Crossroad Online
Indelible Ink – January 12th, 2023
Hi this is Pastor Ken and these are my thoughts on a Thursday…Indelible Ink
Years ago while riding past a fast food restaurant in a nearby town my wife began laughing as she looked up at the sign where they advertised their current special sandwiches. There big as life was the offer to come in and enjoy their latest creation the “Big N’ Tatsy” Somehow the person placing the letters on the sign had reversed the correct order of the ‘S’ and the ‘T’. clearly it was supposed to read “Big N’ Tasty”. Lynn’s laughter increased as she turned her head to read the other side of the sign as we passed by, surely there was no way the mistake had been repeated there. And yet, no matter if you approached from the north or the south, at that restaurant and no other that I know of on the planet, for a limited time you could try the “Big N’ Tatsy”. Either no one told them of their mistake or it was simply too much trouble to correct until the next scheduled advertisement change, but for weeks we laughed as we drove by the establishment that sold the “Big N’ Tatsy”. To this day, in our home when something tastes especially good we deem it to be “Tatsy”.
That sign wasn’t immutable and after providing our family with a good deal of entertainment, it did eventually get changed. When we want to leave something open to change in our vernacular we can use several phrases to indicate that. We might say “I’ll pencil that in” suggesting that it could be erased if it becomes necessary to do so. We might also use the Phrase “It’s not chiseled in stone” to indicate that change might be possible. Sometimes we might say of something we do not want to be altered, “It has been written in indelible ink”. This statement is meant to convey that whatever has been written isn’t going away and is not subject to change. It is for this reason that we write checks or sign documents in indelible ink. The use of an inerasable media suggests that our signature represents our unchanging word of honor and even sometimes legally binds us to what we have signed in indelible ink.
In the early 1980’s erasable ink pens became popular, and some makers of writing utensils still manufacture them today. During the height of their popularity they were so prolific that one had to look to make sure a legally binding document like a contract or check was not being filled out using one of these pens. They were popular because they had all of the look of something written with a regular ink pen but could be erased as necessary to correct spelling errors like ‘tatsy’. Actually they weren’t really an ink pen at all because they didn’t contain any ink. The media they utilized was technically a colored rubber cement that allowed it to be erased. Interestingly enough, not only were they not really ink pens, they weren’t even truly erasable. It took about 10 hours for the rubber cement to set, after which time whatever had been penned using one was not so easily removed.
Ironically using ink, the Apostle Paul once wrote to the Corinthian church concerning indelible ink. In 1 Corinthians 3:1-3 his thoughts are recorded for us. Are we starting to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some [false teachers], letters of recommendation to you or from you? [No!] 2 You are our letter [of recommendation], written in our hearts, recognized and read by everyone. 3 You show that you are a letter from Christ, delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. Read from the Amplified Bible.
Paul was saying that letters of recommendation concerning the message they were bringing were not needed. Though they would have been undoubtedly written in indelible ink and would have carried the full authority of whomever had written them, they were not necessary. He went on to use one of those phrases I spoke of earlier and said that it wouldn’t even bring further validity to their message if those letters authenticating them and the message were to be chiseled in stone. He said that he wasn’t even laying claim to the message. It had been delivered by him, but he understood it was written by the Spirit of God. He was explaining the message was not written with ink that could be destroyed, nor chiseled in stone that could be eroded with time, but rather that it was recorded on the tablets of their hearts. Paul was making the point that the changes in the hearts, minds and indeed the lives of the people the message of Christ had impacted was far and away more authoritative and longer lasting than the most indelible of inks.
Our lives should be no different. The mark impressed on our heart, mind and our spirit by the presence of the Holy Spirit should be everlasting. The integrity He instills in us should be immovable. Others should be able to look at the witness of our life and know it to be unwavering. We don’t pencil Jesus into our lives…His presence and influence must be a permanent fixture. Our reflection of His character ought to run deeper than ink channeled into parchment by the pressure applied by a pen. It should be far more permanent than granite struck with chisel and hammer. As Christ followers. the impact of Jesus on our lives should run so deep that when people see us…they see Him…because His message of love, mercy and grace is written indelibly on the tablet of our hearts.
