Anxiety; December 22, 2018

Posted on December 26, 2018 by jgarrott

1 Peter 5:6-7 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

These two verses are very famous, but many people don’t realize they are consecutive. Actually, they are intimately connected, because anxiety comes from a combination of failing to trust God and of trying to be in control. We worry that things won’t turn out the way we want them to. We have a terribly hard time letting God be God! The verses before and after this make it clear that there is plenty we should be doing, but it needs all to be on the basis of God being in total control. We say we believe in God, but we still get anxious. That’s why Jesus said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.” (John 14:1) We have such trouble doing that! The expression, “He cares for you,” gets interesting in Japanese because of the idiom involved. A literal translation is, “He distributes His heart about you.” That sounds a little weird, but it is the idiom that is used for “worry.” We know that God can’t worry about anything, because He knows the end from the beginning of everything, so we need to go back to the original meaning of the characters, indicating deep interest. Actually, the traditional English translation of this verse is pretty confusing too: “Cast all your cares on Him, for He cares for you.” Rendering that first “cares” as “anxiety” does make it much less confusing, but the fact remains that both ends of this sentence are intimately connected in meaning. God involves His heart so that our hearts can be free. However, we won’t receive that until we accept that He’s smart and we aren’t, He’s in control and we aren’t even supposed to be. Humility is a requirement for peace.

This is certainly applicable to me! I was past 50 before it finally, really, got through to me that God’s smart and I’m not, and I still have trouble with thinking “how things ought to be,” and getting tied in knots because they aren’t that way. I’ll never forget the time I was not really praying, but just thinking about how many things there were that I wanted to be different, and God spoke to me very clearly. He said, “How do you think I feel?” It’s not at all that God is totally pleased with the current state of affairs, it’s that He knows perfectly how it’s all going to turn out, because He’s outside of time and sees it all at once. That’s a perspective I can’t have, and I’ve got to be satisfied with that fact. That’s where humbling myself and casting all my anxiety on Him comes in. It’s been quite a few years now since He told me to rest, relax, and rejoice. I’m still learning how!

Father, thank You for this reminder. It’s been better this year than in many past, but I still get tied in knots over the emotional pressures of the Christmas season. Help me be faithful to do what You want me to, but distinguish between that and other pressures. May I draw others to You by my joy at Your love in sending Your Son to this earth, so that many more may receive Him as Lord, for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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Gifting; December 21, 2018

Posted on December 23, 2018 by jgarrott

1 Peter 4:10-11 Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

I have dearly loved this passage for many years. It came into particularly sharp focus when I was interpreting for Don and Katie Fortune as they taught on Spiritual Gifts, and I have sought to communicate this truth to as many people as possible since then. To me the NIV takes the edge off of the first sentence here, but the Japanese is very sharp: “Because each one has been gifted.” There are no exceptions. I couldn’t begin to count all the people I’ve encountered who have insisted they weren’t gifted, but that’s a lie of the devil. We tend to think of gifting as something other people have, because things that come easily for us seem so ordinary. Other people might struggle at the very things that seem easy to us! Actually, this is an issue for people being paid fairly for their labors. Artistic things particularly fit into that category. One person might be able to create something beautiful with seemingly little effort, but unless you can do it with little effort yourself, you had better be willing to pay for it! The point here though, isn’t in being paid for your gifts but rather using them for the glory of the One who has given them to you. Some people are gifted at cooking. I have remarked many times that I feel sorry for men whose wives aren’t as gifted in that area as mine is. However, most of the time my wife isn’t paid for her cooking monetarily at all. Her reward – other than getting to eat good food herself – is in the joy and appreciation she sees in others who are delighting in the fruit of her labors. That’s why she particularly delights to cook for large groups, even though it’s a lot of work. Japan has just as many gifted people as any other nation, but Japanese culture has strongly discouraged individual pride. That makes it very difficult for the average Japanese to accept that they really are gifted in some way. I have preached on it many times, but they still tend to hold back and leave things to “professionals.” That can make operating a church pretty difficult! What Peter is saying here is, “You are gifted, so use that gifting to bless others for the glory of God.” That’s something that every believer in every nation needs to understand.

