140. HOW TO OVERCOME THE POWER OF SIN IN MY CHURCH? – Interruption (g) – For a church to ‘grow strong in the Lord’, it needs to grow strong in Christlike service (1)

In the current meditations we reflect on the question: is the full armour of God of which Paul talks in Ephesians 6:10-17 only meant for individual Christians or also for the local church as a whole? Does God’s armour only protect Christ’s life in us personally against Satan’s assaults? Does it equally protect Christ’s life within the local church which is the Body of Christ? So far we have seen that Jesus wants to manifest His life in our churches through our passionate love for God and for each other. We have realized that God’s Spirit is well able to produce this Christlike love in our hearts and in our congregations. However, the question remains: how do we protect Jesus’ life in our churches against Satan’s attacks? The apostle Paul encourages the church in Ephesus (Turkey) to “be (or: grow, become) strong in the Lord...” (Ephesians 6:10**). In the present meditations we ask ourselves: how does a church that wants to grow strong ‘in the Lord’ practically look like?

In Meditation 136 we saw that for a church to ‘grow strong in the Lord’, growing in pure Christlike love, produced by God’s Spirit, is a first necessity. In Meditation 137 we tried to formulate other major requirements a church community should meet if it wants to grow strong in the Lord. In Meditation 138 we meditated on the fact that corporate Christlike compassion for those who suffer is another powerful expression of divine love in a church that desires to grow strong in the Lord. In Meditation 139 we reflected on the importance of corporate Christlike humility.

In two meditations, we want to talk now about the significance of mutual Christlike service within the local church as a requirement for growing strong in the Lord. We do not speak about any act of helpful activity organized by individual Christians or a church organisation. Our purpose is to find out what God’s Word reveals on the type of service that has been produced by the Spirit of God within a Christian community. Only such service can truly withstand Satan’s attacks.   

In this first meditation, we need to look at the characteristics of the divine Servant of God, Jesus Messiah. In the second meditation, we want to see how Jesus’ way of serving characterises a church that is controlled by God’s Spirit.  

Jesus Messiah demonstrates what true divine service indicates

In the Old Testament Jesus is often called the Servant (Hebrew: ‘ebed) of God. The Hebrew noun ‘ebed means servant or slave.   

God the Father points to His Son, Jesus Messiah, when He proclaims by mouth of the prophet Isaiah (8^th century BC): “Look at My Servant, whom I strengthen. He is My chosen One, and I am pleased with Him. I have put My Spirit upon Him...” (Isaiah 42:1*)

From this text, we understand that God’s Son - the Father’s beloved Servant - is chosen by God Himself and anointed with God’s Spirit. This opening words are clear-cut Trinitarian!

Isaiah continues: “He (i.e. God’s Servant) will reveal justice to the nations. He will be gentle -- He will not shout or raise His voice in public. He will not crush those who are weak or quench the smallest hope. He will bring full justice to all who have been wronged. He will not stop until truth and righteousness prevail throughout the earth. Even distant lands beyond the sea will wait for His instruction.” (Isaiah 42:1-4*)

Here we read that humility and compassion are characteristics of this divine Servant’s ministry. He will champion the needy and valiantly stand for justice, righteousness and truth on behalf of God’s covenant people and the rest of humanity.    

In Isaiah 49:13 and 5-6*, we receive a personal testimony from God’s divine Servant: “Listen to Me, all of you in far-off lands! The LORD called Me before My birth; from within the womb He called Me by name. He made My words of judgment as sharp as a sword. He has hidden Me in the shadow of His hand. I am like a sharp arrow in His quiver. He said to Me, ‘You are My Servant, Israel, and you will bring Me glory.’ ..... And now the LORD speaks -- He who formed Me in My mother's womb to be His Servant, who commissioned Me to bring His people of Israel back to Him. The LORD has honored Me, and My God has given Me strength. He says, ‘You will do more than restore the people of Israel to Me. I will make You a light to the Gentiles, and You will bring My salvation to the ends of the earth.’"

