Studying and Salvation

I was a pirate last night! At least that is what I told everyone when they asked me why I had an eye patch on my eye. It was fun to mess with people and say, "Arrrr" alot! I love the opportunities to confirm for others what they already know: I'm a dork! And this is a random opening paragraph to lead into a deeper topic.

Even with a one-eyed facilitator last night, our discussion went well. We continued our "You Asked For It" class discussing salvation. It was cool to see how quickly everyone went to emphasize the on-going nature of salvation. One of the first texts from the Bible referenced was Philippians 2:12-13:

"Therefore my dear friends, as you have always obeyed--not only in presence, but now much more in my absence--continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose."

The difficult part in our conversation was understanding how "working out our salvation" translates practically into everyday living. At one point I asked, "Does it count as an example of working out our salvation when I am studying for an exam and being a good student?" There was a lot of silence as the great minds in the room were thinking. In fact, I almost smelt smoke!

How could studying for an exam count as continuing to work out your salvation? Here are some of my thoughts.

First, as I've mentioned before, I am one who consistently refuses to accept (and even recognize) the ginormous chasm most of us have between our spiritual life and any other aspect of our life (even academic life). No! We have one life! That's it! And each aspect of our life is connected to all the others! It is impossible to have one aspect of my life (say, academic studies) isolated and uninfluenced by another aspect of my life (say, how I treat my parents)! That is why our studies gets a boost of newfound energy when we come home from Spring Break having had a little time to rest. (btw...the opposite is equally true if our Spring Break experienced some sort of parental bomb shell!)

So! Studying counts as working out your salvation.

Attending to academic studies is a venue through which students can consider themselves as working out their salvation. Attending to your studies is a living-fully-alive-as-God-created-us exercise. It is a loving-the-Lord-your-God-with-all-your-mind thing. You are growing up into the fullness of Christ when you are growing in knowledge. It is all related.

I love how practical this is for students! Want to work on growing up in your salvation in Christ? Study! Review! Take good notes! Listen to your professor! Ask them questions! Sleep at night! Eat well! Grow!

This sounds like the Jesus I read about in Luke 2:46, 52. His parents "found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. .... And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men."

Encouraging Start

Yesterday was an encouraging day, and the KFC Building was open for only half of it! Campus has life again as SHSU started classes, our cleaned floors were received incredibly well, students came by with renewed excitement, prayers were offered by and for me, we had a great first Bible study of the semester, and my productivity was higher than normal! I praise God for His encouragement.

Lord, at the beginning of the day today, I ask you for the focus you need in me to extend your kingdom one encounter at a time! May excellence compel me forward in your service. With all the new pieces of information that will come my way today, Holy Spirit, teach me your ways in those decisions. So much is before me that I could easily be overwhelmed today. May your strength, Jesus, and faithfulness work in me today. Amen.

"So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks find; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened." Luke 11:9-10

Fine Print

Yesterday, Doug Page preached a sermon using Luke 9:57-62. He did a great job at helping us commit to saying "I will" without any conditions. All three of the people in the text that came to Jesus said they would follow him. Even though we never know if they actually follow Jesus in the end, it is good (at least) to see their willingness to follow him.

Willing or not, the problem seems to be in the fine print of following Jesus. One says, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father." Another says, "...first let me go back and say good-by to my family." The fine print of following Jesus. They want to follow Jesus, but on their own terms. "These are the conditions under which I will follow Jesus."

I hear a lot of fine print in ministry. I deal with unspoken and even spoken fine print all the time. Here is where I hear the fine print most of the time: in the words "maybe," "I'll try," "I should," "if I'm not busy...," "I don't know yet," and the like. Throughout the year, attendance in our service projects or soliciting spontaneous help seems to bring out the fine print most often. I guess I am more sensitive to this now at the end of the school year more than ever.

Now I know that these words are spoken from good intentions, spoken perhaps from a perspective saying, "I'd rather not commit to something than commit and back out later." This is not an outright evil way of looking at things. But, if I read Luke's text correctly, Jesus doesn't want the fine print. Jesus isn't interested in our conditions. He doesn't want half loyalty. Jesus wants us to follow him unconditionally.

All week I have been wondering about what my fine print is. Do I have conditions through which I filter my walk with Jesus? Is there a place where I refuse to follow Jesus? Are my finances my fine print? Is my contentment? Is happiness the fine print I require before I follow my Lord? Is it that other people have to go with me before I follow Jesus? "I don't want to be the only one going on that project!" Is food my fine print? "I don't want to sacrifice that much...or I won't eat that!" Do I need everyone to agree with me before I follow Jesus? Do I require others to treat me the way I deserve? Am I requiring comfort in my following Jesus?

