If you talk, at all, you need to read Paul David Tripp‘s book, War of Words (Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing Co.).
In chapter 9, Paul deals with the issue of confrontation, but he defines and addresses it differently than most. Paul starts the chapter by demonstrating why most people dread confrontation; he then suggests “a very different way” that centers on the Gospel. After discussing the story of Nathan’s confrontation of David, Tripp concludes that this story “gives us a real window…into God’s covenant commitment to intervene in our blindness and rebellion with His redemptive grace” (p. 141). He continues, “This deliverance [cf. Colossians 1:13] is not the end of Christ’s work of salvation; it is the beginning. Once He has broken the dominion of darkness over us, He then begins to remove all the darkness within us so that we may be holy as He is holy” (p. 141). Therefore, the Gospel not only deals with the sinfulness of our talk, it also provides positive ministry-focused “biblical guardrails for all that we say to one another” (p. 142). In his own words, “Our speaking must have the principle work of God’s kingdom [justification and sanctification, cf. p. 141] in view….our talk with one another has been ordained by God to be a vital part of that work.” At last, not only am I gripped with my need to focus on my speech in my sanctification process because of its destructive power (cf. James 3), but I am also amazed to discover the potential sanctifying power in my speech. Indeed, does not Ephesians 4:29 catch us off guard by informing us that we can be channels of God’s grace to each other? Think about that…consider what God’s grace is…consider what God’s grace does…consider the benefits of God’s grace…consider how much you feel your need for God’s grace–you can be the channel of that very power to fellow believers! Up to now, it is apparent that Tripp has been providing us with an alternative understanding of confrontation. On p. 142, he does that clearly by stating what was for me the most profitable sentence in the chapter, “Intervention…is a lifestyle, a commitment.” He follows up with, “In some way our talk should always have ongoing redemption in view.” To explain that statement, Tripp climaxes this chapter with a brief commentary on Hebrews 3:12-15, cited for you here: Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end. As it is said, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.” In a section entitled, “Each One a Helper, Each Needing Help,” Tripp summarizes three main points from that passage that relate to a lifestyle of intervention:
In light of Tripp’s teaching in this chapter, let me suggest two main conclusions and applications that I came to personally:
Friends, be afraid about destructive potential of your speech (cf. James 3), but be empowered by the responsibility to use your speech to minister grace to your brothers and sisters in Christ. In this way, we can have a more far-reaching and a more ongoing ministry with people than our pastor can have…he may own the pulpit for a few hours on Sunday and Wednesday, but we can preach to ourselves and others the wonderful grace of God 24/7! Let’s do it…we need each other! From Emotional Anxiety to Energetic Action
In Acts 2, we read about the beginning of the early church. Consider how this first body of believers is described. They are daily receiving new additions to their membership (“added” 2x); they are continually teaching and learning from each other (“apostles’ doctrine”) and regularly sharpening one another through relational edification (“fellowship); they are enjoying Christ-centered, God-honoring worship (“breaking of bread” and “praising God”), unceasing prayer (“prayers”), ongoing ministry (“had all things in common…sharing them with all, as anyone might have need.”), and successful evangelism (“Lord was adding to their number…those who were being saved”). Their happy facial expressions radiate from hearts of commitment (“devoting”), consistency (“day by day, continuing”), reverence (“awe”), sacrificial humility (“selling their property…and sharing them with all”), joy (“gladness”), focus (“sincerity of heart”), and graciousness (“having favor with all the people”). In summary, this snapshot is an exciting group of people with unity, love, zeal, enthusiasm, passion, vigor, purpose, and vision; they are bold and confident, consistent and stable; they have a reason to live, and they are living every moment for Christ. Such a picture is even more compelling when you realize that just a few hours earlier, this was a group of 120 believers hidden in an upper room, frightened, confused, anxious, ignorant, and sad. Wow, what a group! What an exciting, passionate, zealous, fruitful group of believers! But, when I read this passage, questions come to mind: is my church like that? is my particular ministry (i.e., Single Focus) like that? am I like that? So, what's the key...what makes this happen? I know it's not a formula, but how do we lay a foundation for this same kind of zeal for God's work and people? I believe the key is in Acts 2:4–"And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit." This phrase, then, is the key. It fills in the gaps, answering for us how this group could go from being confused, hurting, doubting, etc. to passionate, fervent, purposeful, etc. The reason is that “they were all filled with the Holy Spirit.” Taking It Home As we consider the application of this passage for ourselves individual or for our Single Focus ministry, let me share two concluding considerations: 1. God powerfully resides within His church in the Person of the Holy Spirit (i.e., “indwelling” of the Spirit…corporately and individually). This consideration, however, provokes a question: why are we not seeing the same results of power, passion, unity, purpose, and success in many of our churches today? 2. God powerfully works through His church as it submits to the indwelling Person of the Holy Spirit (i.e., “being led by/walking in/being filled with the Spirit”). (As in the doctrine of Justification and being placed “in Christ”), positionally, we have been indwelt/baptized by the Spirit; but, practically, we must be “filled” with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18) to see those same results. Power begins with the Spirit’s indwelling, but is utilized through His “filling.” Paul uses these phrases in Galatians to enhance our understanding of what it means to be “filled with the Spirit”: “walk in/by the Spirit” (5:16, 25), “be led of/by the Spirit” (5:18), “sow to the Spirit” (6:8). Simply put, having had the Spirit take up permanent residence in our hearts, we must now submit to His reality and leadership in our lives–He must “control” us (just as wine might control a person, cf. Ephesians 5:18). We must “walk” or make our daily decisions in keeping with His path, His way–i.e., God’s Word. We must “be led” by the Spirit’s counsel and commands in Scripture. We must “sow” to the Spirit by developing habits of mind and life that are spiritual, not fleshly. Thus, submission to/control by the Spirit cannot be easily divorced from immersion in God’s Word. We must not remove the Holy Spirit from the church corporately or individually. We must not let (1) confusion as to the Person and nature of the Holy Spirit or (2) fear of improper doctrinal or practical conclusions concerning the Holy Spirit keep us from remembering His presence, relying on His power, and submitting to His will. The Holy Spirit is, after all, very God of very God, just a different Person of the Trinity. He isn’t an aberrant expression of the Father and Son; He is consistent with them in equality, character, and ministry. We must maintain the power, passion, and purpose in the church (its distinctiveness), by understanding the Holy Spirit’s necessity to the church and by drawing from His power. Consider three concluding applications concerning being Spirit-controlled this next week in your personal life and in the ministry of your local church:
Hebrews 3:13 reminds us to "exhort one another daily, while it is called 'today,' lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin." From Scripture and personal experience, I know the need to take Sunday/Wednesday church and bring it into Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. I NEED the daily help of fellow believers to keep me focused on the Gospel and to encourage me to walk in its realities. I have come to understand that Christianity is a group effort, that "intervention is a way of life" (Paul Tripp), and that "ministering grace" to each other (Ephesians 4:29) is an incredible privilege that we need to utilize more often.
This site is designed to be a tool to meet that need of daily connectivity and fellowship with other believers. I hope you find it incredibly helpful and encouraging, and I trust you will frequent it often. Take a moment to check out the various pages and don't hesitate to contact me with any questions or comments. Grace and peace, Keith |
|