Even more....2 Corinthians 1:3-5

Even more.......

2 Corinthians 1:3-5 ESV
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, [4] who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. [5] For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.

There is a "Why" to the comfort we receive from God and if there is a "Why" for that comfort there is a "Why" for the affliction as well.  First, we have to understand and accept that as Jesus said, we will have tribulation in this world.  It is a fallen, broken world, a far cry from what God intended.  It is a sin ravaged world, warped and twisted, full of sorrow and woe.  Until He returns ( Please God let it be soon!).  We will suffer travesty and affliction.  But affliction is not without purpose.

First, affliction proclaims the creation's brokenness, man's fallenness and the desperate need for a redeemer.  It isn't how it should be!  It must be righted but only God in Christ can right it.  Second, afflictions are intended to demonstrate man's individual and collective need to be dependent upon God.  Third, afflictions demonstrate God's mercy as He brings comfort in or resolution to our afflictions.  Fourth, afflictions are intended to draw us to the only source of purpose and comfort.

Like afflictions, comfort has a purpose that is beyond simply easing our discomfort.  The comfort we receive from God is intended to be passed to others in need, others suffering from affliction.  It is a mercy that is to be extended beyond the recipient to the next person.  It is to be shared abroad to His glory and honor.

Now for an aside.  For over 20 years I have had the privilege of serving, "the least of these."  From the homeless to the addicted to the mentally ill, God has allowed me to serve these oh so special men and women.  Why?  Simply put, because there is typically no ministry to them within the local church.  Right doctrine and a correct worship style are important and good but if there is no ministry to the broken and hurting then the church is failing to fulfill her whole warrant.  There is little, if any true pastoral ministry in most churches today.  By "pastoral" in this context I mean Christ centered, Bible based, "out of the pulpit and on the front lines," ministry.  I refer to the warrant to the church:

1 Thessalonians 5:14 ESV
And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.

That is not pulpit work, that is people work.  That is the work of passing on that comfort with which God comforts us.

Enough of that "bunny trail."

You should understand that in this verse it does not refer to how God "got us through" the affliction but rather how God is comforting us "IN" our dynamic, on going, current affliction.  We are comforted in the affliction we suffer NOW so we may comfort others in the affliction they suffer NOW!  In this verse it is not about the affliction God resolved but it is about the affliction in my life that is unresolved in which God is comforting me.  It is not, "I once went through that and God ......." but rather, "I am suffering X and God is comforting my by Y."

 Certainly we can offer the comfort we received during an affliction that God has since resolved, but we are to be offering comfort even while we undergo an unresolved affliction.  This is a dynamic, in the midst of the affliction offer of the comfort we are receiving!

It is getting out there in the midst of the pain and connecting with a brother or sister in Christ who is dealing with some affliction and connecting with them to share the comfort we are experiencing.  It is not giving some testimony of a deliverance, but a testimony to active comfort in an active affliction.

But alas, we are taught in most local churches to not do this, to keep our afflictions (and comfort) to ourselves.  We are not to disturb the nice neat order with our messy afflictions.  Instead, we are typically sent out into the wilderness to find our own comfort, admonishment, encouragement,  and help.

Pray brothers and sisters and pray hard that God will correct this short-fall in His churches.  Are you in some affliction and are you receiving comfort from our loving God?  Then pray that He will connect you with someone who needs you to share that comfort.  Are you suffering some affliction?  Then pray God will send someone in affliction who has God's comfort to share.

Finger Thinking 081514

Well, we are in Midland, Texas which we suppose God intends to be our new home.  It was a tough road getting here but through the prayers, encouragement and support of “family” we made it safe and sound if not a little bedraggled.

What have we learned from this journey God has taken us on?  At least, what have we learned so far?

Certainly we have learned that God is faithful.  When we follow His lead, and we suppose we are doing so, He provides and protects.  There were so many times along the way when means and methods were unknown.  And there were times when we committed to “tough it out” in the flesh and He intervened with a solution.  He also provided the peace to pass through any glitches and upset we met along the way.

