Growing by Speaking Truth in Love
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by Jon Buck
Resetting Expectations, Rejoicing in Graces
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by Jon Buck
“But Jesus, on His part, was not entrusting Himself to them, for He knew all men, and because He did not need anyone to testify concerning man, for He Himself knew what was in man.”
~ John 2:24-25
Observing all that is happening around us these days can be profoundly sorrowful. The suffering during these past months, weeks, and days has left my heart troubled.
The death and severe illness from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The global economic struggles caused by closures.
The systemic racism that has again and again appeared around us.
The unravelling of society as riots have exploded around the nation and the world.
These days, watching the news has been deeply disheartening.
What should I expect?
However, while sorrow and pity and empathy over suffering are good in my heart, I must be careful to guard against thinking that humanity is capable of better. We are not, apart from Christ.
Jesus Himself was unwilling to entrust Himself to any man because He already knew what was in the heart of man. The same heart that led Cain to kill Abel, that led Lamech to murder for offense, that led Israel to pursue idols, that led Pilate to murder worshippers in the temple was the same heart that resided in everyone around Jesus. He didn’t trust them one bit.
And that same heart is in every unbeliever around us. There is no such thing as ‘common decency.’ Apart from the mercy of God through the Gospel, our feet are ‘swift to shed blood’ as Paul said (Rom 3:15).
Rejoicing in grace
However, while the bleak reality of human depravity is all around us, I must remember to thank God for His common and special grace. We live among lions, but God has seen fit to provide grace in the storm.
Things are not yet as bad as they could be. Generations before us have seen far greater atrocities. Among the sorrows all around us, the Lord has provided moments of peace, moments when things are not as bad as they could be.
And, praise God, the church has risen up to work for the sake of truth in many corners of our nation. Brothers of different races embrace one another. The work of the Gospel is uniting many.
My prayer in these days is that I will remember that man is terribly wicked, that the Gospel is profoundly powerful, and that love will bear good fruit among the nations, by God’s grace.
Wrath and Righteousness
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by Jon Buck
“…for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” ~ James 1:20
James tells us that wrath never produces righteousness.
The injustice that surrounds the George Floyd case should cause righteous anger to well up in our hearts. To watch a man murdered is an awful thing.
The danger with anger, however, is that it grows rapidly when it isn’t carefully checked. The anger over George Floyd’s death has grown—the riots taking place around our country highlight that unchecked anger is explosive.
The problem, of course, is that while the anger may be understandable, it will never result in righteousness. On the contrary, such displays of anger will only result in continued struggle on both sides. Acts of violence lead to fear, and fear leads to acts of violence—the cycle continues again and again.
My own problem
As I watch events unfold, I am particularly convicted about times when I am angry. Whether with members of my family, circumstances, or others, anger never produces righteousness.
The problem is that I have convinced myself that I can effect change through my displeasure. I take circumstances into my own hands, lash out in anger (whether verbally or internally in my heart), and try to ‘fix’ the situation.
However, just as the current violence does not and will not result in righteous equality, even so, my anger will not produce righteousness.
Remembering God’s sovereignty
The key to changing this perspective is to remember that God is sovereign. He is in perfect control over the circumstances that I face. My anger simply reminds me that I have stopped trusting in Him and in His goodness.
Thirsting for God
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by Jason Park
How long does it take you to get used to something? A new home? A new city? A new job? A new car? At most a few months for the bigger things on this list? Probably.
I’ve read Psalms 42 and 43 many, many times. How many times have I read the first two verses on the comparison of the deer panting for water and the psalmist’s soul panting for God? So, upon encountering this image today, guess what my mind did?
It flitted over the verses looking for something else to strike my fancy. I had become so used to vv. 1-2. But by becoming accustomed to it, I betrayed my unbelief in the power of the Word, my lack of expectancy for the Spirit to open my eyes to behold wonderful things from the Law.
Now, the two psalms are stitched together by a common refrain of despair and hope (42:5, 11; 43:5). Despair from from being chased out of Jerusalem by his enemies (vv. 4, 6) and being taunted by them (vv. 3, 9, 10). Hope in the God who commands His lovingkindness for and gives His presence to His people. And that despair drives his deep thirst for God, for nearness to Him, especially in public worship (v. 4).
