The Pastor’s Pen

Lincoln writes to encourage and build up God’s people with God’s Word.

Jesus’ appeal through us

By / The Pastor's Pen / 3 minutes of reading

Romans 15:3 states that Christ did not please himself. This defies worldly wisdom; Jesus, the Son of God, the Messiah, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords didn’t even please Himself. Paul makes this observation while exhorting Christians; we who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves (Rom 15:1). An authentic relationship with Jesus Christ directly impacts our relationships with one another. Obviously, it was Paul’s intension that believers should mirror the character of Jesus in the matter of relationships.

Jesus’ ultimate expression of selflessness is seen in Romans 15:3, the insults of those who insult you (God) have fallen on me (Jesus). The world’s entire sin against God, with all their disbelief and animosity against Him was vented upon Jesus by the world at the cross. But God also lay on Jesus the full judgment for the world’s sin, disbelief, and animosity. Jesus took the wrath from both God and humanity.

This spectacular truth of Jesus is presented by Paul in the middle of his exhortation for Christians to treat each other as Christ treats us. Bear with the failings of the weak (15:1), and let each of us please his neighbour for his good, to build him up (15:2). This is the most foundational principle we Christians must put into practice if we have any hope of serving others as Jesus serves us.

Paul then shares a prayer, seeking God’s blessing on those who live sacrificially on behalf of Christ in the lives of others. Recognising God as the source of spiritual endurance and encouragement he asks God to grant that his readers would live in harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus (Rom 15:5). Paul is not hoping believers will get along, learning to tolerate each other. No, he envisions  harmony which aligns with the harmony that exists between God the Father and Son, would also be experience in the church.

Now, the result of such Christlike character, sacrificially building up others and doing good is worship. It’s remarkable how the Holy Spirit produces His fruit in believers’ lives when Christ is  genuinely lived through us. Verse 6 speaks of it, together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. In its simplest form, unity through the combined words of the church will be heard glorifying God. This speaks of reborn lives who do not speak for the sake of being heard, but speak as expression of the life transforming power of the Lord Jesus Christ (cf. Galatians 2:20). The blessing of this is unmistakable when practiced.

Paul closes out of this short prayer with an  instruction pulling all his previous words together. Welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you (Rom 15:7). When individuals exhibit Christlike character, engage in unified worship, and maintain genuine harmony, they extend a warm welcome to each other and visitors, reflecting Christ’s gracious acceptance of us. For Christ to be experienced in this manner, there can be no pretense, no fake smiles, no bias, no preferential treatment, no demands, no gossip, no division, no segregation, and no exceptions.

Why is all the above so important to the apostle Paul? Because, as verse 7 concludes, this is for the glory of God. The overarching purpose for God’s people, no matter who or where they are, is to glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (Rom 15:6). May Christ be Lord of our characters, and our church relationships, for God’s glory!

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Blind for glory

By / The Pastor's Pen / 3 minutes of reading

There was nothing unusual about Jesus observing a blind man begging on the side of the street (John 9:1). John records that somehow Jesus’ disciples knew this man had been blind from birth. So, they ask Jesus what seems a foolish question; who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind? (Jn 9:2). For the disciples, someone had to be responsible for this man’s blindness from birth.

Popular theories of the time included sin in the womb, even though there is no such thing. Another was reincarnation, but as Scripture states,  man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment (Heb 9:27). A third favoured option was that it could have been a curse of generational sin. In other words, this man was blind as punishment for the sins of an ancestor. This belief came from misinterpreting Exodus 20:5 and 34:7. However, God categorically states that the soul who sins shall die. The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son (Ezekiel 18:20).

Jesus then sets the record straight in John 9:3, it was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. In this one statement, Jesus undoes centuries of error and released those trapped in false guilt because they suffered illness or disability. Jesus then exercises sovereign prerogative by healing the man’s blind eyes without even asking permission (Jn 9:6-7).

Well, as was often the case when Jesus exercised mercy and power, the Pharisees went to battle against Him. They interrogated the healed man, they challenged the man’s parents, they denied and rejected Jesus, and they successfully made fools of themselves. No amount of unbelief or hatred towards Jesus could change the facts. Jesus had healed the man born blind, with God being glorified through His Son, which was the whole point of this encounter (Jn 9:3).

