Complete the Thought (CTT)

When quoting scripture it is vitally important that we not pluck small segments out of context. Sometimes that means reading the verses leading up to the quoted text… many times it involves reading on beyond the quoted text. Sound doctrine demands we check our cliches, church-isms, and quick-quotes against the whole of scriptures, lest we deceive ourselves and those who follow.

CTT | And that not of yourselves…

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sweeperOn my way in to work this morning, I heard the following scripture verse that is often quoted regarding salvation:

Ephesians 2:8-9 (NASB)
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.

What a wonderful message of the Grace of God. For it is by Grace that we have been saved, through faith. Paul takes that thought one step further and even highlights that we cannot boast on the faith that we blood of Jesus, for even that faith is a gift of God. Paul also mentions this in Romans 12 when in a similar message he is cautioning believers not to think too highly of themselves:

Romans 12:3 (NASB)
3 For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.

While there is undoubtedly a sermon in the works here, I’d like to take a moment to point out that in stopping the related scripture verses short, I’ve actually omitted a greater message on Christian living. While I can appreciate a desire to keep the message of Salvation in its simplest form for those who are new to the Gospel, the concern I have is that we might not ever return to these scriptures and complete the thought. What is at risk here is a doctrine that stops at Salvation and fails to carry the new believer through to maturity in Christ. So, let’s go back to the passage in Ephesians and see if we can’t better complete the thought:

Ephesians 2:4-10 (NASB)
4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

In recent church history, there has been an overwhelming push to emphasize Salvation by faith (sound doctrine), and a distancing itself from the salvation by works (not  sound doctrine) as is generally the approach by most of the world’s religions. However, what sometimes happens is people who seek to counter balance an unbalanced theology, themselves become unbalanced whenever they lose sight of the whole of scriptures. In evangelical circles, we’ve gone so far in attacking the “salvation by works” that we’ve discredited any place for good works, or their necessity in God’s plan and design for the Body of Christ. We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before hand so that we would walk in them. While good works are in no way an avenue for Salvation, it is very much a part of the purpose for which we have been Saved, Redeemed, made alive in Christ. So, when we complete this thought in Ephesians, let’s also complete the thought in Romans:

Romans 12:3-8 (NASB)
3 For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. 4 For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; 7 if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; 8 or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

I love that we find a continuation in parity between the passages. Notice, that the acknowledgement of the Grace of God extended to us is the pretense, or starting point for how we are to live our lives in Christ. That from the point of Grace, in which we have our Salvation and Redemption we are to move forward in exercising the gifts given to us by God. We are expected to do good works, provided we remain firmly grounded in the knowledge that apart from Jesus we can do nothing (John 15:5). If we look back at the underlined portion in Ephesians 2:5, we see that what follows is drawn in contrast to our previous state of being dead in sins. If you read from the beginning of the chapter, you see that while we were dead in sins, we were guilty of all sorts of works of evil. In fact the whole of Ephesians 2 is addressing the contrast between the works of sin we were guilty of prior to our redemption and salvation through Christ, and that we are now made alive in Christ and we are to continue growing and being built into the Temple of the Spirit of God (Eph 2:19-22).

The importance of completing the thought from salvation through maturity in Christ cannot be overstated. For if we neglect the place of good works within God’s plan for the Redeemed, then we are completely ill-equipped to understand how James would be so bold as to assert the following:

James 2:14-20 (NASB)
14 What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? 17 Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.
18 But someone may well say, “You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” 19 You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. 20 But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless?

Yikes, some strong words from the Apostle James. But he is speaking against the very over-reaction to “salvation by works” that we find ourselves discussing today. Only the early church wasn’t fighting/bucking against the Catholic Church of Rome; rather, they were tempted to abandon the Law and the Prophets. Paul had to address lawlessness in many of his letters, and he also had to deal with legalism. We serve such a Gracious God who has preserved for us His Word so that we will never be left without direction or purpose.

So, is it wrong to limit a quote of Ephesians 2 to verses 8 and 9? Not if the purpose is to highlight an unbalanced approach to works, or boasting. Personally, I’d prefer to include verse 10 to encourage balance in each message, so that if/when I am later quoted, the quote might better serve the one who would hear/read the quote. But most importantly, if you’ve never been introduced to verse 10, it is my hope that today, you will have a better appreciation for how we are to live out our lives as Christians. We are called to do good works, works that were prepared for us by God, who Himself also gave us the very means to perform those works, so that we cannot boast in ourselves, only in the Grace of God. In closing, I confess that I tend to be accused (jokingly) of being rather long-winded… and for the most part that holds true. But I love the Word of God, and I endeavor to be a faithful steward of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I’m okay with being accused of “sharing too much” of the Word of God, especially when I consider the alternative…

May the Lord Bless and keep you in His Will.