How easy is it for me to gloss over thirsting after God. How easy is it to acknowledge that it’s a good yearning and move on.
But I wonder, where is my thirsting for God? When was the last time I genuinely thirsted for Him? When has His presence been my help? And how do I get used to, “So my soul pants for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God”?
Yes, trials brought out this psalmist’s thirst for God. But it only brought out what was already there. Now, I know I have a new heart with new desires for God. But they feel so weak at times. Too many times. I’ve gotten used to not thirsting for God.
But like the psalmist, instead of just staying stuck in despair, I can turn to Christ, to His presence for help and find that He is “God my exceeding joy.” He is my my living hope.
Just by refocusing my mind on Christ excites a thirst for more of Him. It may start small, but soon that little bit of Christ taken in and will actually deepen my thirst and satisfy my soul at the same time.
Loving One Another During COVID Reopening
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by Jon Buck
“Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.” ~ Rom. 12:10
The current politically charged climate with reopening churches has led us to consider how to best approach moving forward together toward reopening.
The difficulty, of course, is that there are strong opinions regarding when and how to reopen, as well as the danger of the virus, and the best ways to protect those we love.
Issues of the conscience
The difficulty for each of us is that there is nothing written in the Scripture that guides the specific decisions we make about reopening, or decisions for each congregant about when to attend church.
For some, COVID-19 is little more than a flu. They may feel excited to begin church again, and have little concern regarding the disease or taking personal precautions.
For others, however, they are in a higher risk category, or would like to guard themselves from the potential for getting the disease. They may also wish to protect high risk loved ones who could be affected.
Either of these responses is completely valid. There are no verses that inform our response to COVID-19, and so these responses fall into the category of conscience.
Love and honor
Regardless of how each conscience is informed, as we begin the process of reopening, our love for one another over these conscience issues is far more important than the disease itself.
We must remember that, when it comes to conscience issues, we are called to love each other as brothers, and to outdo one another in showing honor.
This disease has caused strong opinions on every side. If we turn against one another in judgment and critique each other, the damage to the church will be far greater than what was caused by the disease itself!
We must outdo one another in showing honor for each other. We must love one another with brotherly affection. These, rather than the specific logistics of our next meeting, are the commands we must obey during this season.
Guarding the heart
The danger, of course, is not ONLY that we speak words of judgment. We are generally wise enough to keep our mouths closed and not express our thoughts.
The greatest danger is for us to think judgmental thoughts, and dishonor each other in our hearts, over a conscience issue.
Instead, we must guard our hearts. We must remember that thoughts of judgment in areas of conscience are sinful, and we must repent of those and love and honor one another instead.
Aren’t you so glad for the blood of Christ?
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by Jason Park
1 John 1:7 says it “cleanses us from all sin.” This is the blessing we receive from the point of salvation on as we enter into fellowship with God (1 Jn 1:6).
Isn’t there so much sin left in us? So much impatience, grumbling, coveteousness, envy, impure lust, anger…so much wickedness remains (Jas 1:21).
I saw someone tear down a public official on a live stream today. She was so incensed by this official’s actions that she publicized her home address so that people could go there and presumably protest on her front yard. Watching this person get so angry made me sad…but it also aroused pride and self-righteousness. What is she doing? turned into I would never do that. Maybe I wouldn’t act that way in public. But I can and do act that way in the privacy of my own heart while maintaining a good face.
So, how can I think I’m better than her, or anyone else?
I’m not! There is so much filthiness left in me. Who do I think I am? Self-saved? Self-sanctified? Sadly, I sometimes think this way when I disconnect from the reality that I am saved by grace alone.
Jesus’ blood is the only reason I am who I am. It’s the only reason I know the gravity and evil of my sin. It’s the only reason I want to and can fight the good fight of faith. It’s the only reason I know that the sin that still dwells in my flesh will one day be no more.
My Father is still working on me. And when I realize how insidious my sins are, then I know how much further He has to go. But He is going. And that brings so much hope and comfort in the thick of the battle.
I hope you’re staying encouraged during this season…to fight sin with faith in His promises…to say “No” to evil by His grace…and to repent and receive His forgiveness when you fail to walk as He walks. Jesus’ blood never fails to cover, to cleanse, and to cause you to stand firm in His grace.
