SOAP 06/17/2016; Colossians 3:23-24

Today's reading: 1 Kings 20, 21; 2 Chronicles 17; Colossians 3

S) "²³ Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, ²⁴ knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve."

Colossians 3:23-24 (NASB)

O) This chapter is full of instruction. These specific verses come right after Paul's instruction to slaves, that they need to serve their masters while fearing the Lord. From the beginning of the chapter, Paul sets expectation, that if we are raised up with Christ it will change how we live. There are literally a dozen things to highlight in this chapter, but to a large degree, the verses above can really summarize the detailed instructions. We must be obedient to the commands of God, living as He wants us to live. There can be no doubt about that, since He is God and we are not. But, with the verses above, it really goes a step beyond upholding the letter of the law. This extends the sphere of Christ's influence in our lives. Christ does not only rule over our morality, but also over the mundane tasks of life. Furthermore, when we see that all our work is for the Lord, then it removes any blame-shifting about bad behavior. When we see our boss as the Boss, then our supervisor can be immoral, unfair, and mean, but our Boss is perfect, just, and kind. We may be mistreated by management, but they aren't really in charge. Whether the company deserves our hard work or not, is no longer relevant. The only thing is whether or not our work is glorifying my Lord Christ, whom we serve.

A) This has really changed how I view my work ethic. Generally speaking, my lack of ambition combined with my apathy and arrogance, made me a fairly worthless employee. I had, for the most part, done only as much work so as not to be fired. When I judged that I was being mistreated, I would slack off even more. I was a time-thief, indulging my laziness and seeing little value in working hard at all. There was a sense in which I held a near-existential attitude toward work. But, the more I began to see that every part of my life was a reflection of Christ, and that good or bad, I was revealing Him to others in some way, that was very convicting. Now, when I read this verse, I do not feel a burden to work hard - as if I need to keep the name of Christ clean. While I certainly don't want anyone to misunderstand what it means to be a Christian, because I have been a poor example, That's not what this is about. This verse is about finding joy, even in the face of forced labor, unsafe conditions, and unjust treatment. When I began to alter my view, to realize that I am not working for a paycheck or recognition, but that I am working to please the Lord Christ, and my real reward is my eternal inheritance, then I began seeing work as an opportunity. I still want to be a good employee. I want to be the kind of employee that a boss is happy to have. I still want to glorify Christ with my character, that people might see my work and understand it is only good because Christ is good in me. But, beyond any external influence my work may have, I see my work as an opportunity to worship God. It is the Lord Christ whom I serve, whether that's sweeping floors, packing boxes, filing papers, or making phone calls.

P) Father, thank You for changing my heart, Lord. Thank You for, not only offering me the delayed reward of my heavenly inheritance, but also for giving me a source of joy for the everyday, mundane, tiring work that I do. Help me keep this truth in mind, that I would recognize my daily work as not just a job, but an opportunity for worship. Help me to internalize the reality that You are my Lord, over my morality and my job. Help me to extend this to every part of my life. Help me to serve my wife and kids, because I serve You. Help me to be willing and joyful to serve at church, because I serve You. Help me to serve others, especially my brothers and sisters, because I serve You. Open my eyes to see this. Let Your will be done at my job, in Your servant. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 06/16/2016; Colossians 2:5

Today's reading: 1 Kings 17, 18, 19; Colossians 2

S) "⁵ For even though I am absent in body, nevertheless I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good discipline and the stability of your faith in Christ."

Colossians 2:5 (NASB)

O) As I mentioned in my entry about v.23 (SOAP 06/16/2016), Paul was writing this book, in part and especially this chapter, so that the church at Colossae would not be deceived with false teaching. Because of the serious dangers of false teaching, Paul didn't want anything to be misunderstood. Sometimes, when a person is speaking passionately, bluntly, and strictly about a very important topic, it is easy for their demeanor to sometimes be mistaken as anger. I think just about every parent can relate to that, if they are giving a stern talk to their child and the kid thinks the parent is angry. That seems to be the case with Paul sometimes (e.g., 2 Corinthians 2:1-4). In the verse above, he seems to be trying to disarm the Colossians, to reassure them that he is for them, not against them. He spent the first paragraph of this chapter, mostly assuring them of his affection for them. Just before the above verse, he sets a precedent for why he is about to go through this discourse, and with the verse above he sort of protracts that purpose out further. Paul knew that he couldn't remain with every church he planted, but he still felt very responsible for them (e.g., 2 Corinthians 11:28). False teachers were beginning to rise among the churches, and he felt responsible to protect them as best he could, even in his absence.

