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True Belief: Reliance on God

Upon retiring a decade ago, I chose to take half my pension in a lump sum and the remainder in a series of monthly installments. The initial check was to come via courier on a certain day, so I waited for the doorbell — surely they would hand over my treasure face-to-face. As the day went on, I became progressively edgier until, stepping out the front door at one point, I glanced down and noticed an envelope half sticking out from beneath our welcome mat. There it lay, half of a pension built up over 35 years of hard work, now exposed with all the “protection” of a doormat. At that moment and all the way to the bank, I couldn’t wait to get this life savings transfer instrument out of my clutches and safely into the hands of those on whose security I could rely.

In John’s first letter to the early church, and specifically in 1 John 4:7 – 5:5, the apostle mentioned “love” or its variations — “loves,” “loved,” and “loving” — 32 times in 20 short verses. The passage is as much refreshing as amazing. Yet buried in all this love-speak was another four-letter word worth exploring: rely. John writes: “If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.”1 Most versions accurately translate the word as “believe,” yet the NIV’s use of “rely” here urges us toward a level of belief far beyond mental assent, to a relinquishment of self-will and complete entrustment of our entire lives to God, whose ways and thoughts are infinitely higher than ours.2

Paul exemplifies belief to the point of reliance. “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”3 The bold apostle understood true belief means relinquishing self-will and relying completely on God. Of his former religious achievements and repute, Paul now considered “everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ.”4 This is the kind of belief to which we are called, belief to the point of entrustment. This is life safely deposited in Christ on whose love we can rely. Take it to the bank.

“Your life is now hidden with Christ in God.” — Colossians 3:3 NIV

Father, You are good, and in goodness You reach out to us. So fill us with the knowledge of Your love that we would joyfully rely on You every step of our lives. In Christ we pray. Amen.

1 1 John 4:15-16 NIV
2 Isaiah 55:6
3 Galatians 2:20 NIV
4 Philippians 3:8 NIV

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Where Division Comes To Die

It was the summer before Matthew’s senior year of high school when Peggy and I took him on a college visit to the University of Chicago. Together with other prospective students and their parents, we gathered in an auditorium for a Q&A session with a panel of UChicago undergrads. At one point in the open, positive exchange, a young guest asked, “Why should I not come here?” One of the panelists answered perhaps a bit too quickly, “We sometimes call this ‘the place where fun comes to die,’” he replied, adding, “The library is full on Friday night.” That’s all Matthew needed to hear. He enrolled at Washington University in St. Louis.

Had the young panelist paused momentarily, he might have made his point more palatably, e.g., “The hard work you put in at a university of this caliber will position you to excel in your professional career.” That said, let’s apply his more earthy approach in our study of Christian unity. For our overflowing life in Christ, our eternal oneness in Him, must be the place where division comes to die. What might this look like? The Scriptures show us.

Regarding our persecutors. “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”2 Be the place where division comes to die.

Regarding our oppressors. “If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.”3 Be the place where division comes to die.

Regarding our offenders. “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. . . If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”4 Be the place where division comes to die.

Regarding our relationships. “If you are offering your gift [to God] and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift . . . and go. First be reconciled to your brother.”5 Be the place where division comes to die.

Regarding situational differences. “Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.”6 Be the place where division comes to die.

Regarding earthly government. “I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.”7 Be the place where division comes to die.

Regarding others’ flaws. “Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.”8 Be the place where division comes to die.

Father, when we were separated from You, You brought us near to You by the blood of Christ.9 May we, in Him, be vessels of unity and overcomers of division today. In Christ we pray. Amen.

1 Today’s post augments our “unity series,” which ran weekly from February 26 through June 13.
2 Matthew 5:44-45 ESV
3 Matthew 5:41 ESV
4 Romans 12:17-18 NIV
5 Matthew 5:23-24 ESV
6 Romans 12:16 NIV
7 1 Timothy 2:1-2 ESV
8 Colossians 3:13 NLT
9 Ephesians 2:12-13

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God Turns Our Negatives into His Positives

“How am I going to answer their question about my GPA?” the college senior sighed. As his job interview drew steadily nearer, Ben1 now fretted openly about his good-but-not-great transcript. “Just turn the negative into a positive,” chimed my wife Peggy, optimistically. “How am I going to do that?” he skeptically rejoined. “Just tell him since you played college sports and worked full time while also taking a full class load, you weren’t always able to adequately prepare for exams. A better demonstration is that you passed three CPA exams on your first try and since passed the last one.” It was Ben who broke the silence that ensued, “Can you say that again? I want to write that down.”

Sometimes we let our apparent situation — and the past experiences that led us there — define who we are and obscure our trust in God. Absent understanding, doubt stymies confidence, perhaps, or despair stifles hope. But how many times must God redeem our past before we rest in Him today and trust Him for tomorrow? When Joseph’s brothers feared his retribution for their mistreatment of him, he pointed them to God’s larger purpose: “You intended to harm me,” he said, “but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”2 And when Jesus’ disciples saw Him walking on the water toward them, they cried out in fear. “But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.’”3 We regard circumstances in our finite way, but God rules over them in Sovereignty and ultimately for His glory. “And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, ‘Truly you are the Son of God.’”4

How has God acted in your life? How has He turned your failures into His glory? When you look back today, can you see His ongoing transformational work in you? If so, is He not praiseworthy? Remember where you were when God met you, chose you, called you, drew you, saved you, liberated you, and raised you from death to life. What does His action speak to us — perpetual blame and condemnation, or eternal acceptance as His adopted sons and daughters? In His great mercy, God turns our negatives into His positives. For “we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”5

Say that again; write that down.

Epilogue. When asked about his GPA in the interview, Ben replied with his readied response. “That’s a really good answer,” marveled his questioner. Ben got the job.

Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!6 In Christ we pray. Amen.

1 This name is changed for privacy purposes.
2 Genesis 50:20 NIV
3 Matthew 14:27 ESV
4 Matthew 14:33 ESV
5 Romans 8:28 NASB
6 Psalm 139:23-24 ESV