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A believer’s salvation is a threefold reality: justification regards his past; sanctification regards his present; and glorification regards his future.
To better understand justification, I would suggest looking at Romans 5:1. The word “therefore,” causes us to look back at several previous issues Paul has noted. The most important of these is found in Chapter Four. Here Paul notes that justification, which brings a sinful human being peace with God, is not by works (1-8), not by ordinances (9-12), not by obedience to the Law (13-15), but by faith (16-25).
The word “justified” means “to be declared innocent.” It refers to a one-time action in the past. The term is a legal one denoting an individual’s standing before God. The word “faith” used in this passage (5:1) refers to “personal trust, reliance upon, and profession of.” This reliance or trust, of course, is in the finished work of Christ on the cross. Remember, it was there Christ declared, “It is finished.” Upon His death, Christ became the propitiation for our sin; this substitutionary death of Christ provided, “once and for all,” justification for the sinner who calls upon and believes on the name of Jesus Christ.
Paul goes on to write that those who are “justified” by faith have “peace” with God. The word “peace” is in the present-tense indicating something a believer presently holds. The word literally means to “bind together something which has been separated.” Colossians 1:20 reminds us that through him [Christ], God reconciled us to himself, “making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.” Our peace with God does not come through works nor is it maintained through works; it comes only through and is maintained only by the shed blood of Christ.
The word “through” in Romans 5:1 regards a “channel” through which something is realized. Jesus Christ’s sacrifice alone has realized our peace with God. Our works cannot set us right nor can they keep us set right. The first four chapters of Romans clearly state this righteousness comes in response to faith and not works. Therefore, we should reject any notion suggesting otherwise.
As I was praying about FFC’s ministry vision for the coming months, God showed me a picture of a can of spray paint. Immediately, I began to ask questions as to how His vision for us and the spray paint were related.
It seemed that the “can” represented our governmental structure, our systems of ministry and our physical presence in this region. I sensed the Lord was pleased with the church noting its soundness and health. It seemed to me the contents of the can represented two things: the believers at FFC who have been gifted by the Holy Spirit for ministry and the Holy Spirit who empowers and directs each believer in their ministry. As it regarded the contents of the can, I sensed the Lord wanted to bring some correction. This correction concerned how the individual paint particles (members of the church) interact with each other and, subsequently, with the Holy Spirit.
At this point, God showed me what He wants our ministry to look like in the coming years. It was as though God pressed the nozzle of our can and a vivid and lustrous stream of paint began to flow. The color of the paint was unique; indescribable; it was a color I had never seen. The paint graced various objects that desperately needed restoration. It seemed to me the can was being aimed by God Himself. Within seconds of being sprayed, each object was restored to its original, pristine condition. It seemed to me these objects represented the lives of sin-broken people and fractured churches.
Then God showed me what He doesn’t want our ministry to look like in the coming years. As the nozzle was pressed this time a thin, intermittent stream of paint sputtered from the can. The color of the paint was ordinary, lifeless and dull. The paint was unable to cover the objects on which it was sprayed. The paint began to run, streak and splotch and, ultimately, made the objects look even worse than before. It also seemed the can was being aimed without any Divine direction or purpose.
At this point I sensed God asking me, “Do you know what caused the striking difference in these two pictures?” With no obvious answer at hand, the Lord went on to say, “In order to understand the difference, read the label on the back of the can.” At this point, I actually went to our laundry room, retrieved a can of spray paint and began to read.
Reading on, I read what I truly believe God wants us to see: “Shake well before using!”
With these words it seemed as though God was saying, “I have brought Faith Family Church to a new moment in ministry. I want to entrust to you an even greater influence and impact in this region. However, there is something missing in your corporate preparation. If this lack is not addressed it will keep you from fully realizing this divine moment.”
It was at this point, God stirred me to reread Acts 2:42. As I read, it seemed God was challenging my understanding of the word “devoted” as it relates to the four factors of the early church. These practices include a devotion to God’s Word, a devotion to fellowship, a devotion to worship and a devotion to corporate prayer.
It seemed to me God was saying, “In order to correct this, I must first SHAKE you well before using you.” Immediately, I interpreted this as a negative but God immediately spoke to my fears saying, “This shaking can be pleasant or it can be painful; it depends on the response and attitude of my people.”