Getting More out of the Bible
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by Jason Park
I’ve been in the Psalms lately for my quiet times. And each time I open to one, the Lord teaches me something new or shows me new connections, even with the psalms I’m more familiar with. This reality is true for all believers. It’s one of the Spirit’s graces to shed more light on the Bible whenever we read it.
This ministry is so vital because left alone to read and study, we would quickly find the Bible boring and repetitive. But as the Spirit in us sheds light on a text, we see truths afresh – both in their meaning and in their applications to our lives. New layers of truth already in a passage, and new applications for our lives.
We’re finite creatures, so we often have a hard time seeing the “more” that’s already in the Bible. But by the Spirit through the Bible…
· we can learn new truths (John 14:26)
· we can re-learn or remember old truths (1 John 2:20, 27)
· we can grasp the deep things of God in the gospel (1 Cor 2:11-16)
· we can be convicted of sin and righteousness (John 16:8-11)
· we can discern truth from error (1 John 4:2-6)
· we see the glory of Christ and be transformed by it (2 Cor 3:18; 4:6)
The Spirit’s ministry in us through the Bible is immense! We should be grateful. We should rejoice. We should take comfort in His work.
And we should be expectant. Whenever we open our Bibles, let’s prayerfully wait on the Spirit to work His Word in our hearts as we read it…as we believe it.
He will perform nothing less than wonders.
Satan: Fighting Fire with Water
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by Jon Buck
“…in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” ~ Eph. 6:16
As we continue thinking about ways that Satan can attack the children of God, we come to the instruction found at the end of Ephesians regarding the armor of God.
Paul tells the Ephesian church to ‘take up the shield of faith’ to extinguish the flaming arrows that Satan shoots at us.
The Arrows
Battle in the ancient world included archers. Arrows were often soaking in pitch and then lit on fire and shot into opposition ranks. The arrows would not only injure or kill the soldier, but would light his clothing on fire, thereby rendering him completely helpless.
The question, of course, is what are the ‘flaming arrows’ that Satan is throwing at God’s people?
There are a number of possible solutions to this question, but the text doesn’t give us an answer. Instead, Paul simply tells us what to do to quench these flaming arrows.
The Shield
The word used here for the shield of faith comes from the Greek word for ‘door’. The shield being described was the height of a man, with double-thick wooden planks, covered with cow hide.
The shields were soaked in water prior to battle, and used as defensive protection when volleys of arrows were fired.
Faith and Doubt
Paul’s instruction to believers is to have faith—their own personal trust in God and His promises—as the means of extinguishing the arrows shot at them by Satan.
If faith extinguishes the arrows, they must be associated in some way with doubt—doubt about God, about His character, and about His love.
What might these arrows be?
Is God really good?
Does God love me?
Is God with me in this trial?
Etc.
But faith in God and His love for us extinguishes these doubts quickly. And the water that puts out the flames of doubt is the certainty that if God sent His Son to die for our sins, certainly He will care for us in every other way!
So, take up the shield of faith. Remind yourself that God loves you in spite of the difficulties you’re facing. Refuse to give into doubt. And go back to the cross where your sins - past, present and future - were paid in full!
Pastor Q&A Part 2
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By Jon and Jason
Satan: Hungry, Roaring, Angry Lion
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by Jon Buck
“…casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith…” ~1 Peter 5:8-9
Continuing our consideration of Satan’s attacks, Peter informs us that Satan is like a vicious lion, seeking someone to devour.
This isn’t a happy picture, is it? If you’ve ever watched a nature documentary and seen a lion attack a gazelle, lions are scary.
Peter’s audience had seen convicts and prisoners of war devoured by lions during the Roman games. This imagery was all too familiar.
Eating faith
Satan, however, doesn’t seek to devour the body. Instead, Peter says that the way to resist him is to stand firm in faith. In other words, Satan wants to make a meal of our faith. And in the verse just before, Peter explains the very thing that Satan wants to tear out of us.
Satan wants us to stop believing that God cares for us!
He wants us to doubt God’s love, to doubt God’s goodness, to doubt God’s presence and care in our lives.
