We see Jesus

But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honour, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone. – Hebrews 2v9 

I want to include the end of verse eight here for the context – ‘…For in that He put all in subjection under him, He left nothing that is not put under him. But now we do not yet see all things put under him.’ 

Jesus came to ‘put all things under His feet,’ and now they are. Everything is under His control. Obviously we cannot see everything yet. Not seeing it all can be a great frustration. We all want to know why it is all happening. It is not good enough to know what is happening, we want to see the whole picture.

And yet we read here in verse eight that we ‘do not yet see all things put under Him.’ Simply put, we don’t see the whole picture yet. We can’t see it all. 

But then isn’t that what faith is all about? It is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. Faith is about believing in things we cannot see. 

Still we can see something – ‘we see Jesus’ who was made like us so that He might taste death for us.’ When we can’t figure it out and we can’t see what is going on we can still see Jesus. He is the One, as the origin and completion of our faith, that we need to look to. 

We can’t see it all – but we can see Jesus!

Why do You bother with man?

 But one testified in a certain place, saying: “What is man that You are mindful of him, Or the son of man that You take care of him? – Hebrews 2v6 

Think about it – why would God bother with us? He is perfect, holy, righteous, just, omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent, eternal, unchanging, perfectly wise and loving, and so much more. 

We, on the other hand, are wretched, vile, we cannot do good, our feet our swift to shed blood. Man is at enmity with God. Our sin nature dominates and controls us. The best of our good works and righteousness is a stench in His nostrils, nothing more than filthy menstrous rags. 

Why indeed would He bother? There is no one righteous, no, not a single one. All have sinned and fallen short of His glory.

Why? Because ‘He first loved us.” Because, ‘God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son. Because, ‘while we were still sinners Christ died for us.’ 

How do we answer the psalmist as quoted in Hebrews? ‘What is man?’ 

Filthy, wretched, vile, hopeless sinner – yes, but also the object of His divine and perfect love. 

More Earnest Heed

Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. – Hebrews 2v1

It is easy to fall into the trap that the Christian life is something in which we can just coast along and never worry about it. We think that as long as we are going to church and doing the Christian ‘things’ we are okay. We think that coasting along is good enough.

The writer of Hebrews spells it our differently – ‘we must give the more earnest heed to what we have heard.’ If not, we are in danger of drifting away, not from salvation, obviously, but from the strength and stability we find in those truths.

Like everything else our walk with the Lord requires diligent application. If I do not daily apply myself to my marriage the feelings and attachments will drift. The same is true with the things of the Lord. If I don’t apply ,myself regularly to His word and the things I have learned they will, slowly but surely drift away and I will not have that kind of fervent relationship with Him that is so vital.

Living for Him takes constant effort and application. We can’t just sit back and get it by osmosis. To live for Him requires this ‘utmost heed to the things we have heard.’

Ministering spirits

Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation? – Hebrews 1v14

We are back to one of those topics that causes me as many questions as answers. The previous verse has just told us that Jesus is better than the angels, then we are told that they [the angels] are sent forth to ‘minister to those who will inherit salvation.’ From all indications there is some way that the angels today have a role in ministering to believers.

How do they minister to us? What do they do? Do they directly intervene? Do they push us off the railroad tracks just in time to avoid an oncoming train? ( I am nearly convinced that this one happened to us near Corinth, Mississippi? Do they remind us to look just one more time before crossing the road? Do they distract us to keep us from crossing a junction and avoid being hit by a car breaking a traffic light?

I don’t know. But I do trust God’s word enough to believe that they do minister to us.

You remain

They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment; And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail. Hebrews 1v11-12

The older I get the more I realise that truth that everything changes. Things get old and wax away. All my friends are getting older. I visit places where I used to live and can’t recognise them. I watch old news stories and think how young and vivacious the people look and then realise that they are all dead now.

