TRIALS

With friends like these

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“…the one who endures to the end will be saved. ” Mark 13:9-13 ESV

There’s an old song that goes something like this: “you only hurt the one you love.” Another way to look at it is: you can only be hurt by those you love, those whom you’ve let into your life, cared for, and nurtured. These are the ones Jesus brings up now in his discussion of the times of the end on the Mount of Olives.

Mark starts off by saying “they” will turn you over to the authorities, both religious and civil. These authorities think they have you on trial, but God sees it the other way around. They are on trial and you are the star witness.

So who are the “they” that Mark mentions? Those who are near and dear to you. Brothers, fathers, sons. Children will rise up against their parents. No one wants to be betrayed, but the betrayal of a friend stings worse than the worst an enemy can do.

The stakes are high – beatings and death. But the threat that you pose as a believer in Jesus Christ is so extreme that they can justify it. The real offense is Him. Anything that reminds them of Him must be eliminated and they will stop at nothing to accomplish it. It may be organized and systematic. It may be utter chaos, boiling with mob-driven rioting. It doesn’t matter. They will come for you.

How do you defend yourself against such frenzy? You don’t. First, you must be smart. Stay on your guard. Don’t be tricked into sacrificing yourself needlessly. Then when they haul you before the judge, don’t panic. Don’t worry about what to say. Jesus is on trial, not you. He will provide the words. His Holy Spirit will speak through you.

Thankfully, we are not yet faced with such wide scale opposition, but it is beginning to happen. There is still time and opportunity to accomplish our mission: spreading the good news. This is our first priority and the focus of our energies and efforts. This race may be long and arduous, but run it to the finish.

The right answer

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“We do not know.” Mark 11:27-33

Jesus returns to Jerusalem in the morning. As he and his disciples walk through the temple area, the Jewish officials approach him en masse: the chief priests, scribes and elders. In other words, this is serious. They want to see his credentials. “By what authority do you do theses things? Who gave you this authority?“

In their own minds, they are the ultimate authority of faith and practice on earth. And they knew with certainty that they had not given Jesus any kind of authority to teach or to act. They are speaking, of course, in reference to Jesus driving out the money changers and other vendors from the temple on the day before.

Jesus counters with a question for them. It is interesting that they take up this question as they are under no obligation to do so. Thus they unwittingly yield their authority to Jesus. His question is, “Was the baptism of John from heaven, or from men? Answer me.”

This was a factual question with a definite answer. But instead of giving an answer based on truth, or even on their own professional opinion, they express fear of the reaction of the people, who no doubt were gathering now to see what was going on. They fall back to a “safe” answer that they hope will not cause too much trouble. So they offer up the pretense that they do not know.

Jesus will not play games with them and states flatly, “Neither will I tell you.” But in a sense, Jesus has already told them the source of his authority. John was indeed a prophet sent from God to proclaim the coming Messiah, whom he identified as Jesus. The officials’ refusal to accept this did not make it any less true, but served as an indicator of the state of their hearts.

The temptation to give a “safe” answer regarding, Jesus, God or the Bible is just as great today. Our modern society has determined we are now “post-Christian” and have been for some time. In other words, we have grown out of this phase in our development and are now able to regard things in a much more realistic and scientific fashion. The concept of God and religion is seen as no longer being useful. In fact it may be downright dangerous, and indeed, anyone holding to these outmoded beliefs is rightfully subject to ridicule, loss of position and power and general persecution.

So, do we go along to get along, or do we stop, stand and proclaim the “right answer”?

Copyright 2020 David J. Cooley

It is time

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“For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God…”

Wait a minute… Don’t we get out of this sort of thing? Doesn’t God pull us out of here before any of that gets started?

Sorry. We begin to feel the fire of God’s judgment the moment we are saved. Not the judgment that leads to condemnation – thankfully we won’t face that! But God begins purifying us and making us holy right away. The unbeliever waits, perhaps in self deceit, thinking he will escape judgment since he hasn’t got caught – yet.

If we think it’s tough for us, then it will be so much more terrible for the lost and disobedient. It is much better to surrender to God now, while there is still time, than it is to refuse and then be taken captive.

But we have hope. We can entrust ourselves to our faithful Creator. Though we may suffer a little for a little while for doing what is right, we know He will bring us through it all, stronger and better for it.

For more, see 1 Peter 4:17-19

Copyright 2019 David J. Cooley

Surprise!

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Don’t be.

“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you…”

We know it’s coming in one degree or another. It’s just a matter of when and in what circumstance. It’s not something strange that has singled you out. No, it’s not just a test. It is real. It will test you and demonstrate to the world what you are made of.

“If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed…” Not just insulted for any old reason, but insulted because of the Holy Spirit’s presence in you. Remember, “he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. ” I John 4:4.

“…if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed…”  Just as when Peter or Paul or any of the disciples were imprisoned or persecuted, let it be a time of glorifying God. Rejoice that you share in Christ’s sufferings so that you may rejoice and be glad when His glory is revealed.