A) While reading the chapter with that context, and remembering how Paul sometimes referred to his churches and students as his spiritual or metaphorical kids (e.g., 1 Timothy 1:18, or 1 Corinthians 4:14), this verse jumped out at me as a dad. Even just two days ago, I was telling Ella that no teacher worth his salt, would ever feel bitter when his student passed him in knowledge and ability. That should be a teacher's greatest joy. In the same way, my kids could do nothing to make me more happy, than to be stronger, more knowledgeable, and better disciples of Christ than I am. In that way, the verse above becomes a prayer of mine, for my children. Every parent wishes their children would outlive them, and I am no exception. Because of that, or maybe, likely much before it (see Genesis 2:24), I will be absent from my kids. When that happens, I hope and pray, that even though I am absent in body, I would be with them in spirit, rejoicing to see their good discipline and the stability of their faith in Christ.

P) Father, it is purely by grace that I came to faith in You. The discipline I have is still Your grace at work in me, as I also place my faith and trust in You. Because of that, I know that all of my teaching, preparing, and example-setting will only bear fruit in the lives of my kids, when it is working in tandem with Your grace upon their hearts. So Father, I ask that You would work in them, that even though I might be absent from them in body, nevertheless I would be with them in spirit, rejoicing to see their good discipline and the stability of their faith in Christ. Give me the wisdom to teach and raise them well, and to trust that You will do the rest. May they be better disciples of Jesus Christ than I ever am. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 06/15/2016; Colossians 1:17

Today's reading: 1 Kings 16; 2 Chronicles 15, 16; Colossians 1

S) "¹⁷ He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together."

Colossians 1:17 (NASB)

O) Paul took three paragraphs to briefly outline the rescue mission, deity, authority, and compassion of Christ Jesus (vv.13-23). Nestled in that, as he very quickly flows from topic to topic, is the verse above. Because of how quickly Paul moves through these topics, it's easy to miss some of them. Similarly, because he only speaks briefly on each topic, there are not a lot of words, but the truth is profound and there is a lot to examine. In this single sentence, Paul is confessing the preexistence and eternal nature of Jesus. If we refer back to John's writings, we know that Jesus Christ is the Word of God made flesh (John 1:14). We also know from the Genesis account, that all of creation came into being when God spoke. That means that Jesus, who is the Word of God, existed before anything was created. The second half of the sentence speaks to the power of Jesus, being the Word of God. When we read a promise like Isaiah 55:11, and we understand that Jesus Christ is God's Word, things start to have more depth and meaning. When we read those words from Isaiah, and then we read the promise of Romans 8:28, and even just the encouraging words of Jesus, when He said, "Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows." (Matthew 10:29-31), and then we read that Jesus rebuked the devil, "It is written, 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.'" And when all of this is read together, we can see that our lives are fully dependent on Jesus, because all things are dependent on God willing them to continue, and all things exist according to His Word, who is Jesus.

A) The thought strikes me today, that I do not dwell on my need for Jesus nearly as much as I ought to dwell on it. It's so easy to take for granted, the life I have been given. I don't mean only the things in life. I'm often reminded of the blessed marriage I have, of my healthy and thriving kids. I'm often reflective of the visible, external, ways that God has blessed me. What I mean, is that I need to make myself more conscious of my actual life. The fact that I woke up this morning, was according to the will of God. The breath in my lungs is according to His Spirit. My very actual body, the atoms knitted together, exists by the Word of God. I am typing this entry, because Jesus keeps me alive. If anything could humble me, and draw me to fear God as I ought, this truth will.

P) Father, You are too powerful for me to understand. You are too wise for me to comprehend. Your eternal nature is simply beyond my ability to reason. I can try, with my finite knowledge and the wisdom You have given me, but I still understand I am only seeing in part, like in a mirror dimly. Today, as I read this verse, I was reminded of just how literal my need for Jesus is. Messages abound, and they should, that talk about my need for the redemptive work of the cross, and how the blood of Your Son was needed to redeem my sinful life. I need Christ for my relationship with You. But, just as Christ existed before my creation (and all creation), but need for Him, my dependence on Him, existed before my redemption was even the issue. Even in the womb, I was created according to Your Word. Today, and every day, help me to be more conscious of my vital need to be held together by Jesus Christ. There are metaphorical ways for me to think of this, and they are certainly true. There is the propitiation for my sins, and that is certainly glorious. But even before all of that, even more basic, my very existence depends on Your Word to keep me together, and to accomplish that purpose that You desire it to accomplish. Until the day that You no longer want me in this world, let me be mindful that I exist because of Your Word made flesh. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 06/14/2016; Philippians 4:11-13

Today's reading: 1 Kings 15; 2 Chronicles 13, 14; Philippians 4

S) "¹¹ Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.‬ ‭¹² I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. ¹³ I can do all things through Him who strengthens me."

