May I be regarded as a servant of Christ and steward of the mysteries of God

You're scrolling through social media and you see something that makes you say "wow, so ignorant." You have disdain and shake your head because of how little that person knows about the world. 

Pause. Let's test our thoughts against Scripture. 

First off, if the knowledge that person lacks is something of pure biblical truth:

• "What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?" (1 Cor 4:7b)
  Soul, humble yourself and recognize that any knowledge you have has been graciously given to you.
• If that person is a Christian: "What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth." (1 Cor 3:5-6)
  Be a servant unto your brother, water with truth. Pray God will grant growth. 
• If that person is not a Christian: "The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned." (1 Cor 2:14)
  Pity the soul who cannot understand the truth of God. Pray for the Spirit of God which teaches men's hearts not through human wisdom. 

But if the "knowledge" that person lacks is extra-biblical about our world: (scare quotes because I know you all will disagree on what might fall into this category. Here are a few examples of what you might believe to be foolishness - a lack of understanding of structural racism, a lack of awareness of leftist media overblowing COVID, a lack of alarm at civil unrest and government power grabs, a lack of compassion for grieving families, a lack of education on historically racist policies and practices, etc.)

• "Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness,” and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.” (1 Cor 3:18-20)
  Soul, let prideful thoughts against others about their lack of wisdom in extra-biblical matters serve as a red flag. Am I enjoying and pursuing the praise of other men who agree with me on these matters? Have I forgotten the utter depravity the Lord has brought me out of with His gracious hand? Have I placed my hope in earthly solutions, forgetting the victory in Christ?
• "This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God." (1 Cor 4:1) 
  Beware being regarded as wise in this world. Christ crucified is a stumbling block to religious people and folly to the intellectual world (1 Cor 1:23). May the world not look to us merely for wise opinions on earthly matters. May we be known as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.

Does History Have Its Eyes On You?

Christians in the US are in a moment of extreme opinions. Extreme variety: brothers and sisters who love and trust in the same Lord Jesus hold an amazingly wide array of opinions on everything from masks to social justice. Extreme intensity: brothers and sisters (myself included) feel deep emotion and righteousness in their opinions. Why? I think we recognize ourselves to be in a historic moment. We are dealing with issues of great importance and significance for generations to come. Because of this, I will be honest and admit that sometimes my opinions can be motivated in part by wanting to be “on the right side of history.” Or maybe I just want to be right, and proven right by history. Regardless, the truth is I don't plan to do anything incredible with my life, so honestly, history will quickly forget me. And even if history were to see me in this moment, I must not fear its judgment because history is men. Friend, do not fear men. Fear instead the one who has authority over your eternal soul. (Luke 12:5). 

Whose view of you are you considering when you act today?

In our Titus 2 study led by Becky Savastio, we have been taking a look at the brethren noted at the end of Colossians. These names are easy to gloss over, folks who just get a line or two here and there in the Bible. Tychicus. Onesimus. “Faithful ministers and beloved brothers” (Col 4:7,9). In the years and decades to come,  my end goal is not to be right about whether or not masks are a necessary discomfort or unconstitutional evil. No one, not even I, will judge myself based on how much I posted about social justice on my private Instagram account of a couple hundred followers. When I look back on 2020 in the years and decades to come, my sincere hope is that God would work in me to make me a faithful minister of His truth and beloved sister to His children. 

By His standard, and for His Kingdom. 

May I be known by my brethren for faithfully working for the Kingdom alongside them, encouraging their hearts and being a comfort to them (Col 4:7, 8, 11). I'd much rather continue on my way as what my fellow Titus 2 study sisters have deemed me "Zoom Nympha" (Nympha is mentioned in Colossians for hosting the church in her house) for a humble group of 10. I want to forget my own desire to be right and be recognized as right by a fleeting posterity, and instead strive forward until the day my Savior and King welcomes me into the eternal gates of glory. May I then be found wearing His robes of righteousness, to hear the words “my good and faithful servant.” 

Lord, help me to keep my eyes fixed on that eternal reward. 