Everything does indeed change and it will continue to do so. One day it is all going to be done. Even this wonderful old earth will have served its purpose and will be ‘folded up like a garment.’

The great thing is that no matter want happens we do have a great Constant. ‘You [Jesus] will remain…you are the same…your years will not fail.’ We get old and pass away. Our friendships and relationships change. Nothing really stays the same.

Yet, how marvellous that our Jesus will still be here at the end. He won’t will still be same, and we will be able to be with Him forever and ever because His years will not cease.

By the word of His power

who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, - Hebrews 1v3

Isn’t amazing how it is so easy for us to think that we know what is best and we could do things so much better than God if we only had the chance? It is easy to question Him when things happen that we don’t like. It is easy to wonder if He is really in control.

There is so much in these first few verses of Hebrews that it is hard to pick out one thing to focus on. Jesus, as the brightness of God’s glory and the perfect expression of His person, now upholds all things by the word of His power. He proved that by the greatest feat of all when He purged our sins and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

The Jesus who upholds all things today is the same Jesus who spoke all things into existence. He is the same Jesus who purged me of my sins. There is nothing I can imagine that would take more power than creating the world and purging my sin.

So what does this all mean? It means that every single moment that goes by Jesus is upholding everything with the power that created the world and purged my sin. He is in control – His power is absolute.

And we dare to think that we could do it better? When do we do that? Every time we question His leadership and the things that He brings into our lives. God is still on the throne with the vast power of His greatness!

Put it on my account

If then you count me as a partner, receive him as you would me. But if he has wronged you or owes anything, put that on my account. – Philemon 1v17-18

Paul knew that it would not be easy for Philemon to accent Onesimus as a brother and an equal. Servitude in those days was often a way to settle a debt. From the context here it looks like Onesimus was such a ‘slave’ who ran away before all of his debts were paid.

Onesimus had become a brother in Christ. Paul was willing to go out of his way to make sure that Philemon and Onesimus had things sorted out. Paul’s words were simple enough – ‘if you count me as a partner in Christ receive Onesimus back just like you would receive me.’

He took it further though – ‘if he still owes you anything put it on my account.’ It is hard to argue with those words or that attitude.

Paul was trying to set an example. He was willing to take on Onesimus debts even if he was not involved at all. I don’t know if sarcasm was ever a part of Paul’s speech, but it almost seems it here because he goes on to say, ‘you owe me your own self besides.’

Here is a great lesson in forgiveness. It does not appear to be much room for an attitude that says, “you owe me this or that and I am going to get it back!’

Think of the debt Jesus forgave us. Do we have any room to hold the debts of others against them?

For love’s sake I appeal to you

Therefore, though I might be very bold in Christ to command you what is fitting, yet for love's sake I rather appeal to you being such a one as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ - Philemon 1v8-9

There is a lot that we can learn from Paul and how he deals with people. Here he is going to need to deal with Philemon on a difficult issue. Onesimus was Philemon’s slave who had run away. Paul had met him and Onesimus had been saved. Paul was writing to ask Philemon to take him back as a brother in Christ.

Paul mentions that he has the authority to command Philemon to take him back, but that is not how Paul likes to operate. “I want to appeal to you for love’s sake.’ So much of what Paul says and does is based on attitudes even more that actions. He did not want Philemon to receive Onesimus back because he had to. He would rather Philemon receive him back out of love. He wanted Philemon to do it just because that is how brothers and sisters in Christ treat each other.

What motives us to do right? Do we do it because we ‘have to’ or do we do it because of the love of Christ and the saints?

What is our motivation? I think it is clear that love should be out key motivating factor.

Refreshing the hearts

For we have great joy and consolation in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother.
- Philemon 1v7

There is so much about Philemon that I admire. I have always been challenged by Paul’s words when he writes that ‘the hearts of the saints’ have been refreshed by Philemon.

I love to be around people like that. Being around them is a joy. They are loving and encouraging. You leave feeling like you can face anything because they have encouraged you so much. When you spend time with them you feel like you have been on holiday and have the strength to go on.

