Your Foundation in Christ (Victory Series Book #3): Live By the Power of the Spirit (9 page)

Acts 15:36–40

Key Point

There is no competition within the kingdom of God, as He has uniquely equipped each of His children and has a place for every one of them.

Key Verse

You come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him.

1 Peter 2:4

W
e all know what it feels like to be unduly criticized and rejected, especially when it comes from people we want to please. None of us can be the best at everything, and sometimes we fail to live up to other people’s expectations. Paul and Barnabas wanted to embark on a second missionary journey, but they had a sharp disagreement over Mark, who had deserted Paul earlier. Paul’s refusal to bring Mark resulted in a split between him and Barnabas. Ultimately, Paul rejected Mark (see Acts 15:36–40).

We have been born and raised in a worldly system that chooses favorites and rejects others. From an early age, we strive to please significant others to gain their approval. But this fallen world is a dog-eat-dog, survival-of-the-fittest system.

In their natural state, people choose to adapt to this world system in one of three ways. First, some try to beat the system. They try to earn their acceptance and strive for significance through their appearance, performance, and social status. They feel driven to get to the top because they falsely believe that winning is their passport to acceptance, security, and significance. They are characterized by perfectionism and emotional insulation, which usually leads to anxiety, stress, and burnout. They are prone to manipulating people and circumstances for their own end, so it is difficult for them to yield control of their lives to God. Eventually their abilities diminish—and younger, stronger, and more capable controllers replace them.

Second, some give in to the system and embrace its warped standards. The strongest, prettiest, and most talented are “in,” while they are “out” because they don’t measure up in those categories. By giving in to this worldly system, these people succumb to society’s false judgment of their worth. They often find it difficult to accept themselves, because others haven’t. Some have trouble relating to God because they blame Him for making them deficient in the eyes of the world.

Third, some rebel against the system. They respond to rejection by saying, “I don’t need you, and I don’t want your love!” They need love and acceptance like everyone else, but they refuse to acknowledge it. They often underscore their defiance and rebellion by dressing and behaving in ways that are objectionable to the general population. Rebels are marked by self-hatred and bitterness. They are irresponsible and undisciplined. They think that God and “religious” people are trying to squeeze them into a socially acceptable mold.

All three responses eventually lead to defeat. The kingdom of God is totally different. Nobody wins in the world’s system, but we all win in the kingdom of God. We are not in competition with one another. Paul says, “We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare
themselves with themselves, they are not wise” (2 Corinthians 10:12). We are loved and accepted unconditionally by God. Each of us is an essential part of the Body of Christ. Helping another person succeed enhances our success. The more we build one another up, the more we build ourselves up.

Mark must have discovered this wonderful truth, because eventually he and Paul reconciled. While doing time in a Roman prison, Paul wrote in his last epistle, “Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry” (2 Timothy 4:11).

What characterizes those who attempt to adapt to the system of this fallen world by trying to earn acceptance through their looks, performance, or social status?

What characterizes those who simply give in to the world’s system and embrace its warped standards?

What characterizes those who rebel against the world’s system? What do they refuse to acknowledge and embrace?

Which of these three worldly approaches do you tend to take? How has that changed since you became a Christian?

How can you, as a Christian, respond to those who reject you and your beliefs?

Under the old dispensation, the priesthood and the kingship were two different things. No one could be both a king and a priest. But afterward came the gospel, which united these two offices in Christ. From this it follows that the people whom He has chosen will be both royal and priestly at the same time. Some people wonder how it is possible, seeing that we are called from all the nations on earth, for us to be regarded as one holy people. The answer to this is that although we are from many different nations, the fact that we have all repented of our sins and accepted a common mind gives those who have repented one doctrine and one faith. When there is a soul and heart common to all believers, then they are called one people.

Didymus the Blind (AD 313–398)

O
nce, I held in my tightly clinched fist . . . ashes. Ashes from a burn inflicted on my 10-year-old body. Ashes I didn’t ask for. The scar was forced on me.

For 17 years the fire smoldered. I kept my fist closed in secret, hating those ashes yet unwilling to release them. Not sure if I should. Not convinced it was worth it. Marring the things I touched and leaving black marks everywhere. I tried to undo it all, but the ashes were always there to remind that I couldn’t.

I really could not. But God could! His sweet Holy Spirit spoke to my heart one night in tearful desperation. He whispered, “I want to give you beauty for your ashes, the oil of joy for your mourning, and the garment of praise for your spirit of heaviness.” I had never heard of such a trade as this. Beauty for ashes? My helpless and hurting emotions for His ever constant peace?

How could I be so stubborn as to refuse an offer such as this? So, willingly—yet in slow motion and, yes, while sobbing—I opened my bent fingers and let the ashes drop to the ground. In silence, I heard the wind blow them away. Away from me . . . forever. I am now able to place my open hands gently around the fist of another hurting soul and say with confidence, “Let them go. There really is beauty beyond your comprehension. Go ahead—trust Him. His beauty for your ashes.”

Daily Readings

Leviticus 3:1–17

Key Point

We rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

Key Verses

All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them.

2 Corinthians 5:18–19

A
ll the animal sacrifices prescribed under the Old Covenant in passages such as Leviticus 3:1–17 are no longer needed under the New Covenant. Christ, who died once for all, has become our sin offering (see Hebrews 10:10). We fulfill the burnt offering when we offer our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God (see Romans 12:1). The fellowship offering—which was given in voluntary gratitude for past blessings, answered prayer or a bountiful harvest—now pictures the
fellowship we have with God on the basis of Christ’s death on the cross. It has traditionally been called the “peace offering” because the root Hebrew word,
shalom
, means “peace.”