So how does this work? Spray paint contains two basic ingredients: aerosol and paint. The aerosol is an oily element to which the paint adheres and is propelled from the can to do what paint is designed to do. For us, the aerosol is, of course, the presence and power of the Holy Spirit among us. The paint, which is a water-based element, represents every born-again believer at FFC who can be sent out to minister God’s amazingly colorful grace.
So why is the paint can to be shaken? Shaking properly mix the two elements of oil and water. As the can, or church, is shaken, the water-based paint bonds to the oil and becomes a unique mixture that can be properly thrust from the can to do what it’s been created to do.
So what might this “shaking” mean to FFC? It seemed to me God is saying: “I want FFC to be the church described in Acts 2:42. I want my people at FFC to do more than just agree with this, I want them to embrace it and live it out.” At this point, it seemed God emphasized the importance of His leaders at FFC embracing this call of devotion to both God and His people in this place. It is a call to intentional community. At this point I feel certain God warned that any leader or member who refused to respond would only serve to clog the nozzle of the can restricting the flow of God’s grace.
I sensed any resistance to deeper community would frustrate God’s grace, impede His kingdom purpose, and grieve the Holy Spirit. At this point God reminded me that His shaking can be either pleasant or painful; it depends on the attitude and response of his people.
So how can this shaking come with pleasantness? It requires that each of us allow God to transform the ungodly aspects of our personalities that keep us separated from our brothers and sisters. It requires that each of us walk in humility before God and one another. It requires that each of us quickly respond to the correction of the Holy Spirit.
In this, God is looking to His leaders to serve as examples. I believe it is here, at the doorstep of devoted relationships that our church stands. I trust we will humbly respond to God’s revealed Word and that we’ll repent of our shallow, unbiblical relationships with one another so FFC can realize the wonder of its continually unfolding mission in the world. Let the painting begin!
The measure of life, after all, is not its duration but its donation. (Corrie ten Boom)
Americans spend billions each year trying to defy the laws of aging. Using supplements, vitamins, creams, pills, workouts or diets, bamboozled consumers buy into the promise of Madison Avenue’s to extend the duration of our lives.
While lots of folks spend huge amounts of time and money trying to increase the duration of their lives, very few even ask how they can make a greater donation with their lives. While writing, I had to stop and ask myself the question, “Jamie, what do you think about more, duration or donation?”
Now that I’ve reached the age of fifty, I can honestly say I think more about the donation of my life. However, it hasn’t always been that way. We’ve all know people who lived long lives but failed to ever live beyond themselves. And we’ve all known those special ones who’ve died young but, in the course of their short life, made an incredible donation in the lives of others.
No one is promised tomorrow. Therefore, the crux of the matter isn’t duration it’s donation. To start living a life of donation, I encourage you to start each day with a simple prayer like this one:
“God, remind today that life is more about donation than it is duration. Help me be a gift to everyone I meet today. Help me think about me less and more about others.”
Here’s something else I’ve learned in my fifty years — making a donation into someone’s life doesn’t require you to do something massive. Simple acts of kindness can make an enormous difference. So go ahead, make that phone call of thanks, write that note of encouragement, send that email of appreciation or simply pray that secret prayer for the one you know God has put on your heart. Let the donations begin.
It’s been said, “Engage your mind before you move your lips.” Without thinking, people can say some crazy things. For instance, Yogi Berra once said, “Baseball is 90% mental, the other half is physical.” Brazilian soccer player, Ronaldinho, once responded, “I want the Nobel Peace Prize and I’m going to fight for it.” What? Okay, one more, Alan Minter who, when talking about boxing, once said, “Sure there have been injuries and deaths in boxing – but none of them serious.”
Many of us fail to give thought to what we’re saying. Our lips are moving but our minds are not engaged. But thoughtlessness doesn’t just influence what I say; it also influences how I live. As a result, I needlessly hurt people and serve as a negative witness for Jesus Christ.
Love thinks! In other words, love is thoughtful. I truly believe God wants to teach me how to “think in love.” Every time I read John 3:16, I’m reminded God thinks in love. God always thinks in love because He is Love (1 John 4:16). Further, because God is love and because He thinks in love, He always acts in love. That’s what John 3:16 is about — because God loves, God gave!
So what about me, a follower of Jesus Christ? Why do I struggle to think in love? 1 Corinthians 2:16 reminds me that I’ve been given the mind of Christ. This means I have the needed equipment to think in love.