So now, reflecting Jesus’ unchanging love, mercy and grace toward everyone you meet…go be awesome!
Ephesians 5:21-33 Vol. 2
Hi, this is Pastor Ken, welcome to the Monday Marriage Message.
This week we are continuing with our study of Ephesians chapter 5 verses 21-33. Last time I spent the entirety of the episode exposing some of the truth contained in verse 21. There I shared with you the main idea found in that verse…we are to submit to one another out of our respect for The Lord. The specific words used in that verse are Submitting to one another in the fear of the Lord. In Romans 12:9-11 Paul expounds on this idea. There he wrote Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. How do we do this? Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord. Preferring one another, is simply another way of saying submitting to one another and offers evidence of two important things. First, we are serious about doing what God wants us to do, and second, we are willing to reflect Him by loving others just as He loves us.
As I said in that last edition, today I hope to begin looking at practical ways as husbands and wives that we can be in submission to one another. It is important that Paul offered these examples. Why? Without these practical suggestions the idea of submitting to one another might be viewed as circular reasoning. If we are to submit to one another, who goes first? As a husband am I to submit to my wife or is she to submit to me? Both. Am I supposed to lead in this endeavor or is she? We both are. The truth is that I am commanded to submit to her, she is also instructed to submit to me. My submission to her should occur without first considering if she has done so for me. She also is to be looking for opportunities to submit to me regardless of who the record indicates did so most recently.
Remember, submitting to one another can also be described as preferring one another. When we look at the intent behind this instruction it becomes less offensive than our vernacular has sometimes caused us to view it. We often misunderstand submission as a plight forced upon us. This belief is unfortunate. It can tempt us to accept further errant thinking. If God requires we be under subjugation that may be used to excuse abusive behavior we might begin to believe that God actually endorses marital abuse. This belief might then suggest that perhaps God is not always good. All of these conclusions are designed by our spiritual enemy to rob us of the blessing of operating our marriages as designed. An abusive person will abuse whether their spouse is submissive or not. Those individuals do not need an excuse to abuse…they need a heart transplant. Spousal abuse is a very real thing, and I am in no way condoning or minimizing it. Let me be crystal clear…abuse it is wrong…always wrong. What I am saying is that submitting to or preferring one another within a marriage is not going to cause someone to be, or somehow give the license to be abusive.
Submission is only correctly able to illustrate love if it is completely voluntary. Make no mistake, submitting to one another is voluntary though not at all optional. We are commanded to submit to one another out of our fear of, or respect for God. Nowhere in scripture are we commanded to require our spouse to submit to us. I submit to my wife Lynn, as an act of obedience to the one who gave the command. She did not compel the Apostle Paul to write Ephesians 5:21, the Holy Spirit did. I submit to her as an act of submission to God…He is the One who gave the command. It is true, Lynn will get the benefit of my preferring her, but I do not do it for her, I do it for Him. Likewise the same is true for her. I did not command her to submit to me, God did, and she does it for Him though I am the beneficiary of her obedience to her Lord.
The original Greek text also intimates this is to be a voluntary action. The word used means to voluntarily place oneself under subjection to another. Submitting to one another can only be rightly accomplished when we choose to do so. We put into use the act of submission to another, they do not force it upon us. It is a position of strength not of weakness.