The repentance of a Korean-American favoritist

My husband informed me a few nights ago that in 1991 a 51 year old Korean woman who owned a convenience store shot a 15 year old black girl in the back of the head from 3 feet away, and killed her. I'm embarrassed that I did not know this.

My Korean mother is in her 50s, and until last year owned and worked a convenience store.

//

I've been wrestling this week. Seeking to have my thoughts and deeds in response to the murder of George Floyd flow out of the truth of God's Word. There are many things that were obvious at first: weeping with those who weep, setting our eternal hope in Jesus Christ who will bring ultimate justice, seeking justice and pleading for the widow. 

//

I work for a very liberal non-profit consulting firm. I am very familiar with the language, frameworks, and "religion" of social justice based on cultural Marxism. I've sought to see what is true in these ideas by testing them against Scripture. I've fought against the desire to please man and let my guilt of privilege drive me toward non-biblical solutions. Christian, I plead with you also not to do so. 

//

I decided to read more about what happened in that convenience store in 1991. The owner testifies that she saw Latasha Harlins putting an orange juice in her backpack and believed her to be stealing it. She says that she asked Latisha whether or not she was going to pay for it. Two eye witnesses claim she did not ask that question, but instead called her profanities and grabbed the girl's sweater, snatching her backpack from her. Latisha struck the woman twice in the face. The woman took the orange juice from her, and Latisha walked away to leave the store. Soon Ja Du grabbed a gun from under the counter and shot 15 year old Latisha in the back of the head as she was turned away to leave. Soon Ja Du received only five years of probation, 400 hours of community service, and a $500 fine for her act of murder.

//

I feel grief and shame. If I'm honest, I've hidden behind being Asian-American and well-versed in the language of the left. There is some implicit bias deep in my heart I'm sure, but I have sought to be aware of it and try to dispel my prejudices. I can honestly say that. But my facade of being above reproach was shattered in realizing that a woman who looks like me, who could have easily been my mother, one of "my" people committed such a gross evil and contributed to the grief and just anger of the black community. 

//

I am so proud of being Korean American. We joke in our household "Korea #1". Sometimes I break out in the Korean National Anthem just to get a groan out of Isaac. There is no question that I love being Korean-American, and love Korean-Americans. Realizing that Soon Ja Du murdered Latisha Harlins shatters my pride. I am not untouchable. That is a ridiculous thing to say, because of course I'm not. "If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." (1 John 1:8) 

I've been trying to do everything right this week, and have so hideously believed that I have had no sin. I want to repent now. But I am not talking about the leftist sins of not naming my privileges, hashtagging black lives matter, or donating to bail protesters out. Please understand me, I do see the evil of systemic racism in the world, and am genuinely praying and working against them, but that is not the heinous evil I've ignored this week. The evil is this: I have favoritism. It is deep in my heart, and I've hidden it under the cloak of "it's so nice to have shared experiences and language" and "Korea is such a scrappy little nation, did you know that they send the most missionaries out to the world second only to the US?" I have valued and preferred and believed Korean-Americans better than others. I have believed my ethnicity better than others. I have believed myself to be more valuable than others. I have believed my life more valuable than the life of another made in the image of God. Oh Lord, forgive me. 

//

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9)

//

There are many right and biblical responses that must come out of the events of this week. I continue to wrestle with them, but my friend, my friend of every color, I plead with you to join me in this one. Look in your own heart. No matter who you are, you are not perfect before God. See, and repent. "If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." (1 John 1:8)

//

https://goexplorethebible.com/blog/adults/3-reasons-god-condemns-favoritism-session-9-james-119-27-21-4/

Sugar and Screentime for Suffering

They say when you have a craving for carbs your brain mimics that of one with a drug addiction. And quite frankly we already know that tv and video games and social media are all designed to get us hooked. 

But if you’re like me, you tend to foolishly approach these dangerous substances as though you are a master of self-control. The number of times I’ve downloaded and deleted Amazon Prime Video tells how often I’ve re-enslaved myself to my tv addiction.   

In the midst of the pandemic we are encouraged to let loose. Quarantine-15. World Health Organization encourages playing video games and Gamestop deems itself an essential business. Even Christian podcasters ask each other “what are you binge-watching lately?” 

