…When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me. And he who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him.

John 8:28-29

As a fully human being, Jesus possessed his own will, the power of choice to either do what he wanted or to submit to God. Part of the good news is that he sought his Father’s will not his own (Jn. 4:34; 5:19, 30; 12:44-50, etc.). He never spoke or acted on his own initiative but submitted to the Father’s authority. When Christ came into the world, he said, “Behold, I have come to do your will, O God, as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.” (Heb. 10:7)

Jesus came not only to do the will of God but to announce the good news of God’s reign (Mt. 4:23; Isa. 52:7). The kingdom is about God’s rule and his will being done (Mt. 6:10). God’s rule and his will are inseparable. To say, “Not as I will, but as you will,” (Mt. 26:39) is to submit to God’s authority as King. Knowing God’s will is vital if we are to carry it out. God has revealed his will in Scripture and Jesus has shown us what seeking God’s will looks like. The question, “Whose will am I seeking?” is the same as asking, “Who am I trying to please?” or “Who is enthroned as King in my life?”

Jesus sought his Father’s will (Jn. 4:34), sought to please his Father (Jn. 8:29) and, though being equal with God, divested himself of his divine prerogatives and voluntarily submitted himself to his Father’s authority (Phil. 2:3-11). In doing so, Jesus showed us the way of righteousness and blessing (Psa. 1). Disciples can and do please God by living under his authority and seeking his will like Jesus (1 Cor. 6:19-20; 2 Cor. 5:9; Col. 1:10; 2 Tim. 2:4).

However, seeking someone else’s will other than our own, even God’s perfect will, is difficult. Paul urges Christians to set their mind on the Spirit because “the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” (Rom. 8:5-8) And again, the “desires of the flesh are against the Spirit.” (Gal. 5:16-17)

When Paul speaks of walking “according to the flesh” or being “in the flesh” he is speaking about living in opposition to God. The “flesh” is Paul’s shorthand for the part of us that still struggles in rebellion against God. Therefore, to live “according to the flesh” is to live according to our will and our desires instead of God’s will and God’s desires. This has been the human condition since Genesis 3.

The battle between the flesh and the Spirit (Gal. 5) is ongoing for the Christian. Which will win out as the dominating influence, the ruling power that calls the shots, is up to us. However, it is a battle that, without Jesus, we are bound to lose (Rom. 7:24-25). Jesus has freed us from our slavery to the flesh. In him, we can now live by God’s Spirit (Rom. 8). Whereas the “flesh” was controlled by sin and rebelled against God, living by God’s “Spirit” means being free to live in obedience to God’s good will which the Spirit revealed.

Jesus won the battle by submitting to his Father’s will and going to the cross to give himself for us. Through his self-sacrifice we can be completely cleansed of sin and given new hearts that desire to obey God (Ezek. 36:26-27). We hope in Jesus, who overcame temptation and lived by the Spirit as a human (Heb. 2:17-18; 4:15-16), who lived a life fully pleasing to God by completely surrendering his will to the Father. As his disciples, we are to emulate his example so that we can overcome sin and live a blessed life (1 Pet. 2:21).

Who are you trying to please in life? Whose will are you seeking? Who is ruling as your king? In Christ, we are free from “the flesh.” That is, we are free from being led by our corrupt desires, obeying our every impulse and taking our cues from our morally confused culture. Instead, in Jesus, we can walk by the Spirit.

Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.

1 Thessalonians 5:19-22

How does the gospel reach the skeptic? Skepticism can be helpful when it encourages us to test claims before trusting them. Truth rewards honest inquiry. That is why Paul said “test everything,” including his teaching (Acts 17:11). Wherever he was, he “reasoned” with people about the truth of the gospel (Acts 17:2, 17; 18:4, 19; 24:25). G. K. Chesterton famously said, “The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult and left untried.” The gospel reaches the skeptic like it reaches anyone else, through Christians presenting it persuasively and reasonably.

First, consider the faith it takes to doubt it — Honest skeptics embrace the gospel when it gets harder and harder to justify not believing in it. When presented persuasively, reasons for rejecting the gospel become weaker and the case for Christ grows stronger.

Unlike other worldviews, Christianity answers all the fundamental questions about our identity, our origin, our problem, our purpose and our destiny. Strong philosophical arguments can be made for God’s existence, the origin and design of the universe, humanity’s uniqueness and moral awareness. Arguments from history support the historical reliability of the Bible, the claims and credentials of Jesus, the prophecies he fulfilled and the vast constellation of evidence for his bodily resurrection. When the gospel is taken seriously, the faith it takes to doubt it is simply too great.

Second, consider the problems we have without it — If we live with the conviction that there is no God or that the gospel is untrue, the implications are staggering. We boil them down to just four.

