The Way of Redemption

The Bible is written for ordinary people to gain understanding.

As a pastor, there's a temptation to be profound. The problem is that more often than not, the Bible isn't profound. In fact, it's written for ordinary people to gain understanding. As Proverbs 1:4-5 (NIV) says the Bible is written, "for giving prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young-- let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance..." The Bible's most powerful and transformative truths are simple.

Redemption means that we are becoming more like Jesus.

This morning I want to talk about the simple matter of redemption. How do we get out of the trouble we are in? How do we move from brokenness to wholeness? From danger to safety? From sickness to health? From poverty to wealth? From slavery to freedom? From foolishness to understanding? From death to life?

When we try to answer this question we often make one of two mistakes. The first mistake we make is to assume redemption depends entirely on us-- that we can somehow save ourselves. A few weeks ago on "Deadliest Catch", a crabber fell into the icy Bering Sea. He was trying to jump from the boat to the dock and he slipped and fell. Within minutes, he could have easily died without the life-saving response of his crew mates. Had they not seen him, had they not been near to him and thrown the lifesaver, it would've been disastrous. Colossians 1:13-14 (NIV) says of God, "For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."

But we are not passive participant in this rescue. A second mistake we make is to assume we have no role whatsoever to play in our own redemption. It's a mystery. I cannot explain it. But God works through our works. On July 1st, we're starting a series on the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV) tells us, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control."

These are qualities that only God can produce within us through his power and his Spirit. We can certainly mimic some of these qualities in the flesh. We can make a valiant effort at self-control or love. But we cannot develop and sustain these qualities for the long haul, apart from the Spirit of God.

We're called to act out the fruit of the Spirit in our lives.

Yet throughout scripture we're commanded to do these things. In Romans 12:10 (NIV) we're told, "Be devoted to one another in brotherly love." In Romans 12:12 (NIV) we're instructed, "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." In Romans 12:18 (NIV) Paul instructs, "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." Romans 12:21 (NIV) says, "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."

Theologians go back and forth on this issue all the time. It's God. It's man. In reality, God works as we work. Galatians 5:25 (NIV) says, "Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." Philippians 2:12-13 (NIV) says, "Therefore my dear friends, as you have always obeyed-- not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence-- continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose."

I agree with Jerry Bridges who observed that the Bible teaches both total dependence and total responsibility. We should live as if everything depends on him, and as if everything depends on us. This is what farmers do. They cultivate, plant, fertilize, and water as if everything depended on their efforts, and indeed it does! Yet they also know that they are totally dependent on God who causes all things to grow.

Notice how Galatians 6:8 (NIV) maintains this tension. "The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life." It's a mistake to not depend fully on God's Spirit. It's a mistake to not take total responsibility.

As we wrap up our Proverbs series, I want us to look more closely at this issue of personal responsibility. This theme bleeds through every topic we've spoken about during this series. When it comes to life and godliness, we truly reap what we have sown. Yet our expectations in this regard often run contrary to scripture. People today expect to reap what they have not sown. "I can carry on any old way I like and God will still bless me, save me, and redeem me." But where do we get such a false notion? There are a number of things that matter for eternity that are discussed in Proverbs.

Your heart matters.

Your heart governs every aspect of your life. Every choice, every thought, and every behavior comes from the heart. Proverbs 27:19 (NIV) says, "As water reflects a face, so a man's heart reflects the man." We think the thoughts of our hearts are hidden, but they are fully exposed.

In Proverbs the heart devises wicked schemes (Proverbs 6:18), plots evil and deceit (Proverbs 6:14), lusts after beauty (Proverbs 6:25), holds bitterness (Proverbs 14:10), hates discipline (Proverbs 5:12), becomes proud (Proverbs 18:12), grows anxious (Proverbs 12:25), and rages against the Lord (Proverbs 19:3). In Matthew 15:19 (NIV) Jesus warns, "...out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander."