These are not things to be indulged in carelessly, friends. Not only are they extremely addictive, they are stubborn idols of the heart that will refuse to step aside once the pandemic has come and gone. 

Now I want to be clear, I am not suggesting a religion of asceticism that says black and white “do not taste do not touch” equals holiness. God has indeed given us many good things in this world to enjoy.

But somehow I found myself stressed out from news headlines and turning to find comfort in a tub of icecream. Watching a movie to forget about it all. I let my minor suffering excuse running to my earthly slave-masters instead of to my God. 

So how does God want us to cope during COVID-19? 

James asks us, “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray.”

Timothy is told to endure suffering. Be sober minded. And do the work of an evangelist. 

Paul says he suffered the loss of all things and counted them rubbish in order to gain Christ. That in sharing in the sufferings of Christ, he strains forward. He presses on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God. 

The Thessalonians suffer as they are hindered from preaching the gospel, driven out, and even killed for their faithful proclamation. In the midst of this they are seen to be abounding in brotherly love toward one another and commended for their work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in Jesus Christ. They are walking in a manner that pleases God. And Paul prays for them to do so more and more. 

It would be way too simple to say, “Hey! Stop with your carboloading and endless screen time and just go do works of faith.”

We are weak humans who are easily derailed from pursuing righteousness by all manners of suffering. 

But I trust that, as it had to the Thessalonians, the gospel has come to you in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction (1 Thess 1:5). In affliction you have the joy of the Holy Spirit (1:6). You too, have turned to God from idols and serve the living and true God (1:9). Through recent times, the tempter has tempted you (3:5). But you can stand fast in the Lord (3:8). You are to control your body in holiness and honor (4:4). Which you can only do because God has given his Holy Spirit to you (4:8). 

My friends, I desire for you what I desire for myself. That we would not enslave ourselves to sin, but that in every season we would turn to the Lord in prayer and flourish in our faith. 

Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. (5:23)

COVID-19

Doctors forced to decide who gets a ventilator
Loved ones dying surrounded by strangers
Small business owners financially ruined
Surges in domestic violence
Elderly isolated
This is not how it is supposed to be.

Regardless of your politics, regardless of your religion.
Whether you saw a global pandemic coming,
or still don’t think it is as big as the media says it is.
When you look at the list of things going on today,
somewhere within you cries out, “This is not how it is supposed to be.”

In the short term, I don’t know what “supposed to be” looks like, and I definitely don’t have the answers for how we should proceed from here to get there.
But what if I told you that I know what the long term is, that it is infinitely good, and I know exactly how to get us there?

In a world of unknowns, one thing is for sure, you and I and everyone else will one day die. “It is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment.” (Hebrews 9:27)

Well, that doesn’t sound infinitely good, Sharon. Perhaps not, but before we get there, a crucial event will take place. God, (yes, your Creator, who exists as sovereign over the universe whether you regard him or not) will bring out books of your deeds and recall all that you have done in your life. If you have sinned even once, if you have broken a single law against His holy and perfect ways, you will receive eternal judgment. This is horrible and awful forever, but as a good judge upholds the law, it is also perfectly just and therefore good. But this God does not find any pleasure in the death of the wicked (Ezekiel 33:11). He loves his creation, and for those souls who are feeling their smallness in the face of a global pandemic, He sent his own Son, who was and is God, to become a man, live a perfect life, and take on eternal wrath on their behalf (which only he could do because he is God). Jesus did so because he so loved the Father’s people. And he urges you even now, to recognize with a humble heart your guilty condition before the perfect judge, and believe in the perfect sacrifice that was made on your behalf. God has made the way and he asks, why will you die? Why will you not believe this wonderful news and receive the gift of eternal life with Him?

You may not know him yet, but Jesus is better than all that the world can offer you. He is infinitely good, and heaven is in his presence. Eternal life is to know him and be with him. Are you happy with a check for $1000? Will more federal aid give you joy? How about a more socialist form of government ushered in by this crisis? Do you just want the government out of your personal life? Would you be at peace if you could live your life freely again? If your kids can return to public school? If you can see your family again?

