Unsung

Recently the articles chronicle the Christ-like attitude of my step-father Fred. His godliness is an inspiration. However, it would be negligent if we did not discuss the other godliest person I know, his wife, my mother.

Let me start with a quote[1]. “When I first met Ruth, I was so awed I decided I had to get to know her better. [She] was one of the most godly women I had ever met. I got so excited with what I found I married her. I can confirm that Ruth is indeed a very choice woman of God. Her outward life is truly an expression of the living God she has in her heart. She lives what she speaks…”

Fred wrote that more than 20 years ago. Has she changed since then? Yes, she has grown godlier. Two things really stand out to me about the woman it is my privilege to call, “Mom”.
Fred says, “She lives what she speaks.” That is more than difficult for most of us. However, since Mom has been a Sunday School teacher, Bible Study teacher, seminar and conference speaker and lecturer for 40 plus years, to live what she speaks takes on another added dimension. Why do people keep asking her to teach? To quote Fred again, “She is one of the most gifted teachers I know.” That is only part of it. One can be the greatest teacher in world but if the subject is not worthwhile, the teaching is wasted.

The woman knows the Bible. It is not just that she reads it cover to cover every year (for as long as I can remember). It is not just that she has committed more of it to memory than anyone has I know. She understands what the Bible says and she lives it. We talk about Acts 17:11 here a lot, the verse about studying the Scriptures daily. She does that. It AMAZES me. Every time I talk to her (once or twice a week); she tells me about something NEW she has learned from it. This woman has read the Bible cover to cover at least 40 times. She has literally hundreds, if not thousands of verses memorized - (if she does not have a passage memorized she can find it faster in her Bible than I can using a computerized concordance) and every time she opens the Bible, she learns something new!

Joshua 1:8 says, “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” [2]

Psalm 1:2, “But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night.”

The entirety of Psalm 119 is about meditating on Scripture. This woman lives that way. She meditates on the Word. (There is a quote, “If you know how to worry you know how to meditate - the only difference is the subject matter.”)

Therefore, the first thing that stands out about the godly character of this woman is the simple fact that she loves spending time studying scripture (and sharing what she discovers). I know I can not say that - I cannot always honestly say, “There nothing I would rather be doing than studying and sharing scripture.” [I can say that I know that is what I should be doing.]

The second thing that amazes me about my Mom is her servant attitude. About a month before Fred had his back surgery - between his ongoing cancer treatment, Mom had to have back surgery… It was a not rocket science, she had to have the surgery or else she would lose the use of her leg. The first question out of her mouth was, “Who is going to take care of Fred?”
I could list a thousand and one ways to exemplify her servant attitude. Her focus is caring for Fred - but that does not stop her from serving others. Some of our family members went to help with Fred and to visit. What did Mom do? Before they arrived, she went grocery shopping for them. There is a small problem with that. My parent’s house has a ‘guest apartment’ on the second floor. It is self contained - people can live there, it has its own entrance, bath and kitchenette. Mom had back surgery a month ago. She can not lift a lot of weight at one time. What did she do? After grocery shopping to stock the ‘apartment’, she took the groceries upstairs. She did not think about it, she did it. More than ten trips, a gallon of milk or half a bag of groceries at a time. Think about that. The next time you are out, stop at a five story building and take the stairs up to the fifth floor. Me, I would have left the groceries downstairs. When they arrived said, “Hey, come get your groceries.” A month after serious back surgery, I certainly would not be making trips up or down stairs unless the house was on fire…

Recently, when I told Mom she was the godliest woman I know, she said, “Don’t say that, I have a long way to go!” If she has a long way to go, I am in serious trouble…
She is living proof of the old saying, “The more I know, the more I know I do not know.” It occurred to me that her knowledge of the scriptures and her heart for God is so strong, she understands much more about what is pleasing to God and what is sin. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 says, “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,”

For her (and Fred), the ‘sins of the flesh’ are not the issue… It is the sins of the mind (“bringing every thought into captivity”)… Things like that instant flash of anger when someone cuts us off in traffic. Things like being annoyed at the screaming baby in the restaurant. Complaining which is criticizing God, instead of recognizing our own opportunity for growth and faith. Things like being disappointed when things do not go ‘our way’. Things like that flash of anger when someone corrects us. Things like envy or bitterness that someone else gets a promotion, a new car, house or toy.

