Friends,
This is an obvious departure from my systematic study through Romans, but a number of factors have drawn me to do three short memory studies over the next three days. My pastor has challenged us to meditate on these verses in preparation for an upcoming meeting. Because my normal schedule was disrupted last week and I didn't get Romans 8 done on time, it is the perfect time to take a week on something else.
So, the first verse in this three-part memory study is 1 Timothy 4:16.
1 Timothy 4:16 Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.
As I study various commentaries, one thing jumps out to me and most of them; notice the order of things in this verse. Paul is telling Timothy to 'keep a close watch' on himself ('take heed', 'watch your life', 'be conscientious', and 'pay close attention' in other translations) before he says anything about 'the teaching' (or 'good doctrine' from 4:6). John Calvin writes that 'his teaching will be of no avail unless his own life accord with it; and his own purity of life is not enough unless he be diligent in teaching'.
Pastors and teachers who have neglected to 'keep a close watch' on themselves and their families have fallen into moral problems, divorce, pornography, and many other kinds of shameful behavior. We must make sure that God is working IN us before He can work THROUGH us.
I do not believe that there is any 'isolationistic' tone to this teaching, as if to say "you're on your own to take care of yourself". In fact, when pastors, or anyone, separate themselves from the body of Christ they set themselves up for spiritual attack. The opportunity for sin and moral failure increase dramatically the farther away one separates himself.
I've been to Africa once, and I've seen a herd of wildebeest. I've also seen my share of National Geographic specials. Which animal does the hungry lion go after first? Jumping into a herd of angry, scared, healthy and hoofed wildebeest would be suicide. But ganging up on the straggler with a gimp leg would be much easier. I am no expert on spiritual warfare, but I do know that when God's people join together in worship, prayer, reading His Word, and watching out for each other, there is power. Let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts, put on His love the binds us in unity, and let the Word of Christ dwell in us (Col 3:12-16). Don't walk alone.
I don't want it to seem like I'm down-playing sound doctrine and faithful study. If your life is wrong, your teaching will not stand. If your teaching is wrong, your life does not matter. One without the other is incomplete.
Paul finishes by saying that attention to your life and your teaching will 'save yourself and your hearers'. This is not referring to the salvation of the soul. Paul began this chapter writing about false teachers who were causing havoc and confusion with lies and deceit. By keeping a close watch on yourself and your teaching, you will save yourself and your hearers from the errors of false doctrine and the path of deception and destruction.
Warren Wiersbe writes; "As good ministers, we preach the Word; as godly ministers, we practice the Word; as growing ministers, we progress in the Word."
How does this affect my worship?
There is a quote from A.W. Pink (initials means that he's got a big brain); "Service becomes a snare and an evil if it be allowed to crowd out worship and the cultivation of one's own spiritual life". My study must never become merely academic. Hiding God's Word in my heart is not to just make me smarter, more pious, or more 'pastoral'. I must DO His Word, not just know it. It must flow out of everything I am. My worship should be drenched in the language of His Word. My prayer should be immersed in the inspired Words He has given us. My worship must be in Spirit and Truth.
How does this affect my discipleship?
In Paul's ongoing discipleship of Timothy, he passes on this most critical point; don't disqualify yourself from discipleship. In 1 Cor 9:27 Paul focuses on discipline and control of his body so that he would not be disqualified from preaching. Here, Paul is warning Timothy not to let his life or his teaching be disqualified by letting one or the other go astray. And that is at the core of discipleship; paying close attention to each other and to sound doctrine.
Watch yourselves, watch each other, watch your teaching, and watch Him,
Ethan
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Wednesday, June 07, 2006
Romans 8
I am weak.
I am a weak, weak man.
Mere days after my 're-commitment' to keeping the memory passage to 2-3 verses, here we are.
The memory passage for Romans 8 is:
Romans 8:1-4
1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. 3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
The theme is Righteous Walk in the Spirit.
There are three main themes in this chapter; all centered around the work of Holy Spirit. Life in the Spirit takes on the law, the flesh, and human suffering.
The memory passage includes all three themes; the law of the Spirit frees us from the law of sin and death, walking in the Spirit fulfills the righteousness of the law and defeats the flesh, and by condemning sin in the flesh He gives us victory over temporary suffering.
8:1 is one of the great battle cries of believers; 'there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus'. One key to victorious Christian living is faith that the work of Christ has allowed God to declare us righteous and redeemed.
5-18 describes the conflict between life in the Spirit and life in the flesh. Having a 'mind of flesh' is contrasted with setting your mind 'on the Spirit'. The results of each are clearly stated in v13; the flesh leads to death, the Spirit leads to life. 15-18 outline the beautiful doctrine of adoption. We are not received by God in a spirit of slavery or oppression, but are adopted as sons and children. Literally, we are 'placed as sons' (having responsibility in the family) and accepted as children who share in the inheritance. According to verse 17 we are 'co-heirs' with Christ in the sense that we identify with His suffering while we are on earth but will be in His glory for eternity. And just to be clear, 'sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory' to come (verse 18).
