SOAP 07/23/2016; 1 Peter 2:4-5

Today's reading: 2 Kings 20; Isaiah 38, 39; Psalm 75; 1 Peter 2

S) "⁴ And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God, ⁵ you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."

1 Peter 2:4-5 (NASB)

O) At the most basic level, Peter is reminding us as believers, that we are the church corporately. That is, as believers, we are living stones, as Jesus is a living stone, and He is the chief corner stone (see vv.6-7). Upon that choice stone, we are built up into His spiritual house. That is a beautiful thought, and it never ceases to amaze me, the instant connection I feel when I discover a stranger is a brother. On a deeper level, though, I also wonder if Peter was asserting another point. I cannot escape notice, that it is Peter himself who wrote this passage, and not Paul or James, or any other Christian leader of the first century church. Peter, who is so named because Jesus called him this instead of Simon Barjona, in Matthew 16:18. Peter is a form of the ordinary Greek word for rock. I had always assumed, in reading Matthew's account, that Jesus meant Peter would be the first leader of the church. However, in Peter's own words, he is reminding us that Jesus is the rock on which the church is built, and all of us are living stones. When dissecting the Greek used by Matthew, "Peter" is "Petros" which is just an ordinary stone. But when Jesus said, "upon this rock," that word is "petra" which is a large rock, or bedrock. So, I think Peter is really reminding us that as Christians, we all equally add to the spiritual house. We are all stones alike. None of us are distinctly more important, except Jesus Himself, the corner stone.

A) There are some truly great Christian men and women, doing wonderful work for Christ, in the world today. Some are more recognized than others. Some write about theology exceptionally well, some argue in apologetics deftly. Some are producing media to reach young people, some are planting underground churches. What I must remember is this: none of them, not a single one of them, can do any of it, except that their cornerstone is Christ. That is important to me for two distinct reasons. Firstly, I don't want to idolize anyone. I have wondered sometimes, who will take up the mantle of so-and-so when they pass? Or what does the future of such and such arena look like, if this person is no longer a leader in it? But, that is a shortsighted thought, that forgets all these people are nobodies, if they are not built on Christ. Any servant of His will readily admit that. Secondly, I need to readily admit that. Sometimes, I have moments of wanting to accomplish great things. Most of the time, that is a vague thought that really driven from a combination of my own convictions for laziness, admiration for activists, and a base desire for greatness that is really just exalting myself in my own heart. I am nobody if I am not Christ's. If He is not the rock on which I am built, then I am doomed to sink into the mire. Furthermore, no building is made, by placing a stone atop another stone, and calling it a day. No matter what kind of great thing I do, I am only contributing to, what should be my goal, making God's spiritual house a place of acceptable worship. Peter is a stone. Augustine is a stone. John Calvin is a stone. C.S. Lewis is a stone. Billy Graham is a stone. I am a stone. Jesus Christ is the stone.

P) Father God, let Your name be great. Let Your spiritual house continue to be built, that acceptable sacrifices might be made to You, as spiritual acts of service and worship. You are the master builder. You placed the first stone, the chief cornerstone. He was rejected, only to be used for Your glory, revealed as the foundation of Your house. Let me remember, that I am at once only a small stone in such a large building. At the same time, that You know exactly where I fit in order to glorify You the most. Let that always be my aim, Lord. Be glorified in wherever this stone fits. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 07/22/2016; 1 Peter 1:18-19

Today's reading: Isaiah 36, 37; Psalm 76; 1 Peter 1

S) "¹⁸ knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, ¹⁹ but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ."

1 Peter 1:18-19 (NASB)

O) Peter is reminding his readers throughout this chapter, to have a broader view of our relationships with God. When he gets to the verses above, he reminds us that our salvation, our redemption, was not done with something so temporal, so basic, as money. As I am also reading through the various kings of Judah and Israel recently, nothing highlights the futility of wealth, and the temporary or arbitrary value of silver and gold, quite like reading through those books does. From almost the beginning, we had a kingdom so wealthy that silver was too common to be valued. Eventually, though, we had evil kings stripping the gold off of te articles of temple use, in order to appease threatening kingdoms. Then, invariably, a good King would eventually rise, and try to replace those holy temple articles with new gold ones, or smaller gold ones (like the shields), or new bronze ones when gold became too hard to get. It was a cycle that reveals just how temporary, and arbitrary, and useless wealth really is. However, as Peter reminds us, our redemption was paid with something infinitely more precious than that. Incomparably valuable, we are redeemed by the eternal blood of Jesus Christ. No one can steal it. It cannot be replaced. It is a payment for our guilt which can only be given, and can only be received, by God Himself.