Faith and fear
Satan knows that if we stop trusting that God loves us, we will turn to anxiety, and anxiety is a breeding ground for all kinds of sins. When we are anxious, we take matters into our own hands, act in selfishness, and serve ourselves, rather than others. We stop loving others, and seek to protect ourselves. Anxiety becomes a breeding ground for all sorts of sins!
So how do we battle this fear, and fight off Satan? Simply trust that God cares for us. He loves us. He is for us, and will never leave or forsake us!
And, gloriously, He sent His Son into to the world to demonstrate His love for us by dying in our place while we were yet sinners. If He would do that, He will certainly care for our daily lives!
Faith in the love of God is like a 3 inch thick glass wall. Satan, the hungry, roaring, angry lion, can’t get through, and our souls are safe!
The Real Jesus
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by Jason Park
The Youth Group just finished our series in 1 John the other day. In that letter, John ends with one of the more curious closing sentences in the New Testament: “Little children, guard yourselves from idols” (5:21). Curious because he hasn’t mentioned idols one time prior to this verse.
But as you backtrack through the letter, you realize what an appropriate conclusion it is. The idols aren’t physical statues or the idols of the heart; they’re the idols of a false Christ and a false gospel. Idols of denying Jesus as the Messiah (2:22), denying the humanity of Christ (4:2), or denying the real death of Christ (5:6-12).
Anything that distorts the true Christ is an idol born out of a spirit of error in the world from the devil, devised to detract us from worshiping Christ in spirit and in truth – which is our salvation and the key to our joy.
The real Jesus is the true God and eternal life (5:2). He is our Advocate (2:1). He is our propitiation (2:2). He laid down His life in love for us (4:16). He keeps. us from the evil one (5:18). The Word of life took on flesh and manifested His glory to us so that we can have fellowship with Him and with the Father (1:1-3).
So, don’t reduce Him to a theological lesson. Don’t make Him out to be a distant, abstract deity. Don’t strip away His flesh and blood so that He’s functionally not real in your life. Don’t cheapen the glory of the real Jesus.
Instead, sink your teeth into the real Jesus everyday. How? By opening yourself up to Him in His Word. Let Him love you. Let Him feed you. Let Him so fill you with Himself that you can’t help but embody Him in your life.
One day, all we’ve known of Him by faith will turn to sight. And the mere sight of Christ’s loveliness will change us so that “we will be like Him” (3:2). So, guard the real Jesus in your hearts, guard your affections for Him, guard your thoughts about Him…He is more than worth it.
Satan's Scheme: Refusing to Forgive
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by Jon Buck
“…so that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes.” ~ 2 Cor 2:11
When we think of Satan, we often conjure up images that appear in cartoons…red suit, pitch fork, pointy tail, etc. And when we think of his work in the world, we might be tempted to think of things that are overtly satanic, like the occult.
But Satan is far more crafty than to tempt us with things that we can clearly see as satanic. He doesn’t tempt us with things that are obviously bad. Instead, he hides bad things under righteous robes.
Paul’s wisdom
Paul understood Satan schemes, and he wanted the Corinthians to understand them, too.
He tells them that he has forgiven an offending brother (for a history on this man, check out 1 Cor. 5:1-5) for the sake of Christ. The man had clearly repented (the ‘sorrow’ of 2 Cor 2:5).
Rather than hold on to ‘justice’ in this case, Paul affirms their forgiveness and offers his as well, choosing to protect the church against Satan’s schemes.
Because he understood how Satan works, he knew that holding onto a grudge against a repentant person would result in chaos and danger for the church. Temptation to self-righteousness and factionalism would be rampant. And so Paul offers his heartfelt forgiveness to that brother.
Why Satan hates forgiveness
Why would Satan hate forgiveness? The answer should be painfully obvious.
Forgiveness is precisely what God Himself has offered to the world through the death of His Son, Jesus Christ. Forgiveness is particularly divine (Matt. 6:12, Eph. 4:32).
When believers forgive one another, offenses are removed, and unity is established and protected.
However, when offense remains, sin runs rampant. Pride and self righteousness masquerade as ‘justice’. Condemnation of others hides under a veneer of ‘discernment’. Eventually, unity is destroyed and the glory of God in the church is tarnished.
