 I messed up again. When will I ever learn?
I let them down, I’m such a failure. Why did that happen to me? Guilty. Ashamed. Unworthy. We regret poor choices we made. Life circumstances overwhelm us. We wonder if God still loves us and how we could ever be useful. When these thought patterns overwhelm us, instead of listening to our negative self-condemnations, it’s time to talk back to ourselves. We need to tell ourselves who we are in Christ. In Ephesians 1, Paul reminds us of our identity in Christ. These reminders are God-breathed truths that describe our present, spiritual reality. “...blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing…” (verse 3) When we start to dwell in the bog of self-pity, we can replace those thoughts with reminders of the spiritual blessings we have in Christ. “...Chose us in him before the foundation of the world…” (verse 4) Even before he created the world, God chose us. Not because we would be perfect, but because Christ lived the perfect life. And so, in Christ, we are made holy. “...we have redemption through his blood, forgiveness of our trespasses…” (verse 7) As believers, we are redeemed and forgiven. What we did ten years ago, or yesterday, or three weeks from now is covered by Jesus’ blood that was shed for us. We do not need to linger in self-condemnation, instead we move forward in repentance. “...were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit…” (verse 13) In the time of the New Testament, a seal was a stamp that served as a signature on a legal document. It represented the guarantee that the owner would follow through on the terms of the contract. The Holy Spirit is our reminder that we belong to God from the moment we believed the gospel. These are only a few of the gospel truths that we see in Ephesians 1. They are encouraging and hope-filled. We can replace our feelings of unworthiness and shame with reminders of who we are in Christ. But they aren’t meant to be mere positive affirmations that we can rehearse to boost our self-esteem. They pull us out of our self-focused introspection and point us beyond ourselves. We are blessed, chosen, redeemed, forgiven, and sealed so that we “might be to the praise of his glory” (verse 12). This isn’t an abstract, theological catchphrase. “To the praise of his glory” is how we live out our identity in Christ every day. These truths about ourselves lead us to praise God! We have been lavished with his grace (verse 7). God hasn’t just blessed us a little — he has given us every spiritual blessing. We direct our thoughts to the one who planned from eternity past to redeem us. As our pity turns to praise, we are showing gratitude for who we are in Christ. It’s not just about what we have been given in Christ. Our praise is for his glory. There is nothing we have done, or can do, to deserve to be blessed, chosen, or redeemed. When we praise him, when we rehearse the gospel truths, we bring him glory. In the rest of the letter to the Ephesians, Paul shows us how to live out these gospel truths. In Ephesians 2:10, we see that we are God’s masterpiece, created for good works. We don’t do good works to be accepted or loved, but we do them out of gratitude for his many blessings. Later in chapter 2, Paul reminds us that we are now united with other believers. As we turn our thoughts from ourselves, that frees us to think more of other believers and show them the same love that God lavished on us. If there is someone we know who is discouraged or struggling? We can call them or meet for coffee and read Ephesians 1 together. In chapter 3, Paul explains that the grace he was given empowers him to boldly and confidently proclaim the riches of Christ. We can imitate Paul by telling others about the love of Christ that surpasses understanding. We may think it shows humility to put ourselves down when we talk to others or post on social media. But this puts the focus on ourselves instead of on God. Instead of looking for affirmation from others, we can express our gratitude for God’s unconditional love. We see another reminder of our identity in Christ in Ephesians 4. We have been renewed, created like God in righteousness and holiness (verse 24). Because of this, Paul says we need to speak truth, deal with our anger, work diligently, build others up, and forgive others. And we need to examine ourselves to see if we are harboring any bitterness, slander, or malice towards others. All these practical applications show us that we glorify God when we take our eyes off ourselves so that we can serve others. These are actions that flow out of a life rooted in Christ. We can’t do this without the work of the Holy Spirit in our hearts, so when others see these changes in our life, they bring glory to God. Finally, at the conclusion of the Ephesians in chapter 6, Paul wraps up by telling us to stand firm. By using the imagery of pieces of armor, he reminds us of all the spiritual blessings we have through the truth of the gospel. We don’t have to live in doubt, discouragement, and despair. We can stand firm and glorify him, knowing that we are blessed, chosen, forgiven, and sealed. See also: From the Mercy Seat to Christ, Biblical Meditation Part 1, Biblical Meditation Part 2
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 “Cardinals appear when angels are near.”