So many questions. But I continue to wonder about the fine print. Jesus wants us to get rid of the fine print and just follow him. What does that mean in your life?

Reading the Bible with Jesus of Nazareth

I wanted to share this article written by my mentor from ACU, Mark Hamilton. It is well worth the read. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Here is the link: http://www.wineskins.org/filter.asp?SID=2&fi_key=192&co_key=1614.

Kairos in Luke

Spending some time going through Luke, I noticed a greek word at the beginning of the book: kairos. It is usually translated "time," meaning a specific time period rather than just a general reference to time (aka "appointed time," "proper time," "favorable time," "this season"). ["Chronos" is the word for a general reference to time.] Kairos carries with it the notion of a moment or period that is especially appropriate ("this is the special time that is not like other times"). Ultimately, I love the connotation of our word "season" in expressing this word kairos.

So, I noticed this word in Luke 1:20. This word lead me to explore the other uses in the book of Luke. With there being thirteen uses of this word in Luke (1:20; 4:13; 8:13-2; 12:42, 56; 13:1; 18:30; 19:44; 20:10; 21:8, 24, 36), I would like to briefly mention half of those as the most meaningful ones for Luke's purposes (1:20; 4:13; 12:56; 19:44; 21:24, 36). I will expand on and apply this in later posts.

Luke 1:20 introduces us to the notion of a special "season" on the horizon in the words of Gabriel. He announces to Zachariah that he will not be able to speak because he did not believe Gabriel's words, that will be fulfilled in their season. The right time will come when these words will come true. The reader is left wondering what season is about to come. The story of John, especially in light of Jesus continues. Even when this "season" emerges a few verses later in 1:57-66, we see the newness of the season where "the hand of the Lord" is at work. Zechariah's prophesy (1:67-79) shows what kind of season we see beginning in John.

As the story of Jesus emerges, specifically with his spirit-filled journey into the desert (4:1-13), the reader is wondering what is about to happen, is this another season. Jesus is baptized by John (3:21), the Spirit comes down on Jesus (3:22), a voice from heaven announces Jesus' sonship, and we learn that Jesus' ministry is beginning (3:23). Satan, it seems, is thinking about the timing of everything. I imagine him wondering is this the season? Through the temptations Satan does what he can to disrupt the season of God's salvation (remember Zechariah's song in 1:69). After the failed attempt, we see Satan leaving to wait for a better season. Satan's season, he might reason, will come about at another time...just not now.

Jesus' ministry continues. God continues to work out his season first prophesied through Zechariah. In chapter twelve we find Jesus speaking more about the season in which the people find themselves. Don't be like the Pharisee's (12:3ff.), fear what the world fears (12:4ff.), or worry about your life (12:22ff). Instead, be ready like the faithful servant (12:35-48). The season is upon you. Once we come to 12:54, the reader is forced to consider the season Jesus offers. We know how to discern the appearance of the earth and sky (aka "the natural seasons we've experienced from birth"). But, in 12:56 Jesus questions whether we are able to discern this season of which he speaks.

This question continues as Jesus' kingdom proclamation continues. It is still present, but in a much more focused, tearful way, as he enters Jerusalem for the last time (19:41-44). The people don't know what can bring them peace. Jerusalem and all those people "among you" (ev soi) will fall. The reason is that you did not know the season you are in, the season that God visits you.

As Jesus' earthly ministry nears the end, he pointedly speaks of the season. Some will say "I am" and "The season is near!" (21:8) but don't follow them. He unpacks what will be happening at the end of the ages. Then, perhaps, the most interesting statement Jesus makes (that I initially don't see much written about): Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the season of the Gentiles is fulfilled (21:24). I really don't know exactly what this entails. Maybe Luke has adopted Paul's ideology from Romans 11:25. Luke's "gospel to the Gentiles" may really expose his intentions in this comment, but I haven't spent enough time researching this.

The final comment about the season is a fitting end. Jesus encourages his disciples to "Keep yourself awake all season long" (21:36). The season of God's presence is here. You need to be alert and ready to recognize and discern this wherever you find yourself, no matter the season.

This is a long endeavor that deserves more attention. I hope to expand these initial observations and hopefully engage Luke's emphasis on the coming of the kingdom of God. This certainly is linked to the season of Jesus' life on earth. Application of this discussion to our lives is also necessary. I look forward to your comments and conversations about the season.