May 2, 2013

Posted on May 3, 2013 by jgarrott

2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

It is sad to realize that I hesitated to write on any part of this passage because of how it has been abused by the “Prosperity Gospel” people. However, the other side of that is that there are a lot of Christians who have difficulty trusting God to be Yahweh Jireh, the Lord our Provider. (Genesis 22:14) Part of the reason for that is the way we make such a strong connection between abundance and finances. There is far more to abundance than money! It is common that people with big bank accounts are emotional beggars. That is obvious to anyone with understanding who pays any attention at all to the “celebrity” culture. As it says in Proverbs 15:17, “Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened calf with hatred.” That said, finances are certainly useful in this world, and God does provide what we need, if we are submitted to Him. We are not as likely to receive that provision, however, if we fail to recognize that finances are indeed of this world and treat them accordingly, and/or fail to recognize and be thankful for all of God’s non-financial provision. Jesus was very clear that “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Luke 12:34) It is when we indeed seek first God’s kingdom and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33) that we can both recognize and appropriate His provision in every area, to be fully equipped for “every good work,” as it says here.

I have certainly experienced God’s provision in every area, to the amazement of many. However, that’s not to say that I’ve always walked in full peace and assurance of that provision! Any time I’ve gotten into an “I’ve got to provide” mindset, I’ve experienced stress and tension that has come close to doing me in. However, God has been faithful to correct my foolishness, and I’m very grateful. Now, seeing others who struggle to trust God for His provision, I feel a great empathy, but when they stubbornly refuse to choose to trust, I can only feel sorry for them. I am not to talk down to anyone but I am to exhort and encourage, using the authority God has given me to build them up and not tear them down. (2 Corinthians 10:8)

Father, thank You for Your amazing faithfulness. I’ve experienced it so much I’m no longer amazed. Keep me grateful, rather than taking it for granted. I ask for clear guidance in the “good works” You have prepared for us, so that every part of Your provision may be used as You intend, advancing Your kingdom for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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May 1, 2013

Posted on May 2, 2013 by jgarrott

2 Corinthians 5:14-15 For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.

This is a mouthful, whatever language you’re using! The lead phrase gets translated several ways, and all of them shed light on what Paul was talking about. The NIV says “compels,” the TEV says “leaves us no choice,” and the Japanese I’m using says “surrounds us (hems us in).” The whole point is that the more we know of Christ’s love, the more we not only want to live for Him, the more we want to tell others about Him so that they too may live for Him. I think I am agreeing with Paul here in saying that anyone who feels no urge to tell others about Christ really doesn’t understand His love. Paul was not what you would call a “lovey-dovey” guy, but he was absolutely blown out of the water by God’s love in Christ Jesus. His conversion was dramatic, certainly, but that alone doesn’t account for it. Paul came to his understanding of God’s love by walking with Him in the daily fellowship of obedience. Love is the one thing that violates the physical law of entropy, because when exercised, it only increases. The more we grasp God’s love, the more we love Him, which enables us to understand His love even more, in a glorious cycle. However, for that to happen our love for Him must be expressed in obedience. Anything less is not really worthy of the title of love. Jesus was completely clear about that: “If you love me, you will obey what I command.” (John 14:15) That’s why His love leaves us no choice (to use the TEV turn of phrase).

I can still remember my mother coming back from an emergency trip to the US, back when the TEV was a new translation. She had been reading a copy on the plane as she headed for the US, and got to this passage, and it really clicked for her. She had been struggling with her motivations in various areas, and this suddenly made it all clear. That has stayed with me, and I have benefited from the insight God gave her. I am not to rebel against my circumstances, but rather to trust God precisely because I know He is love, and all His plans for me are love whether I understand them or not. That’s not to say I’m to be a doormat, because often God allows things in my life to teach me to stand firm against the devil’s schemes. Whatever happens in my life, my question to God is not to be, “Why?” but rather, “What do You want me to do in this situation?” When that is my attitude, He will indeed guide me, and the results will be glorious.