This saying comes from a poem written to comfort those who are mourning the loss of a loved one. Perhaps you have heard someone say this. Or you may have heard someone say that a cardinal was a message or sign from the person they are missing. We deeply long for the connection we had with loved ones who are gone. When we mourn, it is natural to look for reminders of that person. We cling to the hope that they aren’t really absent. As comforting as it may seem to think that a cardinal provides a connection with our loved one, God’s word gives us a true, lasting hope, rather than just wishful thinking. The saying about cardinals and angels includes two misconceptions that can lead us away from truth that is rooted in Scripture. The first misconception is the belief that when people die, they become angels. Humans are the pinnacle of creation, uniquely made in God’s image (Genesis 1:27). Angels are also created by God, but they are entirely different beings (Psalm 8:4-5). Nowhere does the Bible suggest that we become angels when we die. Scripture teaches us something more meaningful. We continue to be human beings after death. For a time, our body and soul are separated, but when Jesus returns, our bodies will be resurrected. We will continue to live as humans, with glorified bodies, just like Jesus (Philippians 3:20-21). The second misconception is that a bird, or any other type of sign, provides a connection with a loved one who has died. Seeing a specific object may remind us of someone we love, but these signs are not evidence of a spiritual or physical presence. Our comfort cannot rely on fleeting moments or symbols, because these can distract us from the truth. When we see a cardinal, we can remember that birds are a part of God’s creation. We can reflect on God’s beauty and majesty as reflected in his creation. Meditating on God and seeing his creation as a reflection of his goodness can lead us to thank God for the time what we spent with our loved one. We can also reflect on what Scripture says about believers who have passed away. The bird — or any part of creation — can be a marker which points us towards God. When Jesus was on the cross, he was hanging between two other men. One of them recognized that he deserved the punishment he was enduring. He also knew that Jesus was accused unjustly. Jesus assured him that he would be with him in Paradise that very day (Luke 23:43). When we think of our loved ones who believed in Christ, we can be reassured that they are with Christ, enjoying rest and communion with our Savior. True and lasting comfort comes from the Lord. When we trust in Christ, we are promised that our loved ones who believe in Him are fully and eternally with Him. Our hope is not in seeing cardinals or other fleeting signs. Our hope is in Christ and the promise of spending eternity together with our Savior. Rather than thinking of angels being near when cardinals appear, we can remember this instead: God is always near and counts our tears. See also: Is the Bible a Love Letter?  Sometimes people describe the Bible as a “love letter” written to us. This is a statement that may resonate deeply with many, especially to women who are struggling to see themselves as worthy or loved.
It is true that Scripture tells us God loves us. But describing the Bible as a love letter moves the focus away from the Author and puts us at the center. When we think of ourselves as the recipient of this “letter” from God, we can start to slip into dangerous territory. We may look for hidden messages or personal revelation that we think God is giving us, which removes verses and passages from their original context and meaning. One verse that is frequently misused in this way is Jeremiah 29:11. This was a promise given to the Israelites when they were in exile, not a personalized prediction of how our individual futures will look. Another danger is that we could start to practice eisegesis -- reading ourselves “into” the text instead of trying to learn from the text the message that the Holy Spirit intended to convey through the human authors. The David and Goliath narrative is often used this way when speakers or authors encourage people to reflect on the “giants” in their life that need to be “killed”. This is a historical narrative, not a story meant to be stretched into a metaphorical reflection on obstacles an individual is facing. Scripture does so much more than simply tell us that God loves us. It is not meant to be used as a sentimental self-esteem booster. Scripture equips and encourages. It rebukes us and instructs us. God’s word pierces and divides to our innermost being. It restores our soul and makes us wise. The word of God accomplishes his purpose and remains forever. Rather than approaching the Bible as a letter written specifically to each one of us and looking for a special, unique message for ourselves, we need to remember that God is the author and the main character. The Bible provides a way for us to learn more about him. As we grow in our knowledge of him, our love for him deepens. This growing love should be a catalyst to forge connections with others. Then they will be drawn to Him through the God-breathed, enduring Scriptures. Scripture reveals who God is so that we can see how we have fallen short and allow him to conform us to his image. Instead of trying to make Scripture be what we want to hear, let’s allow Scripture to change us. See also: Always Here, The Reception  “If we want our kids to stand firm in a culture that suppresses the truth of Christianity, we need to give them a grand view of God that overwhelms their hearts and fills them with wonder. Our children’s resolve is only as strong as the God they believe in, and if the God they believe in is presented to them as nothing more than a small deity, their loyalty will follow suit.”