I mentioned that the scripture that follows offers practical ways to practice submitting to one another. Before I begin to expound on those it is important to understand a few additional truths so that minds and hearts can be clear to accept the truth of God’s word with minimal internal argument. It is for just that reason that I have spent so much time expressing the truth that our submission to one another is to be mutual. It is also Why I have worked so diligently to help you see that our submission to our spouse is actually an act of submission to God. Furthermore, I feel it necessary to point out that the following verses are not reliant on their order. What I mean by this is that the order of the instructions are not in relationship to their importance. Words cannot be overlaid, one sentence has to be written before another can follow, it does not always mean they are written by order of priority. Such is the case with this scripture. In the following verses wives are going to be instructed as to how to best submit to their husbands (verses 22-24) and husbands are informed how to best prefer their wives above themselves (verses 25-29). This order could leave the incorrect impression that the second is dependent upon the existence of the first. In other words we might errantly come to the conclusion that a husband must prefer his wife…if…she is being submissive to him. Thankfully this scripture bookends these commandments in a way that does not allow for that thought process to hold true. Verse 21 where we began indicates that the submission is mutual and given in response to God as I pointed out moments ago. The closing of the passage, verse 33, also goes to dispel that incorrect conclusion because it completely reverses the order. The initial part of this passage spoke to wives first, then husbands. Verse 33 begins instructing husbands and concludes with the responsibilities held by wives. I believe completely that though scripture often has an if, then connotation this is not such a case and that fact is noted by overtly reversing the order of the individual commandments given as to how to mutually submit to one another.
Additionally, I believe that this passage was written this way to point out to us that it is not about us, it also isn’t about our spouse…it is about God. Marriage is all about reflecting the image and likeness of God. It is about interacting with one’s spouse in a way that represents well the attributes and character of God. As we study this passage further we will see clearly that how we interact with our spouse is a clear picture of how we interact with our God. In fact I like to see my relationship with my wife as the practice field designed for me to perfect my relationship with Christ. I believe that is the underlying intention of this whole passage. In order for my relationship with God to be what it ought to be I must learn to submit to Him. In my marriage He asks me to submit to or prefer my wife repetitiously, in this way I am being trained to submit to Him in all things. Scripture reinforces this line of thought. Colossians 3:18-24 says; Wives, be subject to your husbands [out of respect for their position as protector, and their accountability to God], as is proper and fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives [with an affectionate, sympathetic, selfless love that always seeks the best for them] and do not be embittered or resentful toward them [because of the responsibilities of marriage]. Children, obey your parents [as God’s representatives] in all things, for this [attitude of respect and obedience] is well-pleasing to the Lord [and will bring you God’s promised blessings]. Fathers, do not provoke or irritate or exasperate your children [with demands that are trivial or unreasonable or humiliating or abusive; nor by favoritism or indifference; treat them tenderly with lovingkindness], so they will not lose heart and become discouraged or unmotivated [with their spirits broken]. Servants, in everything obey those who are your masters on earth, not only with external service, as those who merely please people, but with sincerity of heart because of your fear of the Lord. Whatever you do [whatever your task may be], work from the soul [that is, put in your very best effort], as [something done] for the Lord and not for men, knowing [with all certainty] that it is from the Lord [not from men] that you will receive the inheritance which is your [greatest] reward. It is the Lord Christ whom you [actually] serve.
This scripture clearly illustrates the relationship between how we interact with our husband or wife and how we interact with Christ. Here I am given instruction on how to prefer my wife and she is told how she can submit to me, but in the latter verses we are told that without question who we are supposed to be doing it for. It is the Lord Christ whom you [actually] serve.
Questions to answer:
- Do you find that after a while your desire to do the things you know you should in response to your spouse begins to wane?
- Do you think that it might be different if your motivation for doing the right things toward your spouse was more clearly defined as doing them for the Lord?
- How can you help yourself keep the correct motivation in mind?
Actions to take:
- Discuss your past views about submission in marriage.
- If your thoughts of submitting to a spouse used to be of a negative nature, talk together about why you have had that view and how you and your spouse can support submitting to one another without unduly raising those concerns.
- Talk about ways you both see where preferring one another is currently taking place in your marriage.
So now, recognizing that your submission to one another is really about submitting to God…Go be awesome!
