Grace & Truth, Part 1

"For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ." (John 1:17)

My wife and I are in a small group with four other couples from First Covenant. All of us are currently parents of toddles and are studying a book on Godly parenting. Recently, a phrase from our book stood out to me, “Grace + Truth over Time = Growth.” In regards to parenting, the author was conveying that grace in our homes must be balanced with truth, and vice-versa, to attain Godly parenting. While I believe this concept is true in parenting, I couldn’t help but think about its broader applications for us.

This devotional will be split into two parts. This week we will focus on grace, and part 2 (to come in early April) will focus on truth.

As Christians, we are called to extend grace to others and that is one of the reasons why I love First Covenant; we are a grace-filled church. We are a people, who realize the grace that has been extended to us through Jesus Christ, and we extend that same grace to others as we are walking down the path of becoming more like Christ together. You see, “grace” doesn’t stop with just the extending of it. The word “grace” in the verse here is the transliterated Greek word, “charis”, which is used 148 times in the New Testament; primarily by the apostle Paul. The word means: “…loving-kindness, favor, of the merciful kindness by which God, exerting His holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues.” In essence, the purpose of grace is to point people toward the truth of Christ. Grace must be accompanied by truth.

In our society, we as Christians are challenged by culture to be accepting of the behaviors, attitudes, actions, and feelings of others all in the name of “extending grace” as Jesus did; however, our proper responsibility as “grace extenders” is to balance grace with loving truth just as Jesus did. When we read in our Bibles of Jesus extending grace, more often than not we see Jesus accompanying grace with the directing of the individual towards Godly character- that is, truth.

Though this practice of grace and truth may not be popular with our world that likes to chant, “what is right for you may not be right for me”, the Bible is clear. Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Paul also says in Romans, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Our role as ministers (which all Christians are) is not to blindly accept the things of this world and call it “grace”, but rather to accompany grace with Godly loving truth in an effort to point others towards Jesus. As we go through this next week, let us be gracious people. As we freely extend grace to others, as God does for us, let us accompany our grace with loving truth that helps others see who Jesus really is, just as God does for us.

To be continued…

[Editor's note: Grace & Truth, Part 2 will be published on Thursday, April 2.]

posted by:
Kevin Goldstein
Director of Worhip

Can You Hear Me?

"…Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord you God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life…."

Deuteronomy 30:19b-20a

In biblical times, we find God speaking to His people in a variety of ways—through angelic beings, out of a burning bush, face-to-face, through prophets and priests. I don’t know about you, but sometimes I wish God would speak that way today, just so there is no room for misinterpretation. I’m envious when I hear people say things like, “God told me,” or “God said,” with such conviction that there is no doubt in their minds that it came from the Lord and not from their own wants or needs.

So, how does the average person like me “hear” from God? Let me tell you about a recent message I feel like came from God. I’ve been praying for wisdom about a certain issue in my life for well over a year. In the last few months, during my prayer time, I told God that I would just sit tight until I felt for sure that He was giving me direction. Then one day, as I was taking my walk, a verse from the Bible came out of nowhere and along with it the immediate thought about the issue I had been praying about so long. A feeling rushed over me and I just knew He was giving me the answer to my long term prayer. I was giddy and couldn’t wait to get home and read the entire verse in context. I felt such a peace with God’s instruction.

Now it occurs to me that had I not been a Bible reader, I might never have read the verse and therefore He could not have brought it to my mind. So it seems to me that the responsibility of hearing God is not all His. First of all, we need to be listening expectantly. Second, we need to be in the Scripture so that God can use it to speak to us. Third, we need to be obedient to what He says so that we open the door for Him to speak to us again and again. You see, I’m one of those people that believe God speaks to us all the time; we just don’t listen very well. The noise and chaos of the world around us often drowns out His voice. Yet, the more we attune our hearts to Him, the more often we hear Him speak. Sometimes it will be by observing and learning through the lessons of nature and other times through godly counsel from individuals. I’ve heard His “voice” clearly through both, however, only when I was seeking after Him and searching for His will for my life. I don’t think God is obliged to guide us when we can’t give Him more than a cursory acknowledgement when it is convenient.

Be assured that God wants you to hear Him. He doesn’t want to keep anything from you that you need. I invite you today to see what YOU need to do to improve your God hearing.

posted by:
Katie Nielsen
Director of Church Ministries

Don't Worry!