Most importantly, they are aware when they miss an opportunity to minister to others…
Like previously stated, “What we do in this life effects eternity. Every opportunity we have to share the gospel of Jesus Christ is an opportunity that has everlasting consequences…”

Unsung, yes, unappreciated never. Just as Fred is the godliest man I know, Mom is the godliest woman I know. It is somewhat humorous and at the same time humbling. I call home and talk to Mom, and she tells me the impact, the ‘good’ Fred is having in the lives of others… I call home and talk to Fred, and he tells me the impact, the ‘good’ Mom is having in the lives of others. [2]


[1] Edited for brevity.

[2] We talked about ‘the good’ and what that means in “What Good?”

Unbelievable

Last article I talked about my step-father and his Christ-like attitude.

A couple of months ago in the article “Running Out of Time” I told you about how my step-father had one prayer request for coming year. It was not that he have a miraculous healing - it was that each of his kids (natural, step-children, and their spouses) along with each of his grand-children and every Christian he knows would ‘reach’ at least one person for Christ (this year).

The last couple of weeks have been terrible for him…

He has had a geometric increase in pain. Doctors’ reports have been more negative than positive. He needed to have some surgical procedures done to repair his cancer ravaged bones…

The days before he found out about the surgical procedure were especially painful - his vertebrae are literally disintegrating, crushed by just the weight of his own body… The surgical procedure (vertebral-plasty) is supposed to help that…

It was under these circumstances that I was surprised to receive a handwritten letter from him. It was not a form letter. It was not a typed and reprinted ‘mass mailing’. It was personal. It was also one of at least twenty-five personal letters written to family members. It amazes me that he took the time and energy to write one, much less more than twenty-five letters. Think about this. He is terminal. He is in terrible pain. He is barely able to sleep, the pain is that bad, and he writes letters to all his kids, grandkids, their families - each individual.

More amazing, bordering on the unbelievable was the subject matter. It is not a farewell letter. It is not a letter begging for prayers of divine intercession. He reminds again that NONE of us knows how much longer we have to accomplish God’s mission for us, to be the person God wants us to be… Then he goes on to interrogate. He reminds that he had one prayer request and one ‘mission’ for each of us to accomplish. The prayer request and mission for the New Year was that we reach just one person for Christ this year. He then asks two questions. The year is half over, have I accomplished the mission? If the answer is yes, have I moved on to make it two or three or four? If, no, then I need to get busy being about my Father’s business…

He knows the answers (we talk at least once a week). However, here he is, in his position, encouraging each of us to persevere… Unbelievable, but true.

I just pray I have that kind of heart for God, and Christ-like attitude…

My step father gets it - what we do in this life effects eternity. Every opportunity we have to share the gospel of Jesus Christ is an opportunity that has everlasting consequences…

What Good?

I have been going through a rough time…
Fred, my step-father’s health has taken a downturn. This grieves mom, and the rest of the family. He has bone cancer. He is dying. It is a trying time. We know that soon he will be with our Savior, and that is cause for joy. However, the journey, for him is becoming extremely difficult.
[I am selfish. I love Fred. I value Fred. He is the godliest man I know. His insight, encouragement, and heart for God inspire me. I am not ready to lose him yet.]

Fred sees it a little differently. Fred’s attitude is found in 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 [1] “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”
His illness has been a tool he has used to continue to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and build up the body of believers.

However, his condition brings up a situation. Many are the ‘well-wishers’. Christians, non-Christians, friends even strangers continue to tell us (the family) that, “The Bible says, “All things work together for good…”” They are referring to Romans 8:28.

