Tag: grace

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For Faithful Gospel Preaching

Heavenly Father,
Sundays are sacred. Wherever your Word is proclaimed in worship today, let it be done so accurately and with clarity, and include a balance of law and gospel. Comfort afflicted souls while also afflicting souls too comfortable with sin. Where stories and illustrations are provided, work through them to offer not mere entertainment value, but to enlighten and reinforce your promises and truths. Allow the gracious news of forgiveness and salvation through Jesus to predominate in the messages. Through such faithful preaching, Lord, feed the sheep of your flock well.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

A Gift

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(Romans 5:12-19)

What do we really need? We aren’t actually so great at distinguishing what we truly need from what we want. When we speak of upgrading something that is operating just fine, or replacing an older item with something just because it’s newer, we’re really in the realm of wants more than needs. And, while we joke about previous generations hanging on to things well past their shelf life – “nothing a little duct tape or glue or thread can’t fix,” that generation may have perhaps had a better handle on the distinction between wants and needs.

That distinction is important because, if everything is a need, then it waters down what we really need. And more than any other, this season of the church year, which we refer to as Lent, reveals exactly what we all truly need.  

Good news! I think you’ll like what Paul says we need in Romans 5. He says we need a gift. Well, who could complain about that? Who doesn’t want a gift?

But… Paul isn’t just speaking of a gift that we want, which we may or may not get, but a gift that we need, and a gift without which we cannot succeed. Or live. Or love life to the fullest. FOMO is real with this gift, because without it, we are truly missing out. We can enjoy only the best that this world and its temporary, short-lived goods can offer. And frankly, that all leaves quite a bit to be desired. But with this gift, not only can we enjoy all of those things to the fullest for what they are, but we can rejoice and celebrate that we genuinely have something worth far more.

Before we jump right into exploring the size and shape of this gift, before we inspect the wrapping and shake it around to try to figure it out, notice how Paul explains why we need this gift. He paints a disturbing picture of the state of the world as a result of one catastrophic event: the Fall. “Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned—“ (v.12). Not only does this explain how sin entered the world, but it also sheds light on why even the best of this world will still leave us unsatisfied – because since the Fall, everything in the world has had the fingerprints of sin and death all over it. 

Looking more at Paul’s writing in these verses, it may appear as if Paul was describing a time when people who sinned weren’t really doing anything wrong. But when Paul wrote that “sin is not charged against anyone’s account where there is no law” (v.13) and “those who did not sin by breaking a command” (v.14), he wasn’t implying they weren’t guilty of anything (remember, he had already clarified that “all sinned” in verse 12!).

Rather, his point was that, even though God didn’t give the law until later at Mt. Sinai, the law wasn’t needed to prove that people sinned – death had already proven that! It was obvious that all had sinned because everyone ever born had died! The law was simply a sort of diagnostic test to help identify sin so that people could see it and know why death reigned.

The law was like a sign posted near Sunset Cliffs that warns a hiker walking close to the edge that they could fall and be injured or die. But, whether that sign is there or not, the same result would occur if someone walked off the cliff. Whether they see a sign or not, they would likely die. The sign just warns them of the danger. The law God gave just exposed sin and warned his people of the danger of it, but make no mistake: they were guilty of sin regardless of the law, and death was the proof.

Paul referenced the one selfish act that ushered that reality into the world. That act is recorded in Genesis 3. “When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. [The Lord God] said, ‘Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?” The man said, “The womanyou put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.” Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate” (Gen. 3:6, 11-13). Adam & Eve bought the lie that they were missing out, that God was withholding something from them, that he was keeping hidden that there was more for them to experience. So they disregarded God’s one command – just the one, the only one, remember – and sought to serve themselves. 

The result of that selfish act of rebellion has been that the children have acted like the parents ever since. In other words, we naturally see the same selfishness in ourselves.

Doesn’t that explain why we have such a hard time distinguishing wants from needs? When I am so naturally self-absorbed, I filter everything that happens in life through the lens of how it affects me. Even when I do manage to put others first, eventually I want to be recognized for it!

“I put up with a lot today at work, so I deserve that impulse buy.” “I am constantly putting the kids first, so I owe myself a bottle of wine or a few drinks.” If no one else is going to acknowledge or reward our selflessness, we’ll make sure to take care of rewarding ourselves. How selfish is that?!? No wonder I confuse wants and needs – I am constantly fighting against that innate part of me that imagines the world revolving around me!