On the other hand there are Christians who you dread being around. They have all bad news, discouragement, and defeat. You go in to them feeling bad and walk out feeling worse. You feel like, ‘what’s the use?’ Its kind of a ‘paper cut and lemon juice’ situation. They are either angry and belligerent or gloomy and depressing.

I wonder how other people feel after they have been around me. Am I like Philemon, or the doom and gloomers?

I want to be like Philemon. By God’s grace might I be a ‘heart refresher.’

Your love and faith

I thank my God, making mention of you always in my prayers, hearing of your love and faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints, - Philemon 1v4-5

I love this little book of Philemon. One can almost sense the friendship and closeness between Paul and Philemon. It is a perfect illustration of loving instruction, rebuke, and correction.

Philemon must have been quite a guy. I can’t wait to meet him. The church met in his home. I know from experience what that is like. That in itself can be interesting t say the least. I think it is an indication of his character that he was willing to open up his home as a place for believers to meet for worship.

When Paul starts the letter he begins by giving thanks for Philemon and reminding him that he prays for him regularly. Two things stick out from the very start. Paul remembers Philemon’s love and his faith. It is not just his love and faith toward the Lord, but also his love and faith toward al the saints.

I like this combination of love and faith. I can love Christ more because I have faith in Him and my faith increases the more I love him. The more I love others the more I will manifest my faith and the best way to be faithful is to love them more. That doesn’t mean that we overlook sin and faults, but it means that our faith allows us to deal with each other in a loving manner.

The rest of the letter Paul goes on to give Philemon an opportunity to show that wonderful combination of faith and love.

To meet urgent needs

And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful. – Titus 3v14

I am grateful for the training and instruction I received in my early days. It laid a strong and solid foundation that has blessed me greatly. I am glad for the rock solid foundation of the word of God and a love for people.

There is one area that was not big though, and an area that I still need to work on, simply because I don’t think about it. Paul reminds Titus to ‘let our people learn to maintain good works.’ I have to say I honestly strive to do that. I want my works to glorify God and point to the Saviour.

But there is another way to be fruitful – ‘meet urgent needs.’ I am afraid that too often I am not quick to meet these urgent needs. I just don’t make myself aware of them. It is an area that was not a big part of most of the churches I have attended. We left that to the liberal churches.

I know that my lack of training is no excuse though. The word of God is clear; we must be aware of and quick to meet these urgent needs. May I allow God to open my eyes to these ‘urgent needs’ and give me the wisdom to meet them.

Reject a divisive man

Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned. – Titus 3v10-11

Paul writes a lot about peace, love, compassion, forgiveness, not speaking evil, and things like there. It is obvious that this should be the norm amongst believers.

The word ‘reject’ therefore is a strong word for Paul to use. It seems like it must certainly apply to some type of wicked, vile, horrible, reprehensible sin. For believers to reject someone is for them to step out of character.

So what kind of person are we called on to reject here? The King James used the word ‘heretic’ here, but to our modern ears the word ‘divisive man’ better describes the person.

The heretic, the schismatic, the divisive man; how do we deal with that. We have the pattern set back in Matthew – we admonish him once, we admonish him again, and if he still refuses to repent we reject him, totally and absolutely.

We are all going to have differences. We are going to have opinions and ideas. That is normal, but when we let those ideas and opinions cause divisions we must expect rejection.

The body must be unified. We must be one. There is no room for causing divisions. I must be very aware and careful that my own actions or words ever cause divisions amongst believers.

To speak evil of no one

Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. – Titus 3v1-2

I realise that sometimes we must speak out about false teachers. I realise that sometimes we have to expose error. I realise that sometimes we must speak out against dangerous doctrines and people who espouse them.

And yet the word of God is clear that this kind of speech cannot be our normal practice. We as Christians can be quite accomplished tearing people up with our tongues. Sometimes we think that the best way fro us to look good is to make others look bad.