So what will “thinking in love” look like in my life and my relationships? Let’s consider what Paul wrote the Philippians: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit” (2:3). When I fail to “think in love,” my mind is hijacked by selfish ambition and vain conceit. Instead of living in an “others-oriented” world, I’m stuck in an “all-about-me” world.
Paul goes on to say that I should humbly “consider others better then [myself]” and that I should look “to the interests of others” (2:4). To “think in love” means I die to me so I can live for others.
Love thinks! Love is thoughtful and it looks for ways to demonstrate itself to others. Remember, as believers, we’ve been given the mind of Christ and are, therefore, already equipped to think in love. But old thoughts, like old ways, die hard. So we might need to be renewed in our thinking.
One of the best ways to renew our thinking is to read, study and memorize Scripture. In 2 Peter 3:1-2, we’re reminded to “recall” the words of the holy prophets and the “commands” given by the Lord Jesus Christ. These words and commands, Peter writes, will “stimulate” our minds to “wholesome thinking.” Every time we read, study, sing or memorize Scripture, it changes the way we think.
So, the next time you move your lips, engage your new mind first. Engage the new mind Christ has given you and watch the difference it makes. You’ll actually begin to “think in love.”
How different would this world be if just 25% of the Christians really decided to obey God rather than man? What would change on your campus or in your family if the Christians living there lived out Peter’s s sentiment?
I believe a seismic shift would take place; a shift that would cause the flimsy foundations of this humanistic culture to shake and crumble. But such an event won’t come without a price. It’s the same price Peter and the Apostles had to pay. What was that price? It was painful persecution at the hands of those who wanted to maintain the religious status quo.
The Apostles were told to stop teaching in the name of Jesus, to terminate their evangelistic efforts, and to toe the line of the mainstream, religious elite. These religious leaders were determined to silence any proclamation that Jesus Christ was Lord.
Not long ago, a group of preachers from a small, midwestern town, decided to erect several signs to welcome people to their city. What seemed like a great idea to most citizens was resisted by a vocal few. Why you may ask? It was because one of the signs dared to include the phrase, “Jesus is Lord.” So what did the preachers do? They determined to proceed with their plan and decided not to worry about the dissenters.
I’m not suggesting Christians live brashly or act in a bull-headed manner; I’m suggesting Christians simply live to please God and quit fretting so much about what others think or say. Think about it — what could happen if just 10% of the Christians on your campus or in your town lived out Acts 5:29?
There are many divisive, cultural topics we face as a nation today. For instance, consider poverty? Is it really the responsibility of the government to fix this problem while the church sits idly on the sidelines? Or, should God’s people stand up, engage and obey God to help alleviate this curse?
What about abortion? Why do so many churches grow eerily silent regarding this blight? It seems to me that obedience to God and silence regarding the carnage of abortion can never be reconciled.
What about prejudice? If the color of a person’s skin really doesn’t matter, why do so many God-fearing folks still maintain unbiblical postures that reinforce stereotypes obviously incongruent with Scripture?
Because I name Jesus as my Savior and Lord, I’m required to take a long, hard look at myself in the mirror of God’s Word. How am I really living? Do I fearlessly obey God or do I fearfully cower to man? How about you? I want to stand with Peter, and the growing number of fearless Christ followers who are saying, “I will obey God rather than man.”
Those annoying, journey-interrupting speed bumps are everywhere. During a recent family vacation, four of us set out for an early morning hike to Lion Gulch located a few miles east of Estes Park. To get back to nature, we unzipped the side and rear windows from the jeep and Sarah and I climbed into the backseat, buckled our safety belts and prepared for the short, brisk ride to the trailhead. I, of course, had a fresh, steaming cup of coffee in hand.
As we zipped down the road, I was enthralled by the sound of gravel crunching beneath our tires. I was captivated by a sapphire sky perfectly painted with wispy, white clouds. I was fascinated by a family of ducks paddling across Willow Lake and I openly mused at the inexpressible beauty of God’s creation. And then, out of nowhere, “Bam!” The tranquility of my morning moment was rudely interrupted by the ill-timed onset of an ill-placed speed bump. You’ve got to be kidding! When did they start putting speed bumps on unpaved, mountain roads?
That question was immediately replaced with a more pressing one: What’s about to happen to my steaming cup of coffee? As my body was leaving the seat, my coffee was leaving the cup. It’s true, what goes up must come down and that includes hot coffee. Within a millisecond, my morning brew was raining down into my lap and I was wondering how my pristine morning could be changing so rapidly.
