Hard Pressed Between Two Worlds

    As a pastor, I talk to a lot of sick people (and hear about many more). Praying for them is part of the ministry God has given to me. I admit, though, that I have often struggled to know, exactly, how to pray for each one. The details for all of the sick are different- their circumstances, their spiritual condition- these things and more come in to play when I come before the Lord and make requests. But it's when I pray for fellow Christians that I feel the most tension. I understand that the moment these brothers and sisters pass from this present world, they will be with the Lord forever. I have a desire for them to remain here, but I understand that to be with Him is far better (Phil. 1:23). As the apostle Paul said about his own situation, "I am hard pressed between the two" (v.23). This tension complicates my prayers, but my heart is generally drawn to want to pray that they get that thing which is truly better. In some situations this is right and good. A dear saint has lived many good years; has a bad prognosis; the treatment has been miserable and ineffective, and she doesn't think it best to continue. She looks forward to being with Christ, and this is what I pray for. Amen! However, there are other situations where the prognosis is bad, but this child of God could still live many more fruitful years if healing comes. This person knows what it feels like to be pulled in two different directions. Pastorally, how do I best pray for these sufferers? Thankfully, God's Word casts light on this question.

    There are biblical examples of the sick who have recovered, and God's people rejoice that they remain. I'm thinking primarily of Epaphroditus, the faithful servant from Philippi who ministered to the needs of Paul. The Apostle says that this man "was ill, near to death" (Phil. 2:27). No doubt, if Epaphroditus would have died, Paul would have been able to give thanks that this saint was now with the Lord. There would have been the sadness of loss, a sting of death that remained here on earth, but the people of God who knew him could surely rejoice with this man who would have been currently rejoicing in the presence of God. But that's not what happened. Epaphroditus was spared death. In fact, Paul describes his recovery and continuance on earth as a merciful act of God (v.27) toward this faithful servant. Wouldn't it have been better to think of it as merciful if God just brought him on home? I think yes. It would have been an act of mercy for God to do so, but I know it was an act of mercy for the Lord to allow Epaphroditus to remain. God is telling me so (I also think here of Hezekiah, or of Lazarus. When Lazarus was raised from the dead, we do not read anything that would lead us to think that Lazarus was disappointed to receive more time on earth).

    I have had a number of conversations with those around me- those who aren't currently sick- speculating about what they would probably do if they did become ill, like really ill. Generally, those conversations go in the direction of "just let me go be with Christ. I don't want to suffer through that. This world isn't my home anyway." And honestly, I understand it. But this doesn't seem to be the full perspective of the Bible. The Scriptures speak consistently as they do in the situation of Epaphroditus. There is certainly great blessing in our death. Faith will become sight on that day, but it is also great blessing to continue here. It is a mercy of God. But why?

    The answer to that question rests in our purpose. Why are we here on earth? If my purpose here is all about what is best for me, alone, then of course I should always desire to be on the first train out of town. But I'm not here just for me. God has put you and me on earth to bring glory to Him. I admit that I can lose sight of that. Often, the way I will best glorify Him is to be a tool to help others do the same. I'm reminded here of those in the Old Testament who pleaded with God to spare their lives so they could continue to praise Him (Ps. 88:10-11, 115:17; Isaiah 38:19-19). Their earthly praises would cease as soon as they descended to the pit. Even though it is true that their praises would be able to continue on the other side of the grave, there is something of their current praise that is lost. They won't be able to praise God here anymore. They won't be able to praise God in this world, in the community of the faithful. They can't offer their praise in the midst of an unbelieving world, as a testimony to the grace of God by this sinner to other sinners who will remain. That element of praise truly will disappear from the earth at their death.

    In a similar way, there are things that bring glory to God that can only be done here on earth, by certain people, in a certain allotment of time- acts of service that will reverberate into eternity. We see that perspective in Paul's words to the Philippians as he wrestled with this in his own situation. He knew that it was better for him, personally, to be in the presence of the Lord, "but to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account" (Phil. 2:24). He was still able to accomplish much good on behalf of these disciples by staying, so from God's perspective this was the more needful thing, and what would most glorify Him. There would be plenty of time for Paul to stand rejoicing in God's presence, as he is to this day, but for that season, it was better for him to continue to serve the church.

    All of this informs my own heart as I think about my own future, and informs my prayers as I pray for those who are sick and suffering. As for myself, I should be willing, and wanting, to stay as long as I can be useful to others to increase their joy in the Lord. If it be more glorifying to God that I remain on earth, this had better be my desire, because this is what I've been created for. I am not my own anymore. John Newton writes about the goodness of this perspective in the Christian, who, "though he longs for heaven, would be content to live as long as Methuselah upon earth, if, by any thing he could do or suffer, the will and glory of God might be promoted." This should be my prayer, that if possible, may the Lord give me many years, unto old age, allowing me to spend myself for the genuine good of others, to His glory. I am grateful to have eons to be in His presence, but I will rejoice to have forty more years to promote His cause on earth, if I can be useful to others in the Gospel.