Father, thank You for this reminder. I still have room to grow in choosing obedience over grumbling. Help me be an increasingly effective communicator of Your love to others, so that they too may choose to obey You in response to Your love, for their blessing and Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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April 30, 2013

Posted on May 2, 2013 by jgarrott

2 Corinthians 3:12 Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold.

Every time I run into this verse it strikes me that many Christians must not have a firm hold on the hope that is theirs in Christ Jesus, because they aren’t bold! There are of course differences in personality, but I have seen Christians who were on the mousy side who were bold witnesses, and I have seen far more who otherwise were outgoing who totally froze up when it came to talking about Christ and faith. It is important that our faith be more than just information; we need an active relationship with our living Lord. When we encounter Him regularly in prayer, worship, and reading the Word, then we will have the assurance that it only gets better, and our hope will be unshakable. However “Sunday Christians” aren’t going to have anything more than dry theory to give them hope. One of the biggest differences between real Christianity and any other religion, even some that claim to be Christian, is the matter of active fellowship with our Savior. Most religions don’t even have a “savior figure” in their teaching, much less any hint that active fellowship with Deity is even possible. If you start comparing genuine Christian faith with anything else, it quickly becomes obvious that you’re looking at apples and oranges; they’re completely different. Externals can be copied, just as the recent birth of an “atheist church” movement in Britain, where people who claim no faith gather regularly for the sake of the fellowship with one another. Sadly, some churches aren’t much different, which is probably what gave them the idea. Fellowship with other believers is important, but fellowship with God is absolutely central. It is when we have that, that we are bold in sharing the hope that is in us.

Well, that’s certainly a clear exposition! I know that I desire an ever-deepening, ever-increasing fellowship with God my Father and Christ Jesus my Lord through the Holy Spirit, and I know that when that fellowship is operative, I have absolutely no hesitation to share the good news of salvation. However, when my focus is on people and how I think they might react to me, then suddenly my boldness goes out the window! It’s really a matter of priorities. Wanting people to like me isn’t bad, but I need to be focused first on Christ. When my heart is tuned to Him, boldness is never an issue.

Father, thank You for this very clear exposition of how our lives should be as witnesses of Jesus Christ. Help me communicate it to the believers without coming across as lecturing them or talking down to them. I pray that each one would have such a taste of You that they would be absolutely addicted, pressing in for more and more, so that we may all be transformed into the likeness of Christ Jesus our Lord, even as it says in verse 18, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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April 29, 2013

Posted on April 30, 2013 by jgarrott

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.

Here we have the definitive reason that every Christian should take care of their body. That certainly doesn’t mean we are to be obsessed with our bodies, but it does mean that we are to avoid destructive behaviors, like smoking and overeating, and be careful to get the exercise and rest our bodies need. The passage as a whole is obviously focused on sexual behavior, so that should go without saying. However, society today is so saturated with sex that it’s hardly surprising that aberrations have crept, and at times flooded, into the Church. For any thinking person, this passage should completely end any uncertainty on the issue of homosexuality. Not only does such behavior violate moral constraints, it has a proven negative impact on health. There’s no way a Christian could rationalize such behavior in the the face of this passage. However, heterosexual immorality had come into the Church before homosexuality was even on the radar, and that’s what this passage is most focused on. The very last line should be the clincher: “honor God with your body.” (The Japanese says, “Display God’s glory with your body.”

This, of course, applies to me as much as it does to anyone. It is very dangerous when church leaders start thinking they are “above” any instruction in the Bible. When we teach others, why would we think we are exempt?! The issue of immorality is one I have been aware of for a long time, but in recent years I have become more aware of the health issues that also come under these two verses. If I, for example, borrow a power tool from someone, I am to treat it carefully while it is in my possession, keeping it clean and using it appropriately. My body is “on loan” to me from God, since, as this passage says, He is the Owner. That means I’m to be just as careful with my body as I would be with a power tool. That’s not to say I’m not to make full use of it; tools are made to be used. However, it is to say that I’m to watch my weight, get appropriate exercise, and generally keep to a good maintenance schedule. I’ve already outlived my father, and I’m not so interested in longevity as such, because I have an inkling of how wonderful the next stage is. However, I need to do all I can to see to it that this body is as useful as possible for as long as God wants me to use it.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You that I’ll be able to go walking this morning. Thank You for the good health care that is available in Omura. Help me keep my focus on You, rather than on my body or on any of the abilities You’ve placed in me, so that I will be fully available to You at all times for whatever You want to do through me, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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April 28, 2013

