Obeying God; June 5, 2024

Posted on June 6, 2024 by jgarrott

1 John 2:3 We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands.

When John has just been writing beautifully about how Jesus’ sacrifice covers all our sins, it’s important that he follows with this statement. God’s grace is no excuse to not walk in obedience, as Paul also wrote very clearly. (Romans 6:1-2) John, of course, was in the room when Jesus said, “If you love me, you will obey what I command.” (John 14:15) This isn’t legalism, but a reasonable and practical guard against the lies of the devil. It’s the opposite of what the Pharisees practiced. They were all about things like how many steps you could take on the Sabbath, all the while looking down on the people around them, not realizing that God loves everyone equally. The command that John stresses in the verses immediately following this is the one to love each other. Even there, however, we need to be careful not to swallow the devil’s lies, because coddling someone in their sin is not loving them. That’s a common tactic today, with slogans like “Love is love” being used to “normalize” all sorts of perversion, including pedophilia. It all comes down to heart attitude, because if we genuinely know Jesus as Lord, our desire will be to be completely obedient to Him, just as this verse says.

This verse is both a caution and a comfort to me. I have indeed ignored God, all the while claiming and even honestly believing I knew Him better than most people. That’s a deep trap to get stuck in! At the same time, at this point He has grown me to where I do desire to be fully obedient, and I am assured in my relationship with Him. I know I have plenty of room to grow in that, as I will for as long as I am in this body, but I know the truth of what Paul said: “For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.” (Philippians 2:13) I am to let the Holy Spirit be my “policeman,” keeping me on the right path. It’s nice to be on good terms with the cops!

Father, thank You for this reminder, and for the assurance that my relationship with You is not a sham. Thank You that I have tasted such self-deception to know the difference! May I indeed lead those around me to know You as well, so that together we may walk in all that You intend for us, for Your pleasure and glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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Sharing Christ; June 4, 2024

Posted on June 5, 2024 by jgarrott

1 John 1:3 We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.

I could easily write on any of the 10 verses in this chapter, and that’s why I chose this one. John is here describing, even defining, what Jesus meant when He said, “You shall be my witnesses.” (Acts 1:8) In a court of law, hearsay testimony is not acceptable; it has to be what the person speaking personally experienced. That’s the problem with many “evangelistic techniques.” If what we are saying is only what we learned in a classroom, there is no power to it. However, as has been said, a theory cannot win an argument with an experience. That’s why the current political administration in the US is in such trouble in facing the upcoming election: theories about the “good economy” are ineffective against the experienced high cost of living. That applies in evangelism as well. A person isn’t going to be very open to the idea of repentance unless they have experienced emotional pain, at least, from their sins. Actually, everyone with a halfway healthy conscience has experienced such pain, so the question is how successful they have been in numbing that pain. If we are open and honest about our own journey, their defenses will be stripped away and they will receive the Gospel with joy, knowing they need it. Effective evangelism isn’t theological, it is down-to-earth. We don’t have to go into all the sordid details of our own sin, but we need to be very aware that we ourselves are sinners, telling other sinners how to be saved.

I have experienced this in the secular world as well. In my 42 years of teaching medical English to nurses and therapists, it has been very effective to illustrate what I was teaching with my own medical experiences and those of my wife. As a pastor I have done a lot of hospital visitation, both in the US and Japan. On top of that, I have had surgeries for basal cell carcinomas, a hernia, and a badly fractured wrist. Each experience has made me a more effective teacher! And that doesn’t touch on the wide range of medical issues my wife has experienced. Those haven’t been in my own body, but they have very much been my experiences. On the flip side of that, my students have been far more receptive to what I have been teaching them when they have experienced the need for it, from a linguistic perspective or from a medical perspective. As a pastor I desire that all the believers be active in sharing what they have experienced of Christ, but that is culturally awkward. Partly as a response to the dense population, Japanese tend to be very private about their feelings and their experiences, and as believers we need to get past that. Vulnerability isn’t comfortable in any culture, but we need to be vulnerable in order to let God’s power be manifested in our weakness. It is when we share how Christ has met our needs that we receive ever more from Him, for the blessing of more and more people and for His glory.