One problem for me has been that few things (other than sports) have seemed terribly difficult to me most of my life. I can’t remember my parents ever telling me, “That’s beyond you. Don’t try.” (Sadly, that’s not at all an unusual thing for Japanese parents to say to their children.) Because things have come easily to me, I haven’t been good at asking a fair price for my labors. I’m not particularly good at sales, and I’m particularly poor at selling my own work! I’m not to be anxious about that, but I’m to do everything, whether paid or unpaid, for the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31) It has been a problem in my ministry that I have tended to take the easy way out by doing things myself, since they didn’t seem too difficult to me, rather than training others to do them and giving them the joy and satisfaction of service. My recent episode of not being supposed to talk and being unable to sing was good training in that area! Right now Cathy feels pressure about some of the things she does for the church, but we don’t know whom to bring alongside to help her. We both need to grow in releasing things to others, so that all the gifts given to members of this church may be expressed, for the blessing of more and more people and for the glory of God.

Father, thank You for this reminder. I’ve been pretty slow to learn it! I do pray that all of Your provision for this church, in people and gifting and in every other way, may be recognized and applied, so that Your kingdom may come as Your will is done, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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Evangelism; December 20, 2018

Posted on December 22, 2018 by jgarrott

1 Peter 3:15-16 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

In my opinion, this is a vitally important passage. The Japanese and the English divide the sentences/verses differently, with the Japanese putting “But do this with gentleness and respect” as the beginning of a new sentence in verse 16. In any case, this passage is the blueprint for the vast majority of the evangelism in the Early Church. We have the record of sermons preached by Peter and Paul, but even there, the sermons were in response to people wanting to know what was going on. That is in sharp contrast to what is done so often today, with people being coerced into attending meetings in which they have little interest. Part of the reason for that lies in the clergy/laity divide that is still evident in most churches, despite the Protestant Reformation 500 years ago. We give “priesthood of the believer” lip service but nothing more, depending on “professionals” to do essentially all the real functions of the Church. The other reason is that the average Christian, at least in places where there isn’t active persecution, lives a life indistinguishable from how their neighbor lives. There is nothing there to provoke curiosity, much less a desire for whatever it is the Christian has. It’s no wonder the vast majority of church members have never led anyone to the Lord! Actually, that’s where this starts out: really living with Jesus as your Lord. That’s what Paul was talking about in Romans. “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.” (Romans 12:1) If Jesus isn’t Lord of how we use our bodies, then He isn’t really our Lord, and whatever we call worship isn’t really worship, but hypocrisy. If Jesus isn’t Lord in your heart, it doesn’t matter what rituals you go through. Saying this, we have to remember that none of us is perfect yet, so a lapse doesn’t mean we aren’t saved, but if Jesus is Lord in our hearts, stumbling will be painful for us, because we will desire to please Him in everything. If we will live like that, then His hope will indeed fill our hearts and our lives will be so radiant that those around us will desire the same for themselves.

This is something I’ve talked about pretty much the entire time I’ve been in ministry, but with decidedly mixed success. People are very comfortable with a clergy/laity divide, and many who try to cross that are doing so really in a quest for authority, rather than in genuine submission to the Lordship of Christ. The Coaching Movement that I’ve been exposed to for a couple of years now talks about the priesthood of the believer a lot, and I think that’s very good. The focus is on genuine discipleship for everyone in the church, with no exceptions. Denominations have even been founded on that concept, but I don’t know that they are all that different from any other. I am never to give up, but always keep tabs on my own submission to Jesus’ Lordship even as I encourage and admonish others to do the same. I’ve got to remember that styles of corporate worship are entirely secondary; what matters is the worship in each heart.