No wonder Satan hates forgiveness!
Fighting Satan
So, how can we fight Satan? We can win the battle by offering forgiveness and love to everyone who offends us. No matter the offense, forgiveness disarms Satan. Love for enemies produces peace, and a witness of the Gospel (John 13:35).
So, if you have someone in your life that has offended you, do the very opposite of what Satan would want…Love them. Forgive them. Do for them what God has already done for you!
How Not to be a Mule
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by Jason Park
Did you know that the idea of “stubborn as a mule” is in the Bible? It’s in Psalm 32:9. To be fair to mules, David does include horses too. He labels both animals as having “no understanding” and requiring bit and bridle “to hold them in check.”
This image comes in the context of David’s sin with Bathsheba (vv. 3-4). Not listening to the Lord led David down a path of adultery, murder, and mule-like refusal to acknowledge his transgressions. David wouldn’t be instructed by the Lord (cf. v. 8). He believed that harboring his sin would bring him more joy than listening to God’s counsel. But he knew better. And until he repented, David’s health declined along with his soul.
So, how can we learn from David and not stubbornly carry on like a mule in our sin?
1. Remember the reality of your justification in Christ (vv. 1-3; cf. Rom 4:7-8)David begins by pronouncing blessings upon anyone whose sins are not imputed to him. Paul quotes these lines in Rom 4 as he explains justification by faith. The joys of having our sins charged to Christ and His righteousness charged to us will uproot evil desires and our stubbornness in holding onto our sins.
2. Remember the pains of unrepented sin (vv. 3-4, 10a)David explains how his body wasted away as God disciplined him for not repenting (vv. 3-4). His sorrows were many (v. 10a). Sin brings in “a flood of great waters” that will engulf you if you don’t turn from it. Remembering that helps curb our hearts in a moment of temptation.
3. Remember the love of God for you (vv. 7, 10b)God has delivered us (v. 7b) in His lovingkindness. His steadfast love surrounds us (v. 10a). The joy of all joys is that God takes stubborn mules like us and transforms us into submissive servants. He also covers all our sins against Him and gives us Christ’s perfect righteousness. Reveling in that love will change our hearts so that we seek righteousness and repent quickly when we need to.
We can be like mules. But we don’t have to be. Remembering these three truths will help us stay open to God’s instruction and correction.
Pastor Q&A Part 1
/By Jon and Jason
Leading by Example In COVID
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by Jon Buck
As a dad, I long for my kids to be obedient to God. I want them to be avid readers of God’s word. I want them to follow Christ. I want them to be good citizens. I want them to love others. Etc…
The desire for obedience to God is a good thing! God wants us to obey Him, and we want our kids to obey Him out of love, as well.
However, our sentiments may be counteracted by our own actions.
Example
Just as Lakers’ fans raise other Lakers’ fans, our examples of life to our kids will eventually bear fruit in their lives.
But of course, these examples aren’t always a direct one-for-one correlation. I’ve lately been helpfully corrected by my dear wife for texting in the car. I was in a ‘safe’ and ‘empty’ section of the road, and checked my text messages on my phone. But my wife pointed out that to do that was still a violation of the law.
And she was right.
I am obligated by God to obey the law. The law says to not text and drive. I broke the law. I chose to disobey God BY disobeying the government.
Impacts
Interestingly, this interaction has led me to think more about how my life impacts my kids far more than my words. I appeal to them to be submissive to their authorities (myself and their mom) and to obey from the heart. But if I choose areas where my submission is optional, what am I actually teaching them?
And this extends beyond simply submission.
If we tell our kids that reading the Bible is good, but they rarely see us having quiet time, what are we teaching them?
If we tell our kids that ‘a soft answer turns away wrath’ but then yell at every bad driver on the freeway, what are we actually teaching them?
If we tell our kids that we should ‘love our enemies’ but then complain about situations at work, what are we actually teaching them?
Life in the Spirit
Paul tells us that if we ‘walk by the Spirit we will not carry out the desires of the flesh’. During this season of COVID, when temptation to be fleshly is high, how much more critical that I walk according to the Spirit, living in Him, and obeying His commands.