Father, thank You for this reminder, and for the message for Sunday! I ask for clear guidance and anointing as I prepare and deliver this message, so that Your children may be equipped to be and do all that You desire of and for them, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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Peace; June 3, 2024

Posted on June 4, 2024 by jgarrott

2 Peter 3:14 So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.

This is the logical response to all the talk about End Times. It is true that many things seem to point to Christ’s return being imminent, but getting worked up over it to the point that we can’t function normally isn’t the right response. The famous words about God’s perspective in verse 8 should free us from timelines, and this verse tells us how to live however long it is. Our effort is involved, as the word “diligent” indicates, but our concern should be for holy living, and we are to walk in peace. The Japanese makes it clear that this is talking about internal peace, which is possible even in the middle of a war. That’s a good thing to remember when “peace” seems like a forgotten concept at times. Peace requires stability, and stability requires a foundation. As the hymn says, “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.” If we will maintain our position in Christ, then we will be islands of peace and stability in the middle of all the turmoil and confusion that surrounds us. It has been said that “The only thing constant is change.” That might seem to be true, but Jesus Christ and the facts of the Gospel never change. That is the secret to spiritual maturity. As Paul put it, “Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.” (Ephesians 4:14-15) That is peace and stability!

I was raised with a pretty good foundation of Biblical understanding, for which I am grateful. I have certainly seen some “winds of teaching” over the years! I am not to reject things because they seem different, but I am to test everything against the foundation of Scripture, guided by Holy Spirit. He will keep me straight! I desire peace as much as anyone, and I enjoy excitement at times. If I will keep my heart fixed on my Lord, I will get plenty of both. These are tumultuous times, but looking back over history, such are more the rule than the exception. I am to be a carrier of inner peace to those with whom I interact, for their blessing and God’s glory.

Father, thank You for this reminder. I do see countless things all around me that could easily get me worked up. Help me indeed submit everything to You so that Your peace may guard my heart and mind, (Philippians 4:6-7) for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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Responding to Slander; June 2, 2024

Posted on June 3, 2024 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.

This passage is quoted frequently in relation to personal evangelism, but I’m not sure if I’ve ever noticed before that it’s in the context of social persecution. It is when we respond in a Christlike manner to mistreatment that “the hope that is in us” is most noticeable. There is plenty of opportunity for that these days, with those who stand up for Biblical values being reviled with countless epithets. The thing is, if we are more afraid of being called names, like racist, homophobic, misogynistic, and the like, rather than of deviating from the truth of God, then we really are in trouble. As it says here, gentleness and respect are always called for, but we are to be firm in standing on God’s truth, speaking it in His love. (Ephesians 4:15) People won’t know we have the hope of eternal life until that hope causes us to act in ways they don’t expect. When we are assured of who we are in Christ, and that our eternal destiny is in Him, then “the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,” as Shakespeare put it, won’t shake us particularly. When that is the case, then the people around us will notice! Peter’s point here is that when that happens, we aren’t to speak down to people as those who have been “enlightened,” but rather on an even level, as “one beggar telling another beggar where to find bread,” as evangelism has rightly been described.

I have been greatly blessed, and I think protected, though that’s not to say life has always been easy. I very early acquired the assurance of salvation, to the point of being cocky about it. God had to take me down a few notches and teach me that it was all grace! I have had people comment on my “great faith” when I have declined to respond to slander, but it didn’t feel so great to me. The slander wasn’t true, and therefore I largely ignored it. Incidentally, the person who was slandering me has since repented. I sometimes have trouble relating to Christians who respond poorly to being attacked, but that is probably a pride issue on my part. I am to declare the goodness and grace of God in my words and my lifestyle, whatever is going on in my life, so that people may be drawn to desire God for themselves.

Father, thank You indeed for Your overwhelming grace toward me. May I be ever more effective in sharing that grace with those around me, for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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Faith and Works; June 1, 2024

Posted on June 2, 2024 by jgarrott

James 2:26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.

It is this section that made Martin Luther call James “a book of straw.” Luther was combatting the then-current practice of indulgences, where the Church said certain sins were excused if you paid a given amount of money. He had rediscovered the Biblical principle of “The just shall live by faith,” (Habakkuk 2:4, Romans 1:17, etc.) and so insisted on “sola fides,” faith alone. That kept him from recognizing that what James is saying here is that genuine faith displays itself, and is demonstrated by works. After all, Jesus Himself said, “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” (Luke 6:46) This passage got into this series on repentance because repentance is exactly the same way. Protestations of “I’m sorry” don’t mean much if behavior doesn’t change. God sees our hearts and He knows our weaknesses, but we must never think that is an excuse not to change. As again Jesus said, “If you love me, you will obey what I command.” (John 14:15) That’s pretty black and white! We are indeed saved by faith and not by works, (Ephesians 2:8-9) but saving faith will always demonstrate itself in action.

