"Justification". Quite possibly the single most important word for those who follow Christ. It carries the idea of being in right position or right standing before God. In the Christian faith, justification is not by works, but by faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). That is what makes Christianity unique, as all other religions are work-based. It is said that no man can be justified through the works of the law, but rather the law came to expose how sinful we are (Romans 3:20).
Easter messages often celebrate the story of the cross, but this story is not complete without the resurrection. Many individuals have claimed deity and died, but only One has had the power to actually conquer death. The death of Christ on the cross was essential for satisfying God's punishment for sin, but it was not adequate to justify us. The justification came in the fact that He conquered death and rose from the dead, giving us the opportunity to join Him in His glory (Romans 6:5). Romans 4:25 explains this, when it says, "He who was delivered over because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification."
When I consider justification, it blows my mind! The idea of forgiveness, I can somewhat wrap my mind around. I can somewhat comprehend God looking down upon me, a sinner, and forgiving me, but it blows my mind to think of God looking down upon me and declaring me righteous. It is just like the church of Corinth, probably the most sinful church in the entire New Testament, and God looks down upon them declaring them saints (1 Cor. 1:2). Of course this is not by their own doing, because they are full of sin, but rather because God chose to appoint them as saints.
In the same way, God appoints those who trust in His Son as being justified. It is not of our own doing, but rather it is completely of the doing of Christ in His death, burial, and especially His resurrection.
I have been studying Romans lately, and justification by faith is all throughout that book. The more I study, the more magnified God becomes in my mind. And the more He is magnified, the more sinful, and distant, I feel. But with this gulf being so big, thankfully I do not have to depend upon my works to bridge that gulf. Instead, being a son of God, and I can trust in my justification that came through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
As you reflect on God during this Easter season, I challenge you to consider the theme of justification. Read Romans, or read any New Testament book and see how Christ has justified us through His blood. It is the single more important act in all of history, and without it, we are still infinitely separated from our almighty God.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Sunday, April 3, 2011
One Body, Many Parts
I saw a beautiful example this morning of the church that I wanted to share with all...
This morning during worship, a young girl in front of me sat down fairly abruptly and then began having seizures. The woman next to me quickly grabbed her and began calling for help, while my friend Chris immediately called 9-11. Her brother quickly hopped the pews and returned with a glass of water for the girl, and the band continued playing lightly to ease the calm of the rest of the congregation. Thankfully a few doctors were in attendance, as they quickly rushed to the aid of this girl, taking her out of the sanctuary in a wheel chair. I, like many others, simply just sat down and began interceding for the girl.
While this is quite a graphic image, I cannot help but think what the situation would have been like if one of those individuals had not done their part. If the woman had not signaled for help, how long would that girl have been there before someone noticed? If the doctors had not rushed over, who would have known what to do? If the congregation would not have begun praying for the girl, what would have been the end result? Thankfully I attend a church that loves and cares for one another, and each individual did exactly what they needed to do to ensure the girl's safety.
Is this not the same illustration that Paul gives us in 1 Corinthians 12? In that passage, he starts by stating in verses 4-7:
Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.
In this passage we see that different gifts are given to different individuals for the common good of the overall body (the church). Paul then continues in the rest of this passage by discussing some of the different gifts that individuals may have, as well as declaring none to be superior. What benefit would the doctors have been had not the woman cried for help? What benefit would the prayer warriors have been had not someone informed them of how to pray? What benefit would any of these people have been had not the others done their part?
The human body is uniquely designed to fully rely upon it's other parts. No part is superior, as all parts are necessary in carrying out the overall function of the body. No foot can say to a hand, "I have no need of you", just like no eye can say to an ear, "I have no need of you" (vss. 15-16). "But now God has placed the members, each of them, in the body, just as He desired" (vs. 18).
Now if I can, I want to step out of the context of the beautiful image that I saw this morning and step into the application of the overall, universal church. What role have you been given in the overall mission? What gifts has God given you to advance His kingdom and bring Him glory?
Just like the human body, the church body is also uniquely designed to fully rely upon it's other parts. It is designed in such a way that if one member fails to do his job, the entire body collapses. Are you doing your part, performing the duties that God has given you? Or are you neglecting them, not only effecting yourself but also the entire church?
In closing, I want to reflect on a story that I heard a couple of years ago that I find extremely applicable:
There was a young, mentally-challenged boy who was entered into 50 meter dash at the Special Olympics. His parents were in attendance and watched in anticipation as their son approached the starting line. As the gun went off, all the other boys and girls took off, leaving this young boy way behind. It took him nearly double the amount of time to finish the race as the other children.