For more, read 1 Peter 4:12-16

Copyright 2019 David J. Cooley

Arm yourself

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“…live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God.” 1 Peter 4:2

Ever notice how a little pain immediately reasserts cold, hard reality? Maybe it didn’t bother you as a kid, but now walking across hot blacktop in your bare feet is definitely not a good idea. Sure, we’ve all done stupid things that we regretted or paid for dearly the day after. That’s part of life and having fun with your friends, right? Somehow the pain and discomfort is forgotten the next time the opportunity comes around.

But, have you ever made a decision knowing that all you’ll get out of it is pain and suffering? You might ask, why would I ever want to do that?

At some point we will all face a crucial moment when we realize that to continue following after the crowd or to indulge in our our cravings and lust will dishonor Jesus. We may not even be fully convinced that such behavior is actually sinful, yet we suddenly see that to proceed will cause Christ much sorrow. We have to make a choice: who is my friend? What is the right thing to do? The question of what will cause the least pain and bring the most pleasure recedes from view.

Anyone who has made such a decision to stick with the Lord and his ways while facing certain retribution – whether verbal taunting or physical violence – knows that the pull of sin loses a lot of its grip in the aftermath. We are not so easily deceived the next time. And we find ourselves strengthened by the Lord to endure.

For more details, see 1 Peter 4:1-6

Copyright 2019 David J. Cooley

A Prepared Defense

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“…always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you…” 1 Peter 3:15

Most Christians have probably heard that they need to be ready to share the gospel to whoever might ask. If the truth be known, a lot of us prefer this to the idea that we should share the gospel even when we aren’t asked. There is nothing particularly wrong with either approach, and our preference for one or the other may be influenced by our own gifts and abilities as well as our comfort zones.

“Defense” in this case is usually seen in the sense of a reasoned argument supporting an idea or position, and not in the sense of repelling an attack or protecting ourselves from danger. But the context that Peter provides suggests both ideas are in play.

Why would anyone object or oppose you for getting excited over what is right and good? This may have sounded ridiculous a generation or two ago, but the understanding of “good” and “right” is not so clear in this present generation. The possibility that Christians might suffer for righteousness’ sake keeps getting stronger.

In response, Peter encourages us to “have no fear of them, nor be troubled” and gives a two-pronged course of action: 1) maintain the Lordship of Christ in your heart, i.e., He’s the boss, He’s in charge, not the opposing voices; and 2) prepare a defense of your hope in Christ, seasoned with gentleness and respect.

This is not done out of a need to “be nice” when talking about Jesus, but to avoid responding in the natural fleshly manner: repaying evil for evil or reviling when reviled (see previous post). There should be nothing in our actions or reactions that could be cause for accusation. “It is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.” 1 Peter 3:17.

How can we be prepared? By thinking out in advance why you have placed your hope in Jesus Christ. The basic truths are the same for everyone, but God has dealt with each one us in slightly different ways. Perhaps your story may strike a chord with an accuser in a way no one else’s could.

For more details, see 1 Peter 3:13-17

Copyright 2019 David J. Cooley

Being Contrary

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Being Contrary, 1 Pet. 3:9

What are people like after being around you? Are they gladdened when you are with them? Do they feel better? Are they comforted and encouraged?

How about when things aren’t going your way, when lies and false accusations besiege you? Do you fight fire with fire, escalating the tension by bringing a fruitcake to a pie fight?

Yes, some people are naturally contrary. Even some Christians. Is it possible that even this is a spiritual gift?

If this sounds like you, here is your big chance to put that gift to productive use. When everyone around you is heaping on scorn and abuse, be contrary by becoming a blessing to them!

“Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.” 1 Peter 3:9 ESV

For more information, see 1 Peter 3:8-12

(c)2018 David J. Cooley

More precious than gold

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“… so that the tested genuineness of your faith — more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire— may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 1:7 ESV

Precious. Greatly valued, loved, important. How many things do we regard as precious? People – children, parents, friends, sweethearts – often head the list, and sometimes things can vie for our affection, too. But how often is our faith included here?

It is not so much how we rank what is precious to us, but the process by which value is gained. The word for trial or testing comes from the industry of metallurgy. It deals with refining a raw ore to remove impurities and reveal the genuine metal. This is often accomplished by the application of heat or fire. Even modern mining operations excavate truck loads of rock, pulverize it into pellets, leach the precious metal out with chemicals and melt it with high heat before pouring it into an ingot mold. One mine reports that 12 tons of rock may produce only one ounce of gold. One ounce. That’s precious. Precious enough to go to all that trouble and expense.

Yet Peter declares our faith is of more value than gold. And he links it with the testing of that faith to be sure it is pure and genuine. How much of a trial does it take for you to back away and abandon your faith? Peter knows that pressure. Remember the night he denied knowing Jesus not once, but three times? (Mark 14:66-72)

What value does a gold ring have if it isn’t truly gold? At that final day of judgment, there will be no payoff for any currency but genuine faith.

(c)2018 David J. Cooley