But, try as we might, it’s not just a switch we can turn off. It’s not fixed by all the effort we can muster in the world, because we can’t get rid of the selfish traits passed down to us from our first parents. Selfishness cannot be addressed with an antibiotic like some bacteria. It isn’t some virus that can be avoided with a vaccine. It is who we are, and we are helpless to fix it, no matter how hard we try. No, going to church doesn’t make us better people – there are a lot of jerks that go to church! Going to a Christian school doesn’t provide students with a moral compass that magically enables them to make all the right selfless decisions for the rest of their lives. We can’t fix our selfishness. It condemns us.

So why do we go to church or a Christian school then? Because it is where we receive the gift, a gift received only by grace – a Bible word that means “undeserved love.”

Not earned. Not deserved. Not merited. And with that assurance, it’s a gift that is extended to all people. Everyone. If not earned or deserved, then we’re all on equal footing. Our upbringing doesn’t come into play. Our intelligence doesn’t factor in. Our paycheck holds no value. We’re all in the same boat, helpless to earn or deserve it, which makes us perfectly ready to receive what can only be received as a gift.

Let that sink in. Read and reread verses 15-19 again and again, but do so taking note of some common themes. First, note the connection between the words “gift,” “grace,” and “Jesus Christ.” They are inseparable. They go together. They belong together. There is no gift without grace, and there is no grace apart from Jesus Christ. 

Second, note that there is not a single mention of anything for you to do. Only to receive. Not do. Oh, there was plenty of focus in the early verses on how what we do results in death, but no mention at all in these verses of your doing, your obligation, your requirement, your expectation, your have-to’s, musts, or shoulds. Once Paul shifts his focus to the themes of gift/grace/Jesus Christ, those phrases completely disappear.

Do you see it? This is exactly what you and I need! Not a checklist or a personal improvement plan or a scolding to do better. We need a gift. It’s our only hope!

And Paul says that gift is ours through the grace of Jesus. Grace that we see in Jesus’ perfect life, devoid of even an ounce of selfishness. Grace that Jesus displayed, not only by being able to obey, but even in delighting in perfect obedience. Grace that drove Jesus to the ultimate act of obedience in humbling himself to death – even death on a cross – so that we might have the gift of life!

Only this gift overrules the condemnation passed down to us through Adam, which we daily demonstrate we deserve. It overrules it with the declaration of justification, a Bible word that means God says we’re not guilty. We’re not condemned. By faith, that is the gift of grace we receive through the life and death of Jesus Christ. 

And even though Paul spends a few verses comparing what we received from Adam with what we receive through Christ, his whole point is that really, there’s no comparison at all! The one is completely unlike the other, superior in every single way. Consider the ways this gift differs from what we originally received from Adam: they differ as to their source, their verdict, and their results.

As to their source? One came by an act of disobedience; the other came entirely by grace. “But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many!” (v.15). Adam’s efforts gave us disobedience, whereas Christ’s lavish us with grace.

As to their verdict? One brought condemnation, while the other brought justification. Adam’s sin says “GUILTY!” to every one of us. Jesus’ gift, however, declares “NOT GUILTY!” to all!“Nor can the gift of God be compared with the result of one man’s sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification” (v.16). To remain in Adam, outside of faith, is to retain that verdict of condemnation, but to belong to Christ by faith is to be assured of a guilt-free record that declares us not condemned. 

And because of that, there is no comparison between their results. One ensured that death would reign, while the other graciously overthrew that reign and replaced it with life. “For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!” (v.17). Though we will all die, Jesus has the last word and reminds us that death doesn’t rule. Life does. Life to the full for as long as he grants us on earth, but eternal life forever beyond that. Only in Jesus has that sting of death been removed, because it is helpless ever again to overthrow Christ’s guarantee of life. 