I can’t possibly keep my life free from hypocrisy in any other way. Unless I walk in the Spirit, I will carry out the desires of the flesh. It may not be precisely where I’ve talked with the kids, but the examples will play out, nevertheless.
The Spirit’s Work - Part 4
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by Jon Buck
Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
~ Eph 4:30
(There are many more things to say about the work of the Holy Spirit, but this post will be the last for a bit.)
The Holy Spirit communes with our spirit to encourage us that we are children of God. He communicates this to us through the Word, which reveals the Lord Jesus to us in our hearts.
As we learn more about God’s love for us through the word, the Spirit takes those truths, and helps us to trust them more and more.
However, what happens when we sin? Does the Holy Spirit leave us? Does He turn His back on us, or get angry with us?
Doubt and fear
If the Holy Spirit’s work is to communicate God’s love to us, and this is understood by faith, sin becomes a great faith-killer.
When we sin, doubt begins to infect our hearts. We stop trusting that God loves us because we feel guilty for our sin. These feelings of guilt and sorrow over sin are right, when we have not yet repented.
However, after we repent, we often continue to feel guilty. What’s more, our guilt leaves us struggling, unsure of God’s presence or care.
These feelings, however, are not based in fact. The Holy Spirit never leaves us. There is NO condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Rom 8:1). God is not angry at us—in fact, He has forgotten our sin already (Heb 10:18). He will never leave us or forsake us (Heb 13:5).
The Spirit’s grief
So then what does happen to the Spirit in those seasons of our sin? The answer is simple—He is grieved.
As a parent, we understand the feeling of loving someone who is not responding to our overtures. In the same way, the Spirit is seeking to encourage us about our position as God’s children.
However, our doubt, caused by our sin, keeps us from Him. We are like spoiled kids with our arms crossed, turned away from Him. And He is reaching out to us with love and grace and kindness.
And as we live in this doubt, the Spirit, Paul says, is grieved. He is saddened by our lack of faith. He is saddened that we aren’t trusting God’s Fatherly love!
So—what’s the answer? Faith! He is still communicating God’s love to us. Our response must be to trust that love—to believe the Gospel!
Devotional on Handling Conflict Part 8 - Reconciliation
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By Jon Buck
From Christ to Obedience
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by Jason Park
As the youth group is coming to an end in our series in 1 John, I thought it would be helpful to unpack the heart of John’s message in this letter.
The letter has traditionally been explained as a series of tests to determine if you’re saved or not. While this view is true to an extent, it doesn’t line up with the actual contents of the letter. We get a better grasp of John’s intent when we look at the beginning and end of the letter.
1:1-3 is about John’s firsthand interaction with the incarnate Christ. 5:18-20 is about three gospel-facts that believers know. 1:4 ends with John stating that he’s writing the letter so that our joy may be made complete. 5:13, the purpose statement of the whole letter, syncs up with 1:4 by stating that the letter is written so that believers may know that they have eternal life.
In between, John unfolds Christ: His nature, His work on the cross, and their implications for our lives. There are only thirteen imperatives in the letter. Most of the commanding occur implicitly (e.g., 3:3 - “And everyone who has this hope purifies himself, just as He is pure”).
That approach fits with the overall focus of the letter on the person and work of Christ. Certainly, if you fail to believe truths about Christ or you don’t love believers at all, you’re not a believer. But John’s push is for us to grasp the grandeur of Christ the God-Man and His propitiating, love-sacrifice for our sins (1:7; 2:1-2; 3:5, 16; 4:2, 9-10; 5:5-8). Because when we grasp these truths, we will abide in Christ and love one another for a lifetime.
So, we need to “let that [the gospel] abide in you which you heard from the beginning” (2:24). When that occurs, we abide in the Son and in the Father (2:25) – we have fellowship with the Godhead, which is what we were made to experience (1:3). And when we abide in Christ, we will practice righteousness (2:28-29).
Obedience is not burdensome; it’s liberating; it’s joyful. Because we want to give ourselves to the One who gave Himself to us. Think of it - the true God and eternal life (5:20) died for my sins. How can I not do whatever He asks of me?
The Spirit’s Work - Part 3: Revealing Jesus
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by Jon Buck