In this testimony, God’s Servant addresses the nations and speaks of His divine origin and commission. His heavenly Father calls Him ‘Israel’ to demonstrate that He is the embodiment and true representative of God’s covenant people. As such He is appointed to reconcile God’s people Israel and the rest of mankind with God the Father. In this way He will bring God’s message of the hope of salvation to our entire lost and reprobate world.

Furthermore, in Isaiah 50:4-9*, God’s messianic Servant speaks of His intimidate relationship with His heavenly Father: “The Sovereign LORD has given Me His words of wisdom, so that I know what to say to all these weary ones. Morning by morning He wakens Me and opens My understanding to His will. The Sovereign LORD has spoken to Me, and I have listened. I do not rebel or turn away. I give My back to those who beat Me and My cheeks to those who pull out My beard. I do not hide from shame, for they mock Me and spit in My face. Because the Sovereign LORD helps Me, I will not be dismayed. Therefore, I have set My face like a stone, determined to do His will. And I know that I will triumph. He who gives Me justice is near. Who will dare to oppose Me now? Where are My enemies? Let them appear! See, the Sovereign LORD is on My side! Who will declare Me guilty?”

In this text, we read that His wisdom comes from God who shows Him how to encourage those who have grown tired and are disillusioned. He is determined to know and obey the Father’s will in any situation. He is not a rebel, fighting on the barricades for justice. He is ready to suffer injustice if that is the way His heavenly Father has chosen to reveal His glory.

In Isaiah 52:13-15**, God reveals how He will commission His Servant to save mankind: “See, My Servant will act wisely; He will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted. Just as there were many who were appalled at Him -- His appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man and His form marred beyond human likeness -- so will He sprinkle many nations, and kings will shut their mouths because of Him. For what they were not told, they will see, and what they have not heard, they will understand.”

First we read here again that the divine Servant will be filled with God’s wisdom to know how to act in a God pleasing way. His heavenly Father wants that the commission of His Servant will include the fact that He will be “raised and lifted up.” Jesus shows us that these expressions speak first of all of His crucifixion: “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up (on a cross)...” (John 3:14**). See also John 8:28 and John 12:32. Yet, His commission will also comprise that He will be “highly exalted” (Isaiah 52:13). In Acts 2:32-33**, the apostle Peter explains in his Pentecost message that “God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact. Exalted to the right hand of God, He has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. (i.e. the coming of God’s Spirit)” Later, the apostle Paul writes to the church in Philippi (Greece) about the fulfilment of this prophesy in Isaiah 52: “... He (Jesus) made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled himself and became obedient to death--even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”  (Philippians 2:7-11**)

In Isaiah 11:2-5**, we find another description of the characteristics of Jesus’ personality: “The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him -- the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the of the LORD -- and He will delight in the fear of the LORD. He will not judge by what He sees with His eyes, or decide by what He hears with His ears; but with righteousness He will judge the needy, with justice He will give decisions for the poor of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth; with the breath of His lips He will slay the wicked. Righteousness will be His belt and faithfulness the sash around His waist.”

Like in Isaiah 42:1, we notice in this portrayal of the divine Servant first of all that He is anointed with God’s Spirit. That’s why Jesus is called ‘the Anointed One’ (Hebrew ‘the Messiah’ and in Greek ‘the Christ’). Then follows a depiction of some of the attributes of God’s Spirit. Finally, we read how God’s Spirit shapes the character of God’s Servant.

700 years later, God points to Jesus as being the fulfilment of what He had said about His divine Servant through Isaiah’s prophesies: “Look at My Servant, whom I have chosen. He is my Beloved, and I am very pleased with Him. I will put My Spirit upon Him, and He will proclaim justice to the nations.” (Matthew 12:18*)

In the Gospels, we read another fulfilment of Isaiah’s testimony about the coming Servant of God.  Jesus testifies to Satan: “... the Scriptures say, 'You must worship the Lord your God; serve only Him.’” (Matthew 4:10*; see also Luke 4:8)

Jesus Himself explains the reason of His arrival on earth as the beloved Servant of God:  “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many." (Matthew 20:28**, see also Mark 10:45)

Again, we read in Luke 22:27** that serving God and man was the main characteristic of Jesus’ ministry: “I am among you as one who serves.”

