prepare

Prophecy in action

by

As it is written in Isaiah the prophet …

All peoples of all times and places have respected an authoritative voice that could tell them what tomorrow would be like. It is still true today – just look at all the experts on the news giving us information on all kinds of future things. And like people of old, we are very gracious toward them, forgetting their failures and proclaiming those instances where they actually got it right. We also tend to discount the stern warnings we really don’t want to hear and embrace the good news we cross our fingers for and hope is true.

But that’s not how it worked for the Biblical prophets. It was a capital crime to speak the word of the Lord as prophecy and not have it come about. Prophecy was considered very serious business.

Mark quotes a reliable and trustworthy prophet, Isaiah: “Behold, I send my messenger…” Why would Mark choose this prophecy over one that directly predicts the coming Messiah? It may have to do with how communication worked in his day.

Obviously there were no newspapers, radio, television or internet to spread the news. Still, people expected some kind of announcement about important events and people. We all know the story behind the marathon and how a runner was dispatched from the scene of the battle to inform the king of victory. By the way this would have been “gospel,” or good news to their way of thinking.

Simply put, the prophecy said a messenger was coming to let you know to get ready for a coming VIP. Not just any VIP like a general or high priest, but the Lord himself. “Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.”

For more, see Mark 1:2-3

Copyright 2019 David J. Cooley

The end is near

by

The end of the big game is minutes away and the outcome is obvious. Do we grab our stuff and head for the parking lot?

Peter is pretty straight forward: stay put, keep fighting and keep serving. No fair ducking out early. You leave when the Lord calls you, not before.

Keep the love of God flowing, especially in terms of hospitality. Honestly, you won’t miss the rapture if you’re too busy serving the Lord. Keep your focus on the work God has set before you. Use the gifts He has provided, as good managers of the resources and abilities God has favored you with. Don’t be shy, go all out. There is no need to hold back or be reserved.

This is how we glorify God. We are not showing off or proclaiming our own greatness. On the contrary, we are demonstrating what God can do with a sinner yielded and filled with His power.

For more details, see 1 Peter 4:7-11.

Copyright 2019 David J. Cooley

A Prepared Defense

by

“…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

Gird your mind

by
Gird Your Mind logo

“…gird up the loins of your mind”

To gird means “to encircle or bind with a flexible band; to securely fasten; to prepare for action.” When Peter was a fisherman, he girded his clothing about himself to prepare for work. Many jobs today require similar preparations: wearing a tool belt, safety goggles, gloves, steel-toed boots or putting on a hard hat.

Peter takes this idea beyond the protection and support of the body and applies it to our mind. The body often gets the blame for our uncontrolled desires and impulses. It is merely responding to the various stimuli and chemical reactions within it, we are told. But I think we know ourselves better than that.

The mind is the control center. The body does what the mind decides to do. An undisciplined body is the outworking of an undisciplined mind. Spiritually this is a disaster, as we leave ourselves open to every kind of enticement and attack of temptation.

Peter urges us to be sober. Certainly he means to not be under the influence of any intoxicating substance, but also to be serious minded, to have a secure grip on the true nature of things. And then to act. We can no longer afford to mindlessly allow the world to shape our desires and lead us back to the old lusts we once craved.

Paul echoes this same thought: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Romans 12:1-2). Peter expresses this another way, saying “be ye holy in all your conduct.” Being holy means to be set apart from the world for God’s purposes.

This means obedience to God and his way of doing things and thinking about life. Central to this is the hope that we have of grace. God will cover our frailties, strengthen our hearts and remove our sin. He is the reason we can be saved and granted eternal life. Nothing we could do would ever be enough to earn that kind of reward.

1 Peter 1:13-16

(c)2018 David J. Cooley