Throughout history, man’s bias has been of his own time, a chronological snobbery, as C.S. Lewis called it, affecting how we see both history and the future. Our self-importance seems to breed a deception of self-improvement, a myth of progress leading us to think of the culmination of time as in our purview. Given the variety of modern media, it would be easy to entertain such a view, amusing ourselves with the developing events of the day with titillating speculation. Breaking news seemingly announces more clues of history’s denouement. And yet, today’s newspaper is tomorrow’s fire-starter.
Author Archives: John Clayton
The Holy Spirit Works
We are then God’s “workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Eph. 2:10). Out of all of God’s glorious creation, we are his workmanship. We who were originally made in his image yet fallen in sin are now redeemed to be conformed to the perfection of his Son, which we live out in good works. Yet, even our good works are according to the sovereign grace of God, that the world might see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven (Matt. 5:16). Therefore, let the testimony of our lives show and the praises of our tongues proclaim “the immeasurable riches of [God’s] grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” I never wanted to follow Jesus, but he rescued me by his grace forever!
Unity of the Spirit
The Holy Spirit who miraculously brings us to spiritual life, leads us to repentance, gives us faith, and continues his sanctifying work in us, empowering us, also miraculously, to love like Christ with affection and sympathy! Is there then “any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy” (2:1)? Indeed there is, for the Holy Spirit is at work in us to glorify the one who loves us most. Let us then love one another as we have been loved, by the Spirit of unity, in the likeness of Christ, to the glory of God. Amen!
The Holy Spirit Bears Fruit
To be clear, the imperative Jesus gives is not bear much fruit to abide in Christ but abide in Christ to bear fruit. Apart from him there is no fruit. There is then no such thing as a fruitless Christian. Though yield may vary, as well as seasons, fruit’s presence doesn’t. Fruit is proof positive, as Jesus says, “By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples” (John 15:8).
The Holy Spirit Speaks
If anyone tells you that apart from faith in Jesus Christ there is no concern or consequence, he is a liar. Apart from Christ, you are spiritually dead in your trespasses and sins, walking in the way of this world and living like a disciple of her prince in complete disobedience to God (Eph. 2:1-2). If anyone tells you that apart from faith in Jesus Christ that you are truly free, he is a liar. Apart from Christ, you are a slave to the passions of your flesh, carrying out the sinful desires of your body and mind, and deserving the wrath of almighty God (Eph. 2:3).
The Spirit of Truth
At the beginning of his first epistle, the apostle John explains his purpose for writing: “that your joy may be full” (1 John 1:4 KJV). John writes for our joy. And who wouldn’t want to have joy fully? But to be clear, the joy John describes is not joy as the world understands it, since John says, “the whole world lies in the power of the evil one” (1 John 5:19). No, the joy John describes is rooted in Christ, who is “from the beginning,” whom John and the other apostles heard, and saw with their eyes, whom they looked upon and touched with their hands, the living “word of life,” Jesus Christ himself (1 John 1:1). Just as they enjoyed in-person fellowship with Jesus, John desires for us, that all who are “of God” would enjoy a fellowship of obedience to Christ, love for the body of Christ, and discernment in living for Christ, all of which gives us Christ-exalting joy (1 John 1:3-4).
The End of the Matter
And indeed life is, as the Hebrew word translated “vanity” means, short, a breath, a mist, and then it’s gone. James reminds us of the same, “What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes” (James 4:14). Does this truth rob life of its meaning, or does it deepen it? The answer is found not in life itself but for what or for whom you are living it.
This Mortal Life Also
In simple verse, Luther reminds us of the eternality of God’s Word, the abiding presence of his Spirit evidenced in his gifts, all of which transcend this mortal life and prepare us for eternal life. It’s a sanctifying reminder in this mortal life that screams for our attention and devotion, encouraging us to fear and fight not to lose it: this life is not eternal, but God’s Word is. God’s truth abides; this life does not. So, what do we gain by fearing death and obsessing over this mortal life, when all that we have and all that we will be is secured for us in Christ? As Jim Eliot said, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.” So, let us live this life for Christ. Unlike this life, “his kingdom is forever!”
Live for God’s Glory
Such a thought can be daunting, but for those in Christ it should be liberating! Consider that by God’s grace through faith in Christ, you stand not in your own but the righteousness of Christ. Consider that all who are in Christ have been given the guarantee of his Spirit; we are in the presence of God, indeed. Consider that “those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified” (Rom. 8:29-30). Therefore, remove the weight of your worry and cast off the cares of sin: give generously, work diligently, walk wisely, and trust willingly. Embrace the life God has given you, with its sunrises and dark nights, for the light of our life is the light of the world, and “in him is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5).
God Only Knows
The bulk of the tenth chapter of Ecclesiastes consists of individual proverbs, poetically-structured truisms, varying by subject, interconnected by theme. What can seem repetitive to modern ears is intentionally reinforcing these themes, repetitively engaging the reader’s imagination, and leading to greater insight. But all of these varying proverbs flow into one general theme: Wisdom is better than folly. And who would disagree? But when we look at real life, in everything that is happening in this life under the sun, we often see folly in abundance.
Planter, Pastor, Preacher 