How to Teach Kids Theology by Sam Luce and Hunter Williams In Aesop’s fables, we encounter a collection of stories with memorable characters designed to deliver a moral lesson. In The Boy Who Cried Wolf, we learn not to lie. In The Tortoise and the Hare, we see that good things come to those who are patient and consistent. We come away from each story with a simple slogan meant to help us do better. Unfortunately, when we teach our children or teens, we can unintentionally create the impression that the Bible is not much different from Aesop’s fables. The Good Samaritan becomes a lesson about being kind to others. The narrative of Jonah and the whale turns into a reminder that we should obey when we are told to do something. These approaches reduce Bible passages to little more than character lessons, rather than revealing who God is and what he has done. When we treat Scripture this way, we forget that any time we teach the Bible we are teaching theology. The real question is not whether we are theologians, but whether we are good ones. Reading this book pushed me to examine my own habits when teaching. As I was reading the examples of how parents and leaders can miss the mark when teaching Scripture, I cringed many times. I have used almost every one of those techniques or explanations when talking with my own children or teaching at church. It was eye-opening to see how cute stories, analogies, and moral takeaways can minimize the true purpose of a biblical passage. Sometimes it can be daunting to talk to children or teens about who God is and what he has done. We need to use vocabulary and concepts that they can understand, but without minimizing the deep truths that Scripture presents. This book reminds us that we can be transparent and admit when something is hard to understand. We can tell children and teens that we will have to study more and return to the subject another time. I appreciated that the book introduces basic principles for studying Scripture. The authors encourage us to take time to read the passages we are teaching, understand them, and look for gospel implications. These are invaluable steps to take before attempting to teach. Luce and Williams also give excellent principles for preparing for lessons, and choosing appropriate curriculum. In addition, they provide practical tips for designing engaging, gospel-centered lessons. So who would benefit the most from reading this book? The book is written for people who teach children and teens — including parents and grandparents. But I also recommend this resource for new believers who want to understand how to study Scripture. There are also many ideas that are also helpful for adult small group leaders. In short, if you are a believer, it is well worth adding to your reading list. See also: Next Generation  Every Christian parent wants their children—and grandchildren—to come to know God and serve him. We frequently wonder what if — despite our prayers, our teaching, and our efforts, the next generation walks away?
There have been many books written in recent years about teens and young adults who turn away from serving God. But Scripture shows us that this is not a new trend. The story of Israel shows this all too clearly. The Israelites were rescued from slavery in Egypt through great wonders and signs. Then Yahweh brought them safely through the waters of the Red Sea. But despite all he had done for them, the Israelites were discontent and disobedient. Their doubts resulted in 40 years of wandering in the desert. When that generation had passed, Yahweh raised up a new generation who also experienced miraculous victories over enemies. They were led safely through the waters of the Jordan River and took possession of the promised land. And once again, another generation arose — one that did not know Yahweh. They abandoned Yahweh, followed other gods, and were sold into the hands of enemies that Yahweh had delivered them from (Judges 2:10-12). One generation. That’s all it took. The new generation forgot. They served the other so-called gods of the cultures surrounding them. Knowing Yahweh and remembering what he did wasn’t passed down as an automatic inheritance. The children needed to believe and trust Yahweh for themselves. How can this happen in our families? We can so easily be complacent or make small compromises that result in slowly abandoning our convictions. Activities crowd our schedules. The world and its pleasures draw us away from the ultimate satisfaction of loving and serving our Creator. We have to be careful and deliberate as we plan our days so that our children — and their children after them — don’t forget him. As we live our lives, we need to remember to talk about God — not just on Sundays at church, but every day. When we are riding in the car we can point out the beauty of God’s creation. We can use current events to help them understand the world through a biblical framework. As we play or watch sports, we can use the challenges and disappointments to help them grow more Christlike. Each moment we are given with our children is ordained by Yahweh for our good and his glory. We can’t do all these things consistently or perfectly. And so we admit to our children when we have fallen short — and show them how we trust in God’s forgiveness for our failures. And when they mess up, we can point them to his character, his love, and the hope we have through Christ’s work on the cross. And yet, doing all this still doesn’t guarantee that our children will truly know Yahweh and trust in Christ for their salvation. It isn’t our parenting that saves them. Regular church attendance won’t save them. Memorizing verses or going on mission trips isn’t the answer, either. We think that when we follow the words of Proverbs 22:6 and train them up in the way they should go, all will be well. But this proverb is not meant to be a blanket promise that our children will not abandon Yahweh. Does this mean all our efforts are meaningless? How does the next generation come to saving knowledge and lasting faith in Yahweh? When the next generation of Israelites had abandoned Yahweh, they were disciplined for their faithlessness. Yet he didn’t leave them without hope. He raised up judges who would deliver them from their affliction. These judges would save them from the enemy. For a while, the people would appear to obey and serve Yahweh, but the change was temporary. They (and their flawed leader) would fall back into their old ways and the cycle would continue. But we have a better Judge — a perfect Deliverer. Jesus is the way that all generations come to know Yahweh and serve him wholeheartedly. As we humbly acknowledge our inability to save ourselves, we look to the One who delivered us from darkness and the power of death. The washing and regeneration of the Holy Spirit changes hearts and makes us new creations. In the same way, our children will only come to a saving knowledge of Yahweh through the Spirit’s work in their hearts. Knowing that the next generation can only follow Yahweh if the Holy Spirit changes them does not mean our efforts are meaningless. We pray for them, coming humbly to Yahweh and acknowledging that we trust him to do what is best for our children and grandchildren. We are called to be faithful parents—teaching, admonishing, nurturing, and loving our children in the Lord. We do this out of gratitude and to model, although imperfectly, how our heavenly Father teaches us. Faithfulness in this generation is our part, as we trust the Holy Spirit to bring about regeneration in the next generation and beyond. He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit Titus 3:5 See also: The Command to Parents We Overlook |
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