I have always considered James one of my favorite books in the Bible because it is so immensely practical. I regularly confess that James 1:22 was written for me, because I have a tendency to feel like knowing something is sufficient, rather than needing to follow through in action. The devil tries to use James to make me feel guilty for not doing more, but I can say that if I didn’t believe Jesus was the only way to eternal life I wouldn’t be here as a pastor in Japan! I like Paul, too, and as he said, “It is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.” (Philippians 2:13) I am not faithful in myself, but He continues to work in me to put feet to my faith, so that I can walk out all that my heart knows to be true.

Father, thank You for Your grace, mercy, and faithfulness. Thank You for opening my eyes when I am trying to deceive myself, so that I can repent and follow You. Thank You for not giving up on me long ago! Thank You for Your plans for how You want me to manifest my faith for however long You intend to keep me here. May indeed Your will be done on Your schedule, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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Complaining; May 31, 2024

Posted on June 1, 2024 by jgarrott

James 1:12 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.

I quote verse 22 of this chapter very often, because it is an admoni­tion to me, but this verse is a comfort and encouragement. James’ letter isn’t very long, but it is very dense, no at all in the sense of being hard to understand, but rather that every verse is filled with meaning. This verse could be rephrased as, “Don’t complain, because it will all be worth it in the end.” Paul said the same thing as, “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” (2 Corinthians 4:17) Believers down through the ages have gotten tripped up by complaining, when it does them no good, and rather tears them down. Jeremiah is an excellent case in point, so it’s not something to be accusing ourselves or each other about. Rather, we should encourage each other with these verses, because trials can indeed be difficult. After all, Jesus Himself said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) When we get caught up in complaining, to God and to those around us, we lose our peace, and the only one happy about that is the devil.

I feel very blessed that God has given me this insight – though I don’t always live by it! Just recently someone was saying in my presence, “In just a week or two it will be rainy season here. So hot and humid! How uncomfortable!” I called him on it, saying, “Aren’t you Japanese?” He responded, “Do you like rainy season?” I didn’t really answer his question, but I pointed out that rainy season is an annual event and we certainly should be used to it, and bitching about it just drags us down. I wasn’t meaning to slap him down, but he looked like I had really given him something to think about. I have experienced assorted trials, both personal and general (like rainy season). I have learned the hard way that complaining indeed drags me down, without solving the issue. I am always to seek to improve whatever situation I find myself in, but if nothing presents itself, then I am to thank God for the opportunity to grow in patient endurance. Right now I am being reminded that the older we get, the longer our bodies take to recover from stresses. I did some yard work a couple of days ago and continued it first thing yesterday morning, and my back is still talking to me about it. I’m thankful I’m not used to that slow a recovery! Yesterday I was given the opportunity to talk with a lady who is in a difficult work situation, pointing out that we need to focus on the blessings we have, and she seemed to be greatly encouraged. I need to keep listening to what God says through me, and rest, relax, and rejoice in Him!

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for the rain this morning that keeps me from going walking, but gives me the opportunity to take care of some things here. Help me indeed give You thanks for everything, as You made it so clear through Paul that You want all Your children to do, (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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Our Image of God; May 30, 2024

Posted on May 31, 2024 by jgarrott

Hebrews 12:28-29 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.”

This is not at all what you hear in most churches today! That said, it was central to the sermon that triggered the revival, called The Great Awakening, that prepared Americans for the Revolutionary War. When we forget this face of God we lose sight of the magnificence of His grace. Very few people grasp what it means that God is perfectly holy. We imagine Him as being like we are, only better and stronger. That’s how the Greeks and others came up with the gods of their pantheons. Atheists regularly accuse religious people of “creating God in their own image,” and far too often they have a real point. None of us grasps God in His fullness, because He is literally infinite and we aren’t. However, if we approach Him in genuine humility and reverence, He reveals Himself to us. As He told Jeremiah, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13) What is written here must be balanced with the fact that He is a personal God, that He cares about and relates to us individually. That is something that is missing from most religions, and sadly, from the awareness of many cultural Christians. That the infinite, omnipotent Creator of the universe would care about individual human beings defies all human logic and understanding, but it is a vital part of the Gospel we proclaim. That He would abound in love and grace on top of that is positively miraculous, but then, that’s part of the definition of God, isn’t it? We need to press beyond the various caricatures of God that have been presented to us, from Santa Claus to a bearded old man in the clouds to whatever, to offer God the worship, obedience, and love that He is due.