New Year’s Resolutions – January 5th, 2023
Hi, this is Pastor Ken and these are my thoughts on a Thursday…New Year’s Resolutions
I imagine all of us are guilty. I know I am. I’ll just be transparent with you. In the past, I have proclaimed that I was going to make seemingly necessary changes in my life. I have even attempted to harness the potential power of a “New Year” to fuel my purposeful behavior modifications. Yes, I am afraid it’s true, I am guilty of making New Year’s Resolutions. You might be asking, what’s wrong with resolutions? Aren’t we supposed to be about the business of bettering ourselves? The problem doesn’t necessarily lie with a desire to improve this or that, the difficulty is in the results. I make resolutions…but I am not resolute. I say on January 1st that this year I am going to exercise more…but I know that on December 31st I will not likely be able to claim that I have regularly exercised more this year than I have in years past. If the answer to that problem were to simply stop declaring I am going to make changes, my integrity might remain intact, but I would be seeking peace in lethargy. I am pretty sure that won’t work. I am also pretty certain that particular understanding is what propels me to desire to see more change. It all seems like a such vicious cycle…so what’s the real answer?
In year’s past I have repeated the age old “Dad Joke” that my “New Year’s Resolution this year is to not make any New Year’s Resolutions”. Like most Dad Jokes, all that one lacks is humor. So, since it’s not funny anyway…I’ve decided to take it seriously. This year I am not going to make any “new” New Year’s Resolutions. I am simply going to focus on being faithful to the commitments I have already made. One of my favorite definitions of a faithful person is this. Faithful people continue to do what they have been asked to do, with the same level of enthusiasm they had when first asked, until they are asked to do something else. Faithfulness it seems takes great resolve.
I want to be known as someone who is faithful to what God asks of me. I want to be that guy who is so resolute that I can’t be pulled off task. 1 Corinthians 15:58 in the New Living Translation says; So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless. Christ is the Beginning and the End, He wasn’t simply present at the beginning, and will be present at the end, He is the Beginning (time existed in His presence there) and He is the End (time will also exist in His presence there) Christ encompasses all, including time, time does not encompass Him. As my omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent God, I can trust there is nothing He does not know, no place He is not preceding me, and nothing He cannot do (even using me). Because of all of that, and more than I could share with you in the limited time I have here, I can be confident that nothing I ever do for Him will be useless. I may not see the results with my own eyes, I may not experience the results in my lifetime, I may not even get to know what the results were supposed to be. None of that matters, because the results aren’t on me, those are His lane…obedience is mine. The verse I reference a moment ago is clear. My responsibilities are to be strong and immovable, and to work enthusiastically for the Lord. Those are simply obedience moves…the results of my obedience, those are His moves.
But what about the times when my resolution to be faithful are met with adversity? James 1:2-4 answers that question. It says; Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. Apparently, the plan is that we are supposed to let the adversity build more resolve. Because we know ahead of time that adversity will come…and it will…Jesus said so, we can take joy in it because we also know that He intends to use it to produce some awesome results. Jesus wants to take all of the obstacles in our lives and use them to show us that when we see Him bring us through, our faith increases. As our faith and confidence in Him increase, we have far more patience, endurance or resolve that He will always bring us through…no matter what the adversity might be. James goes on to say that as our patience or endurance becomes fully developed, we will have all that we need. Only a good, good God would make sure to use even our negative experiences to bring about positive change in our lives!
But then that’s what He promised He would do right? Romans 8:28-29 say; And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. God is more than happy to take every trouble, difficulty and outright evil that comes against us and use it to make us more like His beloved Son, Jesus. His plan is to accomplish His work in you and you can trust that work is for your best. So resolve to be strong and immovable, be resolute that you will take joy in your adversities, be faithful knowing that God has your back!
So, make your New Year’s Resolutions if you will…I won’t judge you for it. I think this year I’ll pass though…and ask you to give me the same grace. By the power of the Spirit of Grace, let’s resolve together to hold to a commitment already on the books. Let’s all choose to walk in faithfulness before our God. Let’s all be grateful for another year to serve Him. Let’s encourage one another to continue doing the last thing He asked us to do, with the same enthusiasm we had when He first asked, until He asks us to do something else. That way we can all be men and women of outstanding faithfulness.
So now being a faithful child of the King…Go Be Awesome!