Philippians 4:11-13 (NASB)

O) There seems to be a recurring theme over the last year or so, as I study the Bible. Context is vital to understanding promises in the Bible (or instruction, or warnings, or anything really!). I have been going to church, cumulatively, for about twenty years. In that time, I couldn't even guess how many times I've heard brothers and sisters quote v.13 above. But, I can count how many times they have quoted all three of the verses above in conjunction. Zero. But, understanding vv.11 and 12 are critical to understanding that Paul didn't mean he could do whatever he could imagine, because Jesus gave him strength. However, if we start from that statement of strength and work backwards, we ask why Paul was strengthened in Christ. Multiple times, Paul wrote about churches being strengthened, or the faith of others being strengthened, but we have to look no further than his own conversion, to read about himself being strengthened. Starting in Acts 9:19, Paul had just regained his sight, and then took some food and was strengthened. But that was clearly physical, having to do with the food. Immediately, we read about him preaching the gospel, then receiving opposition, then overcoming that opposition because of increasing strength, confounding the Jews by proving Jesus is the Christ. That strength is what he means in v.13 above. So next, we consider what are the things he can do? All things, sure, but what does that mean? Context in vv. 11-12 shows us that he is referring to the means that support his ministry. He had just been expressing thanks for the Philippians supporting him in ministry, but he reassured them that he wasn't concerned with finances or food or shelter (the main human needs, and the main things given to support his ministry). He wasn't concerned because he's learned the secret of being content with much and with little - relative to his ability to minister. The reason, is because he recognized that his ministry only depended on the strength he received in Christ. That strength was to fulfill his ministry calling, to spread the gospel and show that Jesus is the Christ, and the gospel is the free gift of God to all men, both Jew and Gentile.

A) To be sure, this verse remains an excellent promise and a great encouragement! Instead of this promise being "scaled back" from the broader application in which I have always heard it used, the context actually draws purpose into focus. While it's great to think that God might give me the strength to stay up all night playing video games, that seems quite pointless in view of eternity. While that example may seem silly, it does beg the question of purpose. If I ask God for strength, what will I do with it? On the other hand, if I am seeking to glorify God, to spread the gospel, and to share His peace, hope, and love in Christ, then I can have every confidence I can do the thing. I will have no concern about lack with God strengthening me. If I feel called to mentor a young couple with my wife, I don't have to worry about getting some kind of official support from a church, if I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. If I want to eat a bunch of ice cream (I'm lactose intolerant, and it's unhealthy) without any medicine or restraint (not even to speak of gluttony) because I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me... I'm seriously misguided. If I want to go on a mission trip, I don't have to worry about how it might be funded, if I can do all things who strengthens me. Context. Now, there is some question as to good intentions without commission (so to speak). If I want Christ to strengthen me to be a professional athlete, because I want to use that platform to spread the gospel, my good intentions won't mean much since He has clearly not given me that kind of strength. But I know my strengths. I know the was God has blessed me. If I am seeking to use the strengths He has already given me (just as Paul had already been strengthened for evangelism), then I can do all of those things through Him who strengthens me.

P) Father, thank You for giving me strengths in Christ Jesus. Thank You for the grace at work in me. Help me to recognize purpose, and to have confidence, that if I am using my strengths for Your glory, then I can do all of the things that glorify You with those strengths, because I have been strengthened to do them. Help me to focus, Lord, on seeking opportunity to use the strength You have given me, even the physical strength I have to work and protect and serve. Remind me that I can be content in all circumstances when I am answering the calling You have given me. Have Your way with me, God. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 06/13/2016; Philippians 3:13-14

Today's reading: 1 Kings 13, 14; 2 Chronicles 12; Philippians 3

S) "¹³ Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, ¹⁴ I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."

Philippians 3:13-14 (NASB)

O) Keeping things in context, I do not think Paul means that he forgets all things behind him. This is not about living in denial, or forgetting what's happened to him. Earlier in this chapter, Paul was reminding the church that if anyone had a right to have confidence in their flesh (that is, who they were apart from Christ), it was Paul himself (vv.4-6). But, as Paul reminds them (and himself) of his own loss for the sake of gaining Christ, he comes to the words above, to note that who he was is behind him and he's given up on it. He is no longer pursuing what he used to value. He is instead, pursuing the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. He is pursuing the righteousness that comes by faith, that brings us to glorification and perfection in Christ.