Father, You’ve given me the message for Sunday, but this is far more than just a sermon. Help me indeed live every moment with Jesus as my Lord, so that I may in turn lead others to do likewise, cleansing and healing the church to rise up as You intend, for a mighty harvest in Your kingdom, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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The Joy of Faith; December 19, 2018

Posted on December 22, 2018 by jgarrott

1 Peter 1:8-9 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Peter had certainly seen Jesus and had been with Him almost constantly for three and a half years, but he is writing to people who didn’t fit that category. However, Jesus had prayed for them, as He prayed for us: “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message.” (John 17:20) Peter knew that God’s love in Christ extended to them not just because he had heard Jesus pray, but because he had seen God work in their lives. He also probably remembered what Jesus had told Thomas: “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:29) This is why the Church didn’t die out after the 1st Century: God hasn’t changed, and He still encounters anyone who comes to Him in repentance and faith. The more we open ourselves up to that encounter, the more we receive the joy that Peter talks about here. We need to be careful that we don’t have just a “feel good” faith, that is, one that believes only when things are going well. After all, Peter has just been talking about suffering “grief in all kinds of trials.” (verse 6) Peter is encouraging his readers, including us, by reminding them that faith is strengthened through trials, and the reward for faith is glorious indeed. When we focus on the trials, complaining about them to God and to anyone who will listen, we are miserable indeed. When we focus on what God has done for us in Christ, reaching on into eternity, we have a joy that cannot be shaken.

This is something that I’m still learning. I don’t feel I have suffered much at all, compared with the suffering of many I know about around the world, but even minor suffering can distract us from the truth. I occasionally get disgusted with myself when I realize I have allowed inconveniences to steal my joy! As a pastor I am constantly telling people what is written in Hebrews: “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2) Jesus certainly didn’t have it easy on this earth, so I have no reason to complain! As gets pointed out on Facebook and elsewhere, I have a standard of living that would be the envy of over 90% of the world’s population, and yet I still complain. On top of that, and far beyond that, I have the assurance of eternal life. I have nothing to complain about! I need to see through the devil’s lies as soon as they come up, and rest in the peace and joy God has prepared for me.

Father, thank You for Your overwhelming grace and patience toward me. Help me respond in full obedience and love, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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Confession; December 18, 2018

Posted on December 21, 2018 by jgarrott

James 5:16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

I have heard this whole section, from verse 13 on, quoted many times in the context of prayer for healing. However, the point of confessing our sins to each other often gets glossed over. Incredible power is released when we acknowledge our sins in repentance before God. God puts no barriers between Himself and us, but our sins put up a wall. The blood of Jesus is already provided to take away all such walls, (Ephesians 2:14) between us and God and between us as children of God, but we have to acknowledge the wall is there before it can be removed. That’s why confession is important. The Catholic Church institutionalized it, requiring confession to a priest, but there is no hint of that here. This is strictly “peer confession,” if you want to call it that. The result of such confession, as a part of genuine repentance, is righteousness. We like to think we are righteous, but when pressed, we don’t like to claim it because it sounds like bragging. Jesus is the only person who ever lived who never sinned and was perfectly righteous, but by faith we are in Him and so receive His righteousness. (2 Corinthians 5:21) The mechanism for that was expressed clearly by John: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9) And there we have it again: confession. General, “fruit basket” confession does very little good, I think. I have been in services of multiple denominations that had “congregational confession” of sins, but such things generally become just words, because they are not specific and “everybody’s the same, so I’m not really bad.” Public confession is only rarely called for, I think, but personal, specific confession really gets the job done. Historically, confession has been the trigger for a majority of the major revival movements in the Church for the past 2000 years.

I’ve not stressed confession at all in my own ministry, and I wonder if that has been wise. I have been blessed by having brothers in the Lord with whom I could be completely frank, and that has been very helpful. Accountability is important! Japanese tend to be very private, which is closely related to this being a shame culture, as opposed to a sin culture. They tend to feel that if nobody knows about it, it’s not bad. We have known people who put up a good front all the way up until they committed suicide. That is a major barrier to spiritual growth and maturity. Cathy and I have both been given words of knowledge about people’s activities, and when they find out we know, they have been freaked out! The point is, God knows anyway, and in all probability other people have figured it out too. If we want to be righteous, and we should, then confession is an integral part of that and I need to let people know it, regardless of cultural barriers.