When the results came in, the parents were shocked to hear that the boy was being awarded a top three medal. After all, he had finished way behind everyone else. As the ceremony went on, they found out that he had not only finished in the top three, but he had actually won the gold medal! Confused, the parents approached the judge to ask how this could be. How was it that their son had won the gold despite finishing so far behind? The judge responded, "Well he is the only one who stayed in his lane."
It is so easy to look into the other lanes and compare ourselves to the other people. "That person has the gift of evangelism, and that person has the gift of teaching. I could never live up to that." But we are not called to compare ourselves to others, nor are we called to live up to the roles of other individuals. We are just called to do our part.
God has given you, as an individual, a unique role that is essential to the Christian body. No one else can play your part. Without you, the church will not be able to run as it intends to run. Without you, it will not be as effective. Will you do your part in sustaining the body of Christ? Will you stop looking in other peoples' lanes and just start running in the lane that God has put you in?
I want to thank River Cities Community Church for the way that they illustrated this to me this morning. There are also dozens of other churches that I have been to that have illustrated this, as well, over the past many years. But let not this one instance be an excuse for not illustrating the body of Christ every other time. And let not this message slip by without you examining your gifts and the ways in which you can serve the church.
This morning during worship, a young girl in front of me sat down fairly abruptly and then began having seizures. The woman next to me quickly grabbed her and began calling for help, while my friend Chris immediately called 9-11. Her brother quickly hopped the pews and returned with a glass of water for the girl, and the band continued playing lightly to ease the calm of the rest of the congregation. Thankfully a few doctors were in attendance, as they quickly rushed to the aid of this girl, taking her out of the sanctuary in a wheel chair. I, like many others, simply just sat down and began interceding for the girl.
While this is quite a graphic image, I cannot help but think what the situation would have been like if one of those individuals had not done their part. If the woman had not signaled for help, how long would that girl have been there before someone noticed? If the doctors had not rushed over, who would have known what to do? If the congregation would not have begun praying for the girl, what would have been the end result? Thankfully I attend a church that loves and cares for one another, and each individual did exactly what they needed to do to ensure the girl's safety.
Is this not the same illustration that Paul gives us in 1 Corinthians 12? In that passage, he starts by stating in verses 4-7:
Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.
In this passage we see that different gifts are given to different individuals for the common good of the overall body (the church). Paul then continues in the rest of this passage by discussing some of the different gifts that individuals may have, as well as declaring none to be superior. What benefit would the doctors have been had not the woman cried for help? What benefit would the prayer warriors have been had not someone informed them of how to pray? What benefit would any of these people have been had not the others done their part?
The human body is uniquely designed to fully rely upon it's other parts. No part is superior, as all parts are necessary in carrying out the overall function of the body. No foot can say to a hand, "I have no need of you", just like no eye can say to an ear, "I have no need of you" (vss. 15-16). "But now God has placed the members, each of them, in the body, just as He desired" (vs. 18).
Now if I can, I want to step out of the context of the beautiful image that I saw this morning and step into the application of the overall, universal church. What role have you been given in the overall mission? What gifts has God given you to advance His kingdom and bring Him glory?
Just like the human body, the church body is also uniquely designed to fully rely upon it's other parts. It is designed in such a way that if one member fails to do his job, the entire body collapses. Are you doing your part, performing the duties that God has given you? Or are you neglecting them, not only effecting yourself but also the entire church?
In closing, I want to reflect on a story that I heard a couple of years ago that I find extremely applicable:
There was a young, mentally-challenged boy who was entered into 50 meter dash at the Special Olympics. His parents were in attendance and watched in anticipation as their son approached the starting line. As the gun went off, all the other boys and girls took off, leaving this young boy way behind. It took him nearly double the amount of time to finish the race as the other children.
When the results came in, the parents were shocked to hear that the boy was being awarded a top three medal. After all, he had finished way behind everyone else. As the ceremony went on, they found out that he had not only finished in the top three, but he had actually won the gold medal! Confused, the parents approached the judge to ask how this could be. How was it that their son had won the gold despite finishing so far behind? The judge responded, "Well he is the only one who stayed in his lane."
It is so easy to look into the other lanes and compare ourselves to the other people. "That person has the gift of evangelism, and that person has the gift of teaching. I could never live up to that." But we are not called to compare ourselves to others, nor are we called to live up to the roles of other individuals. We are just called to do our part.
God has given you, as an individual, a unique role that is essential to the Christian body. No one else can play your part. Without you, the church will not be able to run as it intends to run. Without you, it will not be as effective. Will you do your part in sustaining the body of Christ? Will you stop looking in other peoples' lanes and just start running in the lane that God has put you in?
I want to thank River Cities Community Church for the way that they illustrated this to me this morning. There are also dozens of other churches that I have been to that have illustrated this, as well, over the past many years. But let not this one instance be an excuse for not illustrating the body of Christ every other time. And let not this message slip by without you examining your gifts and the ways in which you can serve the church.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