    As to my prayers for the sick, (with a few exceptions) I will begin to ask much the same for them. I won't plead for their healing just so they can stick around, but so that they can remain for godly purposes in the service of others. It is a mercy of God that they stay. There are things they can do here, for the good of man, and the glory of God, that they cannot do from the grave. Soli Deo Gloria

Let Marriage Be Held in Honor Among All

This is an excerpt from the Sunday sermon on May 28, 2023 by Pastor Lonnie Atwood.

One of the most basic foundations of society is marriage. It's a bedrock of the created order that God established when He formed the earth- marriage- as God defines it, between a man and a woman. The importance of this cannot be underestimated. When biblical marriage is attacked, so is the family, and so is the created order. This is a pillar that a good and rightly ordered society stands on. It’s the world where children are raised and taught. It’s the primary relationship where love is shown, where future men and women are grown and nurtured, where the biblical mandate to "be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth," happens. Marriage underpins any well-ordered and good society, but there is also a spiritual element here. Marriage is meant by God to be a living representation of Christ’s relationship to His church.

To represent marriage in a way that God has not intended it, is not only a sure way to destroy a society, it is also a great dishonor to the person and work of Jesus Christ. So, to be clear, culture does not get to define what marriage is. Only God does that. If a society chooses to depart from God’s design, they have created something that is not marriage. It’s a perversion of it, and a gross misrepresentation of the beauty of Christ’s love for His people- the ultimate Bridegroom and His delight for His bride.

So, when the church is told here, to “Let marriage be held in honor above all,” can you see why that is so important? Yes, it has monumental importance for the world  we live in, but marriage also speaks to our salvation. Godly marriage speaks well of our  godly Savior and His bride. No Christian, and no church, can obey this command by rejoicing in a marriage between anything other than one man and one woman. We must, as a people, honor marriage by affirming God’s design, and rejoicing in the work of our Savior for those He loves.

But we are also to honor marriage, practically, in our own homes, and by the way we conduct ourselves in purity with one another in the church. This starts with husbands loving your wives as Christ loved the church. Men are to lead in their homes, and in their marriages, with sacrificial love. They nurture their wives, and care for her like a garden. The man tends to his wife with the love of Christ and the word of Christ, and she bears fruit- physically with children, and spiritually in godliness. This is the standard that is to be upheld in the church, and all of God’s people are to rejoice in that because, again, that says something about Jesus, and His relationship with us. Adultery, and sexual immorality say something anti-Gospel. A husband who lusts after a woman who is not his wife is living out an anti-Gospel. The same for a wife who gives herself to another man. Jesus Christ deals with us in all purity and devotion. Husbands and wives must do the same.

We live in a very impure world, right? We must be very careful about what we set our eyes, and hearts, on. You must understand that sexual immorality covers a wide range is sexual sin. Adultery deals with those who are married. Christ doesn’t step out on His bride. He is united with us. We do not step out on our spouse either, to break the unity we have with one another. But the term "sexual immorality" includes fornication- two people who shack up, maybe they claim to love one another, but give themselves to each other sexually. This can also include lust, pornography, and any other sexual deviation that occurs outside the confines of the marriage bed. We are called to purity, nothing less, and to celebrate & honor marriage done well. WHY? Because a marriage done well will speak well of the Gospel that we all love...We honor godly marriage because godly marriage honors Christ. 

Young people are apprehensive of marriage, for a variety of reasons. They've probably seen a lot of marriages done poorly. They worry that it will restrict their individuality and might not suit their lifestyle. I was listening to the radio this week, and the thought came into my mind, "there aren’t any songs about marriage love," which shows what the world values. It values the, "I just showed up at the club, saw you for the first time, and want to have sex with you," love. It values dating and freedom, and the “I could have another you in a minute" love. But God, when He chose to put a symbol on earth of His true and eternal love- the kind of love where the God-man went and gave His life, so a people could be happy, forever, love- He chose to represent that in a marriage between one man and one woman. This is what Paul speaks of in Ephesians 5, when he says that marriage mysteriously represents the Gospel. We have to demonstrate this love, in our marriages, to the young people around us, to draw them, not just to have good marriages, but to draw them to the beauty of Christ.

Can we see why, then,  that we’re told here- “God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.” It is because those things are an affront to the salvation that He has so graciously worked for us.

As Christ’s church today, people who confess Him as Savior- people who confess that we belong to Him alone as His bride- a few questions are in order.

If you are married, is your marriage reflecting the Gospel? Are you committed to one another? Are you faithful sexually? Are you faithful in the roles God has given you that point to the Goodness of your Savior? Husbands, are you loving your wives sacrificially? Are you leading her in godliness? Wives, do you respect your husbands, and are you faithfully helping Him in His calling to lead well? Is there any repentance that needs to happen, so that your marriage can be more honorable? Most certainly if your marriage bed has been defiled.

For the unmarried...Do you aspire to be married? If so, pray for a marriage worthy of honor. Pray for a godly spouse, a spouse as defined by God’s Word, not as defined by the false prophets on the radio. Read about godly marriage in good books. Read about godly marriage from the ones you see around you. And as you prepare for marriage, purify yourself sexually. Prepare yourself for your future spouse, who must also be a Christ- loving person, like yourself...If there is repentance needed, whether in thought, eyes, or in actions, do that now, and begin living out that repentance today.