If Christianity is untrue, then (1) there is no hope. There is nothing beyond death but nonexistence. If there is no God, then (2) there is no meaning. Any purpose we construct for ourselves will be taken away through suffering, old age and death. If there is no God, then (3) there is no justice. In the end, there is no difference between the one who lived a life of evil and selfishness and the one who loved and served others. Finally, if there is no God, then (4) there is no morality. There is no ultimate standard for morality, no fixed reference point beyond ourselves or our culture to determine right from wrong. If all morality is relative, then society falls into depravity and ruin (Jdg. 21:25; Rom. 1:18-35). However, a life with God and his Son Jesus Christ is a life filled with abundant hope, clarity of purpose, the expectation of a just judgement and a fixed, discernible morality revealed in God’s word.

Third, consider the beauty we see within it — There is a unique and compelling beauty to the story told in Scripture. God created humans in his image to rule his creation on his behalf but we rebelled against his loving authority. In response, God pursued us in love: he became one of us to suffer for us, die as a sacrifice to take away sin and was raised to eternal life to defeat death and open up the way back to him so that we can be with him forever.

Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life,” (Jn. 14:6) providing us with the three essential aspects of our existence to which secular thinking has no answer: he is the “way” to live, the basis for our thinking and decision making (“truth”) and the hope for a future beyond death (eternal “life”). In Jesus, God has answered the deepest longing of every heart, to love and be loved. “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

May God help us persuade others to repent and believe the gospel. May God open their eyes to see the truth: the faith it takes to doubt it is too great; the problems we have without it are too many; and the beauty we see within it is too captivating.

The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.

1 John 3:8

The Bible describes two “appearances” of Jesus. The purpose of his first appearance was to “destroy the works of the devil” (1 Jn. 3:8), to “once for all… put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.” (Heb. 9:26). Through his self-sacrifice, Jesus offers salvation to all who would receive it: “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people.” (Titus 2:11) This sacrifice was given in love so that those who are dead may live: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.” (Jn. 3:16-17) Therefore, Jesus appeared to save sinners, but this salvation can only be accessed by faith in him (Rom. 1:16-17).

Now we await his second “appearance,” when Jesus will return in glory and judgment (2 Thess. 1:5-12). How we meet Jesus at his return depends entirely on how we respond to his first coming (Titus 2:11-14). “And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.” (Heb. 9:27-28)

Christians who are preparing for his return are “waiting for and hastening the coming day of God” by living “lives of holiness and godliness” (2 Pet. 2:10-11). We resolve to live in vigilance, wakefulness and sobriety so that we can obtain the outcome of our faith, the salvation of our souls (1 Thess. 4:13-5:11; 1 Pet. 1:3-9).

Jesus appeared in the past to save us from our sins by offering himself in love as a once-for-all sacrifice. Jesus will appear again in the future to complete our salvation and judge evil once-for-all. The salvation he has already provided and the judgment he promises to bring have the power to transform us in at least three ways:

1. The appearances of Jesus change what we do — Because Jesus appeared to take away sins “no one who is born of God makes a practice of sinning.” (1 Jn. 3:9) In view of his past and future appearances, we learn to practice righteousness and love in the present (1 Jn. 3:10, 16-18).
2. The appearances of Jesus change how we think — Even more fundamental than the change in behavior is the change that is wrought in our thinking. Because of Jesus’ appearing, we want to do right. This “renewal of [the] mind” (Rom. 12:1-2; Eph. 4:23; Col. 3:10) comes to us via Jesus’ appearing: “But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us… according to his own mercy…” (Titus 3:4-5) The appearance of this grace trains our minds “to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives…” (Titus 2:11-12)
3. The appearances of Jesus change who we are — Deeper still is the transformation of our identity. Those who repent and believe the gospel no longer identify with Adam, the first man characterized by sin and death, but with Christ, the second man characterized by grace and life (Rom. 5:12-21). In him, our situation is reversed from darkness to light, slavery to freedom, condemnation to justification, brokenness to renewal.

A changed identity leads to changed thinking which, in turn, leads to a changed life—all this because Jesus appeared to take away sins and he “will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.” (Heb. 9:28)

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Matthew 6:19-21

Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount is all about living under God’s rule, what he calls “the kingdom of heaven.” In the first half of Matthew 6, Jesus describes the disciple’s private life, where our devotion to God in giving, praying and fasting is carried out “in the secret place.” The second half of Matthew 6 explains how faith intersects with public life in how we view money, possessions, food, drink and clothing. Christians are called to be unique in both spheres of life, public and private, distinct from the hypocrisy of the religious (6:1-18) and the materialism of the irreligious (6:19-34).

Beginning in verse 19, Jesus sets before us choices in pairs starting with a question of treasure: “treasures on earth” and “treasures in heaven.” Jesus emphasizes the difference in durability between the two. Whereas “treasures on earth” are corruptible, and, therefore, insecure and unworthy of our trust, “treasures in heaven” are incorruptible, and, therefore, secure and worth pursuing and trusting in. Which treasure are we busy “laying up” or accumulating? The treasure we are pursuing indicates the position of our heart. Our hearts will follow our treasure, whether down to earth or up to heaven. Therefore, Paul says to “seek the things above.” (Col. 3:1)

Obviously, this is not a complete ban on possessions. Jesus is not forbidding his followers to own or gain “treasures on earth,” things like private property, a savings account, a life insurance policy. Other passages teach that we ought to be good stewards of our wealth, caring for our family and others in need (Prov. 6:6-11; Eph. 4:28; 1 Tim. 5:8). Paul teaches wealthy Christians to enjoy God’s gifts responsibly and be ready to share generously (1 Tim. 4:3; 6:17).