My first reaction was to fix blame and to assign fault for my current state of affairs. Should I blame the driver, who said he never saw the speed bump coming? What about the Jeep Corporation for a faulty suspension? What about the speed bump manufacturer for overkill? Or, should I blame the dim-wit that decided a speed bump was needed in that location?
To my surprise, I decided not to waste time assigning blame. Instead, I determined to make the best of things by laughing along with everyone else in the jeep, including the driver, who was still insisting he never saw the speed bump coming. Laughing about the situation was an unusual response for me as I’m usually more interested in determining guilt when it comes to life’s unexpected speed bumps.
Life is filled with speed bumps — big ones, little ones, expected ones and those we never see coming. Sometimes they come in rapid series while, at other times, they are far and few between. But one thing is certain – in life, speed bumps WILL happen.
How do you handle life’s speed bumps? Do you get angry and blame your spouse, your parents or God? Do you resign yourself to the fatalistic notion that life is just one big speed bump and there’s nothing anyone can do about it? Or, do you respond with a confident, laughing faith knowing that while speed bumps are inevitable they are powerless to change God?
Life doesn’t always work out the way we’ve planned and a certain number of jaw-jarring, speed bumps are to be expected. They may come as a business failure, a painful divorce, a personal disappointment or an untimely loss. But, no matter their form, speed bumps can’t separate us from the amazing love of God.
By the way, Lion Gulch was beautiful and the coffee stains washed out. What about that ill-placed, speed bump you may ask? It’s still there but now I just practice my laugh each time I drive over it. Remember, speed bumps don’t have to win and that’s an encouraging lesson we can all take down the road.
I was thinking about my first big musical instrument purchase the other day. For those of you who know about these things, it was a CP-70B Yamaha Electric Grand Piano. It was the best thing going in 1979 and all of my piano-playing idols had one. Only one major draw back, it was going to cost me $5000.00 with traveling cases and since I was traveling, I had to have those too.
The guys in my band hated that piano because it required them to help me carry all 400 lbs of it. But trust me, that was 400 lbs of sweet-sounding ebony and ivory.
I was a sophomore in college and I wanted that piano more than anything else in life. So, I scraped, I saved, I even sold my car and I borrowed heavily against a little life insurance policy my parents purchased for me as a baby. Whatever the cost, I was going to get that piano. Finally, by the summer of 1980, I bought it in Kansas City and brought it home.
While salvation certainly isn’t cheap, requiring the death of Jesus Christ, it is free to whoever asks. Romans 10:13 reminds us, “All who call upon the Lord will be saved.” The Bible goes on to tell us that those who are saved become new creatures in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17).
As new creatures we’re given new hearts, new minds and new “want to’s.” These “new things” help us follow God and live to please God. But whereas salvation is free, following God will always cost us something. The cost is usually related to self — denying self, dying to self and taking up one’s cross to follow Him.
Most people live only to die. But Christians know that only in dying can we really live. Before a listener set out to follow Jesus, He would tell them to first consider the cost connected to that decision. Are you willing to die daily? Are you willing to take up your cross and follow me? Are you willing to go where I lead even when no one else will?
When I set my heart on that electric piano, I was willing to pay whatever the cost in order to have it. So, I got to thinking, why am I willing to spend so much energy, time and money for worldly trinkets yet unwilling to do the same in following Christ?
It’s probably just me. My band was always quick to remind me that there’s always been something a little weird about piano players.
Take a look at the lyric, “Whatever the Cost.” I think you’ll find it helpful.
I recently received this from a dear friend facing the likelihood of divorce. I appreciated her transparency as she addressed a subject difficult to face. I pray her words will stir each of us to be especially mindful of those wrestling with the hurts and wounds of divorce. (Jamie)
Now it makes sense. I keep saying to myself that I can’t make sense of it all. Why is my life here? Why am I standing at this gaping hole in my life called divorce? How can I look into the eyes of someone I knew so intimately and barely recognize him?
And then I remember the garden. Adam and Eve huddling naked behind the bushes probably felt the same tremors. And God looking into the soul of Adam might have sensed the same loss.
It is not supposed to make sense. It doesn’t make sense because it’s not supposed to. Satan crept into the garden that has been growing and dying, waxing and waning for twenty-five years. He slithered in and disrupted the rhythm of life. To be trite – God never promised us a rose garden. He knew that snakes lurk among the rocks. He knew that we are frightened, easily tempted, weak human beings. He knew those things don’t matter. His foot can crush the head of the snake so easily – all we have to do is call.