However, the best was yet to come. I’m sure the healed man appreciated receiving his sight that day. But Jesus went on to give him spiritual sight which proved to be of even greater value. Following the  dispersal of all concerned parties, Jesus seeks the healed man out who had been condemned by the Pharisees and kicked out of their presence. Jesus asks him, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” (Jn 9:35). To which the man answered, “And who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?” Jesus said to him, “You have seen him, and it is he who is speaking to you.” He said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him (Jn 9:36-38).

What a brilliant end to a turbulent day. That morning, this man awoke blind and would have expected another day of darkness. He didn’t go out seeking or believing for a healing, but he graciously received it anyway. As was typical of Jesus, He was interested in far more than eyes that couldn’t see. The man understood that Jesus was claiming to be God in human flesh, plus, he obviously wasn’t going to deny the healing power of Jesus. So he responded by believing in Jesus. Having been awakened to Jesus’ divine identity and authority, he worshipped his Healer. There could be no better response!

Once again, Jesus’ life changing words were proven accurate. I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life (Jn 5:24). May our lives respond to Jesus in belief and worship as with this man who was born blind.

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Abide in Jesus’ Word

By / The Pastor's Pen / 3 minutes of reading

It was another day of antagonism; Jesus was again publicly drawn into discussion by the Pharisees. Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). However, on this occasion, there were those who professed to believe in Jesus. So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31-32). This was the test of authenticity. If their belief was genuine, they would not only accept Jesus’ words on the day, but they would abide (continue) in His words.

This has been the litmus test through the ages for all who say they believe in Jesus. Would they continue aligning themselves with Jesus’ teachings or would they go back to their old legalistic beliefs? Would they choose ongoing contentment with Jesus’ truths or be drawn back to their old dissatisfying yet familiar ways.

To abide in Jesus’ words is more than reading words on a page, its faith in the author, its allegiance to the divine nature of Jesus as the One who is the light of life. Abiding is not academic, its relational. Jesus explained this in John 15:10; If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. Christians mirror a connection with Jesus Christ that exists between Jesus and His heavenly Father. This connection is fueled by love, and it produces an unworldly loyalty which expresses obedience to the Lord Jesus.

There exists within the Christian a synergy between abiding in Jesus’ words and abiding in Jesus’ love. They are inseparable and unable to be extinguished, even though there will be times of failure and stumbling. These periods of slippage in our walk with the Lord are disturbing to the believer, but they are also temporary as we are magnetically drawn to Jesus by abiding love for Him and His Word.

Abiding therefore, reveals itself by remaining faithful. Abiding continues, always revolving around  the person, the character, and the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. With the person of Jesus Christ being central to our abiding, we read His Word, we meditate on His Word, we pray over His Word, and we talk with others about His Word.

You see, if we want to have a growing knowledge and love for Jesus Christ that reflects the Love between Him and His heavenly father, we must abide. This involves patience, waiting, time, sacrifice, and surrender to Jesus Christ, which we see in Jesus’ relationship with His Father. Abiding is more about a relational attitude than about just reading the Bible out of a sense of obligation.

Christians today are exhorted to the same abiding as the believers of John chapters 8 and 15. Jesus’ claim on our lives is no different than it was for those pharisees. Abiding in Jesus’ Word is relationship, its fellowship, its worship, and it’s accepting His instruction. Abiding brings our thanks, pains, questions, hopes and dreams, all mingled with our love for Jesus as Lord and Saviour.

Those who abide with Jesus stick with Him through thick and thin, always gravitating around Jesus as central to life. Here, in abiding, there is rest for our weary souls. In Jesus there is hope and security  of eternal life and everlasting peace with God. May this be true in each of our lives today.

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Living with acceptance and purpose

By / The Pastor's Pen / 3 minutes of reading

People are created by God to live more productively when motivated by purpose. The Bible repeatedly speaks of God’s purpose for people; sometimes for humanity, for nations, for marriage, for families, for individuals, for the Church, and even for Jesus’ coming to earth. God’s purposes are comprehensive, and they can stretch our thoughts and faith due to our inability to discern or accept His purposes in the complexities of life. Sometimes His purpose is clear, and sometimes not. At times we like His purpose, while other times we don’t. Our values and priorities are often challenged by God’s purposes, especially when we struggle to align with them.