Marriage is a pillar of good society, but it is also the physical representation, on earth, of Christ and His Church. We must take this with all seriousness. Honor marriage, and work to have a more honorable marriage. Start this today as led by God’s Word.

Direction in Disturbing Days

I meet regularly with a group of Christian men for discussion and encouragement. Over the last few years, many of our conversations have been geared toward the times we live in, and the proper response of a godly man to the various challenges of our day. Politics and government often come to the fore. There are so many voices in the public square who tell us our duty, but those voices are in such disagreement on the Christian's role in cultural matters. Today I came upon a letter from John Newton to his young friend John Ryland Jr. about this subject, and I appreciated the simplicity with which Newton addressed the matter when, in his day, war was coming from the French revolutionaries, and the British government was prompted to act:

Great things are upon the wheel. But though the Lord's path is in the great waters, my path of duty seems plain enough. I am to preach the Gospel, mourn over my own sins, and the sins of professors and of the nation, and to stir up as many as I can to stand in the breach by prayer. I hope many are thus employed. For the rest, I know that the Lord reigns, that the wrath of man, so far as permitted to act, shall praise him, shall be overruled to the accomplishment of his wise purposes, and that the remainder thereof he will restrain. All the designs of men, which do not coincide with his, shall be frustrated. In the mean time, he will be a sanctuary to them that fear him. He bids his people not to be terrified. They are warranted to trust in him, though the earth should tremble, and the mountains be cast into the midst of the sea. Public measures, whether right or wrong, are under his direction, If sword, famine, pestilence, or discord, go through the land, he sends them. If he take wisdom from the wise, or courage from the bold, I cannot wonder that they do not prosper, when the Lord has forsaken them. Sennacherib and Cyrus were God's servants; no less so, than Moses or Joshua. They performed his commission and they could do no more.

 If I were lawfully called to civil office, I would endeavor to acquire proper knowledge, and to use every means in my power to serve my country. At present, I wish to serve it by prayer, and by employing my influence to soothe angry spirits, and to cultivate peace on all sides. Let the dead bury the dead, and the potsherds of the earth strive with each other, I am a stranger and pilgrim among them. My commonwealth is in a different kingdom, a kingdom that cannot be shaken.*

It's not that Newton did not care what happened in his native country of England. He certainly cared a great deal. But he knew that he was not in control of the various happenings in it. The best way for him to deal with the difficulties of his nation was to pray, and find comfort in the sovereign ways of God, whose path was in the deep waters. If trials came upon his countrymen, it was the Lord's doing, and He had a good purpose for it. If repentance came to the people, it was the Lord's doing, and He had a good purpose for it. Newton was fully convinced that a mighty God was very much the ruler of the world. He did not need to thrash about, and be filled with anxiety over every disturbance. God was at work then, and He still is today. We would be better served to take at least this encouragement from John Newton. God's people should be a praying people in the age we live in. We will serve our nation well if we pray hard, trust in the Lord's providential care, and know that He does all things well. We'll certainly be a more peaceful church, and less stressed by the news of the day.

* Quote from Wise Counsel: John Newton's Letters to John Ryland Jr., edited by Grant Gordon, Banner of Truth, 2009.

 

He Remembers that We are Dust

"As a father shows compassion to His children,

    so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear Him.

For He knows our frame;

    He remembers that we are dust" (Psalm 103:13-14)

The Lord, because He is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, deals with His children according to His own nature, and theirs. He sees us, in Christ, with all of our sins, youthful immaturity, and ignorance, and out of His abounding wisdom, deals with us as we are. He does not cast us aside for our weakness. We belong to Him by simple faith in His perfect Son, and He has assumed responsibility for our growth in godliness. He is a perfect Father, giving compassion to His little ones, because He sees us for what we currently are, and will shape us into what we will be. This is such an encouragement for His people, to know that this is the way God deals with His own. It does not mean that His discipline will never hurt. It does, but we can rest assured that He always deals with us in love. All He does as a Father is perfectly measured, with the right intent, aimed at our good...I couldn't help but think, as I reflected on His Fatherly compassion, of my lack of it at times with my own children, especially when they were smaller. This has made me realize that I did not always deal with them as they were, but as I thought they should be. They often acted out of ignorance, because that's what small children do. Instead of being slow to anger and compassionate, I was quick to frustration and demanding. I cannot go back and undo those fatherly failings of mine, but I can move forward with two encouragements from these thoughts from God's Word: (1) Even when I was failing as a father in those moments, God was not failing in His. He was still dealing patiently with me during that time in my weakness and sin. And now, as I see that, I give Him praise and bless the name of Jesus Christ, who brought me into a relationship with such a Father. (2) Seeing who God is to me spurs my heart to repent of my own fatherly sins. My children may not be as small as they once were, but I can take these words to heart, and receive God's transforming grace to become more like Him toward my children in the time while they still are in our home. My Father is currently showing me compassion, because He knows my frame. He remembers that I am dust. But, thankfully, I'm dust in His house, under His care.