In Him,
FS

I can do all things…

Faithful Stewardship 2 Comments

Praise the Lord for His traveling mercies this past Thanksgiving weekend. I will have to learn to make time to update this blog while I’m on vacation, but all in due time.

Today, I’d like to share some quick thoughts on an often quoted verse, Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (NASB). Whenever I see or hear a verse of scripture presented or quoted in an encouragement, rebuke, or as basis for an opinion I become excited that someone is turning to God’s Word for Truth. If it is a verse I have not memorized or am unfamiliar with, I search the word for it, to see what else I have missed, and to be sure that the quoted verse is indeed a verse (“cleanliness is next to Godliness” isn’t in the Scriptures).

That is not to say that there aren’t some strong warning signs that flash. A surefire way to furrow my brow is to present a quoted scripture in written form without its reference. In the Internet age, there simply is no excuse to not include at least the reference for the scripture. None. Google allows you to start typing out the quote and usually within the first few results it becomes clear if the phrase is an idiom or a Scripture verse, and normally you can see the reference of the verse without following a single link. Additionally, if the quoted text is a single phrase or partial sentence, I hesitate. Why? Because I worry about the verse being used out of context. If the context is solid, and the audience is well versed, then a simple line or a partial quote is more than enough to bring the passage of scripture into the remembrance of audience and everyone walks away blessed. However, in a mixed audience, there can be room for error.

Now, getting back to Phil 4:13, it is a commonly quoted verse of scripture that has provided me with comfort and encouragement over the years. Even now, in my present-day struggles, I lean on this verse. Let us look at the verse in context:

Philippians 4:4-14 (NASB)
4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! 5 Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. 9 The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. 12 I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. 14 Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction.

Paul is saying a lot in this chapter. We are commanded to Rejoice in the Lord always. We are given guidelines for what we should be focused on and meditated on.  I probably provided more than was needed, but I really wanted to show the slight topic shift. After presenting the commandment for us to rejoice in the Lord, Paul now moves to his rejoicing in being remembered in his affliction. Verse 11 is when it really gets heavy… Paul has already learned how to accept God’s provision regardless of circumstance. Here he simply explained that he has learned to get along “with humble means” or “poverty” and how to live in prosperity. The secret of being filled and going hungry… in abundance and in suffering need. That secret is in knowing that I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. What a blessing to be given such profound wisdom and encouragement!

Unfortunately, this verse is often misquoted. A key phrase within the verse is “through Him”. I’ve heard this verse used in a way that conveys more of a “I can do all things because Christ strengthens me to do everything”. Do you see what is missing? There is a limitation to the “all things” that can be done… they must be done “through Him” or “in Him”. We cannot simply go through life being our own bosses and expect Jesus to serve as our hired muscle. That isn’t how the scriptures read and it is not the example Paul led for us. Even Jesus deferred to the Will of God the Father, and Jesus is God. But He demonstrated how we are to live our lives in Him and through Him. More subtly, the verse is sometimes used (or received) as a pep talk implying that Jesus will fix our circumstances. Such an interpretation generally stems from ignorance of the verses immediately preceding v13.

So, what sorts of circumstances can we count on the strength of God to provide for us as we remain in Him? Lets look at a quick list Paul provided in his rebuke to the Corinthians regarding boasting. The greater context of chapter 11 is in regards to boasting and in the defense of his apostleship, but we are looking specifically for a list of the types of circumstances Paul had to endure in Christ:

2 Corinthians 11:23-33 (NASB)
23 Are they servants of Christ?—I speak as if insane—I more so; in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death. 24 Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep. 26 I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren; 27 I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. 28 Apart from suchexternal things, there is the daily pressure on me of concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak without my being weak? Who is led into sin without my intense concern?
30 If I have to boast, I will boast of what pertains to my weakness. 31 The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, He who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying. 32 In Damascus the ethnarch under Aretas the king was guarding the city of the Damascenes in order to seize me, 33 and I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall, and so escaped his hands.

Wow. My circumstances are quite comfortable by comparison. Yet, the Grace of God and of His provision is as accessible to me as it was to Paul. My appreciation and maturity pales in comparison, and I submit that it is greatly due to my comparative lack of trials. I Praise God that He has blessed me and kept me from such harm thus far. This isn’t shared that we might compare ourselves to Paul; rather, it was to highlight just how awesome our God is, and what He can do with an obedient servant.

So, whenever we think wrestle with trials and struggles, anxiety and doubt… we should return to Philippians 4. Rejoicing in the Lord always, getting our minds right (“think on these things…”) and then trusting on God to strengthen us regardless of our circumstances. I pray you find this encouraging. The next time you hear/see Phil4:13 taken out of context, I pray you will share the rest of the chapter in love and humility.

In Him,
FS