Posted on April 30, 2013 by jgarrott

1 Corinthians 1:31 Therefore, as it is written: “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.”

One of the most remarkable things about the Bible is its unity. Despite being made up of 66 books written by dozens of authors, the same themes keep coming up, with remarkable unanimity. That is in sharp contrast to the Koran, which was written by one man but is notably self-contradictory. The closer you examine the Bible, the better you understand that it was inspired and guided by the Spirit of God, and God does not change. (2 Timothy 3:16) (I think that “dictated” is too strong a word, because personalities and styles are evident among the various different people who did the writing.) Here, Paul is quoting Jeremiah 9:24, and he himself goes further on the same theme in Philippians 3:4-8, famously calling those things that had been his bragging points “rubbish.” I’m reminded of the proverb, “A little knowledge is a dangerous thing.” Small children don’t know much, but they don’t pretend to know much. Along about our teenage years we start thinking we really know something, when really we still know very little. That’s where the term “sophomore” comes from. Based on Greek, it means “wise fool.” It is as we gain wisdom along with our knowledge that we realize how little we really know, and boasting disappears. Some people never seem to get to that point! There is a very real difference between saying, I’ve done this and that, and saying, God has done this and that through me. The better we understand God and understand ourselves, the more amazed we are that He does anything through us! Understanding that it really is grace, and not something we can brag about, is actually very liberating.

I’ve certainly earned the “sophomore” title in spades! Much of my boasting came from insecurity, so I bragged on what I thought were my strong points. In doing so, I negated what strength I had! The Lord has placed a number of abilities in me, but the longer I walk with Him, the more thoroughly I understand that it’s His doing and not mine, and pride changes to gratitude. Any human comparisons are, to use a Japanese proverb, “acorns comparing height.” When the standard is Almighty God, and His Son Jesus Christ, every trace of room for boasting disappears. Sometimes in looking at others I am tempted to say, “How can they be so blind and foolish?” However, the answer to that question is, “the same way I was.” I have wisdom only to the degree that I follow God. I have strength and ability only to the degree that I allow Him to act through me. However, He is incredibly gracious and faithful, and I have assurance that He will continue to use me for His glory.

Father, thank You for this reminder. I wish I didn’t need it quite so often! Help me indeed rest, relax, and rejoice in You, allowing You to do in and through me all that You desire, so that Your purposes may be accomplished on Your schedule for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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April 27, 2013

Posted on April 30, 2013 by jgarrott

Romans 14:17-18 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men.

It was always amusing when we happened to sing the song made from verse 17 on a Sunday when we were having a pot luck dinner. However, that’s entirely coincidental to the main thrust of what Paul has written here. The point of this passage is focusing on fellowship with God, rather than on assorted rules and regulations. In some circles, tobacco is a sticking point. I don’t smoke, and I feel it is poor stewardship of the bodies God has given us, but like one of my seminary professors said, “Smoking won’t send you to hell, it will just make you smell like you’ve been there.” Alcohol is even more of an issue in many churches, but again, the Bible never says, “Don’t drink,” it says, “Don’t get drunk.” (Ephesians 5:18) I don’t drink, for a number of reasons, but for some people a beer or a little wine can help relax at the end of the day, and actually is helpful for blood circulation. The risk is in excess, and that risk can be significant. I could go on and on with examples of things that one group approves and another condemns. What Paul is saying here is that focusing on such issues gets in the way of living authentic Christian lives. When we are walking in righteousness, peace, and the joy of the Holy Spirit, not only will our lives be delightful, people will be drawn to us like magnets, and many will be saved.

As a pastor, I am to be setting the example here. That actually is a major reason why I don’t drink, because if I were to drink, others might say, “If Pastor Garrott drinks, then I can too,” and incur risks that they can’t handle. If someone’s conscience is bothered by what they do, then in line with the rest of this passage, I seek to help them change. Otherwise, my focus is far more on positives, things we need to be doing, like regular prayer and Bible reading, than on negatives, things we shouldn’t do. I have found that people who rely on alcohol, for example, are far less likely to be filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit, and I don’t hesitate to say so. I point out that I’ve been “drunk on the Holy Spirit” many times, but I’ve never had a hangover! I seek to help people believe that God really wants them to be happy, but that the world’s methods won’t do the job. When we have that understanding, we realize that God’s commands aren’t burdensome, but are for our blessing. (1 John 5:3)

Father, thank You for the righteousness, peace, and joy of walking with You. Help me communicate that better and better, drawing more and more into that fellowship, for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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April 26, 2013