In 19-27 we see 3 different 'groanings'; creation groans under the curse of decay, believers groan in anticipation of eternity with God, and Holy Spirit groans in intercession for us.
28-30 explains the calling of believers for 'His purpose'. The three steps are called, justified, and glorified. We are called according to His purpose to be conformed to the image of Christ; through the work of Christ we are justified in His sight; and with justification comes the promise of glorification with Him for eternity.
Paul ends this chapter with seven questions that solidify the standing of believers in Christ Jesus. In Him we are victorious (31), justified (33), free of condemnation (34), inseparable from Him (35), and conquerors (37).
How does this affect my worship?
I was struck by the 'groaning' passages in the middle of chapter 8. Psalm 96 describes the 'song of the earth' in worship of the Lord;
Psalms 96:11-12
11 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it; 12 let the field exult, and everything in it! Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy
All of God's creation eagerly anticipates the return of Christ and the revealing of the sons of God. His coming promises a new heaven and earth, with which we also look forward to the redemption of our bodies. So I'll join with the earth in its groaning, yearning, and longing for that day while I watch the sky, but at the same time I'll sing with joy and proclaim the mighty name of the Most High while I run the earth.
How does this affect my discipleship?
I have been called by God to be conformed to the image of His Son; to be more like Christ. This is not only His 'good purpose', but His mission for my life. Paul says in Colossians 1:28-29 that his mission is to proclaim Him, to teach and admonish in wisdom, and to present everyone mature in Christ. My journey of Christ-likeness must include the discipling of others called to Christ-likeness. So that as fellow 'called and justified' believers we can grow toward the image of Christ until we are glorified with Him forever.
May you walk in the Spirit with Him who will never let you go,
Ethan
I am a weak, weak man.
Mere days after my 're-commitment' to keeping the memory passage to 2-3 verses, here we are.
The memory passage for Romans 8 is:
Romans 8:1-4
1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. 3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
The theme is Righteous Walk in the Spirit.
There are three main themes in this chapter; all centered around the work of Holy Spirit. Life in the Spirit takes on the law, the flesh, and human suffering.
The memory passage includes all three themes; the law of the Spirit frees us from the law of sin and death, walking in the Spirit fulfills the righteousness of the law and defeats the flesh, and by condemning sin in the flesh He gives us victory over temporary suffering.
8:1 is one of the great battle cries of believers; 'there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus'. One key to victorious Christian living is faith that the work of Christ has allowed God to declare us righteous and redeemed.
5-18 describes the conflict between life in the Spirit and life in the flesh. Having a 'mind of flesh' is contrasted with setting your mind 'on the Spirit'. The results of each are clearly stated in v13; the flesh leads to death, the Spirit leads to life. 15-18 outline the beautiful doctrine of adoption. We are not received by God in a spirit of slavery or oppression, but are adopted as sons and children. Literally, we are 'placed as sons' (having responsibility in the family) and accepted as children who share in the inheritance. According to verse 17 we are 'co-heirs' with Christ in the sense that we identify with His suffering while we are on earth but will be in His glory for eternity. And just to be clear, 'sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory' to come (verse 18).
In 19-27 we see 3 different 'groanings'; creation groans under the curse of decay, believers groan in anticipation of eternity with God, and Holy Spirit groans in intercession for us.
28-30 explains the calling of believers for 'His purpose'. The three steps are called, justified, and glorified. We are called according to His purpose to be conformed to the image of Christ; through the work of Christ we are justified in His sight; and with justification comes the promise of glorification with Him for eternity.
Paul ends this chapter with seven questions that solidify the standing of believers in Christ Jesus. In Him we are victorious (31), justified (33), free of condemnation (34), inseparable from Him (35), and conquerors (37).
How does this affect my worship?
I was struck by the 'groaning' passages in the middle of chapter 8. Psalm 96 describes the 'song of the earth' in worship of the Lord;
Psalms 96:11-12
11 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it; 12 let the field exult, and everything in it! Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy
All of God's creation eagerly anticipates the return of Christ and the revealing of the sons of God. His coming promises a new heaven and earth, with which we also look forward to the redemption of our bodies. So I'll join with the earth in its groaning, yearning, and longing for that day while I watch the sky, but at the same time I'll sing with joy and proclaim the mighty name of the Most High while I run the earth.
How does this affect my discipleship?
I have been called by God to be conformed to the image of His Son; to be more like Christ. This is not only His 'good purpose', but His mission for my life. Paul says in Colossians 1:28-29 that his mission is to proclaim Him, to teach and admonish in wisdom, and to present everyone mature in Christ. My journey of Christ-likeness must include the discipling of others called to Christ-likeness. So that as fellow 'called and justified' believers we can grow toward the image of Christ until we are glorified with Him forever.
May you walk in the Spirit with Him who will never let you go,
Ethan
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