Ecclesiastes...Pastor Phil Strong
Part 26
10-23-11
Text: 2 Peter 3
Any consideration of the future offered to us by the prophets concerned
(2) issues: “warnings” and “promises”.
“Warnings”
and “promises” allow us to…
… live in the present with a sense of awareness and mission--- with our
eyes wide open to all of the ruin and devastation we face daily, yet
still remain hopeful.
… live in such a way that we actually perceive ourselves as contributing
to the restoration in meaningful and lasting ways: that our choices
matter to God; that our lives count.
Any discussion of judgment in the biblical story is meant to alter our
present reality; to effect change in our present conduct (lifestyle); to
find a less self-destructive path for life.
Being confronted with such truth always has
(1) of (2) effects:
1) “enlivening”: the
confession and repentance associated with it liberates humanity to
pursue life as it was intended (humility), or,
2) “deadening”: it serves to
harden those who are unresponsive to grace (arrogance).
It may surprise you, but far from being portrayed as something to be
avoided, the idea of judgment was actually something to be welcomed.
“Let the heavens and the earth rejoice… for the Lord he comes, he comes
to judge the earth. He will judge the earth with justice and the nations
with his truth”
(Psalm 96:13).
●
Although it certainly has a great deal of negative connotation to many,
for those living within the biblical narrative,
it was the conviction that their God was not willing to allow creation
to remain in its spoiled condition;
judgment is his passionate
response to the corruption of all that he loves.
From the earliest of Christian traditions, there was the belief that
Jesus would one day serve in the role and perform the functions of a
judge.
In Hebrews 6:2, it is actually described as one of the
“elementary teachings about
Christ”; it was understood as a central component to the storyline.
His role was solidified by his humility and his validation... taking
upon himself ‘sin’ (all that had gone wrong) and dealing decisively with
it (death and resurrection) [Philippians 2:6-8, 2:10-11].
Acts 17:31
“For he has set a day for judging the world with justice by the man he
has appointed, and he proved to everyone who this is by raising him from
the dead.”
This imminent day was referred to as the “Day of the Lord”.
It was literally a means of giving voice to their fatigue and
frustration as well as their conviction (hope) that God would, once
again, visit his people and deliver them from oppression and injustice.
The coming judgment will be in keeping with the quality of the life
lived, not the frequency of the prayer prayed.
Or, remember: Jesus said, “Follow me”, not “Repeat after me”!
[Jeremiah 17:10, 32:19; Matthew 16:27; Romans 2:6; 2 Corinthians 5:10;
Galatians 6:7-8; Revelation 22:12]
2 Corinthians 5:10
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that
each one may receive what is due him for the things done in the body,
whether good or bad.”
[“the judgment seat”---
Roman colonies would be furnished with locales which served as a place
from which officials would dispense judgment; establish justice. Often
referred to in Greek as the
“bema seat”.]
I think we generally resist the notion that we will be judged according
to our “deeds”.
It means that our habitual conduct (lifestyle) gives expression to what
is truly within us; the condition of our hearts either as
“Spirit people” (those
empowered by and cooperating with the Spirit) or
“those without the Spirit”
(those who fulfill the desires of the sinful nature).
●
Some see Paul’s words as contradictory. At one point he says,
“It’s by grace that you are saved
through faith, and this not of yourself,…” Ephesians 2:8-9. Now he
is saying that is by our works/deeds.
“Well,
which is it? Is it by faith or by our deeds?”
The answer, of course, is ‘yes’.
Faith and deeds are not mutually exclusive
(John 5:22-30).
Knowing that our lives are consequential prevents us from
successfully developing this ‘hybrid’ faith which disconnects belief and
behavior;
which allows us to make professions which are totally disconnected from
the actual way that we conduct our lives. Otherwise, it’s just
“superstition”.
“Can that kind of faith save you?”James
challenges us to consider the viability of a faith which professes
belief but is void of any deeds (lifestyle) to support such claims
(“lifeless”).
●
It will determine our sense or experience of either
“dissonance”
(inconsistency between profession and conduct) or
“confidence”.
We can’t continue to function with that tension, so we are moved
to redefine faith as simply assent to a set of principles or statements
(e.g. exercise is good for you).
“And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be
afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence
because we live like Jesus here in this world”
(1 John 4:17).
For Paul, the life that one lived was the truest indicator of the
condition of their heart.
Paul is saying that in order to counter the evil desires of our hearts,
God has placed something stronger within us--- his own Spirit, so that
we might begin to live as the new-birth people we already are [Romans
8:9-10; Gal.2:20].
“Are there any signs of life?”
2 Corinthians 13:5-9
“Examine (for the purpose of ascertaining proof) yourselves
to see whether you are in the faith; test (scrutinize: see whether a
thing is genuine) yourselves. Do you not realize that
Christ Jesus is in you--unless, of course, you fail the
test?”
●
He’s not calling for some
neurotic introspection which leaves us always feeling as if we can
never be sure, but for a serious reflection on our professions of faith
and its effects on the actual way that we conduct ourselves. It’s that
critical!
How can we tell when repentance is genuine?
~
When it is a response to God’s compassion (kindness: Romans 2:4) and not
simply shame or fear.
Anytime the children of Israel responded in repentance, it was always
based on an appeal for God to be faithful to his own word, even when we
have been unfaithful.
~
When it is more concerned about God’s honor rather than our own
reputation.
If people suffer shame for their sinful conduct, then so does the God
who calls them his own!
(“Against you, and you only have
I sinned…” Psalm 51)
~
When it is heart-rending and not just garment-rending (Joel 2:13 “… rend
your hearts, not your garments”).
●
Godly sorrow (2 Corinthians 7:9-11: read) is a transformational emotion.
It is able to feel the depth of the hurt caused (God and other offended
parties) and helps to create another relational path- toward God and
each other.
1 Thessalonians 4:1 “… live in
order to please God…”
Colossians 1:10 “… live a life
worthy of the Lord and pleasing to him in every way.”
1 Thessalonians 2:12 “… live
lives worthy of God who calls you into his Kingdom and glory.”
Philippians 1:27 “… conduct
yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel…”
Here’s the flow of logic throughout the story…
1 Peter 2:12
“Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then,
even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable
behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world.”
If this is who you are (your identity as (God’s people),
Then this is how you should live,
And this will be the result.
[Matthew 25:31-46; Romans 2:5; Romans 14:9-12; Acts 24:25; Hebrews 9:27,
10:27; 2 Peter 3:7; Rev.20:11-15]