I wonder sometimes how many times we hear it. What I wonder about more often is how many times that verse has been misquoted, and not been an encouragement as much as a discouragement… Sorry, but telling a person that just lost a loved one ‘everything works for good’ can evoke all manner of negative feelings. Unless, one uses that verse for what it says, not what we ‘want’ it to say it can be more hurtful than helpful.

For your sake, friends, let us look at the verse and its context…
“Everything works together for good.” Is that what it says in context? Is that all it says?

Romans 8:28a, “And we know that all things work together for good”.

It sounds good so far. What does the rest of the verse say, “to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” Okay, there appears to be a discrepancy with the flippancy we use this verse.
Look at it more closely.
1. All things work together for good.
2. Condition: ‘to those who love God to those who are called according to His purpose’. A strange phrase but further study will reveal that is a ‘Christian’.

Conclusion: All things work together for good for Christians.

However, we do not know what the “Good” is and we are not sure yet this is conditional for Christians.
It is not sound just to say, “All things work together for good.” It is not even sound to say, “All things work together for good for Christians…”

What is the “Good”? Using Fred as an example, what GOOD is there in dying a long painful death?
We need to look at the next verse. The Conclusion takes on additional meaning and promise.

Romans 8:29, “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.”

First we have to ‘verify' our assertion that the verse is addressed to Christians: “to those who love God” 1 John 4:7-8 says, “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” John 5:42-43 Tells us that those who do not love God, do not have Christ in them (are not Christians). Romans chapter 1 gives a description of non-believers, even stating they ‘hate God’ (verse 30).

Continuing:
“whom He foreknew, predestined, brethren”. ‘He foreknew’ appears four times in the New Testament (in use by Peter and Paul) - in reference to believers (Christians). ‘Predestined’ appears five times in the New Testament (in use by Paul) - always in reference to believers. ‘Brethren’ Paul uses over 100 times in his letters. Only once does it not mean the 'family' of believers (it refers members of ‘the’ family of Christ - that is Christ’s literal physical (½) brothers [2]). Back to verse 28, “the called” is in use nine times by Paul, Jude, and John to mean believers. We show our ‘Condition’ is a ‘proven’ interpretation that this verse refers to Christians. [The 8th Chapter of Romans begins with this phrase: “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus,”] By looking at the verse, the surrounding verses, the book, other books, and the rest of the New Testament, we find this ‘promise’ of “Good” is for Christians.

We know now that the Conclusion is valid, “All things work together for good for Christians.”

WE still have not defined “Good”.

Continue with the text of verse 29, “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.”

Take out the parts we know, that make sense. What remains? The two phrases, “to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.” What does that mean? Let us work backwards. We know what brethren means, and we know who He is. “To be conformed to the image of His Son, that Jesus might be the firstborn among many Christians.” ‘The Firstborn’ used in conjunction with Jesus, is an adjective ‘honorific’ - the first to be resurrected to glory, the highest, the greatest, the Christ.
“To be conformed to the image of His Son, that Jesus, will be the Christ of many
Christians ‘in the family’ ” (remember Christian means little Christ). That would be, “To be conformed to the image of His Son, that Jesus, The Christ, will have many ‘in the family’.

What does it mean then “to be conformed to the image of His Son”? That is straightforward, it means what it says, to become literally a ‘Christian’ a ‘little Christ’ not just a believer. There is a condition here. “To become like Christ so that Jesus, will be THE Christ of many ‘in the family’. Our becoming ‘like Christ’ results in ‘many brethren’.

There is the old saying, “You are the only Bible some people will ever read”. The condition is that our becoming ‘Christ-like’ will present an ‘example’ that will result in ‘many in the family’. What a responsibility, and a privilege.

Verse 29 then says, “Christians are to become like Christ so that we result in Jesus being the Christ of ‘many in the family’”.