On the evening before His death, Jesus did the humble work of a slave by washing His disciples’ feet. In that way He wanted to show them that Christlike service will indeed be the main characteristic of His Spirit-anointed followers: “After washing their feet, He put on His robe again and sat down and asked, "Do you understand what I was doing? You call Me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord’, and you are right, because it is true. And since I, the Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other's feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.” (John 13:12-15*)

As we said in the beginning, in the next meditation we want to see how Jesus’ way of serving characterizes a church that is controlled by God’s Spirit. So, stay with me.  

Translations: * New Living Translation; ** New International Version

About “Who is the Holy Spirit and what is His ministry?”, see Meditations 27-33 and 49-55.

About "God's major project: transforming me and my church into the likeness of Christ", see Meditations 44-48.

About “Personal, Christlike love for God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ”, see Meditations 56-62.

About “Corporate, Christlike love for God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ”, see Meditations 63-99.

About “The Church as a ‘Corporate Personality’, see Meditation 63-65.

About “The two Tracks of Maturing in Christlikeness”, see Meditation 100.

About “How to overcome the power of sin in my life?”, see Meditations 101-130.

About “How to overcome the power of sin in my church?”, see Meditations 131-139.

139. HOW TO OVERCOME THE POWER OF SIN IN MY CHURCH? – Interruption (f) – For a church to ‘grow strong in the Lord’, it needs to grow strong in Christlike humility.

In the current meditations we reflect on the question: is the full armour of God of which Paul talks in Ephesians 6:10-17 only meant for individual Christians or also for the local church as a whole? Does God’s armour only protect Christ’s life in us personally against Satan’s assaults? Does it equally protect Christ’s life within the local church which is the Body of Christ? So far we have seen that Jesus wants to manifest His life in our churches through our passionate love for God and for each other. We have realized that God’s Spirit is well able to produce this Christlike love in our hearts and in our congregations. However, the question remains: how do we protect Jesus’ life in our churches against Satan’s attacks? The apostle Paul encourages the church in Ephesus (Turkey) to “be (or: grow, become) strong in the Lord...” (Ephesians 6:10**). In the present meditations we ask ourselves: how does a church that wants to grow strong ‘in the Lord’ practically look like?

In Meditation 136 we saw that for a church to ‘grow strong in the Lord’, growing in pure Christlike love, produced by God’s Spirit, is a first requirement. In Meditation 137 we tried to formulate the major requirements a church community should meet if it wants to ‘grow strong in the Lord’. In Meditation 138 we meditated on the fact that corporate Christlike compassion for those who suffer is another powerful expression of divine love in a church that desires to mature in Christlikeness.

Today we want to reflect on the subject of corporate Christlike humility. In our Western world, true humility is not highly valued these days, but it is another manifestation of divine love in a church community. Again we need to say that Christlike humility is not a natural capacity for any follower of Christ, let alone for any church family. I remember the words of apostle Paul to the church in Ephesus: “It is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” (Ephesians 2:8**)

To understand what true humility is, we need to look into God’s Word. There we see that the accurate definition of humility is explained in the character of our Triune God.

The true humility of our Triune God

In a clear testimony, Jesus says of Himself: “... I am gentle and humble in heart...” (Matthew 11:29**). That testimony is endorsed by the Old Testament prophet Zechariah (6^th century BC) when he spoke of the Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem in the days before His death: “Rejoice greatly, O people of Zion! Shout in triumph, O people of Jerusalem! Look, your King is coming to you. He is righteous and victorious, yet He is humble, riding on a donkey-- even on a donkey's colt.” (Zechariah 9:9*)

Furthermore, to the church of Philippi (Greece) the apostle Paul describes Jesus’ humility in a dramatic way: “Your attitude should be the same that Christ Jesus had. Though He was God, He did not demand and cling to His rights as God. He made Himself nothing; He took the humble position of a slave and appeared in human form. And in human form He obediently humbled Himself even further by dying a criminal's death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:5-8*)

In this text and many others, Paul clearly proclaims that Jesus Christ is God. His appearance into our world as a human being (Ancient Greek: theophany) is the ultimate manifestation of divine humility.