Posted on April 30, 2013 by jgarrott

Romans 10:12-13 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile – the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

This statement was absolutely offensive to many Jews of Paul’s day, and actually, it continues to be so today. The physical descendants of Abraham, specifically through Isaac and Jacob, were and are God’s chosen people, but they misunderstood the purpose of their choosing, and it made problems for them and everyone else. They were chosen to bless all mankind, in various ways. Even today, an amazing percentage of Nobel laureates are Jews. The nation of Israel today is a fountain of invention and innovation that benefits the whole world. However, when anyone starts thinking that the things God pours out on them are just because they are so special and worthy, that corrupts things. The primary purpose of God’s choosing Abraham and his descendants was to spread the knowledge of Him throughout the world, so that people would turn from worshiping created things (including worshiping man, which is the major idolatry today) and worship the Creator. God’s choice, of the Jews and of anyone else, continues to be for the blessing of mankind and for His glory. That’s why the statement that there is no difference between Jew and Greek is so vitally important: God can and will use anyone who is committed to Him.

Growing up as a blond kid in postwar Japan, I was very aware of racial differences. However, my parents were successful in raising us to understand that such differences were cosmetic and not essential, and certainly not a matter of value. I will confess of having used my status as an American to get away with things that Japanese kids were not allowed to do, but I don’t think I felt even then that I was actually “better,” from a racial standpoint. I saw my parents’ deep love for the Japanese and their desire that Japanese join them in God’s family, and that certainly rubbed off. We currently have an interracial, intercultural, bilingual church, and that’s a good demonstration of this principle. One language or one culture is not superior to another, but we all need to strive for “kingdom culture,” living out our citizenship in heaven (Philippians 3:20) here and now. Frankly, anyone tends to feel that their way is better. I’m guilty too, and I need to lead the way in humility to find God’s way for every situation, every question.

Father, thank You for Your grace in countless ways. Thank You for this congregation and for all You are doing in and among us. Help us continue to grow in every area, emotionally, spiritually, and intellectually, even as we grow in numbers, so that we will be an accurate demonstration of Your kingdom to those around us, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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April 25, 2013

Posted on April 30, 2013 by jgarrott

Romans 9:30-32 What then shall we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith; but Israel, who pursued a law of righteousness, has not attained it. Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works.

From the underlining in both the English and the Japanese in my Bible, I’m sure I’ve written on this before. However, it’s certainly worth writing on again. Sometimes the Japanese lack of pronouns can actually make things much clearer. Here, in verse 31, instead of saying “have not obtained it,” the Japanese says, “have not obtained that law.” In Romans and in Galatians, Paul makes it clear that the law is actually unobtainable, for the reason stated here. That is, true righteousness comes by faith, and not by works. We cannot do enough to be right before God, because we are too weak and we carry too much baggage. That’s why salvation is by grace through faith. (Ephesians 2:8-10) As long as we think we can get to God, to perfection, by our own efforts, we are doomed to failure. It is only when we acknowledge our own inability and believe that Jesus has already done for us everything necessary for our salvation that we can receive that salvation. It is an interesting window into human nature that our inability to earn salvation would be such a stumbling block for so many people. We aren’t comfortable with grace, because we recognize it puts us in tremendous debt, and we don’t like that. What we fail to realize is that we already owe everything to God, down to every atom of our physical being and every breath we take. As I keep being reminded, it is that debt that makes atheists so adamant in their denial that God exists; they don’t want to acknowledge their accountability before God.

I could say that my entire life and ministry revolve around this issue. The average Japanese either ignores God completely or else has a superstitious desire to go through the right ceremonies so as not to offend the mysterious, scary beings called gods. Getting through that cultural mindset is quite a challenge! Monotheism itself is a leap for many Japanese, but then progressing to the understanding that the only God, the Creator of the universe, loves them personally enough to send His Son to die for them, seems like total fiction to them. I am not to give up, though, because that’s the only route to salvation, and God loves them as much as He loves me. The desire to “do it yourself,” to have bragging rights, is certainly not unique to Japanese. I run into some of the same obstacles in ministering to people of various countries. Somehow we want to cling to the lie, planted in our minds by the devil, that we don’t really need God, when nothing could be further from the truth. I am to remember that just as I can’t save myself, I can’t save anyone else, either, and so keep myself available to God for Him to save people using me.