What do we really need? Nothing. Not a thing. By faith, you already have all that you need in the gift of God’s grace to you in Jesus Christ. Put all your wants to rest and find instead the satisfaction and serenity of living daily in the peace of knowing you have exactly what you need. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For the Gift of Life

Dear Jesus,
The gift is not like the trespass. Because of the trespass of one man, Adam, death reigned. It ruled without mercy, unchallenged. All sinners were helpless to address their fate. Then you came, Lord, and dethroned death! By your sinless life, your sacrificial death, and your death-defying resurrection, you brought life. Truly, the gift is not like the trespass! Where faith in you is present, death no longer calls the shots, but must submit to the eternal life that is your gift of grace to all who believe. Thank you for the grace that makes this gift mine.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For No Fear of Condemnation

Dear Jesus,
The gift is not like the trespass. The judgment resulting from the trespass is condemnation, while the judgment following the gift is acquittal. We rejoice, Lord, for the gift of your grace means no fear of condemnation! Though I am guilty of sin, you do not count it against me. Though I earned condemnation, your gift is justification. As a result of your sacrifice, all sin – including my sin – has been paid for in full, meaning there is no substance to the empty accusations of the evil one. The eternal death sentence of Adam’s trespass has been undone by the gift of your grace. How true it is that the gift is not like the trespass!

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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To Make the Gift Known

Dear Jesus,
The gift is not like the trespass. Through Adam’s act of disobedience in the garden, death came into the world. However, through you, Jesus, the gift of grace overflowed. In Adam, we all die. In Christ, we live. While the result of Adam’s trespass – death – directly affects all people, whether they know why or not, Jesus’ gift of grace has to be made known, for it can only be received by faith. Truly, the gift is nothing like the trespass! Let my mouth speak to others of this gift of grace so that death is not the end of their story. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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To Humbly Receive Your Mercy and Grace

Heavenly Father,
Sundays are sacred. When we gather in your presence for worship, we don’t do so to display our own righteousness, but to be reminded that by faith we have received yours. We don’t come before you to prove our worth, but to rejoice that you are our worthiness.

We approach you as beggars, humbly extending our hands to receive your mercy and grace. And you do not disappoint! You fill us up with good things – spiritual things, eternal things, priceless things – all of which sustain us daily and enrich and equip us as your ambassadors to the world. Rejuvenate and revitalize your people through Word and worship today. Draw them close to you and make them zealous to do your will. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For Those Battling Bitterness

Prince of Peace,
I approach your throne of grace today on behalf of all who are consumed by bitterness and anger. When isolation becomes more frequent, spoken responses are short and sharp, and social media posts are filled with negativity and animosity, those are often outward expressions of internal turmoil. Lead friends and family members to recognize such signs as an opportunity to check in and offer whatever help they can. A listening ear can go a long way, Lord. Use whatever means necessary to root out resentment in those who are struggling, and replace it with real peace of mind. We know that such peace comes from knowing the One who has overcome the trouble we face in this world. Make him known to those battling bitterness, so they can know what it’s like to be free from it. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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To Embrace That I Am Yours

God of Grace,
As a believer, I am included among those you refer to as “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession” (1 Peter 2:9). Don’t ever allow me to take these images of grace for granted! When I consider all of the reasons for which you created and redeemed me, I generally focus on the things you want me to be, to say, and to do. Yet it is true that you also made me yours for the purpose of… simply being yours! Before I rush into all that you call me to do, help me set aside ample time to bask in the security of being yours. Let me embrace the honor of belonging to you, and reflect that honor in how I represent you to the world. For all that you have made me to be, let nothing surpass this piece of my identity: I am your special possession!

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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For the Happiness That Comes From Your Holiness

God of Grace,
As a believer, I am included among those you refer to as “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession” (1 Peter 2:9). Don’t ever allow me to take these images of grace for granted! When I take the time to reflect on what it actually means to be holy – that every thought I think, every word I speak, and every action I take is unstained by sin, I become painfully aware of the impossibility of ever achieving holiness on my own. Nevertheless, I am a part of your “holy nation” of believers. You call me, a sinner, sinless. You call unholy me, holy. Only by the blood of Jesus! I ask just this, then, Lord – that you direct and equip me to live the holy life to which you’ve called me, so that my life reflects what you say I am in Christ: holy. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

Picked for a Purpose

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(1 Peter 2:9-12)

The lone remaining member of the family is the only one to have survived the car wreck. It took the lives of everyone else in her family, leaving her to spend the rest of her life wondering, “Why me?” Why, of everyone in the family, was she the one who was spared? Veterans who have come home to their families after war have felt the same nagging question when reflecting on all of their friends who were not as fortunate to return: “Why me?” “Why me?” is also sure to shape the thoughts of the patient who was just told it’s terminal after leaving the follow-up appointment with his oncologist.

