The Joy of Glory

1 John 1 (click here)
If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. (1 John 1:6-7)

Reflection
We like to associate with people who love what we love. Is this not the very motivation that stands behind all peer pressure?

For some reason, if there is someone in our midst who is not going along with what we are doing, especially if it is morally dubious, their presence bothers us. So they must conform or leave.

We like to associate with people who love what we love and do what we do.

We can deny it a we want, but the evidence bears witness to the contrary.

The apostle John is aware of people claiming to love God, but who do not like to associate with his people. You’ve never met anyone like that, have you?

John says that this is like claiming fellowship with the light while walking in darkness. The words and actions contradict one another. If someone is in love with darkness it will be evidenced by the fact that they do not like associating with people of the light… they want to associate with those who love what they love.

But… if we walk in the light of God, then we love fellowship with God’s people… not because we or they are better than those who walk in darkness, but because our own darkness has been cleaned by the blood of Jesus! We have been brought into the light and want to be with all others who love the light!

We like to associate with those who love what we love… do you like to associate with, fellowship with the church… the people of God?

Do you claim to love God? Is it evidenced by the fact that you love being a part of his community? Do you show sacrificial love to his people in a way that reflects the sacrificial love he has shown to you? Do you love to be a part of cruciform community?

*All previous devotionals may be found at www.thejoyofglory.com
*The complete SVCC Lenten reading guide is available here.

1 Peter 3:8-18 (click here)
But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil. For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God… (1 Peter 3:14-18a)

Reflection
All of us suffer… but have we suffered for righteousness sake?

When God’s people live as God’s people, we are promised that suffering will naturally come. I’m not saying that we seek out suffering, but that it is the inevitable result of following Jesus… there is a massive difference.

“Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted…” (2 Timothy 3:12)

Yet, we have the confidence that Peter speaks of when he says that EVEN IF we suffer for righteousness sake, we will be blessed… for no matter what suffering comes our way, even if it is death itself, we have God as our inheritance. Christ died to bring us to God! Even if we suffer and die, death is only a vehicle to transport us into the very presence of God! We will still be blessed! We cannot lose!

Therefore, Peter tells us as a people to have no fear or be troubled! Since suffering cannot win in our lives, we can live to honor the Lord as holy… and when the world is confused by our deep abiding joy in the face of suffering, we are ready to make a defense for the hope we have in Christ! We are ready to proclaim that though we lose everything, even our lives, we do not lose our joy because our joy is Jesus!

This is not a superficial, frivolous joy… no… this is a rock-solid joy that stands even in the midst of suffering and sorrow! We are a people who are sorrowful, yet always rejoicing (2 Corinthians 6:10). We are a people who mourn, but not as those who have no hope (1 Thessalonians 4:13). And when we suffer and sorrow, yet stand joyously on the hope of Christ… we mirror the cross of Christ!

Jesus suffered and sorrowed, yet for the joy set before him he endured the cross! He cried out as one forsaken, yet committed his Spirit into the hands of his Father!

He suffered for righteousness sake… and so do we as his people… mirroring his sacrifice… pointing the world to his sacrifice by being a cruciform community.

All of us suffer… but do we suffer for righteousness sake?

 
*All previous devotionals may be found at www.thejoyofglory.com
*The complete SVCC Lenten reading guide is available here.

1 Peter 2:9-10
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Reflection
Why has God saved us?

Does that question every cross your mind? Does it ever keep you awake at night? I know that I haven’t lost much sleep over that thought, but I should have tossed and turned many times because of it.

I think that we don’t wrestle with such a question because our assumption is, “Why would God not save me?” I mean I am totally worth it right?

Wrong.

There is every reason in the world for God to have not saved any of us. I mean it was us who rejected him. He owes us nothing. And it is that very fact that makes salvation so amazing.

He didn’t save us because we were deserving, but because he is so graciously loving. He has lavished his love upon us out of sheer grace!

He chose us as his people, made us his priests, empowered us to be holy… we are his for he called us out of darkness to enjoy his marvelous light forever and ever… just because he loves!

This changes everything about how I react to salvation!

If salvation is something I believe I deserve… then I treat it as such. I don’t really show thanks for it. I’m not amazed by it. I don’t celebrate it or proclaim it. It’s just something I’m entitled to.

But… if salvation is by the grace of God alone… then we become a people in awe of a God so gracious! We can’t help but celebrate… we can’t help but proclaim the excellencies of him who called us out of darkness and into his marvelous light! That becomes our joy!

We become a people willing to sacrifice everything to make known to the world, the gracious love that has been made known to us! We become a cruciform community!

What about you? Is salvation something you feel entitled to? …or… does your salvation amaze you and feel you with joy that cannot be contained? May we be a people, a cruciform community, that sacrifices all to proclaim the excellencies of him who called us out of darkness and into his marvelous light!

 
*All previous devotionals may be found at www.thejoyofglory.com
*The complete SVCC Lenten reading guide is available here.