Father, thank You for the incredible privilege of being used by You in Your work of salvation. Help me not be impatient or demanding, but humbly listen and obey, so that Your will may be done in and through me on Your schedule for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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April 24, 2013

Posted on April 30, 2013 by jgarrott

Romans 8:6-8 The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.

The NIV translators bent over backwards to avoid promoting the kind of self-hatred that leads to things like anorexia and self-mutilation, but in the process they made this passage awkward at best, by replacing “flesh” with “sinful nature.” “Political correctness” rarely does anyone any good! Our bodies are not evil in themselves, but we are not to be controlled by our bodies. In 2 Corinthians 5 Paul speaks of our bodies as tents which we inhabit while on earth, and that’s a useful analogy. The difficulty is that our “tents” are alive, and are essentially animals. We shouldn’t leave our thinking to animals! It is an old joke that men do their thinking between their legs, but that joke has its roots in this reality. The good news, which Paul stresses in this whole chapter, is that God has provided His Spirit to help us out. As it says here, the mind and thoughts of the Spirit are life and peace! As an animal being trained has to learn, obedience brings blessings, even when we don’t understand at the moment what we are being required to do. We certainly aren’t to mistreat our bodies, but neither are we to allow our bodies to sit in the driver’s seat of our lives. They don’t have a valid license!

Like everyone else, this is a reality I live with every day. When I give my body priority, I end up frustrated and unproductive. When I keep Christ as my priority, I have energy and peace, and all sorts of good things get done. Stewardship of my body is an important issue. My body needs proper, and not excessive, nutrition, as well as proper exercise and appropriate maintenance. I’m not to be afraid to go to the doctor! However, obsessing over the condition of my body turns my heart away from God just as much as giving into physical lusts. I am to maintain my body so that it will serve me long and well, but it must be my body serving me, rather than me serving my body. That is what Paul is talking about here. If I’m serving my body, rather than just taking care of it, than I’m not serving God. I feel this issue is a stumbling block for many, but I’m not to run around pointing fingers. As Jesus said, I’ve got plenty of issues of my own! (Matthew 7:3-5)

Father, thank You for this reminder. My body can get pretty demanding as I get older! Help me not damage it by presumption or inaction, but keep me from focusing on it either. Help me walk in the health You have for me, with my emphasis on You rather than me, so that Your purposes for me may be accomplished on Your schedule for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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April 23, 2013

Posted on April 24, 2013 by jgarrott

Romans 7:24-25 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God–through Jesus Christ our Lord!

Every person with an active conscience has experienced what Paul writes about in this chapter. However, only those who acknowledge it and come to Christ in humble faith can make the confession recorded here. Through the centuries people have responded to this internal conflict differently, from ascetics on the one side who say that everything physical is bad (and then take guilty pleasure in it) to hedonists on the other side, who say that if it feels good to the body, it is good. Obviously, current society has swung pretty strongly in the direction of hedonism. However, Paul speaks out strongly against both, condemning sexual sin on the one hand (1 Corinthians 6:18-20) but also saying that everything God created is to be accepted with thanks. (1 Timothy 4:3-5) That balance isn’t easy to keep, and that’s what this chapter is about. In concluding, he gives us this statement of our need for help, and then gives thanks to God. In other words, in Christ we can indeed have victory over this conflict, and that is truly good news. (He expands on that in chapter eight.)

This, of course, reflects my experience, as it does that of every believer. We run into trouble because we try to rely on our own strength, and that’s just not up to the task. Jesus made that clear when he said that simply looking at someone lustfully is committing spiritual adultery! (Matthew 5:28) I feel there is a great deal of wisdom in what D. L. Moody told a young seminary student who complained of the impossibility of purity: “You can’t keep birds from flying over your head, but you can keep them from building nests in your hair!” The devil is constantly throwing temptations at us, and we need to deflect them with the shield of faith. (Ephesians 6:16) That shows that faith isn’t abstract, but intensely practical and down-to-earth. Without it, we won’t experience victory in our constant struggle with the flesh and the world.

Father, thank You that my “margin of victory” has gotten better over the years. Keep me from relaxing my guard, because the devil certainly doesn’t give up in his attacks. Help me walk in the holiness You intend and lead others to do likewise, so that we may receive the abundance that You have for us in Christ and be fully pleasing to You, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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