Rather, what Jesus is forbidding is the selfish and obsessive accumulation of goods, the kind of extravagant, covetous, uncharitable living which lacks concern for the needy. In another place, Jesus tells a story about such a person in response to the view that life consists in the abundance of possessions (see Lk. 12:13-21). Materialism tethers our heart to this world, which is passing away (1 Jn. 2:15-17). That is why Jesus warns us against making “treasures on earth” our goal and security—because they don’t last. Earthly treasures can be devoured by pests, eaten by rust and stolen by thieves. Attempts to protect them through mousetraps, Rust-Oleum and sophisticated alarm systems fail against inflation, devaluation, economic recession and “time and chance.” (Ecc. 9:11) Even if some of our earthly treasures last, we can’t take them with us (Job 1:21). Someone said, “Life is the distance between two points of nakedness; it is best to travel light.”

Even though Jesus does not specifically identify heavenly treasure here, we can determine it from context. Jesus goes on to describe two kinds of vision, one healthy and another sick (Mt. 6:22-23). Those whose eyes are “healthy” can “see.” That is, they have their priorities in order. They choose not serve “wealth” but “God” as their master (Mt. 6:24). Therefore, to serve God and live for heaven—and not this earth—is to “lay up… treasures in heaven.”

By serving God (v.24) with a pure heart (vv.22-23) we make the greatest possible investment because our reward is eternal: “an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.” (1 Pet. 1:4) This is no mercenary affair—as if we only serve God for a heavenly payout. The reward for living in obedience to God is God himself. When we live for him, our reward is his eternal presence. Therefore, “seek the things that are above, where Christ is.” (Col. 3:1) Where is your treasure?

The words of the wise are like goads, and like nails firmly fixed are the collected sayings; they are given by one Shepherd. My son, beware of anything beyond these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh.

Ecclesiastes 12:11-12

In Ecclesiastes, the Preacher teaches us about “life under the sun.” All of its pursuits are “vanity” (1:2), dead ends that disappoint and don’t deliver. Before the conclusion of his investigation of the meaning of life, which is to “fear God and keep his commandments” (12:13-14), he tells us why we ought to listen to its message.

First, the pithy sayings in the book have the power to spur us into action “like goads.” His wisdom lends us valuable perspective and saves us from wasting our lives on vain endeavors. “Like nails firmly fixed,” these sayings are both dependable and memorable. We can rely on them, indeed build our lives upon them (see Mt. 7:24-27), because of their source: “they are given by one Shepherd,” the guiding God of Israel (Gen. 49:24; Psa. 23:1; 80:1).

Second, the Preacher takes on a paternal tone to warn us against “anything beyond these” wise sayings. Instead of following his instruction, we may be tempted to continue our research. This is vanity and folly because he has already given us a comprehensive account of “life under the sun.” He has left nothing out. There are no other avenues to pursue or doors to open. Still, there are some who, in their discontent, go beyond God’s word to their own hurt (1 Cor. 4:6; Deut. 4:2; 12:32; Rev. 22:18-19).

Research can quickly turn into an addiction, especially in our postmodern world where we fall in love with questions, even embracing gray areas. To some people, a concrete answer would spoil everything. There will always be mystery in this broken world, but we can fall into the trap of trying to prove what cannot be proven: “[God] has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.” (Ecc. 3:11; See also 3:14, 22; 7:14). While God has revealed what we need to know (2 Tim. 3:16-17), he has left some “secret things” (Deut. 29:29) out of our reach, perhaps to impress upon us our contingent, dependent and finite nature.

There will always be books trying to explain the key to life’s secrets and while these may attract us with their novelty, in light of the Preacher’s words of wisdom, they are a never-ending “weariness.”

It has become acceptable, even virtuous to be searching for truth. But to claim to have actually found truth is deemed arrogant. C. S. Lewis captures this attitude in a conversation between the White Spirit and a lifelong seeker in The Great Divorce:

“I can promise you… no scope for your talents: only forgiveness for having perverted them. No atmosphere of inquiry, for I will bring you to the land not of questions but of answers, and you shall see the face of God.”

“Ah, but we must all interpret those beautiful words in our way! For me there is no such thing as a final answer. The free wind of inquiry must always continue to blow through the mind, must it not?”

“Listen!” said the White Spirit. “Once you were a child. Once you knew what inquiry was for. There was a time when you asked questions because you wanted answers, and were glad when you had found them. Become that child again: even now.”

“Ah, but when I became a man I put away childish things.”

Paul warns Timothy of those in Ephesus who are “always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth.” (2 Tim. 3:7) Let us be content with what God has revealed, build our lives upon the truth we learn and never go beyond what is written.

Every word of God proves true;
he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.

Do not add to his words,
lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar.

(Proverbs 30:5-6)