Once again I am aware of how very blessed I am to have been raised by parents who knew, loved, and served God with their whole lives. My image of God was always incomplete, even as it is right now, but I don’t think it was ever badly distorted. The issue is how obedient I have been to the God I know. As a pastor, and particularly one in Japan, my major challenge is in fostering an accurate image of God in those to whom I minister. I love to speak of His love and grace, but the danger is in creating an image of a “sugar daddy,” a Santa who just gives us things. At the same time, I don’t want to create an image of a stern old man with a stick, just waiting to whack us when we step out of line. In God’s holiness He cannot excuse sin, but in His love He has made repentance possible through the blood of His Son. That is the very core of the Gospel, and I must never forget it.

Father, thank You for the privilege of proclaiming Your Gospel. Help me be both bold and accurate in doing so, so that the lies of the devil may be exposed and refuted and people be set free to repent and believe, for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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Discipline; May 29, 2024

Posted on May 30, 2024 by jgarrott

Hebrews 12:8 If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons.

Here we have a description of one of the biggest problems in soci­ety today. A few years ago it was widely discussed, but now it is so pervasive that it is taken for granted or ignored. Illegitimate children have existed throughout history, but in some ethnic groups in the US today, they account for over half of all the children born. When we add in all the functionally absent fathers, the situation is clearly dire indeed. The devil hates families, not just because he desires evil for mankind but because families teach us to relate rightly to our heavenly Father. No earthly father is perfect, but we still fill an absolutely essential role in raising our children. That’s why, in cases of tragedy, a “father figure” is of great importance for children. That might be a grandfather or a family friend, or even a school teacher or sports coach, but such a person is essential. That’s one of the many lies of the feminist movement, that men are completely unessential, except perhaps as sperm donors. God designed us to live in families, with each member having a different role. Those roles change over time, because you can’t relate to your teenager the way you would to a toddler, and the relationship changes even further – but doesn’t disappear – when the child marries and has children of their own. The issue mentioned in this verse, discipline, is a major factor in that. It is a sad truth that the Japanese language has no good word for discipline. (The Bible translation I’m using says “training” in this verse.) However, “disciple” is a valid and widely understood term. In English we sometimes lose that connection, but discipline is indeed discipleship training. We are called to be disciples of Jesus Christ and to make disciples for Him, and that requires discipline, whether we like it or not. As this passage talks about, we need to accept God’s discipline with gratitude, not resentment: gratitude that He loves us enough, cares enough, to give us what we need instead of what we want.

This applies as much to me as it does to anyone. I was blessed with a loving, conscientious, believing father, but the majority of people around me were not as blessed in that area as I was. As a result, I have become a father figure to a number of people, and I must not take that lightly. One of my spiritual children, whose parents divorced before I met him, openly acknowledges that relationship, and there are others that aren’t that obvious. As a pastor, in a number of ways I am the “father” in this church, even though we aren’t Catholic and don’t use that terminology. I am to take that seriously, and as Paul recognized, use that authority to build people up and not tear them down. (2 Corinthians 10:8) I also must remember that my authority comes only from being submitted to my heavenly Father.

Father, thank You for this reminder. This issue comes into play more often than I’m aware, I think. Help me indeed accept Your discipline and grow from it, rejoicing that You love me enough to apply “the board of education” to “the seat of learning.” May I be a loving channel of Your discipline to those in my care, so that together we may grow to be the children that You desire, for Your pleasure and glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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Faithfulness; May 28, 2024

Posted on May 29, 2024 by jgarrott

Hebrews 6:10 God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.

