Thursday 4-22-10

Jude 24-25 "Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen."

Wow, what awesome and uplifting verses! God our Saviour is He whom is able to keep us from falling into temptation and sin. It is Jesus Christ alone who is able to present us faultless before God the Father's presence. It is Jesus' joy to present me without spot or wrinkle to the Father whole and complete. 

What a relief that I need not rely upon my own strength, power or ability to keep myself unspotted from the world. For truly if it was my power or strength that was being relied upon I would fail time and time again. In fact I have attempted to rely upon my ability to keep from sin, and I can give testament to the fact that I couldn't remain pure for my Savior. So these verses lift a great amount of anxiety that would press hard upon me, if it were not for God's provision for keeping me in Himself. 

As I read verse 25 the thought of "Why would all glory be unto God our Savior?" crossed my mind. Well honestly why shouldn't all glory be unto God? For God is infinitely worthy of all glory, honor and praise! I believe that God loves, redeems, regenerates, rejuvenates, and keeps us for His glory. Some ask a valid questions "Why?" The answer is quite simple I believe, it is: God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him. Some have a problem with this statement, I believe that is because we do not see Jesus Christ as our ultimate treasure, they think that there is something beyond that. I plead the case that Jesus Christ is all that there can be, otherwise we will time and time again fall short of reflecting and being vessels which bring God glory. 

One last thought, some do not believe that God can or does preserve those whom he regenerates. I cannot help but laugh honestly, for if the God of heaven and earth can rescue sinners from hell but not the bondage of sin then what kind of God is He really? Seriously, cannot God keep those whom He redeems for Himself? I believe He can, and fully embrace that my Lord God, Savior, Redeemer and Friend has all power in heaven and earth. And furthermore I believe that God truly does sanctify those whom He justifies, for His glory!

Wednesday 4-21-10

3 John 9 "I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not."

3 John 12 "Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record; and ye know that our record is true."

These verses are very interesting, as I have read through first, second and third John in the past several days. You see as I have read each one, I see an element of God willing and working all things for His glory. Particularly as it speaks of God's love, and how His love changes the way we treat others and love them. It has greatly challenged me to review the way and reason I love. 

It has also more given me a more concrete vision for who God is, and why he loves me, and others. As I have read these passages many questions have flooded my mind. Why does God love me? Is my love for others truly from God? Why am I loving this person(s)? Am I fully relying on God's grace and love to love this person(s)? Am I loving this person(s) for God's glory? if not why? 

As I asked myself those questions and meditated over God's word, it has been like a light turned on in a dark room. 1 John 2:27  has proved it's self time and time again in my life this week. So no surprise when this evening as I read 3 John, God pricks my heart and teaches me more about His glory.

So unto 3 John verses 9 & 12. Basically the thought is very short and sweet, the man Diotrephes steals God's glory and seeks to assert himself as the authority, while Demetrius bears good report of the truth. Two men who were both in church, the context leads me to believe that both were leaders in their respective churches. Yet there was a fundamental difference between the two. Diotrephes loved men's applause, he loved to have the feeling of "power" and he wickedly used the church for such. While on the other hand we have less information about Demetrius, I think we can interpret several things about him. I believe Demetrius was humble and sought God's glory and not his own, I believe he lived out the gospel in that he was not self-seeking or hypocritical, and I also believe that Demetrius was a tested and trusted example, because John has no qualms about pointing to him as an example of righteousness. 

I am afraid that there are too many Diotrephes in the church today. Too many pastors and leaders whose hearts are not right before God. I do not want to be as such but rather as Demetrius who "hath a good report of all men,  and of the truth itself."