We are Beggars...

"We are beggars! That is true."--Martin Luther, February 16, 1546 (2 days before his death)

This quote came to mind tonight as I conclude an evening of study. Reflecting at the end of his life, Luther, who spent practically his entire adulthood pouring over and proclaiming the Scriptures, recognized how feeble his understanding truly was. All of us (even the greatest theological and philosophical minds of all time) are in need of God's gracious lisp as Calvin put it. Our minds are too feeble to understand the infinite depth of God's character nor can we fathom His purposes from start to finish. While he has truly revealed Himself by His Word and Spirit, we cannot wrap our minds or our words around the breadth of His being. Our infinite and eternal God exhausts the ability of our frail and finite minds to contemplate. He is incomprehensibly bigger than us.

Christians throughout history have acknowledged that the more we know about God, the more we realize how little we know (a.k.a., "the cloud of unknowing"). What a helpful reminder for us when we ever feel we have arrived or are "getting close." Such thoughts actually reveal quite the opposite: we are getting farther away rather than closer. True understanding of God leads to humility and worship of Him for who He is and what He has done. If our study of God results in pride and self-worship, we have missed the mark miserably.

Father, grant us humility and meekness in our learning. Take the feeble words that we speak and write about you and use them for Your glory and the spreading of Your Gospel. We thank You that it is in our weaknesses that You demonstrate your strength. Help us to humble ourselves before You, to rely solely upon You, and to lead others to know You and make You known. We look forward to the day when Your Son will return and we will no longer "see in a mirror dimly, but [rather] face to face," no longer only "know in part" but rather "know fully, even as [we] have been fully known” (1 Cor 13:12).

Declaring God's Glory...Together

“We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.” For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 15:1-6).

This week in our Care Group meeting we discussed the nature of Christian fellowship. Since our meeting I read the passage above. It reflects much of what we discussed.

1. God has called all his children (i.e., those who have placed their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior--Matth 16:16) to consider each other and how we might edify ("build up") each other (Phil. 2:1-4).
   
2. As with all areas of the Christian life, Christ is our model. The Son of God humbled himself, leaving the glory of heaven, to seek and save those who were lost (cf. Phil 2:1-11).
   
3. God in His providence has supplied us with His Word written--the Holy Scriptures. As we are led by His Holy Spirit in reading and hearing this Word, we be convicted of sin and led in paths of righteousness (ways that please God) (cf. Jn 16).
   
4. As we, by the power of the Holy Spirit, humbly seek God and seek to live in the humility of Jesus Christ, God will produce a unity among His children. This unity and fellowship will lead us to a particular mission.
   
5. Our mission as a people called by God is to "glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ [with one voice]." This is our great calling, to adore and declare the glory of our great, holy, loving, and gracious God.

Paul's prayer for the Romans is my prayer for you: "May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ."

J