The answer to the “Why me?” questions in those scenarios is this: we don’t know. God hasn’t revealed his specific answer to those situations in his Word. The Bible doesn’t explain why it wasn’t another family member who lived, why the surviving veteran wasn’t KIA and others were, or why the tumor wasn’t found to be benign. We can speculate all we want, but that will never satisfy us if we demand an answer that ultimately will remain known only to God.

However, just because we don’t know the specific answer to those specific scenarios doesn’t mean that everything remains unknown to us. We can direct our thoughts to what we do know about God and his promises in his Word and apply those to our situation. As we do that, the Holy Spirit sheds light on some possible answers to those questions, “Why me?” In one case, God may have allowed that tragedy for the purpose of uniquely qualifying that individual to comfort others who experience something similar. In another case, the loss may be what God uses to draw someone closer to him in faith. God shapes and refines us most often not through ease and comfort, but through hardship and adversity.

Whether or not we have endured any experiences related to those mentioned, we do have answers to another “why me?” question. It’s one most believers have considered at one time or another: why did God choose me? Why am I a believer? Why not some other religion or belief? Why Christianity? Why am I a Christian?

The answer? You were picked for a purpose. Actually, you’ll discover many purposes if you read through the whole Bible. But we’re going to give our attention to the two purposes revealed in the verses from 1 Peter. One of those purposes is very well known to just about every believer. And we’ll get to that one. 

But the other purpose is no less beautiful, even if it is not as well known. I believe that this purpose, if not only known, but embraced, believed, and lived, has the potential to significantly alter the lives of those who hear it.

Some of you know it; others, not so well. Others know it, but have not combined it with the faith to change their outlook on life. When I say this purpose can be life-changing for people, I mean it. It can eliminate the need for pills. It can result in the cancellation of the remaining counseling sessions. It can improve relationships.

Do I have your attention? Are you ready for it? Do you want to know what this purpose is for which God picked you? Read 1 Peter 2:9 with again, but stop after the fourth comma. “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession,…” Why did God pick you? To be his. That purpose stands on its own. Yes, there is much involved in living out our callings as Christians, but we cannot zip right past this purpose just to get busy with the doing. We have to bask in the “being.” 

And we have our choice! Who doesn’t like choices? We want options. We want things our way, the way we like them. So God puts together a list, and although all of them are true for believers, some may have more meaning than others. Think of the individual who has lived life always being overlooked or passed over for someone else. Not by God! No, because God chose us – he didn’t settle for us or get stuck with us, but chose us. And “a royal priesthood” carries with it a social status that some have never experienced, having been born into what they perceive to be a low rung of the socio-economic ladder. The believer with a tender conscience, crushed by the slightest sin or slip-up, is part of a “holy” nation. And the person from a broken home or who was adopted and perhaps has always struggled with feelings of being unwanted is God’s own possession. You were picked for a purpose: to be God’s!

We heard all about this in my last sermon post. Does that mean I shouldn’t be repeating the same thing again? Am I so unoriginal that I have to regurgitate the same stuff week after week? How about this? I’ll stop repeating it when 1), the Bible quits bringing it up, and 2) you start believing it. When those two things happen, then I’ll give it a rest; I’ll quit repeating the same thing.

But until then, hear it again: you are special. God used Peter to call you his “special possession.” And yes, that is what you are! And yes, that is one of the purposes for which God picked you!

And it sinks in more when we recall how drastically different our natural status before God ought to have been. Our natural arrogance of denying there’s a God or turning from him should have classified us as a “rejected” people. Our boorish behavior and classless treatment of others is a far cry from any designation of royalty. Our hatred and unholiness speak for themselves. Peter reminded us in this way: “Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy” (v.10). 

But grace doesn’t call us what we are by nature, but what God has picked us for. Grace doesn’t force us to live under the labels we earned for ourselves, but calls us what God has made us. Chosen. Royalty. Holy. His prized possession. That’s what you were picked for.

This life-changing truth can impact everything in your life: how you view God, how you view yourself, and how you view others.