Father, here You’ve given me another subject I need to teach on. Thank you. Show me when and how I am to do it! Help me help others understand their fundamental need for Your grace and mercy, and also what they need to do to receive it, so that the lying traps of the devil may be destroyed and people be set free indeed, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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Close to God; December 17, 2018

Posted on December 21, 2018 by jgarrott

James 4:7-8 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

Verse 7 gets quoted very frequently, and most frequently just the second half of the verse. That leaves the door open for a lot of misunderstanding. In the first place, successfully resisting the devil is entirely dependent on submitting to God first. The Japanese makes that clear by putting a “Then,” in the middle of the verse. That’s extremely good and helpful. However, verse 8 gets quoted very seldom, and that’s a shame. The first half of the verse brings to mind what God said to Jeremiah: “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13) Those are comforting words indeed, both in Jeremiah and James. However, James goes on to say how we can draw near to God. Rephrasing it, James says, “If you have sin in your life, cut it out. If you are straddling the fence, commit to Christ alone.” We don’t like the instructions that follow in verse 9 – or at least I didn’t – because we like to be happy, but if we are casual about unrepented sin in our lives, we certainly won’t be close to God and the devil will laugh at our attempts to resist him. We are indeed saved by grace through faith, (Ephesians 2:8-9) but how we live demonstrates our heart attitude. Too many people are in the company of those Paul basically yelled at in Romans: “What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning, so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?” (Romans 6:1-2) Repentance means forsaking sin. If we are unwilling to do that, we are spitting in God’s face. God doesn’t show us every bit of our sin at once; that would destroy us. However, as soon as the Holy Spirit shines His light on something that is not pleasing to God, we are to ask and receive His help to get rid of it. Like Jesus said, we aren’t to run around telling other people how they need to change, we are to get rid of the wrong attitudes and actions in our own lives first. (Matthew 7:1-5)

This is doubly applicable to me, because as a pastor I am charged with helping people understand how they are to live. I am to be humble, before God and before people, (verse 10) welcoming the light of the Holy Spirit in every corner of my life and not hanging onto anything He says goes in the “discard” pile. I am to be a demonstration of what it is to submit to God. Of course I am to resist the devil, but my focus is to be on God and my relationship with Him. If I focus on the devil, he becomes bigger in my imagination than God, and he loves that. I deal with people all the time who want to resist the devil’s attacks on their lives, but they can’t seem to understand that the first order of business is submitting to God and drawing close to Him. Church attendance in itself won’t save us, but it can be a clear indicator of heart attitude. If someone can’t make corporate worship a priority, it says more than they want to about them. Actually, the same goes for private worship, that is, devotions. Perhaps my biggest battle as a pastor is in trying to get people to understand that they need to take time every morning to start the day with prayer and Bible reading. The devil has convinced them that “it’s too much trouble,” and “they can’t make time because they’re too busy.” Those are lies from the pit of hell, and they seek to pull those deceived by them into that pit. I’m not to get mad at people, but I have every reason to be mad at the devil, and I’m not to draw back from that. At the same time, I’m to recognize that my anger won’t get the job done, (James 1:20) so I’ve got to submit each person, each situation, to God for Him to deal with. If He wants to use me in the process, I’m not to draw back, but I’m not to try to do anything on my own.

Father, this is a strong Word, and it makes a connection that I hadn’t made before. Thank You. Help me live it out, in my personal life and as a pastor, so that the strongholds of the enemy may be demolished and people set free (2 Corinthians 10:4-5) to be all that You have called them to be, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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Mercy; December 16, 2018

Posted on December 18, 2018 by jgarrott

James 2:12-13 Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!