For most of our years, we did that. We didn’t hide. We ran naked to our Father and cried for help. But one day, I’m not sure which day it was… the snake crept in with a mask – a man or a woman, a pastor or a prosecutor, a child or a “friend”. We didn’t recognize his face. We didn’t tremble at the evil before us because the face was not so ominous, though just as insidious. We did not call the Father on that day, at least not quite so passionately. We could handle this persecutor alone. Arrogance replaced dependence. Pride replaced wisdom. Both of us guilty in our own choices – just as were Adam and Eve. There is none righteous, no not one.
And now we stand on opposite walls of the precipice, the jagged rocks in the chasm between seeking to tear us apart. One voice crying for God to save us from each other – the other crying for God to save us from ourselves. And God – where is He? Cowering in the garden because He failed? Or weeping on the cross meant to be our bridge?
No, it doesn’t make sense. It just doesn’t.
BAT
Copyright 2008
I am happy to report that our FrontLine volleyball team has won the championship at WildWeek camp. Congrats to all the students. We’re not only proud of your victory but also of the way you represent Faith Family Church.
Sarah and I are making our way to Camp Williamson to attend Thursday night’s worship service with the students. It will be good to see all their faces and to hear how God has been moving among them. I’ve heard that tonight’s communion service was powerful and impacted many of our kids.
I hope all of you reading this entry will continue to pray for our FrontLine students asking God to continue His great work among them. I’m also excited about all the coming school year will hold as we revamp our FrontLine ministry. Our adult ministry team continues to grow and Sarah and I are looking forward to being a part of the team.
Join me in thanking God for Paula Volkmann, Rachael Tiermann, Adam Canote and several other surprise small group leaders I’ll introduce in the days to come.
Also join me in praying for our present student leaders as they continue to step up to the call God has on their lives.
We love you FrontLine students.
In the days to come, I hope to post some FrontLine pictures. So keep checking in.
Yes! The counselors are once again volleyball champions of RockQuest Camp. I won’t go into detail but our secret weapon, and she knows who she is (we call her “The Powerful Pivot”), helped us easily march to another victorious season. Let me note the scores for all you sports fans.
In Match One, we prevailed 15 to 1; in Match Two we annihilated the competition 15 to 3; and in the final match, while opposing the campers’ best hope, we trounced and pounced to an easy victory of 15 to 5.
Needless to say, the students were dumbfounded by the brilliance of the adults and the coaching strategy of Jammin’ John. Lisa the “G” Gebhardt showed flurries of greatness as she set the front row spikers on several occasions and provided many on-court antics to the delight of the onlookers. David Maxfield, also known as “The Colonel,” donning his trademark combat boots, glided across the floor with laser-like precision to intimidate his foes. Allen Garrett, aka “Leviticus,” racked up multiple saves and assists and, of course, kept score with Old Testament precision.
Lisa Shrum added numerous ace serves to her illustrious career and, as is her style, silenced her boisterous critics on the other side of the net with her take-no-prisoners, teacher voice. Don Nelson, the quiet strength of the team, went about business with a steely demeanor that stirred trepidation in his opponents. As is Don’s style, he doesn’t say much but then with his incredible skills he doesn’t have to.
Nurse Vernia Finn, aka “go- with- the- flo” Nightingale, was the team’s powerhouse. Like a surgeon she sliced and diced the competition with precision sets and missile-like serves.
Debbie Maxfield, Cindy Garrett and Sarah Page cheered the team on as the other fans sat in what could only be described as bewildered silence as the counselors literally mowed through each of their opponents.
It should also be mentioned that Adam the “Crusher” Canote was on his game. Early in the battle he uncharacteristically missed several opportunities to dig the ball but after time returned to his true form. Adam was obviously a crowd favorite.
What about Pastor Jamie you may ask – the story is best left untold. Suffice it to say, even at fifty years old, he has not lost his form, his grace, his speed, his gazelle-like agility or those booming, terrifying, earth-shattering serves. But since he’s writing this article he will just leave it at that!
We’ve had a great time and will be leaving Logan Valley in about one hour. See you when we get home. We’ve made some great memories and have numerous stories to tell.
Check out the new photos under “RockQuest Camp 2009.”
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