A) what other response could I have, except utter humility. When everything else I could naturally value, pales in comparison to such a valuable payment. How much does God love me, that He redeemed me with such invaluable payment, as the blood of His only begotten Son. I cannot but worship Him, when I am made aware of such great love and sacrifice. I cannot but soberly, humbly, pledge my very life to Him in thanksgiving. My life, the entirety of it, is the only offering I have that is remotely of the same kind, as the offering He made for me. How can I think giving my money is a worthwhile response, when money doesn't even begin to compare to that which redeemed me? How can I think that my time should be enough, when the time Jesus gave is not what redeemed me? No, what redeemed me is the very life that Jesus gave, and it is only my life that I can give, that would be an appropriate response to such great love.

P) Father, Your love for me is beyond my scope. You are so full of grace and love, that it really is who You are, not just what You do. Thank You for this awesome love, Lord God. Thank You for the incomprable sacrifice, redemption, with the blood of Christ. Thank You that my salvation is built on nothing less than the eternal life of Jesus Christ. Help me to keep my mind on such a great love as You have for me. While I am focused on that, I am so full of love and gratitude, that obedience and submission to You feels like the literal least I can do. I confess that I lose this focus too often. I am too distracted by the petty and worthless things of this world, which pale in such feeble comparison to the riches of Christ. Please forgive me, and strengthen my resolve. Open my eyes and ears, that my relationship with You will be stronger today than it was yesterday. Be glorified in all that I do, by Your grace alone. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 07/21/2016; James 5:19-20

Today's reading: 2 Kings 18, 19; 2 Chronicles 32; James 5

S) "¹⁹ My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, ²⁰ let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins."

James 5:19-20 (NASB)

O) In the closing of his letter, James goes through warning about the misuse of wealth, patience and enduring suffering, honesty, prayer and confession, and the effect of faith in God. After all that, the above two verses end this book. There is something to be said for final words, and I don't think it's only coincidence that James ended his letter this way. These words have some pretty deep implications that harken us back to chapter 2, when James reminded us that faith and works must be paired together. To be clear, although James is certainly showing us that we have a role in the salvation of others, I do not think he is under any illusion that it is our power which saves people. Even in his statement, "and one turns him back," we must understand that the one who strayed is coming back to the truth, coming back to Jesus Christ. That is his salvation. But, just as Paul also said, "How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard?" (Romans 10:14-15). Like many areas of life, relationship, and truth, we tend to want to simplify complex issues. The reality is that how a person comes to a saving faith in Jesus Christ is complicated. We will never know the extent to which any one person might have a role. Certainly, it is God alone who softens hearts. Certainly, it is God alone who opens the eyes and ears of the spiritually blind and deaf. And just as plainly as the Bible reveals those things to us, it also reveals that we have a part to play in turning other people toward their Creator.

A) There are times when I feel a lot of pressure to "get people saved" (specific people, usually). That is a burden that I do not think Scripture lays on my shoulders. Much more often, that seems like an attack from the accuser of the brethren. Still, I know that I have to be more bold with speaking the truth. Over the last year, especially, I think I have become more bold than ever before. Obviously, I want to keep that going and every passing year I should be more bold, more confident in Christ, more sure of the faith within me. This passage, though, I find particularly encouraging. A lot of times, I don't exactly feel a calling to evangelism, per se. However, I often feel a draw toward people who already know the gospel, but maybe have stopped believing for one reason or another. It's worth noting that this passage shows us that there are people who have had the truth, and their souls are in danger of death, unless they return to the truth. Again, how exactly a person is saved, or when exactly they have strayed too far from the truth, these are complicated, complex, probably unknowable things. I will leave that kind of discernment, that kind of judgment, to the only One who perfectly judges. Some of my feeling called to this kind of group of people, might have to do with the culture in which I live, because so many here have some understanding of the gospel (although it's less and less common). Maybe it's because I have such a desire to teach, and that's always easier when there are certain truths that are already common ground. Whatever the case, I want to be used by God to reach whomever He wishes that I reach with the truth. I know that it's not up to me to make people believe, but I do need to be ready to show them the way back to God. I need to be prepared, and willing, to help people connect with the truth. .