Christian living isn’t simple. On the one hand we are commanded to be holy (1 Peter 1:16) and perfect. (Matthew 5:48) On the other hand, we are reminded that all have sinned, (Romans 3:23) and if we say we have not, the truth isn’t in us. (1 John 1:8) We are to be discerning (Philippians 1:10) but not judgmental. (Matthew 7:1) Frankly, none of us is smart enough to keep it all straight. The more we draw close to God, the more we are aware that we are in total need of His grace and mercy. That’s why Jesus was so strict on the point of forgiving. (Matthew 6:14-15) As we condemn others’ failures, we are effectively condemning ourselves. It’s not at all that we aren’t to call sin, sin. Far too many churches are going in that direction these days, caving to the demands of those who are in open rebellion against God. It has long been a cliché, but even so, we are to hate the sin and love the sinner – even when the sinner is us! That’s what this passage is talking about. In verse 10 of this same chapter it states clearly that breaking God’s law at any point makes us a lawbreaker, period. It has been said that American law has become so convoluted that just about anybody could be shown to be breaking at least one law at any given point. That’s probably true for other countries as well. God’s law isn’t arbitrary the way so many human laws are, but it is far more complete, and by it, we are indeed all guilty. That is why we are saved by grace through faith, (Ephesians 2:8-9) and not by keeping the law. Martin Luther despised this letter of James, because from the very next verse after this passage it talks about the importance of demonstrating our faith through living it out, when Luther had just rediscovered the principle of justification by faith. Luther overlooked this passage! Luther himself was a deeply flawed individual, as we all are. That’s why we must cling to Christ, and extend to others the grace and mercy that have been shown to us.

This certainly applies to me! At this point in my life people tend to think I’ve got it all together, but I am constantly reminded of sins of omission – things I have failed to do – as well as occasional sins of commission – things I know I shouldn’t do. I too am totally in debt to the grace and mercy of God. Some of the actions of people I care about grieve me deeply, but I must remember that God is grieved even more. I am to love them first and foremost, without failing to speak the truth to them as God gives opportunities. If I descend into judgmentalism I have handed the devil a victory, over me as well as over the other person. I am to forgive without excusing, love without condoning. That’s more than I can do on my own! Just this morning I have been reminded of numerous failures on my part, and have been tempted to condemn others along the way. I’ve got to operate in the truth of this passage, toward myself and toward others.

Father, thank You for Your grace and mercy! Thank You also for helping me be aware of my need for them. Help me keep growing, keep drawing closer to You, so that I may indeed be transformed into the likeness of Christ Jesus my Lord, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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Perseverance; December 15, 2018

Posted on December 17, 2018 by jgarrott

James 1:2-4 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Once again we have a passage that would hardly be welcomed in many churches today. We don’t like people talking about trials and perseverance! Actually, where the NIV says, “Perseverance must finish its work,” the Japanese says, “Put perseverance (patient endurance) to work fully.” In other words, it’s a command. If we fail to put in the effort, we won’t be “mature and complete, not lacking anything.” Recently I read about a vision someone had of Jesus telling him that people were so focused on His love and grace that they had forgotten He is returning as King. I have no trouble believing that was a completely genuine, valid vision. We try to attract people to the Gospel by making it all soft and sweet. A marshmallow isn’t very durable! God isn’t after marshmallows, He’s after disciples who will follow Him no matter what. We have forgotten the message of repentance, and there is no salvation without it. People need to be told of the love and grace of God, certainly, but they must also be told how much they need that love and grace, because they are utterly doomed without it. We must not promise people “sweetness and light” all the time, because life on this earth isn’t like that. As Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble. But rejoice, for I have overcome the world!” (John 16:33) We want what God has for us, but we forget verse 12 here: “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.”

This is certainly applicable to me, as it is to every believer. We don’t like to need to persevere; we’d like everything dumped into our laps right now. I’m no different, but I have learned that many things are sweeter when we have had to wait for them. Just last night our supper was about two hours later than we usually eat, and boy, did it taste good! I have no idea when God will fulfill His various promises to me, either the ones that are to all believers or some He has given to me personally, but I am to persevere in the assurance that He is faithful. As the Bible repeatedly assures us, God is totally faithful and will reward us for our obedience, but at the same time we aren’t to presume. Jesus said clearly, “So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’” (Luke 17:10) I can hardly claim to have done everything I was told to do! I am to rejoice in God’s grace toward me, and know that He will be totally consistent with His character, and that is a very good thing indeed.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for all that You take me through to teach me faith and perseverance. Help me receive those lessons with joy, drawing others into discipleship by my example, for their blessing and Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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God’s Equipping; December 14, 2018