If it’s true that God feels that way about me – that he picked me not out of obligation or as some random name out of a hat, but because he deliberately, willingly, knowingly wanted me to be his, then that reality absolutely affects how I think and feel about God. There is no one and nothing in my life that could ever matter more! Someone who feels that way about me doesn’t have to ask for or demand my love and loyalty in return, because he’s already got it. 

And, if the Almighty God calls me all of these things, and backs it all up through the redeeming work of Jesus on my behalf, then it also shapes how I feel about me. Whose opinion of me matters more than that? Not someone else’s. Not even my own! So if the One who knows me better than I even know myself feels that way about me – and my best or worst days have no bearing on it, then how can I feel anything but positive about the person looking back at me in the mirror?

If God calls me his chosen, royalty, holy, prized possession, isn’t it the height of arrogance to think I know better than he does and think so little of or so negatively about myself? There’s simply no place for such a view. I need to start seeing myself as he does.

Finally, when I know how my loving God feels about me, which positively influences how I feel about me, then it also changes how I view others. I don’t need to pour myself into people pleasing (at least not for the purpose of earning the praise or affection of others!). I don’t need to pretend I can get everyone to like me. I don’t need to stress out over finding Mr. or Mrs. Right when I know it has zero impact on how God feels about me. And, I start to view others the way God views me. The bitterness, resentment, animosity, hatred, indifference, etc. that I may have felt about certain individuals or in general toward certain groups begins to disappear. It is replaced by an increasingly genuine desire to love them as God loves me and to want them to know how much God loves them, too. 

Lo and behold, that brings us to the second purpose for which God picked us. Recall early on that I mentioned two purposes Peter provides in these verses. The second is more familiar, and it’s found after the comma where we stopped earlier. “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light” (v.9).

You – chosen, royalty, holy, prized possession of God, you – were picked also for this purpose: to “declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” You were picked to talk up God, to make him known, to let others know who he really is. That means we’re not content to let whatever hair-brained or half-baked ideas about God that others have drummed up in their own minds or regurgitated from some other teacher or teaching go unchecked. We simply treasure God and that other person too much to allow anyone or any teaching to falsely misrepresent him. 

The Bible’s doctrines and teachings are absolutely essential – after all, they’re how our understanding of and relationship with God grows. However, too many people choose to be so put off by the “rules” and teachings of the Bible that they’ve never actually taken the time to get to know the God of the Bible. When unbelievers are consistently quick to explain that they can’t believe because they don’t agree with this or that teaching, all they’re revealing is that they’ve never really gotten to know God first. They’re turned off by the teachings, but why should we expect anything else if they don’t know the Teacher? They have not come to know the One who reveals himself as the embodiment of love! 

Peter seemed to be aware of this, since he didn’t write that the purpose for which we were picked was to argue or debate others into the kingdom by proving the validity, the wisdom, or the correctness of all of the Bible’s teachings, but by declaring the praises of God.

Praise who he is and what he’s done. Lead others to get to know who God is – the gracious, merciful, patient, loving God who has sacrificed so much to demonstrate the depth of his love for us. You are uniquely equipped to declare those praises to others! Not because you went to the Seminary or aced a class or had some intense, in-depth training, but because you know from experience what it’s like to have been called out of darkness into his wonderful light. You know how wonderful it is. You, therefore, are as qualified as anyone to declare to others the praises and promises of God!

And one last thing. Please, literally for the love of God, please back up your words with the way you live your life. “Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us” (v.12). Others aren’t just listening to the words that come out of your mouth. They are paying attention to your life to see if it validates your words.

If the impression they get from you is that grace means it doesn’t really matter how a person lives, how is that any different from how they’re already living? They already live however they want to. They’re already doing whatever they want. If all your talk about Jesus and faith has not resulted in any noticeable change in your life, then why should they be drawn to a life that looks no different from theirs? No, “live such good lives” that the quality and character of your life stands out so much they can’t help but be drawn to know more about the God who made that change in you. 

Why me? Why you? You were picked for a purpose – to be known by God and to make God known. He picked you to make you his own – chosen, royalty, holy, prized possession – and to make him known. Others are wrestling with “Why me?” for countless reasons. Give them the best answer to that question. Make known to them the One who has done everything to make them his own, too.