P) Father, thank You for opening my eyes to see the truth. Thank You for softening my heart, and opening my ears, to hear the call of the Holy Spirit, drawing me back into relationship with You, Lord God. You are so patient, and full of lovingkindness. I know that You are the only one in position to see the hearts of people. Let me humbly lay aside any notion that I know who needs to be saved and when, or that I know who's souls are in danger. Instead, let me focus on obedience. Let me focus on following Your lead, as the Holy Spirit prompts me to speak truth into someone's life. Help me to be more and more bold with each passing day, with each opportunity. Remind and encourage me, that it is not up to my abilities to save someone, it is not by my power or persuasive speech that a person believes, but I do still have an obligation, and a privilege, to share the truth. Let me continue to cling to the blood of Christ and the power of my testimony, to move from victory to victory, for the glory of Your name. Let Your will be done. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 07/20/2016; James 4:1-3

Today's reading: 2 Chronicles 29, 30, 31; James 4

S) "¹ What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members? ² You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask. ³ You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures."

James 4:1-3 (NASB)

O) There is such strong, definitive, almost absolute language used in this passage, that my initial reaction to it is almost to try and refute it. However, the more this passage is unpacked, dissected, examined closely, the more I see how James has correctly identified the source of conflicts among people. At the root of action, people do what they do because they want what they want. Humans are not automatons, and neither are we slaves of instinct. So, we have both desires, and the ability to rationalize our decisions. When there is a conflict, it is because two people have different desires, and different rationalizations about why their own desire is the correct or justified one. Really, that type of thinking is an assertion of independence. This is usurped sovereignty. This is also known as rebellion. As Christians, we are, by definition, pledging allegiance and submission to Jesus Christ as our Lord. We are, when we claim His name, also confessing to His sovereignty as our King. We are not our own, but we are bought with a price (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). So, that explains the warning James gives, but what about the promise tucked into it? What about the claim about asking, or at least asking with proper motives? This is the harder part for me, but there is a great clue later in the chapter (v.15). As subjects in God's kingdom, if we are asking Him for our desires, but we are prefacing the request with the disclaimer that we only want His will (that would be a good motive, as opposed to above), then that changes the complexion of the request. When we ask for our request because we want it for His purposes, and not our own pleasures, then not getting what we ask doesn't mean we don't get what we want, because what we want is what God wants.

A) At the root of this whole contention issue, is that I am not supposed to be sovereign. I am not supposed to be independently making decisions on what I should have, or why I should have it. Allowing my desires, particularly my emotionally driven desires, to determine my actions, is a faulty and dangerous way to live life. I am designed to be subject to the rule, authority, protection, and purpose of my King, Jesus Christ. When I do desire something, I must pray and ask with an underlying purpose that is beyond my own. As His servant, I want His purposes fulfilled. So, if I ask and He withholds, I understand that the thing I wanted didn't align with my greater desire, which is to fulfill His will and purposes. What all of this means to me, in a glorious display of grace, is that I am happier when I want what He wants. When I want what He wants, I am happier when I don't get what I thought I wanted. While this may, on the surface, seem like a self-defeating logic, that is actually te point. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain (Philippians 1:21).

P) Father God, You are holy, perfect, and good. I want what You want, Lord. I confess that too often, I chase desires that are my own before looking to see whether or not my desires are in line with Your purposes. I know better than that, but sometimes I am still fooled. Open my eyes and ears, Lord. Help me to stay firmly planted in Scripture, that my mind would be on Your ways more consistently. Help me to be kingdom-minded with my emotions and desires. Let me seek You first, and Your kingdom, trusting that everything else I need will be added to me. In all things, in my desires and my actions, be glorified. Let Your grace be ever bigger than my mistakes. Let Your will alone be done. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 07/19/2016; James 3:8-10

Today's reading: 2 Kings 17; 2 Chronicles 28; Psalm 46; James 3

S) "⁸ But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. ⁹ With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; ¹⁰ from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way."

James 3:8-10 (NASB)

O) James started with the observation that anyone who is perfect in word will also be perfect in action (v.2). However, as he goes on describing the world of trouble that words bring, he ends with this dire warning. No one can do what he described in the opening paragraph. In a different way, he is sort of describing the same struggle that Paul described in Romans 7:14-20. In both of these passages, we see a tension between doing right and doing wrong. In the case above, James is describing worship and praise of our Lord and Father (good) and cursing men who are made in His likeness (bad). Two verses later (v.12), James reminds us why this is. There is a reason that our words and our actions are so closely tied. He uses an analogy of a fig tree producing olives, or a vine producing figs. This is very close to the analogy that Jesus used, when He said that a good tree produces good fruit, and He was describing that our words are the overflow of our hearts (Luke 6:43-45).