The reason the Bible tells us repeatedly that God remembers and will reward what we do in obedience to Him is that the devil is constantly telling us that’s not the case. The thing is, not everyone is faithful. I personally know some people who seem to fit the description a few verses after this of those who have tasted the gifts of the Spirit and then discarded them. The world still holds them in high regard, but they have made themselves their god, and I shudder to think what awaits them. It has been said many times that the Christian life isn’t a dash, but a marathon. Downhill spurts can be exciting, but we have uphill slogs as well, and we are to thank God for them. After all, the uphill sections build muscle, and high speed downhill is an invitation to accidents. We have trouble seeing things as God does, and so get discouraged. That’s where faith comes in. We don’t know what’s around the corner, much less what’s down the road, but the more we know our Lord, the more peace and the less anxiety we have. Life on this earth is an adventure in learning, and if we approach it that way it is deeply satisfying. In the first place, we have much to learn about ourselves. Some of that isn’t necessarily good news, as we discover weaknesses we might wish we didn’t have, but in general we find that God doesn’t make junk, as a t-shirt I once saw proclaimed. We also have much to learn about the people around us. Again, those discoveries can be a mixed bag, but knowledge and understanding are blessings. Most importantly, we have much to learn about our Creator, who loved us enough to send His Son to die for us. He is infinite, so by definition we always have more to learn of Him, and those discoveries are always good. Sometimes they give us pause, when we realize how totally holy He is, but they are often to­tally delightful, as when we discover that He even has a sense of humor! Learning more of God is the great adventure that makes all the rest of it worth it. As Jesus famously told us, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

I was immensely blessed to have deeply faithful parents, who were faithful to each other, to the Lord, and to the tasks He set for them. I have a magnificent example to follow. In the recent celebration of the 40th anniversary of this church some people commented on my faithfulness, but I’m not so sure about that. I think some of what they were calling faithfulness is simply inertia! However, it is indeed my desire to be faithful, even as I realize that I have no power in myself to do that. However, I do know my Lord, and know that He is able to keep even me on the path, if I will yield myself to Him. I have the comfort of knowing that I don’t have so many years left to keep dealing with all the issues of my flesh, and my “sinful nature,” as the NIV frequently puts it. As Paul quoted to Timothy, “If we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself.” (2 Timothy 2:13)

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for Your absolute faithfulness. Thank You that I was able to pass the senior adult testing yesterday before my upcoming driver’s license renewal, and for the certificate that says, “Shows no signs of senility.” May I indeed be faithful by Your power for as long as You keep me here, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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Proclaiming the Word; May 27, 2024

Posted on May 28, 2024 by jgarrott

2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage–with great patience and careful instruction.

This, along with verse 5, is rather heart-wrenching when you realize that it was written shortly before Paul’s martyrdom. Verses 7 and 8 are justly famous as a triumphant declaration of our eternal reward, but before that there is this matter of Paul’s last advice to his spiritual son. You don’t say something casual in such a situation! This verse starts with declaring the Word of God. We associate preaching with a formal setting, such as in a church, but this is much broader than that. The Japanese says, “Declare the Word.” It also says, “Do this fully/properly, whether the time is good or bad.” We tend to make excuses for ourselves about when to speak God’s Word, but all such excuses are meaningless if God says to do it. And the things listed after this have nothing to do with whether someone is offended or not. We aren’t to hurt people needlessly, but we must never draw back from what God is saying because someone’s feelings might be hurt. One of the biggest demonic lies prevalent today is in putting feelings ahead of truth. Feelings don’t affect truth! We use the expression, “truth hurts,” and that’s often the case. I’ll say again that we aren’t to hurt people needlessly, and we certainly aren’t to gloat over how our words might be painful to someone, but if God is saying to speak, we are not to draw back. We often forget that evangelism, for example, requires that we “get someone lost” before they can be saved, as an American evangelist once told me. That is to say, they have to realize and accept that they are a sinner headed for hell before they are going to repent and believe for their salvation. It can take some pretty strong words to accomplish that, but the result is bringing someone from death to life, and that’s certainly worth doing. That Paul would say this to Timothy shortly before his own execution gives it real punch. We too need to be done with excuses and get with God’s program!

And of course, I’m preaching to myself here. In my youth I sometimes used words as weapons, deliberately hurting people with them, and I certainly had to repent of that, even though I was lashing out from it having been done to me. Now, I’m more likely to be silent, or at least not say the necessary things, because I want people to like me and not feel offended by me. That means I love myself more than I love them, and Jesus said we are to love others equally with ourselves. Also, if God is telling me to say something and I fail to do it, that means I don’t fully love Him! (John 14:15) I am to speak the truth in love, certainly, but falsehood is not love, and I must not say pretty platitudes when someone needs correction. I have never been a “hellfire and brimstone” preacher, but I must not sugar-coat reality to the point that people fail to repent and believe.

Father, this is a strong Word. Help me respond to it as You desire and intend, so that the devil’s lies may be demolished and people be set free indeed, for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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