For the Christian, God’s purposes are multifaceted, with His glory ranking highest (Ephesians 1:12). Paul reminded Timothy that it was God who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began (2 Timothy 1:9). Our salvation is foremost about God! Yes, we enjoy many present and eternal blessings from salvation, but God’s glory through Jesus is to tower above all else.  Incredibly, God’s purposeful and persevering grace for us was mapped out before even time existed (cf. Ephesians 2:10). David, from within the messiness of his life, acknowledged that it is God who fulfills his purpose for me (Psalm 57:2).

Job, whose suffering was extreme, was never told the reasons for God putting Him through all that. Yet, Job kept faith in God while he voiced his pain, his frustration, and even his hatred of his own life during the suffering. Job’s testimony of God is worth noting. You have granted me life and steadfast love, and your care has preserved my spirit. Yet these things you hid in your heart; I know that this was your purpose (Job 10:12-13). Job never did understand “why.” And He realised that God had deliberately withheld that information from him. But He did know that it was only God who preserved him, and despite the pain, preservation of his life was an expression of the Almighty’s love.

Like Job, Moses also understood that the secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law (Deuteronomy 29:29). These men accepted their responsibility to live according to what is known and understood, and not according to the unknown or unattainable. Like Job and Moses, we are confronted with things in our lives which God simply does not give us the understanding we would like. However, God’s grace does give us the ability to accept what is, and to believe that God knows, and that God has purpose for what is.

This can be a massive faith mountain to climb. Acceptance of God’s will and purposes in the disturbing matters of life, especially those issues we don’t understand, requires humility and patience which grows out of faith. It helps to remember that foundational to our ability to accept, is that it was God who predestined us for adoption to himself as sons (and daughters) through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will (Ephesians 1:5). It’s comforting to know that our lack of understanding does not separate us from God’s love, from His family (the church), or from His purpose for us to give expression to His glory from within the messiness of our lives. May the Holy Spirit enable this acceptance in each of us for His glory and our blessing.

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We boast of those we love most

By / The Pastor's Pen / 3 minutes of reading

It’s always fascinating listening to people talk of their lives, as it doesn’t take long to hear of their passions and the things they value most. In my experience, relationships, especially family, are often the highest ranking. I’ve learnt that typically the older we grow the more precious family become, and rightly so. Sooner or later, out come the photos of family and people we love most, which is great.

In reading the New Testament  gospels, it’s obvious Jesus had relationships which were more distinguished than others. The apostle John held a favoured place in Jesus’ heart (John 21:20, 24), as did the family siblings of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus (John 11:1, 5). Then there was the unique, yet strong relationship Jesus had with rambunctious Peter (John 21:15-17). When asked which commandment is the greatest, Jesus replied in Matthew 22:37-39, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. And second, You shall love your neighbour as yourself.

Love and boasting of those we love most go hand in hand as the human heart instinctively promotes  those who have captivated our strongest affections. And so it is in the Christian life. While we rightly assign strong love and devotion to spouses, children, and grandchildren etc, there is One who captivates the highest position in our hearts, and that is God, through His son Jesus Christ. The point is this, as believers it is appropriate to have and speak of the love hierarchy in our relational affections, with the Lord holding the highest place.

When Paul writes in Galatians 6:14, far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world, he is not discarding human relationships. Rather, he has allowed love to determine the priority order of all relationships, with Jesus Christ at the top. Even within Paul’s correctly layered affections, he acknowledged the self-sacrificing love of Jesus on the cross as being central to all of life. With Christ as his greatest love, Paul could prioritise all other relationships appropriately for God’s glory and for the benefit of people in his life.

While Paul had many valued friends who had invested in his life, none could compare with the eternal blessings purchased by Jesus on the cross. Therefore, Paul did not hesitate to boast first and foremost of Jesus Christ. In this context, Paul was dead to worldly attractions and affections being able to captivate his strongest affections.

We see this Christ-centred love with priority when Paul wrote Philippians 1:3-8. I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.

May we emulate Jesus’ and Paul’s ordered priorities of love, so others may experience Jesus through us more and more, for the glory of God and the blessing of others. 

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