Posted on December 17, 2018 by jgarrott

Hebrews 13:20-21 May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

This chapter has so much good stuff in it I was at first at a loss as to what to write on. Verse 15 was fundamental in my introduction to the Charismatic Movement back in the ’70s, and the section at the very first about how to live is totally appropriate for the present day. However, these two verses speak to the foundation of it all. In the first place, there is the reminder that Jesus is the Great Shepherd. That is such an important thing for everyone in ministry to have in their mind and heart at all times. Peter also speaks of Jesus as the Chief Shepherd, specifically talking to those in Church leadership. (1 Peter 5:4) Not even the Pope is the Big Cheese! Those in Church leadership MUST remember that they are simply part of a chain of command, and serve only at the pleasure of our Lord. The other thing these verses say to me is that God will provide everything necessary for us to do whatever He asks of us. When God gives us a vision of something He wants done, we tend either to think, “Oh I’ve got this,” or else panic because we know we don’t have the ability or resources necessary for the task. Neither response is accurate. We do need to be clear that the vision is from God and not just our own imagination or ambition, but with that settled, we should know definitively that on our own we couldn’t possibly do it, (John 15:5) but God can and will do it through us, if we will trust and obey. That’s what God’s provision is all about! As He told Paul, His strength is made perfect in our weakness. (2 Corinthians 12:9) We are to trust that, and give Him glory by our loving obedience.

This is certainly applicable to me! At 70 I can look back at quite a few things the Lord has enabled me to do with absolute certainty that I couldn’t have done them on my own. At the same time, I can look forward with assurance that the Lord isn’t through with me yet, and He has quite a few more things He wants to do through me. I’m not to try to dream those up, but I am to be active in seeking His will on a daily, even moment-by-moment basis. If God says it, that settles it! I am not to hold back from anything for any reason, but press on even as Paul wrote to the Philippians. (Philippians 3:12-14) I have no idea what God has planned, but I know that it is good, even if the road might be steep. (Jeremiah 29:11)

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You that my voice continues to be OK. Help me take proper care of it! Thank You for the various opportunities You’re giving me to share some of what You’ve poured into me, yesterday and again tomorrow. Help me not come across as “the guru,” but rather come alongside people as Your agent, so that the Body of Christ may be built up for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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Witnesses; December 13, 2018

Posted on December 16, 2018 by jgarrott

Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

I couldn’t begin to count how many times I’ve heard this verse quoted with the commentary that we have all these saints cheering us on. Frankly, that’s closely tied with Catholic veneration of saints. This is indeed referencing the many heroes of faith talked about in chapter 11, but the whole question is that of the meaning of “witnesses.” The Japanese is much less open to confusion, because the term used is the one that refers to someone giving testimony in court. These people aren’t up there watching us, they are saying that God is absolutely faithful and Jesus is our perfect example. This goes back to Jesus’ very famous words after His resurrection: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8) The witnesses with which we are surrounded aren’t witnessing (watching) us, they are witnessing (testifying) to us of the faithfulness of God. That steps on our self-centered egos, but that needs to be done sometimes! We need to get it through our heads and into our hearts that it’s not about us, it’s about Him. That’s why the next verse so famously tells us to fix our eyes on Jesus. That’s what all these witnesses are telling us to do!

It’s been many years since I first realized what this verse was really saying, in contrast to what so many people were claiming it meant. However, that doesn’t mean I was instantly cured of being self-centered! I too have to keep being reminded that it’s not about me, it’s about my Lord, the Savior of the universe who wants to use me for His glory. I very frequently tell people that self-centeredness never leads to true happiness, but that doesn’t mean I operate on that principle 100% myself. However, I have certainly tasted the faithfulness and goodness of God, and I too am called and equipped with the Holy Spirit to be a witness to those around me. I am to be part of that “cloud of witnesses” for others. I’ve got to remember that what God does for me, He intends as blessing for others as well. I am not to hang onto anything, but receive it with open hands so that it may then be shared with all who will receive it in turn. I am to be a demonstration of a Christ-centered life, so that others may see and desire such for themselves, for their great blessing and God’s glory.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for the confirmation of Your healing as I was checked yesterday, with only the slightest of marks visible, even at high magnification, on my vocal cord where two weeks earlier I had a very noticeable blister. Help me be a good steward indeed of the voice You have given me, not for my satisfaction but to bless those around me. Give me wisdom in the fairly intensive use of my voice that is called for over the next two weeks. May I speak and sing not for my ego but for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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