Ring...Ring...

[dave c]

HEALING SHELTER MINISTRY #138b Re-Written 17APR10

HOSEA 10:12—Part Two: Ring...Ring…

by rev. dave c

Hosea 10:12, Sow for yourselves righteousness; Reap in mercy; Break up your fallow ground, For it is time to seek the LORD, Till He comes and rains righteousness on you (NKJV).

Some years ago, while preparing to receive Holy Communion, I was overwhelmed by a keen sense of the sacredness of the moment—the depth of intimacy to be experienced with my Savior. I clearly remember saying inwardly, “Oh, Lord, I am so unworthy.” Equally clearly, I remember Christ’s immediate response, “I know...that’s why it’s a gift.” There is a great deal in my past that would apparently discredit my worthiness for the honor to possess, much less share, the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I would add that if you were “inside my head and heart” right here and right now, you would have strong evidence in your claim that I am still not worthy of that honor. The truth is, there is not one of us worthy of any Godly honor...no, not one (Ro 3:10-12). The issue is not, and never has been, a matter of our “worthiness”—it is, rather, a matter of God’s redemptive call upon our individual lives and our willingness to answer that call.

I hope that these studies will be an encouragement to those who are sure that God has placed a call upon them, but who also feel disqualified from that calling due to past sinful thoughts and actions. One evening during a “round table” discussion of the qualifications for deacons and elders as outlined in First Timothy 3:1-12 and Titus 1:6-9, it really hit me that we each pick and choose our emphasis of favorite attributes from those lists where, by grace of God, we are not given to failure. Simultaneously we downplay those aspects of the qualifications for leadership/service within the Church where we are uncomfortably close to non-compliance. For example, much is made of the meaning for “...the husband of but one wife”. Does that mean that a candidate must not be divorced and remarried—or does it mean that the past is covered by the Blood of Christ, and a candidate must literally have but one wife to whom he has demonstrated years of repentant commitment? This matter is very important...but equally important are being “temperate and self-controlled”...and able to “manage his own family well”. I suspect that there are more than a few “professional” men of God who, while having never been divorced and remarried, continue to struggle with envy, anger, and self-aggrandizement. Are those continuing sins less disqualifying than divorce and remarriage?

Was Peter temperate and self-controlled when he was called? How about James and John, ‘the Sons of Thunder’? Throughout his writings, Paul repeatedly addresses the issue of personal worthiness in the face of God’s calling. In First Timothy 1:15&16 he tells us, Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life (NIV). Referring to Christ appearing to the Apostles, Paul says in First Corinthians 15:8-10, ...last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also. For I am the least of the apostles, and not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am…. “By grace of God I am what I am.” No matter our past sins and failures, who among us can say any more or any less regarding our belonging to, and service in, the Kingdom of God? The real issue is not past sin, rather it is repentance demonstrated by a broken heart and contrite spirit (Ps 51).

The following verses bring me comfort and assurance regarding the work that God has given me, and I pray they will strengthen your confidence within your own calling. God's gifts and his call are irrevocable (Ro 11:29; NIV). ...by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect (1Co 15:10a; NIV). 'I sinned, and perverted what was right, but I did not get what I deserved. He redeemed my soul from going down to the pit, and I will live to enjoy the light.' "God does all these things to a man-- twice, even three times--to turn back his soul from the pit, that the light of life may shine on him (Job 33:27-30; NIV). This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything (1Jn 3:19&20; NIV). “So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten…” (Joel 2:25; NKJV). ...His word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot (Je 20:9b; NIV). ...Pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ...Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should (Co 4:3&4; NIV).

Finally, Paul exhorts us in First Corinthians 1:26-29, Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things--and the things that are not--to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him (NIV). “Lord, thank you for your grace and mercy in the face of our many failures. Thank you, Father, for your patience and faithfulness. Holy Spirit, please strengthen us in body, mind, and spirit so that we might fulfill the jobs that we are given. We ask these things for Your honor and for Your glory. In Christ’s name, amen.”