Everything in this world is passing away. “As for man, his days are like grass, he blooms like a flower in the field” (Psalm 103:15). It might be a beautiful flower, one worth appreciating and living well, but it is a flower nonetheless that will be gone tomorrow. But what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? (Matthew 16:26). After this is all over, please don’t put the blinders back on and live each day without regard for eternity. There is infinite good awaiting you in heaven with God. My friend, believe.

Such a worm as I

Sinners sin differently. This sinner is a grade A fool who often mistakes herself to be next to God in self-righteousness. I’d like to think that the writer of the hymn which says “did He devote His sacred head for such a worm as I” was of the pridefully deluded type like me, who needed reminder that he is indeed but a worm before the perfectly holy and wonderful Creator. To those of this type, I’ve found that sometimes some honest navel-gazing is actually a helpful antidote. A quick list while I am of sober mind and stepped off from my very high horse: I am selfish, I create false narratives of bad motives instead of assuming the best (see Tim Challies article), I forget the good and love of others, I am quick to condemn the specks with planks jutting from my eyes. 

On a parallel note, I’ve been asked for prayer requests a few times this weekend. I’ve wanted to ask that you would pray I would stop being that list above, but it didn’t seem very socially acceptable to say. I’ve had some additional time to think (post naval-gazing) and I ask those reading to please pray for the following: 

• That I would love my husband and child and selflessly rejoice in their wellbeing, loving them as my Father has loved me

• That I would stop becoming slave to my pursuit of praise and break out of deluded self-centeredness

• That I would not imagine false narratives that make me forget the good and the love of my husband

• That I would think, act, and speak toward others with compassion and graciousness

• That I would treasure the Word of God and have His glory at the forefront of my mind

• That I would be making melody in my heart in thanksgiving to God and praying without ceasing  

Praise God that He does not leave me to live my life as a foolish worm that thinks he’s God, but opens my eyes to my depraved state, and graciously redeems me as His child. 

Through many dangers, toils, and snares

The false gospel of self-help, have you checked your heart for it?

The trophy of self-help sits not far off the narrow way toward Zion. It’s like one of those floating bonus items in Mario Kart. It promises to require just a quick flick of your thumb, and you can continue on your way, in fact it will help you in your walk!

But that is a deceitful illusion. You can never just grab it and go. You are led off the path continuously, chasing after righteousness in this life. Living for the sake of becoming better, which on its own is at best but dirty rags before the throne of God.

I regret to confess that in becoming a mother, I’ve gone down the way after this elusive reward.

Examples:

• I have anxiety about my child’s health: the Bible has a solution for this, to be a more “healthy” person and rid me of a bad feeling!
• I have thoughts of resentment toward my family: the Bible has truths to remove such ugly emotions. Don’t I want to be a more gracious and serving mother and wife? Apply the right verses and I will be made better, more respectable, more desirable. That’s the goal right?

No! Lord, wretched man that I am, please deliver me from this body of death! How is it that after all these years, after all the washing in the water of the Word, my heart’s perpetual idolatry can lead me to grovel on the floor before the worthless images of pride and the praise of man?

This may seem a little overdramatic to you because, the reality is, the pilgrim’s way does involve becoming better. It’s called sanctification, and it’s done by the gracious hand of God through the work of the Spirit. But what a vile thing it is to take this gift and set it upon the throne and worship it.

 

I beg of you (and I beg the Lord to help me to do it) to hate sin in our lives, but hate it for the right reason – which is that is abhorrent to God who is perfect. Because Christ died to take on the punishment of sin. Because sin grieves the Holy Spirit who indwells us. May we seek to be perfect, not for perfection’s sake, but because our Heavenly Father, whom we worship, is perfect.

Becoming better is the inevitable byproduct of being a worshipper of God, but may it never ever be the object of our worship.

So let the truths of God’s Word wash you and help you as they should. Reflect on them, cling to them. But look up and check whose coattails you’re clinging to. Are those passages helping you to cling to God or to the betterment of yourself?