A) There will be only limited victory in my words, just as with my actions, if my heart is not set on Jesus Christ, alone. Just as with any struggle against a tempting behavior, a white-knuckle approach to controlling my tongue will only leave me exhausted and then defeated. Thankfully, my defeats are not my death, and in Jesus I have victory and strength to get back on my feet. I don't want to be careless with my words, but I also don't want to have to take a vow of silence in order to not say poisonous things. On the contrary, I want to speak words of life, of healing, of encouragement, and peace. This is not done through anything of my own, but only as my heart is set fully on Christ, having my heart submitted to His kingship. There is a throne room in my heart, and if the Spirit of Christ fills it, then I will bear good fruit in both my words and my actions. What I absolutely cannot do, is try to make amends for my mistakes, my failures, by trying to impress God. If I am trying to worship Him with one hand, and worship myself (or anything else) with the other, then I am actually making a profane mockery of my Lord. If I am trying to bless God and curse men with the same breath, which God alone gives, then I am not making atonement, but blaspheming His name. There is always a place for repentance and confession, and apologizing for wrongs. Doing that is inviting the grace of the gospel to be fresh in my life. Doing that is tearing down whatever false god I have erected in my heart, and inviting Jesus alone to be enthroned there.

P) Father, You are holy and worthy of truth worship. Please forgive me for my double-talk. Forgive me for my silence. Help me, Father, to clean out the temple of my heart, that there would be no idolatry there. Create in me a clean heart. I am a man of unclean lips. Purify me, by the atoning blood of Jesus, and wash me clean. Let my words and my actions reflect a clean and submissive heart. I want to bring honor to Your name, Lord. I know that I cannot tame my tongue. If I could, I would be able to tame all the members of my body, but sin persists in my life. Yet, I know that in You I have victory. You are more than able, Lord, to give me victory in my words and deeds. When I do suffer defeat, let me fix my eyes on Jesus, to get back on my feet to fight again. Strengthen my heart within me, Lord. All to Your glory. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 07/18/2016; James 2:5

Today's reading: Isaiah 32, 33, 34, 35; James 2

S) "⁵ Listen, my beloved brethren: did not God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?"

James 2:5 (NASB)

O) The context here, is that James was giving a warning, a reminder to the churches not to show partiality. Specifically, he was warning them against preferring wealthy people in their congregations. In the next two verses (vv.6-7), he also reminds the church that it is often the wealthy who are contending with the church. But, he does start on a more positive reminder. Throughout Scripture, we see that God has always had a heart for the poor of this world. In the Old Testament, there were actual commands to specifically care for the poor (like leaving a portion of the harvest for them to glean). The prophets almost uniformly condemned the nations of Israel and Judah, because there was persistent mistreatment of the poor. But, James reveals another facet of the poor, another thing they tend to have: faith. And why is that? God ordained it this way. The poor need Him, and open eyes and open ears come from God alone. Furthermore, it was always God's plan that the gospel be preached to the poor (see Matthew 11:5, Luke 14:21). The poor have no one else to save them, except God. And so, it seems throughout the world, that the poor have more faith in God's provision, salvation, grace, mercy, and love. Jesus warned that a man cannot serve both God and wealth, but a poor man has no such choice to make. Jesus also promised that the kingdom of God belongs to the poor (see Luke 6:20). Not only should we be careful to show no partiality to the rich, but we should be discerning enough to understand that often times, the poor of this world will be more qualified for use in God's hands, according to God's standard of evaluation.

A) This verse is actually a great comfort to me, because I have been poor most of my life. The exception, when I was doing well financially, I was terribly poor in my spirit (see my entry on Revelation 3:17). There have been times, as a husband and father, when I have been terribly frustrated, even depressed to a point, about my apparent inability to make more money for my wife and kids. There have been times when debts seem to sprout from nowhere, and financial hardships pile against me. However, in all that time, through all those struggles, here I am. God is faithful. I am not the provider for my family, my Lord is. I am His faithful servant. Because of those hardships, because of the lean months, I have learned to pray through. I have learned of the depths to His faithfulness. I have learned to trust Him completely, to meet our every need. I am thankful that I have been poor as much as I have been, because it has given me an unshakeable faith.