But then again the heart embraces wisdom (Proverbs 2:20), accepts God's commands (Proverbs 10:8), trusts God (Proverbs 3:5), shows discernment (Proverbs 16:21), and guides the righteous man's mouth (Proverbs 16:23). In Proverbs 23:26 (NIV) the Father says, "My son, give me your heart and let your eyes keep to my ways..." In Mark 12:30 (NIV) Jesus asks for the same. "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength."

Your hands matter.

In Proverbs hands can strike false pledges (Proverbs 6:1), shed innocent blood (Proverbs 6:17), be idle (Proverbs 10:4), and refuse to work (Proverbs 21:25). The sluggard folds his hands over his belly for a long nap (Proverbs 24:33), he is always turning in his bed (Proverbs 26:14), and he's even too lazy to lift his hand out of the food bowl (Proverbs 26:15). But good things come to those who are diligent, and who eagerly use their hands to build, contribute, serve others, and help the poor (Proverbs 10:4, Proverbs 31:13, Proverbs 31:20).

Your feet matter.

In Proverbs feet can be quick to rush into sin, shed blood (Proverbs 1:16), or go down the path to death (Proverbs 5:5).

Your eyes matter.

Proverbs 4:25-27 (NIV) says, "Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you. Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm. Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil." By the way, all these things matter in New Testament as well. Remember Jesus' warning in Matthew 18:8-9 (NIV). "If your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire. And if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell."

Your relationships matter.

It matters what kind of people we surround ourselves with. Most people will only surround themselves with people who endorse and validate their foolishness. Alcoholics hang out with, you guessed it, alcoholics! Drug addicts hang out with other drug addicts. Gossips hang out with other people who like to gossip. Who do the perverse and the godless hang out with?

In 1 Corinthians 15:33 (NIV) we're told how, "Bad company corrupts good character." One of the first signs of relational danger is when a son despises his father or his mother. Proverbs 13:1 (NIV) says, "A wise son heeds his father's instruction, but a mocker does not listen to rebuke." Relationships matter. Do we have the courage to surround ourselves with wise counsel and advisors? With people who have the courage to rebuke us? Proverbs 25:12 (NIV) says, "Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise man's rebuke to a listening ear." We talked earlier in the series how people either sharpen us like iron sharpens iron, or they dull us. (Proverbs 27:17).

Your stomach matters.

There is a lot said in Proverbs about the addictive effects of alcohol-- how it's associated with sexual immorality, how it impairs one's judgment, and leads toward violence, wickedness, and even death. A lot is said about gluttony, laziness, pursuing pleasure, sexual immorality, and adultery.

Your head matters.

What you learn, what you think, getting instruction, acquiring wisdom and knowledge, and knowing God's laws and decrees all matter. Proverbs 2:12-15 (NIV) says, "Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men, from men whose words are perverse, who leave the straight paths to walk in dark ways, who delight in doing wrong and rejoice in the perverseness of evil, whose paths are crooked and who are devious in their ways."

Where do you most struggle in taking personal responsibility?

All of these areas are potential trouble spots. As you look over these areas of concern, in which area do you struggle most to take personal responsibility?

• How's your heart? Do you delight in righteousness, in the things of God? Is your heart receptive to God? Do you easily worship? Is your heart inclined toward good? Or is it filled with hate, bitterness, envy, lust, and toxic desires?

• How are your hands? What activities do you engage in? Are they helpful? Are they beneficial? Are they holy? Are they fruitful? Are they productive? How are your feet? What kind of environments do you place yourself in?

• What about your eyes? What draws your eyes?

• What about your relationships? Are there particular relationships which are influencing or corrupting your character?

• What about your appetites? What has control over you? Is it is a drink? A drug? A prescription? Food? Sleep? Desire? Impulse? Addiction? What masters you?

• What about your head and thoughts?

A lot of time we do not take responsibility for these areas of our lives, and we do not bring them under God's authority. In Proverbs the consequences are quite severe-- sickness, poverty, slavery, danger, and even death.

But we have this opportunity to take responsibility, and depend fully upon God's power, and experience a different result. Next week we begin a study of Galatians 5:16-26 (NIV).