, and the despised, God chose, the things that are not, in order that he might abolish the things that are, so that all flesh may not boast before God. (1 Corinthians 1:20, 21, 25, 27-29 LEB)"

O - To what elements of life on earth does this dynamic of wise and foolish apply?  Is it only to religious or spiritual things?  Or is it about how we are called to follow Jesus and live life each day on planet earth?  Well, how did Jesus live?  He lived this dynamic each day and each circumstance.  No distinction was made between here and hereafter when it came to wise and foolish. "No domestic slave is able to serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and will despise the other. You are not able to serve God and money.” Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all these things, and they ridiculed him. And he said to them, “You are the ones who justify themselves in the sight of men, but God knows your hearts! For what is considered exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God. (Luke 16:13-15 LEB)"

A - The "wisdom" of earthly stewardship inspired OT Israel to not believe God about resting the land every seventh year.  They didn't believe he'd really take care of them. It seemed completely foolish for farmers to intentionally not plant their crops and "trust" that the harvest of year six would be sufficient to carry them to the harvest of year eight.  Then, when they planted in the seventh year God did not curse their crops.  They harvested in year seven, had more and could even claim good stewardship and God's blessing.  The problem was they didn't believe God about earth.  They chose the wisdom of the world rather than the foolishness of God. In their “wisdom” of “good stewardship" they chose to not know God. The result was catastrophic for themselves and their children.  The question of Jesus to Nicodemus remains his question to me and to all who will follow: "If I tell you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? (John 3:12 LEB)" I will choose Jesus and his foolish way of thinking, loving, living and speaking … unto the life that is really life.

P - Lord who made heaven and earth,

Today I want to be little and not big; to be foolish according to the world (secular and religious) that the wisdom of heaven would find me again and again.  I admit I am prone to start at human wisdom and miss you and your ways on earth in the process.  I am asking for help, not self-help in finding this narrow door which leads to real life here and hereafter.  Thank you for living this way and sending us all that same way you were sent.  Jesus, I trust you and will believe you about earth.

Steve

Revolution not Rebellion

S - Matthew 26:55, 56 (NIV): "In that hour Jesus said to the crowd, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me. But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted him and fled."

O - The question Jesus asks the mob who came to arrest him is an important one. The term translated 'rebellion' is λῃστης. It actually means a thief or robber.  It is more than a petty thief; rather the term refers to one with associates who could only be apprehended by an armed band. Of course, He isn't trying to steal anything because everything and everyone already belongs to him by right. Jesus can't be leading a rebellion because all authority in heaven and on earth is his. He is, however, leading a revolution.  The characteristics of a revolution, by definition, include:

1.       an overthrow or repudiation and the thorough replacement of an established government or political system.

2.       a radical and pervasive change in society and the social structure.

3.       a sudden, complete or marked change in something.

His revolution is a revolution of love. The force of its pervasive change is divine grace and the transformation is accomplished in people not just through them.

A - According to the Scriptures the Lord already "owns" everyone and everything by right (he made everything) including me (Psalm 24:1).  The beauty of his response to earth and earthlings is that his grace dignifies every life with the capacity to choose … to choose to be his by grace even though we're already his by right.  The purpose of this? A revolution of relationship; a revolutionary relationship of love.  I choose to follow him, to love him back (he already loves all first and most and refuses to change his mind) and to join his life (not just a cause) … he lives in me and I live in him by grace according to love.  A pervasive and marked change happens in me. The governance of my life (interior and exterior) is thoroughly replaced by his presence and his spirit … and the writings of the prophets are fulfilled in me. With me being the focus and locust of his revolution … he then reaches through me to call others to himself and the revolution of love.

P - Lord who is love,

I choose you back, love you back and say an unqualified yes to you and to your revolution.  I repent of (overthrow and repudiate) the patterns the world (secular and religious) and welcome your governance in me in all ways … radically and pervasively.  You lead this revolution where you are doing the work in me. I follow and accept any and all assignments you give.  Thank you for wanting me in and near your very person and life.  Thank you for not calling me to a cause but to yourself.  I will pray and live in Jesus' Name.

Steve

Far From Perfect

S - "Paul looked directly at the council and said, “Brothers, I have lived my life with a clear conscience before God to this day.” At that the high priest Ananias ordered those standing near Paul to strike him on the mouth. Then Paul said to him, “God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! Do you sit there judging me according to the law, and in violation of the law you order me to be struck?” Those standing near him said, “Do you dare insult God’s high priest?” Paul replied, “I did not realize, brothers, that he was the high priest, for it is written, ‘You must not speak evil about a ruler of your people.’” … The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Have courage, for just as you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.” "(Acts 23:1-5, 11 NET)

O - A couple of things stand out to me in this passage. First, Paul is clearly not Jesus:). His experience of being unjustly struck is almost identical to what happened to Jesus at his trial too. The difference is in how they respond. Paul reacts with a harsh reply and Jesus with a clarifying question (cf. John 18:22-23). Paul will quickly recant and Jesus won't need to. Both of them were unjustly accused, both of them were declared innocent of any crime and neither of them received a fair trial or were released. The second standout for me is that flawless performance is not required of Paul or of us. Jesus will make no mistakes ever and Paul clearly did. Yet, Jesus will stand by him the following evening to affirm and encourage him without any commentary or rebuke. Jesus doesn't say, 'Now about your failure in Jerusalem, make sure you don't make the same stupid mistake in Rome.' He's not demanding or expecting us to be flawless just blameless … the very thing he accomplished for us.

A - It's a wonderful reality to be completely relieved of the pressure to perform. The love God has for me, my place in his will and family was not secured nor is it maintained by anything I do. Jesus did not come to make a way for amnesty but adoption. We are loved because we are his. I have made so many mistakes in my life, sinned knowing better and failed even when I really gave it my best. Regardless of my best or my worst his love and will do not flicker. He has loved me first, most and refuses to change his mind. Today and every day he's working everything for good, even my failures. He doesn't demand perfection, he provides it. He doesn't want me under the pressure of performance but under the unflickering security of his love. He's not counting on me making no mistakes he's calling me to come near and stay. The disciple Jesus loved wrote: "(My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin.) But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous One, and he himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for our sins but also for the whole world." (1 John 2:1, 2 NET)

P - Lord who is flawless,

Thank you for always wanting me/us near no matter what … no matter where I've been or what I've done. Thank you for your relentless love and for refusing to change your mind even when I give you a reason to do so. Thank you for working EVERYTHING for good, not just good things. I accept your call and invitation to come near, follow and believe. I do love you back. I say yes to everything you already have in mind to do.

Confident according to your love,

Steve