He provides and protects when we are yielded to His will and His way.  His way may be simple but never confuse that with easy.  Of course we’re the ones who really make it hard. We make our plans and projections and we make our assumptions and we charge ahead without really taking the time to pray and read the Word and reflect.  We certainly find it hard to seek godly counsel (Oh, my – you means share my trials and doubts?)

So far I’ve learned that, at least for me, it is important to be responsible and to make plans BUT I’ve got to leave the final outcome – even the process to Him.  Many things didn’t work out the way we thought they would.  BUT they did work out and are working out still.  So far all the “endings” have been blessed.

I’ve also learned that the Christian family that one builds – that may or may not be members of your particular “church” – are to be cherished and loved and cared for.  It is, at least in our case, through this “family” that God has so richly blessed this move, this great change in our lives.

We ARE very blessed to have such a wonderful “family” back in G’bo.  Through you God sustained us and through you God got us where we are.  We are humbled by your love and faithfulness and grateful for each of you and the part you played in getting us here.

We miss you and pray that from here we may continue to be a part of your lives and growth - just as we hope you will be part of ours.  We refuse to close the page on G’bo.  There is just too much of us still there for us to be able to turn the page much less start a new book.

I hope in the coming days to write for you like I used to and that you and I will be blessed by the interchange.  You are missed, you are loved.

Free slaves?!? Faithful Master!!!!

Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.   (1Pe 2:16)

Free!

Free?

But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life.   (Rom 6:22)

This is the whole of our freedom.

Whether Peter is referring to a freedom from the Law is not certain, but we know that Paul references it:

For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.   (Gal 5:13)

We are free from the bondage of sin and free from any pretense that we can in and of ourselves resolve the conflict we had with God when we were still unredeemed. 

We are free but it is not a wide-open freedom rather it is a freedom in Christ, by Christ and for Christ.  What we undertake, that we cannot undertake in His name, is never an act of freedom.

Jesus said:

"Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.  (Joh 8:34-36)

Sin and freedom are mutually exclusive.  We are free from the imposed rule of sin but when we sin, we are submitting to that which has no rights over us.  When we sin, we are re-shackling ourselves – binding ourselves to that from which we have been loosed.

We receive our freedom for we have been redeemed, forgiven, saved.  But though the grace of God has no limits for us, to abuse and misuse it, to rebel against His rightful authority over us, is to bring into question the surety of our redemption. 

Consider:

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,   (Heb 12:1)

Forgiven we may be – free of sin’s bondage we may be – but free of Christ, never. 

It is sometimes the way of believers to see themselves so utterly apart from the “world” that they may do or say what they will for they are “saved.”  Yet ours is a freedom that is defined by the One who provided it, the One into whose hands God has delivered all things.

Many use their freedom to vilify unbelievers.  Many use their freedom as a red cape to a bull.  Many use their freedom as an excuse to disassociate from those to whom they are called to witness.  Many use their freedom to – just go along as they have – only avoiding the grosser types of sins.

But this verse has a catch.  We are free – free servants of God.

But – that word “servants” is troublesome.  The “authorities” I regularly consult in my studies hold that it is more accurately translated slave.

One reason for this is quite simply:

for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.   (1Co 6:20)

and 

For he who was called in the Lord as a slave is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is a slave of Christ. You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men.   (1Co 7:22-23)

We were bought out of our bondage to sin to be the slaves of Christ.  In this we have great freedom – freedom from sin and freedom to serve God as His.

Though it may irritate some, our freedom in Christ is far beyond any freedom a document written by man can give – anyone.  The tough side of our freedom is that we are free to be oppressed, harassed and even killed because of it. 

In chains, on the rack, in dungeons, on desert islands, and even in the flames we are free.  We have to keep in mind that this freedom is not of man and indeed is often opposed by man.   With this freedom we need to accept:

Luk 21:17  You will be hated by all for my name's sake.

Father, help me understand and appreciate my freedom as well as Your ownership of me.  Make me quiet and trusting under Your loving hand.  Teach me, patiently, to be a good and faithful servant.  Teach me Your faithfulness as my Master.

Calm my heart and still my mind with the assurance of Your sovereignty and grace.

Amen