A Path I Can See

The Road To Glory is not Glorious.

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim,

Because it was grassy and wanted wear;

Though as for that the passing there

Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black.

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way,

I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

-Robert Frost, “The Road Not Taken”

Favor Forged in Fire

(ESV)

19 For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God.

19 For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God.

19 For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God.

χάρις, ιτος, ἡ [1] a winning quality or attractiveness that invites a favorable reaction, graciousness, attractiveness, charm, winsomeness, [2] a beneficent disposition toward someone, favor, grace, gracious care/help, goodwill (a) act., that which one grants to another, the action of one who volunteers to do someth. not otherwise obligatory, (b) pass., that which one experiences fr. another - Also by metonymy that which brings someone (God’s) favor or wins a favorable response fr. God , . (c) In Christian epistolary lit. fr. the time of Paul χάρις is found w. the sense (divine) favor in fixed formulas at the beginning and end of letters. [3] practical application of goodwill, [4] exceptional effect produced by generosity, [5] response to generosity or beneficence (a fundamental component in the Greco-Roman reciprocity system).[1]

[1] Arndt, W., Danker, F. W., & Bauer, W. (2000). A Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament and other early Christian literature (3rd ed., p. 1079). Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

a) Although the term grace properly denotes God’s unmerited favor in Christ Jesus, Scripture uses it also to describe the spiritual gifts or excellences which God, as the gracious Lord, works in all believers and by virtue of which they begin to fulfil the Law (willing and faithful service, ; patience in suffering, ; conscientious administration of the office of the ministry, , ; etc.). In this case the effect, by way of metonymy, is named after the cause, or the gifts of grace are named after their divine Source.[1]

[1] Arndt, W., Danker, F. W., & Bauer, W. (2000). A Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament and other early Christian literature (3rd ed., p. 1079). Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

[1] Mueller, J. T. (1999). Christian dogmatics (electronic ed., p. 243). St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House.

Our Lectionary passage today begins in the middle of Chapter 2. This is intriguing because last week’s passage, , focused on how we are to love one another, flowing out of our relationship of sonship with God the Father through the blood of His Son Jesus Christ.

We then basically skip over , with its exhortations to “put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander,” encouragement to desire the “pure spiritual milk” which enables us to “grow up into salvation.” There, we are also taught that we are “living stones” that “are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood,” and thus, “a holy nation.” As such, we respond differently to the ignorance of others than those of the world do. Instead of “putting them in check,” we “are subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution.” We serve others, not out of fear or feelings of weakness towards them, but as servants of Christ. Finally, in verse 18, we see that this applies, “not only to the good and the gentle, but also to the unjust.”

isy and envy and all slander,” encouragement to desire the “pure spiritual milk” which enables us to “grow up into salvation.” There, we are also taught that we are “living stones” that “are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood,” and thus, “a holy nation.” As such, we respond differently to the ignorance of others than those of the world do. Instead of “putting them in check,” we “are subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution.” We serve others, not out of fear or feelings of weakness towards them, but as servants of Christ. Finally, in verse 18, we see that this applies, “not only to the good and the gentle, but also to the unjust.”

Trusting through the Trial

How are we to do this - by force of will? That won’t work for long, because our flesh has a totally different plan. No! Rather, it is the grace that has redeemed and transformed us that enables us to walk in grace towards others, a grace that they do not deserve, for the same reason that we are even in a position to understand grace.

1 Peter 2:21–23 ESV

For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

Trust

Just as Jesus “continued entrusting Himself” to the Father who sent Him, we are to continue entrusting ourselves to Christ who sent us. The same 23rd Psalm that covered Him covers us. The same Father who loved Him loves us, because we are united with Him by baptism, and His righteousness has been granted to us by grace through faith.

God’s favor, over my fear!

Just as Jesus “continued entrusting Himself” to the Father who sent Him, we are to continue entrusting ourselves to Christ who sent us. The same 23rd Psalm that covered Him covers us. The same Father who loved Him loves us, because we are united with Him by baptism, and His righteousness has been granted to us by grace through faith.

Most of the time, it isn’t hatred that stops us from loving others, it is fear. We fear pain, whether it is physical, or emotional. So we avoid “all entanglements, both foreign an domestic,” as George Washington warned in his final presidential speech. But we are drawn into relationships just as surely as that fledgling nation had been, because we are social creatures, made in the image of the Triune God.

We might not want others, but we are designed with others in mind. God only said that one thing in all of His creation was not good - “It is not good that the man should be alone” (). This is as true in the Kingdom of God as it was in the garden of Eden. While it’s ok to “come away” for a little while to commune with God, it is not to be a permanent situation for us, any more than it was with Christ. The greatest pain that Jesus experienced on the cross wasn’t the crown, it wasn’t the scourge, and it wasn’t the nails - it was the separation that came as “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.” To embrace us as His Bride, Jesus left His Father and mother. Jesus endured the cross, Jesus, “who knew no sin, became sin for us!”

I’ll Follow the Pattern

You see, brothers and sisters, there is a divine pattern, a road that the world cannot take, because it cannot see it. But you can see it, for Christ has revealed it to you.

1 Peter 2:25 ESV

For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

The world cannot hear His voice, but it has been given to you to hear it as you were born of water and of the Spirit. In the waters of baptism, you were identified with Christ. To those who are outside, it just looks like water, but you know by faith that God’s Word, joined to that water, joined you to Christ.

Because Christ is the eternal King of a Kingdom that cannot be shaken, His Gospel is the only Gospel that can truly save. It might not look good to you, but is is good for you! I might see a little rain, and I might suffer some pain, but by faith, I won’t turn back, because I’ve been born again. The pleasures of this world will pass away, but the Word of the Lord endures forever. The attacks of the devil will come to an end, but God’s blessings are a “world without end, amen.” you were straying like sheep, you can return to the Shepherd and Overseer of your soul. The devil will, through fear, block you from receiving your blessing, but God will never block you from returning to Him. Fear of the unknown could hinder you from enjoying the blessed liberty of the Sons of God, but Christ has truly made you free, for whom the Son sets free is free indeed!

We have a Word of power, a ministry of reconciliation, the Gospel of the Kingdom. What we’ve got, people need. What we’ve got, will bless this community. What we’ve got, nothing can separate us from. We’ve got the love of God, displayed on an old rugged cross, overcoming death and the grave, delivering from sin, and blessing the world in Christ. I can’t keep that to myself, and neither should you! So let the peace of God, that passes all understanding, guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus, Amen