A) Sometimes, I try to remember things and I just can't recall them. Sometimes it's trivial, and sometimes it's work-related. Sometimes, I can't remember what I did with an important piece of paper. Because of this, it's easy to think that forgetting is a passive thing that happens to me. But, just like God can choose to forget my sins, I can choose to forget the things that used to matter before I was in Christ. I can forget my selfish ambition. I can forget my arrogance. I can forget obsessing about hobbies that were idols, or the lusts of my flesh. I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength, even the strength to forget.

 P) Father, forgive me for acting like I'm the same man I used to be. Through the gospel, I am to put on the new man. Help me to forget what lies behind in order to reach forward to what lies ahead. I cannot go where You are taking me, if I am wrapped up in my old pursuits, the old man. Help me to mindfully and purposely press on toward the upward calling of life in Christ, until I am perfected on the day I am glorified with Him. Let Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven, and continue to discipline me until I am the son You desire me to be. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 06/12/2016; Philippians 2:14-16

Today's reading: 1 Kings 12; 2 Chronicles 10, 11; Philippians 2

S) "¹⁴ Do all things without grumbling or disputing; ¹⁵ so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, ¹⁶ holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain."

Philippians 2:14-16 (NASB)

O) In particular, the command of v.14 and the example at the end of v.15 fit together in a way that just cannot be underestimated. It is part of the human condition to complain. Because our sinful nature has us bent toward entitlement and rebellion, whatever we are doing tends to have a lot of grumbling and disputing to go along with it. Perhaps the most convincing examples, are when we see people doing so while performing tasks that they have chosen to do themselves. Children will certainly balk at chores which are imposed on them, but when a man owns his own business and still he grumbles and disputes while he works, then we see that there is a deeper issue in the hearts of men. But, as our hearts are healed in Christ, from the broken enslavement to sin, we have a new opportunity in Him to be different. By living blameless, innocent, and above reproach, we are shining as beacons in the world. The more the world around us succumbs to their sinful selfishness and self-exaltation, the more that grumbling and disputing is normative, the more our peace is countercultural. Peace is attractive to people who are distraught, even when their distress is self-inflicted. The last verse can almost be broken out into two different concepts, but Paul reminds us that this kind of righteousness is not going to come easily, per se. We must still cling to the word of life, that is Christ (who He is, what He said, what He did). As we do that, relying on the Holy Spirit, we are able to walk above reproach. In the last part of the verse, Paul starts a transition, reflecting these instructions back onto himself. In this case, I don't think he is trying to exalt himself at all (he still emphasizes the day of Christ). Instead, I think he is drawing their focus through the temporal a little bit. He's asking them to use his physical presence, their relationship in the tangible world, as a reminder to do what is right. Sometimes, it is easy to forget the spiritual facets to life. It's easy to get distracted from the eternal, as the temporal world rages around us. Paul is, in a sense, acquiescing to their struggle in this. It's like he's saying, "If for no other reason, be motivated to do it for the sake of my hard work for you." There can be some real benefit to that, because not wanting to disappoint people can be a good motivation, at least on the surface. If it works to change our focus from what our sinful flesh wants, toward the word of Christ, and then to the eternal and spiritual motivations, then remembering that a person may receive shame or be disappointed by our poor reflection of Christ, may still be a very good thing.

A) Working with angry people can be frustrating. It is certainly exhausting, because it sometimes takes real effort and energy, to not become like them. There are many proverbs warning against associating with angry people. Still, there's little I can do to avoid a passive-aggressive, bitter, or complaining coworker, if they work in the same location I do, doing the same work. Lately, it has felt like a particular burden. However, when I read this passage today, I was immediately convicted. I wasn't convicted about grumbling or disputing, or bringing reproach. I was convicted that I haven't been looking at my current situation as ministry opportunity. I was trying to protect my light, instead of letting my light shine like stars. Maybe I won't "rub off" on a grumpy coworker or customer. But, if I can be bold with my peace, bold with my joy, and show that it is the indomitable, indelible mark of a real and holy and good God upon my spirit, then it will glorify God - even if it doesn't happen until the day of Christ.