Here though Paul makes it very clear in his words to Timothy – ‘speak evil of no one.’ I think part of the key here that we speak evil of their actions or their teachings without speaking evil of them. Our job is to seek peace, not conflict. We are to seek humility in our dealings – not arrogance.

What would my life and testimony be like if I just took these simple words to heart? What if I determined, by the grace of God not to let my feelings and emotions get in the way and if I acted in humility instead of self-centredness?

‘Speak evil of no one’ is quite a challenge.

Zealous of good works

…who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. – Titus 2v14

God knows just when to bring the right passage into our lives. Such is the case for this passage.

‘Zealous of good works’ means just what it sounds like. As we are God’s own unique personal possession there are certain things expected of us. Part and parcel with our uniqueness should be a zeal and a fire about good works.

Let me share why I was convicted about this. Wednesday afternoon a friend who is a part of our church whenever he is in the country on business called by the house. He told me that he wanted to go and pass out tracts in Dublin on Saturday. To my shame I didn’t have a supply on hand to do that. I was full of reasons why it could not be done, but he was convinced that it was what God wanted us to do, so I contacted our printer. Surprisingly he was able and willing to print up a few hundred Christmas tracts for us by Friday. I ordered them and let my friend know that they would be ready.

I was not going to be able to go because I had meeting scheduled for Saturday, so this was easy enough so far. I don’t like Dublin when it is crowded and handing our big numbers of tracts is not my favourite ministry thing to do.

To make a long story short my meeting was cancelled so I knew that I should go in and help pass out the tracts.

Yesterday morning I read this passage in my devotions. I was smitten because I knew then that I did not have a zeal to do this work. I was going, but only because my meeting was cancelled and my friend would have to go alone if I did not go. I was not going because I was zealous of goods works.

We went after that, my spirit and my attitude were better, and the Lord gave us a great time passing out the tracts. People were receptive and open to receive them for the most part.

I am grateful for this ‘zeal check’ and for a godly friend who encouraged me to do right even with my lack of zeal.

His own peculiar people

Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.. – Titus 2v14

I realise that the word ‘peculiar’ does not mean the same thing that it did in 1611. Today of course it means unusual, or something that is not quite right. When something is not quite right we might say, ‘That’s mighty peculiar,’ but in 1611 readers would have thought something else.

To the average reader in the early 17th century the word ‘peculiar’ meant a person’s special possession. This particular English word was taken from the Latin word ‘peculium.’ The word meant ‘private property’ but originally it meant one’s own cattle, which was the valuable of possessions. It seems that the Greek word here means the same as peculium.

I think the meaning is clear – we are the precious of God’s possessions. Nothing means more to Him than us.

So what does that say when I sin? Am I really acting like His most treasured possession, or am I acting more like I still belong to me.

The verses around this one tell us how his special private property is supposed to act. Do we really act like God’s peculiar people? Do people see that in us, or do they see us acting like we belong to someone else?

Grace has appeared

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, - Titus 2v11

Ah Christmas, I do love it. I don’t like the traffic, the shopping, and the hassle. I do like the family, the fun, the sentiment, and the buzz. I like the focus that it should give us.

At the core of it all is the truth in this passage – ‘the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.’ God chose to send grace through the gift of His some. The grace is there, God provided it for all. Because of Christ all may receive His grace.

But it doesn’t stop there. God’s grace doesn’t stop at salvation. After salvation that grace teaches us how to live. Some may think that grace means we can live any way we want. Paul responded to that in Romans 6 – ‘God forbid – may it never be!’ Grace appeared to save us, but it also appeared to teach us to deny ungodliness, to deny worldly lusts, and to live soberly, righteously, and godly lives in this present world.

The gift of grace saved us, but let us not forget that it also teaches us how to live today.

The question for each of us is, are we willing to listen to the teaching?