We worship with thanksgiving and praise because we have been reconciled to God, who has made us new creations in Christ. As members of the Body of Christ, we have been reconciled to God. “All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us” (2 Corinthians 5:18–20).

Christians are ambassadors of Christ and ministers of reconciliation. We are witnesses of Christ’s resurrection because we are new creations in Christ and have His resurrected life within us. In the power of the Holy Spirit, we say to all who will listen, “We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God” (verse 20). Like God, we don’t count their sins against them, because what they do is just symptomatic of the real problem: their separation from God.

The message of reconciliation always begins with God, but it encompasses the relationships we have with others. It begins with God because any attempt to unite members of the fallen human race on any basis other than Christ has always failed. When we are reconciled to God, we become brothers and sisters in Christ, and that is the basis for our unity. The Body of Christ will remain fragmented as long as we associate purely on the basis of human reason, race, and religion.

The basis for Christian unity is our common heritage in Christ. That is why Paul exhorts us, “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all” (Ephesians 4:2–6).

The possibility of being reconciled to God and others originates with Him, not humanity. We must personally choose to be reconciled to God by faith, but it is universally inclusive. We must voluntarily receive reconciliation
as a gift and voluntarily share it as a ministry. The message has been entrusted to humankind to be delivered to all, but it is owned and accredited by God. It achieves what otherwise is impossible and is gratefully experienced by all those who have received it. It is the greatest gift that one can receive, yet it is meant to be given away.

How are the three offerings mentioned in Leviticus 3:1–17 fulfilled under the New Covenant?

Why must reconciliation begin with God before we can be reconciled to others?

What is the basis for Christian unity? What hinders that unity from being realized in churches and denominations?

How have you been personally reconciled to God?

On what basis can you now be reconciled to others?

Can you see how great God’s love is for us? Who was the offended party? He was. Who took the first steps toward reconciliation? He did. Some will say that He sent the Son in His place, but this is a misunderstanding. Christ did not come apart from the Father who sent Him. They were both involved together in the work of reconciliation.

John Chrysostom (AD 347–407)

Mark 9:42–50

Key Point

Reconciliation occurs when repentance and forgiveness removes the enmity that exists between two parties.

Key Verse

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

Romans 12:18

W
hen Jesus finished His work on earth, He went to be with the Father. The eternal purpose of God is now being worked out through the Church empowered by the Holy Spirit (see Ephesians 3:10–11). As children of God, we are the salt and light of the world (see Matthew 5:13–16). We have no light in and of ourselves, but we have the life of Christ within us (see John 1:4). Light does not produce life; rather, the eternal life of God produces light.

Our purpose is to glorify God in our bodies. The glory of God is a manifestation of His presence. Therefore, we glorify God when we manifest, or make known, to others the life of Christ within us. Bringing light into a dark world is what makes life meaningful. It doesn’t matter what size our light is, because there is not enough darkness in the world to put out the light of one small candle. The truth spoken in love always shines through the darkness.

It has been said that you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink. That may be true, but you can create a powerful thirst by putting salt in their oats. Salt enhances the flavor of life. When unbelievers see the children of God living a liberated life in Christ, they can’t help but want what they have. Salt also acts as a preservative against the evil forces that would seek to corrupt us. Therefore, “Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with each other” (Mark 9:50). Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9). Any mortal can divide a fellowship, but it takes the grace of God to bring reconciliation to Himself and establish unity among His people.

Paul says, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone” (Romans 12:18). However, it may not always be possible. If another person refuses to be reconciled, there is little we can humanly do other than to petition God. Regardless of how others respond, we must assume our responsibility to be peacemakers and continue carrying on the ministry of reconciliation. Our responsibility is to be a witness; God’s responsibility is to save them. We cannot assume responsibility for the lives of others, but we must assume responsibility for our own attitudes and actions. We cannot make others what we want them to be, and they cannot keep us from being the people God created us to be.

For reconciliation to occur, the enmity that exists between two people must be removed. Our reconciliation with God is now possible because the enmity that existed between Him and us was removed when Christ sacrificed His life for our sins. “The death he died, he died to sin once for all” (Romans 6:10). It can be argued that God has forgiven the sins of all people who have ever lived, but not all are reconciled to Him. That is why the Church has been given the ministry of reconciliation.

To establish and maintain a peaceful coexistence with each other, we have to repent, seek the forgiveness of those whom we have offended, and
forgive those who have offended us. What we have freely received from God, we freely extend to others.

As children of God, how do we serve as the salt and light of the world?

How do we glorify God in our bodies?

Reconciliation with others is not always possible. What do we do in instances where the other person refuses to restore the relationship?

If you want to be like Jesus, why should you be the one to take the initiative to seek reconciliation instead of waiting for the other person?

What enmities currently exist between you and another person?

The apostle [Paul] here gives a very balanced command because he knows perfectly well that peace depends on both parties, and the other party may well be hostile and block peace. What he asks is that our mind should always be ready for peace and that the blame for any discord should lie with the other side and not with us. Of course, there are times when this command cannot be applied; for example, we cannot have peace and fellowship with evil. It is one thing to love people but quite another to love crimes. . . . Therefore, those who are perfect will love the sinner but hate his sin.

Origen (AD 184–253)