Tag: Paul Nordman

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Saying “Yes” to a Friend

I read a book years ago, God’s Covenant of Blessing, written by John P. Milton, an Old Testament professor at Luther Theological Seminary. It was as dry as toast, yet rich as scones. So I’ll summarize Milton’s overview of “covenant” as best as I can, and then let’s plug it into our lives.

Biblical covenant is a set of stipulations initiated by God, aimed at becoming an agreement between Him and mankind. God’s covenants consist in terms of promises or commands, and oftentimes both. Note God’s call to Abraham: “Go from your country . . . to the land I will show you [command]. I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you . . .[promise]”1 Mankind may accept or reject God’s covenants, but we may not help determine their content. God’s covenants become mutual when say “yes” to His promises by believing them, and when we say “yes” to His commands by obeying them. Unbelief or disobedience, on the other hand, are tantamount to rejection. Abraham chose “yes,” as James writes: “Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, ‘Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,’ and he was called God’s friend.”2

So God’s covenants are, at heart, relational. Think about it: “God’s friend”—what a blessing, what an honor! Shortly before His crucifixion, Jesus assured His disciples, “You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants . . . but I have called you friends.”3 Note we are still called to obedience, though no longer as servants, but now as friends. So Jesus commands, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.”4 For Jesus also promises, “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”5

Jesus assures us, “[The Holy Spirit] lives with you and will be in you.”6 Do we believe this? Then let’s go! He also declares, “Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit.”7 Do we believe this? Then let’s sow. Wherever the Spirit sends us, whatever He call us to do, we must, for His burden is light and His promises are sure. This is covenant relationship.

“Blessed . . . are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”8—Jesus

Father, no matter how many promises you have made, they are “Yes” in Christ.9 Send us forth in this confidence, that we would do your will. In Christ we pray. Amen.

1 Genesis 12:1-3 NIV
2 James 2:21-23 NIV, emphasis added
3 John 15:14-15 ESV
4 Matthew 28:19-20a ESV
5 Matthew 28:20b ESV
6 John 14:17 NIV
7 John 15:5 ESV
8 Luke 11:28 NIV
9 2 Corinthians 1:20 NIV

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That Our Faith May Not Fail

“I am so tempted to . . .”

How many times have we uttered this phrase and whatever follows? In our culture, “being tempted” to say or do something against another is to suggest we are inwardly inclined toward it, somehow feeling both justified and convicted at the same time. Biblically, however, temptation is revealed as far more insidious—rooted in evil and deliberately perpetrated against us by an outside actor, Satan, or “the tempter,”1 as Matthew described him. In this truest sense, “I am so tempted” is to recognize the evil one is deceptively luring me into disbelieving God’s promises and disobeying His commands. Jesus once told His bold disciple, “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail.”2 What were the spoils in this celestial tug of war? Simon’s faith: Satan would topple it; Jesus would buttress it.

Have you ever been tempted to disbelieve in Jesus as the Son of God and our eternal life found solely in Him? I have, insofar as there is an active tempter, our adversary, who “prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”3 The devil would destroy us, and none of us are exempt from his hate. At times, I’ve been fearful of misplaced faith; other times I’ve feared eternal nothingness. Still other times, I’ve futilely sought out a feeling upon which to base my faith, instead of entrusting myself to the One who, in turn, elates my soul. These temptations are both common and serious in our battle “against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.”4 And it was clearly on Paul’s mind upon writing to the church in Thessalonica, “I sent to learn about your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labor would be in vain.”5

But Jesus is who He says He is and He does as He has promised to do. Of His people—His “sheep”—Jesus assures us, “no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.”6 And of our enemy, the devil, Peter instructs us and assures us even more: “Resist him, firm in your faith . . . And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.”7 We find this to be true. For He is faithful. Praise His name.

Lord, you are faithful. You will establish us and guard us against the evil one.8 You are our strength; you are our hope. Thank you for your faithfulness to us, your people. In Christ we glory. Amen.

1 Matthew 4:3 ESV
2 Luke 22:31 ESV, emphasis added
3 1 Peter 5:8 ESV
4 Ephesians 6:12 NLT
5 1 Thessalonians 3:5 ESV
6 John 10:29 ESV
7 1 Peter 5:9-10 ESV
8 2 Thessalonians 3:3 ESV

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Achieve Your Purpose in Life

“Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”—1 Corinthians 10:31

Consider Paul’s exhortation for a moment: “whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” Most of us would confess that seeking God’s glory is not the default setting of our earthly motivations. It is aspirational, perhaps for some, yet even seemingly spiritual ideals can be rooted in the thorny soil of self. The great reformer, Martin Luther, observed that our sin nature is so deeply curved in on itself that it bends even the best gifts of God towards itself and it seeks all things, even God, for its own sake. This is not God’s design for us; in fact, it is antithetical to our purpose in His creation as spoken through His prophet, Isaiah: “Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth—everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.”1 Then today, let us contemplate our noble purpose, glorifying God . . .

In our forgiveness. “For your name’s sake, O Lord, pardon my guilt, for it is great.” (Psalm 25:11)

In our faith. “In this you rejoice . . . so that the tested genuineness of your faith . . . may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 1:6-7)

In our outreach. “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:6)

In our spiritual gifts. “If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 4:11)

In our salvation. “He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace.” (2 Timothy 1:9)

In our unity in Christ. “May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 15:5-6)

In our gratitude. “The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me.” (Psalm 50:23)

And through all of these, our fruitfulness. “This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” (John 15:8)

God’s glory is our purpose. He himself is our focal point. He is where we are going. He is deserving of all glory, now and forever.

“Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.”2 Yes, Lord, for you are worthy. Amen.

1 Isaiah 43:6-7 NIV, emphasis added
2 Psalm 29:2 NIV