In Matthew 6:25, Jesus said, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry!” I was finishing up my notes to lead a neighborhood men’s Bible study on the Sermon on the Mount that I have twice a month and those words really hit me! I know that these are scary times for everyone. Businesses are closing, people are being laid off, government at all levels is in deep trouble, the stock market is down 40% from a year ago and people are scared of what will happen next. I understood that well, because I had to meet with our entire paid staff the very next morning to let them know we were cutting all staff salaries by 5% and will close the church office on the first Monday of each month. We have to cut expenses now or begin to lay off staff which would seriously hurt our ministry. AND I was supposed to teach these men not to worry while I was worried and losing sleep over it!

“Do not worry!” Was He serious? Yes! In fact He said it three times, “Do not worry about your life (6:25), Do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ (6:31), Do not worry about tomorrow (6:34).” Remember, if the Bible says it once, listen. If the Bible says it twice, it’s important. If the Bible says it three times, God means it! That means you, Ted Smith! After all, you’re the pastor! Get your act together!

Then the word, “Therefore” in 6:25, caught my eye. I’ve said it before, when you see the word, “Therefore” in scripture, always ask, “What’s it there for?” It refers back to what has already been said in the previous verses. 6:19-21, “Do not store up for yourselves treasurers on earth...but store up treasures in heaven.” If you focus on what can’t last, you will worry. If you focus on what will last, you will be free of worry. Then, in 6:22-23, He said, “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light.” If your heart can see clearly what is eternal, you won’t worry about things that are temporal. Last, in 6:24, He makes His point, “You cannot serve both God and money.” It’s a choice. We can serve the things of this world and worry, or we can serve God who will take care of us and be free of worry.

That makes sense to me. When I worry, I show a lack of faith in God’s nature: He is a good God. When I worry, I show a lack of faith in God’s sovereignty: He is in charge even when it feels out of control. And when I worry, I show a lack of faith in God’s provision who promises to provide for our needs!

That’s why Jesus said, “Do not worry!” It is not a suggestion, it is a commandment. It is a choice that we need to make. Are we going to focus on the problems and worry, OR are we going to focus on God and be free of worry? He is good and He takes care of His kids!

Now that I’ve shared these wonderful truths, I need to put it into action. How are you doing? Let’s stop the worry and learn to take God at His Word!

posted by:
Ted Smith
Senior Pastor

The Game Plan

Philippians 4:8-9 says, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy -- think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me -- put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”

For the past several years, I have been coaching my children’s soccer teams. Like many parents, I wanted to help them with their pursuit of sports and ensure they have good coaching experiences. Some years have been good, while others not so good. In both cases, there is one thing that remains the same: if you don’t practice what you are being taught, you will never experience your full potential. For the past three years, I have been coaching my daughter’s soccer team. Most of the girls have stayed together and continue to play on our team. I am happy to say we have a fun team and many of the girls have come to love the sport. However, there are a handful of the girls who have really excelled in their abilities. They come to every practice (and listen), they have enrolled in special classes outside of practice, they play indoor soccer during the off season, and they even break the mold and “play with the boys” once in awhile. Their performance on the field stands out from the others. Whereas each of the girls continues to improve in her abilities, the difference in those who put in the extra practice is very apparent.

The same is true with our relationship with Jesus. Those of us who have accepted Jesus as personal Lord and Savior are on the same team. Jesus is our coach. He has committed himself fully, including sacrificing his own life, into “coaching” us to reach our full potential. He has given us a “game plan” through the Bible; He has “demonstrated” personally how we should live and succeed in life, and He has an “open door policy” where He is always ready to listen. But, all of that is not enough for us if we wish to experience our full potential in Christ. We must put into practice what we are taught, “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable -- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy -- think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me, put it into practice.” If we never read the “game plan” (the Bible) or never listen to it being explained to us (attending worship services), how can we be ready when we are called upon?

Are you ready for the game? I hope so, but if you're not, it’s not too late. The game plan is sitting there for you. Pick it up and look for the position God has prepared you for. If you don’t understand the plan, ask for help! Join a Bible study or growth group, volunteer to serve somewhere -- anywhere -- and be sure to attend church worship services regularly. Our church is filled with coaches who want to help you reach your full potential, and don’t miss the last part of the Bible verse above, “And the God of peace will be with you.”

posted by:
Fred Hammer
Pastor of Children's Ministries