A pattern of good works

and in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you. – Titus 2v7-8 

Paul uses similar words of advice to Titus that he gave to Timothy. Paul is always clear that when we serve the Lord we are going to face opposition. No matter what, we are going to have opponents. 

I think it is amazing that the word of God deals with every day practicalities. How do we deal with our opponents? Simple enough take away all their ammunition. ‘Show yourself a pattern of good works….that one who is an opponent may be ashamed and have nothing to say.’ Specifically we are to set a pattern with our good works, set a pattern in doctrine, show integrity, be reverent, be incorruptible, and use sound speech that cannot be condemned. 

Each of these is worth our attention, but I know doe me that the last one is the one that can cause me problems. My mouth is what can get me into most trouble and give others cause to be critical. It is vitally important that my words do not give anyone a chance to condemn me. 

I may still have opponents, but I need to be sure that I give them nothing to use. At the end, whether they admit it or not, they will be ashamed of their attacks. 

The older men

that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience; - Titus 2v2

The older men – not that I am one or anything, but one day I probably will be. As I begin the enter the years of being one of the older men I am wise to pay particular attention to words of guidance.

When I read this I thought of grandfathers. As a granddad I go by ‘Grampy.’ One thing I don’t want to be is an old sourpuss who acts like a ‘grumpy Grampy.’ I also don’t want to be a pushover who spoils the grandchildren by giving them whatever they want. I need to be able to set an example of being solid, instructive, and at the same time loving and patient.

It is that last one that is the tough one. The older we get the harder it can be to be patient with the little ones. They are impetuous, investigative, curious, loud, and they require attention. But as Grampy I try to lovingly and patiently set an example and teach them.

The same holds true for a spiritual Grampy. Instead of being a grumpy Grampy who is always angry and upset, the older men must not waver in their example of being sober, reverent, and temperate. Their (our) faith must be solid. But as we practice those things we must be patient and loving with those who are young and growing.

In works they deny Him

They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work. – Titus 1v16 

We talk a lot, and rightfully so, about the fact that our works have nothing to do with our salvation. We are saved totally, absolutely, completely, and totally by the grace of God. Nothing can ever change that. 

It is important though to remember that we are not saved by our good works, but we are saved in order to do good works, because God ordained before the foundation of the world that his children would do good works. Those who are saved will show it by their works. 

Here Paul talks about some false professors. The evidence of their false profession is this – ‘they profess to know God, but their works deny Him. Then he goes on to use some pretty harsh words. 

No one expects us to be perfect. We are going to battle with sin and we are going to blow it at times. We all have to grow in Christ with the accompanying ‘growth pains.’ But when it is all said and done, our works must match up with our words. People must see the power of Christ working in me through my works. If not, then I am the ultimate hypocrite. My words say I follow Christ. Do my works deny Him? 

The next time we are tempted to sin, we must remember that in so doing we are denying the Saviour who hung on he cross for us. We say that we would never deny Him with our lips, but the more important daily truth is that we must nit deny Him with our walk. 

By sound doctrine

…holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict. – Titus 1v9 

How do we answer our critics? We have all kinds of choices in how to respond. A common method is get real loud and brusque. Another way is to get angry and go on a personal attack. Another is to launch a tirade about the false teachings and how this kind of thinking leads to this and that and so and so. A favourite in my traditional circle of associates is to simply call the person a liberal and a compromiser. Usually this kind of debate leads to conflict, fighting, and a ‘never back down’ mentality. Nothing is solved, feelings are hurt, divisions are started, and the cause of Christ is damaged. 

So what do we do when we encounter those who contradict? There is only one proper response. We hold true to the word of God and use sound doctrine to answer. After all, no reasonable believer can argue with God’s word taught as sound doctrine. If a person still argues they are no longer arguing with us, but with God Himself. When that comes to pass we have done all we can do and then simply can leave it. 

Saying it loud enough and often enough does not make it true. That will not exhort or convict. Only God’s word has the power to do that.