Again and Again

Jesus comes again!—and not only in the future when He returns at the close of the Age. Then He will make a final gathering of His people unto Himself. But He also comes presently—again and again and again—into everyday life. He comes into every situation where He is welcome, and He brings His life with Him.

Many parables tell us to eagerly look for Jesus—to anticipate His coming. If we limit out interpretation of these passages to the Second Coming of Christ we might miss the joy of His entry into our daily lives.

Jesus said, Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning; and you yourselves be like men who wait for their master, when he will return from the wedding, that when he comes and knocks they may open to him immediately. (Lk. 12:35,36 NKJV)

We want to be ready for the second coming of Christ. But we also want to be ready to welcome Him today. If we continually welcome Him into our present lives, we will welcome Him at any point in our future. Look for Jesus. He is coming!

Originally published May 10, 1991.
Picture: Como Park Conservatory, St. Paul, 2009. Photo by Solveig.

Fully Trained

Some of Jesus’ teaching are so familiar we tend to gloss over them. Well, of course, we say. Until we try to live them. Then they become difficult.

Teachings like, If you love those who love, what credit is that to you . . . love your enemies. . . . (Lk. 6:32a,35a NIV)

Perhaps we have trouble living the teachings of Jesus because we do not submit to his training. Jesus told us we would never rise above our master. He said, everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher. (v. 40b)

So who is our master? Is it Jesus?

The ability to love those who do not love in return is not natural. We cannot love on our own even when we try to love. But we can love if we focus on Jesus, because we discover He loves us. If we demonstrate love because we know by faith that He is alive—and that He lives in us—His love becomes reality through us.

Jesus trains us when we look to Him. It can become a lifestyle.

Originally published June 21, 1985.
Picture: Como Park Conservatory, St. Paul, 2009. Photo by Solveig.

Sound Doctrine

When people today use the word doctrine, they usually refers to specific concepts about truth and/or about God. Most Christians agree that doctrine based on Biblical teaching is important. We should examine our beliefs carefully—study them in light of God’s Word.

But a passage in Paul’s letter to Titus challenges our ideas about doctrine. Paul uses the word in a different context. He begins, You must teach . . . sound doctrine. (Titus 2:1 NIV) So far, so good. But the verses that follow indicate that his doctrine relates to lifestyle rather than concepts. For example, [T]each the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance. (v. 2)

Paul continues with similar standards that are directed toward older women, then younger men and women, and then others. He concludes the segment of his letter with, For the grace of God . . . teaches us to say “no” to ungodliness and worldly passions. . . . (v. 11a,12a)

This doesn’t mean we should abandon doctrine as a belief system. It does mean we should expand the meaning to include applications. How do our beliefs affect our daily life? That is the true measure of doctrine.

Originally published May 6, 1983.

Markedly Different

True wisdom is rare. For examples, look at politics and science. Many political solutions create new problems. And science, although it offers advances through technology, often causes unforeseen residual effects. And so, while politicians and scientists keep busy, detached intellectuals view our dilemma with little hope.

Against this backdrop, listen to Scripture’s view of man’s attempt at wisdom: Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? (I Cor. 1:20 NKJV)

This doesn’t mean God opposes critical thinking or pursuing knowledge. The more we know about creation, the more we appreciate our Creator. And God specifically tells us to pray for political leaders.

Nevertheless, God’s wisdom is markedly different from man’s wisdom. God’s wisdom focuses on the person of Jesus. It creates new lifestyles in those who turn to Him. And that’s godly wisdom.

Originally published April 27, 1990.