Category: Matthew

  • The call of the gospel

    a castle built of clouds

    We’re almost a whole week into January, which means, statistically, 23%  of people have already given up on their New Year’s resolution. By the end of the month, it will be 43%, and at year’s end, 92%. How are you doing on yours?

    Some of those resolutions are reasonable; others are no more than castles carved in clouds or hopes strung across the clouds. They might have been pretty and well-intentioned, but in the end, they were unattainable dreams.

    Most of us desire to be better people in some way, yet few have the discipline and drive to accomplish it. That’s why I’m glad Jesus understands our weakness.

    He doesn’t expect us to get ourselves all cleaned up and find him. He doesn’t expect us to overcome all our sins and undo the damage under our own will and strength. Every other religion/faith is dependent on people doing all the work to get it together and find God.

    I love how one writer describes the call of the gospel: “We are saved because God seeks and saves the lost. The Holy Spirit used the Gospel, shared by parents, friends, and loved ones with us, read in the pages of the Bible, and preached to us…”

    He looks for us.

    He accepts us where we are.

    Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28 ESV

    The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18 ESV

    He does the cleaning.

    For 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. Romans 8:29 ESV

    That doesn’t let us off the hook; we participate in the process. Yet, it does mean that our issues aren’t handled under our own strength. 

    Our salvation and sanctification are in the hands of a loving God, not the fumbling hands of weak, desperate sinners. For that, we can rejoice.

    Be blessed, 

    Kevin

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  • Well Done Good and Faithful Servant

    Time is flying by, and that has me in a reflective mood this  morning.

    In three days, the days will be getting longer again. In seven, it’s Christmas already. In fourteen days, we will be in 2026.

    I remember being in high school and thinking how far away the turn of the century was. Now I hear kids talking about events of “the late 20th century,” and I realize I’m not even vintage anymore. I’m an antique.

    At a celebration for my parents’ 25th wedding anniversary, I remember thinking what a long time it had been since they were married. Now, in just over a year, Kathy and I will hit our 50th.

    Where did it all go? What was it all for? A lot of it was probably wasted, still. I hope that some of the time over the past 67 Christmases (68, in a week) will have been of eternal value.

    I still think of myself as a “new” believer, but in retrospect, I have been a believer for over three decades. Not all of that time was used wisely.

    Fortunately, the Lord loves me and forgives my shortcomings. No one has missed salvation because of anything I did or didn’t do.

    In Matthew 23, we read the parable of the talents. The master gives three men responsibility; two are faithful, and one is not.

    To the faithful servants, the master says, 

    “…‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’” Matthew 23:21, 23

    I long to hear those words.

    Don’t get me wrong, I’m delighted that despite everything, I will be allowed into the Master’s presence by His grace and mercy. That gift was granted to me by faith (and even the faith itself was a gift).

    I sometimes joke that I will be at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, but only to bus the tables. Yet, even that is far more than this sinful man deserves. I pray that you too will hear the words well done good and faithful servant.

    I know His love, patience, grace, mercy, and faithfulness are real. I have absolutely no doubt in my mind about that. 

    Yet, I cannot even begin to fathom the depths of those things. I’m grateful for them, even if I don’t fully comprehend.

    As we think of that helpless babe in a manger over the coming week, let’s take time to reflect on who He is and what He has done for us.

    He is the reason for and the joy of the season.

    Be blessed, 

    Kevin

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