P) Father, Your grace at work in me is astounding. I am humbled and thankful for it. I'm thankful for what You have done in me, for me. I'm thankful for what it means to my wife, and to my kids. But Lord, I confess that I have been selfish and fearful in a way, with the Your grace at work in my life. I don't want that, Lord. I don't want to insulate my light, for fear that a dark world could hurt me and diminish the light within me. That's not how it works, Father God, and I know that. Help me to be bold with the grace You have shown me! Let my light shine like the stars! Let me keep a smile upon my lips, as I joyfully work the task before me, as I am working for You and seeking to glorify the name of Jesus Christ that I bear. Help me to keep my mind on the gospel, not only for my own sake, but especially for the sake of those around me. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 06/11/2016; Philippians 1:21

Today's reading: Song of Solomon 5, 6, 7, 8; Philippians 1

S) "²¹ For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain."

Philippians 1:21 (NASB)

O) Paul had just finished writing about how his life had been marked by suffering and imprisonment, but how that was advancing the gospel. He did not consider his life to be his own (see Galatians 2:20), and so everything he did was with a mindset that he was living for Christ. He was only alive because of Christ. His life was an extension of Christ, if you will. On the other hand, he also understood that to die was gain, because it meant that he would be joined together with the Savior (v.23). Still, he knew he had work still to be done, and although to die would be to his gain, he was still alive and therefore belonging to Christ, for His work.

A) This is a high mark to reach, but I want to reach it. There are a lot of things I do in life, simply because I want to do them. In those cases, to live is Nic and to die is loss of those things I want to do. It's not always like that, but whenever I read about Paul's approach to his life, and the way he lived with purpose and obedience, seeking for the gospel to advance, I am convicted about something. I think it's a continual process until I am glorified with Christ. With my every passing day, there will be something that God is asking me to sacrifice, to lay down, for the sake of following Him more closely. The more I can view my life as belonging to Christ, the more I can say, "to live is Christ," the easier it will be for me to say, "to die is gain."
 

P) Father, thank You for saving me. Thank You for softening my heart to the gospel, in the first place, and drawing me to reconciliation. Open my eyes to see, to better value who I am in Christ. Help me to see that to live is Christ - that every part of living, everything I experience is because of Him. Help me to see that my life is owed to Christ, that every breath I breathe, every morning I awake, all is because of Christ. With that in mind, help me to prioritize better. Help me to be a good steward of my time, as well as my money. I want to live for Christ every moment of everyday, but I know that is not a reality. I know that may take a long time for me to get to that place, and really, it won't be perfected until I reach eternity. But, on that note Lord, I want to see that to live is Christ, so that I can really appreciate that to die is gain. I want this verse to be a reality to me. Burn away everything that gets in the way. You are a consuming fire, and I want to be purged, God. Please continue to discipline me, to prune me, to bring about my maturity, until the day that I can say without reservation or hesitation, that to live is Christ and to die is gain. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 06/10/2016; Ephesians 6:19-20

Today's reading: Song of Solomon 1, 2, 3, 4; Ephesians 6

S) "¹⁹ and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, ²⁰ for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak."

Ephesians 6:19-20 (NASB)

O) Paul, one of the apostles of Christ. Paul, who wrote two-thirds of the New Testament. Paul, the evangelist to the Gentiles, who planted myriad churches and was constantly preaching in the face of persecution. This Paul, he was asking for prayer from the church at Ephesus. This simple request reveals three important hurdles, which stack, that must be cleared with humility. First, he's humbling himself to ask for prayer, at all. Second, he asked for help about something that everyone would have figured should be easy for him. Third, he asked for help from people that everyone would have figured still needed Paul's help.

A) This kind of humility is still pretty hard for me. The more I open up to people, though, and honestly admit where I still need help and prayer, even after years of struggling with something, the more I confess that, the easier it gets. Holding myself accountable is never easy, but there is fruit to be grown through the pruning of deadness. In Paul's example, it seems he cleared just about every humility hurdle, because he just needed the help of God. If anyone was willing, he was willing to ask. That's the kind of desperation he had, to be obedient to God's will. I need to have the same kind of dedication, or desperation, to obedience. Whatever it takes, no matter who must hear the request, I need God's help and anyone willing to pray for me for that, I'm willing to confess that I am still broken, in need of grace and strength, in Jesus Christ.

P) Father, thank You for new mercies every day, because I stumble and fall every day, in some manner or another. Thank You for the grace at work in me, that You are changing me and sanctifying me more and more each day. Help me to have the presence of mind, to be conscious of what You are doing in my life. Help me to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit moving upon me, convicting me, drawing me to repentance. I want to humble myself, Lord, to be willing to ask for prayer from anyone, about anything that is a struggle for me. In any way, if I am being disobedient, open my eyes and ears, that I would understand. Then, let me find grace among my brothers and sisters in Christ, as I ask for prayer to be more obedient by Your grace. Let Your will be done. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.