P) Father God, thank You for changing my mind about my low circumstances. Thank You for the grace at work, in redeeming me from my wrong view of money and success. Whatever it takes to keep me close to You, that's what I want for the rest of my life circumstances. If I must be poor in order to serve You better, then that is exactly what I want. Thank You for giving me the faith I have, for opening my eyes to see Your power and might, for opening my ears to hear the gospel and truth. I confess that I am still prone to idolizing a blessing. Help me to not view poverty as superior, then. James warned us not to prefer the wealthy, but I don't want to show partiality to anyone. Help me to lay aside preconceived ideas, and see people for who they are in Christ. Help me to maintain contentment, by focusing on You and the heavenly things. Let me continue to live modestly, using the resources that You do give me, to further Your purposes, kingdom, and the preaching of the gospel. Let Your will be done, whether I am wealthy or poor. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 07/17/2016; James 1:19-20

Today's reading: Isaiah 29, 30, 31; James 1

S) "¹⁹ This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; ²⁰ for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God."

James 1:19-20 (NASB)

O) There are a few things to note in this brief passage from James (also, this opening chapter is just as full of richness as any sing chapter of the Bible). For starters, James did not shy away from reputation or redundancy. With a topic so important as this, it had been discussed preciously. But, it's importance is exactly the reason he wants to reiterate it. Jesus Himself taught us to be careful with our words, so being slow to speak and quick to listen, these are already in line with His teaching. Just pausing on those two principles for a moment, these are really a matter of love. When someone is talking to us, let alone teaching from a place of authority, we love them by patiently listening. We love a person by hearing them out, by seeking to better understand their heart, not just their words. We love them by waiting our turn to speak, preferring them above ourselves, and giving them the first right to express their heart (as Jesus said, our words are an expression of our heart). This matter of being quick to listen and slow to speak, is an outward expression of our humility. The second part, being slow to anger, is an inward reflection or our humility. Again, so much of this has to do with preferring one another. This is still a matter of love, and being unselfish. Just as we have long been taught to be holy as the LORD is holy, it should also be our goal to have His other righteous characteristics. One of the most common descriptions of God throughout all Scripture, is that He is slow to anger. It should be our aim to be like Him this way. Patience requires humility. Patience requires trust in God. This rolls right into the next point James makes. We are emotional beings. We received these emotions from God, who Himself is an emotional being. He has regret and grief (see Genesis 6:5-6), He has joy and pleasure (see Psalm 149:4, Matthew 3:17). He also has anger. Sometimes that anger has a quick result (2 Samuel 6:7), and sometimes the result is a long time coming (see Ecclesiastes 8:11). The main thing, and this cannot be forgotten, is that God is perfect in His emotions, and we are not. Our emotions are often born from our brokenness. Because He is operating from perfection, His emotional reactions are perfect. Because we are operating from broken hearts, from sinful character, from incomplete information, we are prone to wrong emotional reactions. While the emotions themselves, and even anger itself, is not exactly a sin (see Ephesians 4:26), what James teaches us is that there is a significant difference between what he calls the anger of man, and what we understand to be God's perfectly justified anger. We simply are not able to operate in our own anger, and also operate for His righteous purposes. Now, if we are angered by the same things that anger God, that could, maybe, possibly, be different. But, before we are tempted to say it is good for us to share His anger, again, there is the matter of humility. We must trust that if there is injustice, pain, or evil at work, that our Lord is sovereign and just, and vengeance belongs to Him alone. We don't need to share in His anger, when we trust in His character. He sees every injustice. He is sovereign, and He alone has the right to say when and how a person ought to be punished for their evil behaviors. Nothing will escape His perfect, righteous judgment. No one can fool God, no one will escape His mighty arm.

A) James goes on to describe how difficult it is to control the tongue (chapter 3), and I first hear that passage from a Third Day song, "Nothing At All." That so g was a heavy conviction to me, and 20 years later, it still is. When I first hear it, I was living with constant chaos in my home. My mom and step-dad argued, fought, yelled constantly. Saying nasty things to people was commonplace at home, as siblings learned to say searing things from parents who harnessed bitterness to hurl blame. As I worked through those teen years, I saw the truth of Scripture regarding the dange of words. But, in a lot of ways, my pendulum swung too far. I became afraid to speak, in a lot of ways. Early in my relationship with Kristin, if we had a fight about something, I tended to clam up. So afraid, I was, that I would say things I couldn't unsay. Over the years, my understanding has changed, and God has been working my pendulum back to balance. The Scripture does not say, "be quick to shut up." Speaking is still important. I should be measured and careful with my words, but I should still have them. Also, being quick to hear is just as important as slow to speak. That has been a process, too, as I still struggle with patience while listening to people. Sometimes, I genuinely have to pray before a conversation, that God will help me hear the other person. Otherwise I am tempted to go into "fix it" mode, and I am certainly prone to interrupt them, too. About anger, there was a time when that was a very real struggle to me. Some of that was circumstantial, and the rest has been the grace of God delivering me from anger and giving me peace. There are still times, specific things, that I know will tempt my anger, but generally this part of the passage is a reminder for me to consciously put my trust in God as judge. My anger is never going to accomplish His righteousness. His anger is perfectly held by Him alone, as He needs none of my help with His emotion.