We take Verse 28: All things work together for good for Christians. Add to it Verse 29: To become like Christ so that Jesus will be the Christ of ‘many in the family’.
We now have a very pertinent promise and admonition:
Promise: All things work together for good.
Condition: For Christians
Reason/Result: to be (made/become) more like Christ.
Ultimate ‘revealed’ purpose of God: So that Jesus will be the Christ of ‘many in the family’.

In other words, we have a definition of the “Good”. The “Good” is so that Christians become more Christ-like, and in so doing, others are saved by their example.

It does not mean what we often want it to mean, that bad things will not happen to us… It does not mean that we fatalistically and blindly accept this verse. “I do not know why it happened. However, I know this terrible thing will work out for good somehow.” We do not have to wander around in the dark wondering what that ‘somehow’ is; the answer is right there.

Now, does the rest of Scripture tell us that we are to be (and be made) more Christ-like?
Romans 12:2, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

Philippians 1:6, “…being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;”

Philippians 1:9-11, “And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.”

Ephesians 2:10, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”

Matthew 5:16, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (John 8:12 Jesus tells us that HE is the Light of the world, “…“I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”” - it says now to let our light (Him in us) shine.)

1 John 2:5-6, “But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.”


Fred has ‘run the race with perseverance’. There is no doubt, when he is through, that a crown of righteousness (2 Timothy 4:8) is waiting for him. There is no doubt he continues to live for Christ… While it grieves me to see him suffer, I am humbled by his steadfast commitment to furthering the Gospel of Jesus Christ…

I know that Fred is becoming more Christ-like. I know in the last couple of months that he has seen others become members of the family of Christ.

I know that the ‘Good’ of all that is happening to Fred is that Fred, every Christian near him becomes more Christ-like, and the Gospel of Jesus Christ spreads so others come into the family…

I have not asked him, but I am certain that if I did ask, Fred would tell me that if just one person comes to know Christ as Savior because of his example in facing death, then all he has gone through has been worth it.

Now THAT is Good!


Friends, the next time you are faced with pain, heartbreak, or grief; the next time you are faced with trying to comfort someone going through a difficult time - think about these verses. Then ask how you grow to be more Christ-like, to further the Kingdom of Heaven…

Jesus Christ set the example - “Father, not as I will, but as You will.” Matthew 26:39a

[1] Notice that the rest of that paragraph (Verses 5-7) has the same ‘purpose’ revealed. Verse 6a Paul writes, “Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation...”
Paul’s sufferings are so others might be saved.
[2] 1 Corinthians 9:5 is the specific reference. Paul is addressing the topic of marriage. We say Jesus' ½ brothers because they are the children of Joseph & Mary, Not formed by the Holy Spirit in the virgin Mary. In other words, they have the same mother, but different fathers.

He will not ask.

(This was excerpted and edited from an anonymous email)

Some Questions God will and will not ask when we get to Heaven…

1. God will not ask what kind of car we drove… He will ask how many people we gave rides to that did not have transportation.

2. God will not ask the square footage of our houses… He will ask how often we opened our home to others.

3. God will not ask where we bought our clothes or how many we had… He will ask how many people we helped to clothe.

4. God will not ask what our highest salary was… He will ask what we compromised to obtain it, how much we gave back to Him, and whether we were a good steward of the rest.

5. God will not ask our job title… He will ask whether we did it to the best of our ability, and if we did it as if we were working directly for Him.

6. God will not ask how many people we called friends… He will ask how many people we befriended.

7. God will not ask what neighborhood we lived in… He will ask how much we loved our neighbors.

8. God will not ask the color of our skin or our religious denomination… He will ask about the content of our character.

9. God will not ask how many, and good parties we threw for events of our lives… He will ask how often we celebrated Him.

10. God will not ask how many people we told about our new marriage, kids, new job, new house, new toy… He will ask how many people we told about Him…

11. He will not ask if we are good enough to get into Heaven… He will ask if we are clothed in the Blood of the Lamb…