P) Father, You are a perfect judge. You see the heart of man, my heart, when I can only see the outer man. I am seldom in a place to see myself clearly, let alone others. Help me to be patient, to consciously be motivated by love, to hear people when they speak. Let love motivate me to speak up, and to seek Your guidance for the words to speak. Let me trust that my wife, that my kids, my brothers and sisters, can hear me with the same grace You have given me, given to them also. Injustice persists in the world, God. Help me be patient, and to put my trust in You by daily, humble, submission to Your sovereignty and wisdom. You have every right to show mercy to whom You'll show mercy, to be patient with whom You'll be patient, and to execute judgment on whom You will judge. Let me remember how much I rely on Yiur mercy and patience, as I place my trust in Jesus' sacrifice in place of my own judgment. Thank You for the grace at work in me. I ask that You continue to give me wisdom and patience in my conversations, and freedom from anger, as I humble myself as Your servant. Let Your will be done. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 07/16/2016; Hebrews 13:1-2

Today's reading: Isaiah 25, 26, 27, 28; Hebrews 13

S) "¹ Let love of the brethren continue. ² Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it."

Hebrews 13:1-2 (NASB)

O) These are some closing thoughts from the writer. Admonishing and encouraging, he sort of jumps from topic to topic, briefly touching on each. Starting with love makes sense, because everything we are doing should be rooted in love. Considering his audience, again he knew that these Hebrew Christians needed to remain connected to their brethren, because many of them would have lost their family ties, and they needed the support and community of their Christian brothers and sisters. But, this love turns outward in service, as the writer reminds us that our neighbors are anyone around us. It is worth noting that the word "angel" in Greek, simply means "messenger," and doesn't necessarily refer to a heavenly angel. It is possible that the writer meant a heavenly angel. That would be neat, I suppose, to consider that we might be sent a supernatural test of our generosity and kindness, that a heavenly angel may cross our paths in order that we might prove our willing love. But, that doesn't strike me as any more motivating than simply helping the poor, which Jesus Himself said would always be with us. Given the context, that entertaining one of these angels should be a motivation, it seems to me to make the most sense that he meant an earthly angel, an earthly messenger. Christianity was under heavy persecution, and among Jews there would have been plenty of reason for a messenger from a church or another city, to not necessarily make himself publicly known. However, to hospitably entertain such a stranger, to serve, feed, shelter, or help him along, would be a great help given the circumstances of both him, and the church as a whole, especially at that time.

A) Whichever is the case, showing hospitality takes effort for me. I'm not unkind, but I have a tendency to be more than a little antisocial. Loving my Christian brothers and sisters (wen I know they're believers), tends to be easier to me. The idea of literally inviting a stranger into my home, in my present culture, is a little bit terrifying to me. Still, that's probably why the command to love the brethren was so short, and the command to love strangers, and how and why, was a longer command. I don't think I have to invite strangers to sleepovers at my house in order to be hospitable, but I need to take time to care. I don't want to just give a sandwich to a stranger, or a dollar because of a sign. I want to stop, get out of my car. I want to talk to them, learn who they are, and pray for them. Also, not all strangers are poor, homeless, vagabonds. I can certainly be hospitable and generous to others, and even invite them over for dinner, before learning they are brethren. and maybe gaining a long time friend. Or, who knows, maybe I entertain a heavenly angel and never know it.

P) Father, at the root of all this is love. Thank You for loving me. Thank You for loving me first, that I even understand what it means to love others. Lead me by the Holy Spirit within me, to be bold with my love. Help me to step out with hospitality, with patience, with love. If I help the gospel and the church advance, then all the better for Your glory. If I gain a friend, then I am grateful. If I never see them again and it turns out they are a heavenly angel, well then I pray that I pass the test ad bring You joy, Father God. I just want to honor You, by calling myself Yours, and loving others well. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.