The apostle John starts his Gospel with a dramatic description of Christ’s humility: “¹In the beginning was the Word (i.e. Jesus Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. ³ Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made. ⁴ In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. ⁵ The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. ... ⁹ The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world. ¹⁰ He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognise Him. ¹¹ He came to that which was His own, but His own did not receive Him. ...  ¹⁴ The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:1-5, 9-11 and 14**)

The Old Testament speaks more often of God’s humble appearance in human form and of His Self-humiliation to be with those who long for Him. Here are some examples:

-- In Genesis 18:1-33, the eternal God appears as a man to Abraham, accompanied by two angels: “The LORD appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day. Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby.” (Genesis 18:1-2**)  

-- In Genesis 32:22-30, Jacob wrestles with a man who was a theophany of our everlasting Triune God:  “So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. ... So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, ‘It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared.’” (Genesis 32:24.30**)

-- The prophet Isaiah (8^th century BC) reveals that our grand and majestic God also humbles Himself to be close to those who need Him: “Thus says the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: ‘I dwell in the high and holy place, With him who has a contrite and humble spirit, To revive the spirit of the humble, And to revive the heart of the contrite ones.’” (Isaiah 57:15***)

-- Furthermore, God spoke by mouth of Isaiah to Ahaz, king of Judah, about His future Self-humiliation: “All right then, the Lord Himself will choose the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a Son and will call him Immanuel-- 'God is with us.'” (Isaiah 7:14*) This prophesy was fulfilled in the birth of Jesus: “... an angel of the Lord appeared to him (Joseph) in a dream. ‘Joseph, son of David,’ the angel said, ‘do not be afraid to go ahead with your marriage to Mary. For the child within her has been conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a Son, and you are to name Him Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.’ All of this happened to fulfill the Lord's message through His prophet: ‘Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a Son, and He will be called Immanuel (meaning, God is with us).’ When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord commanded. He brought Mary home to be his wife, but she remained a virgin until her Son was born. And Joseph named Him Jesus.” (Matthew 1:20-25*)

To understand the meaning of Jesus’ Self-humiliation better, I think of His words in Matthew 20:26-28*: “... Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must become your slave. For even I, the Son of Man, came here not to be served but to serve others, and to give my life as a ransom for many.”

Only God’s Spirit is able to produce Christlike humility in my church

God’s Word makes it clear that the existential problem of man is sin. And sin expresses itself first of all in pride and disobedience to God and His Word. Here are some examples:

-- King David (11^th century BC) wrote in one of his songs: “Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.” (Psalm 51:5**)

-- The prophet Isaiah acknowledged that “all of us have strayed away like sheep. We have left God's paths to follow our own.” (Isaiah 53:6*). In chapter 64:6* he lamented: “We are all infected and impure with sin. When we proudly display our righteous deeds, we find they are but filthy rags. Like autumn leaves, we wither and fall. And our sins, like the wind, sweep us away.”

-- The apostle Paul confessed to the church in Rome: “I know I am rotten through and through so far as my old sinful nature is concerned. No matter which way I turn, I can't make myself do right. I want to, but I can't.” (Romans 7:18*). He reminds his co-worker Titus of the fact that “once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled by others and became slaves to many wicked desires and evil pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy. We hated others, and they hated us. But then God our Savior showed us his kindness and love. He saved us, not because of the good things we did, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins and gave us a new life through the Holy Spirit.” (Titus 3:3-5*)

Indeed, it is (1) God’s forgiveness of our sins through the blood of Jesus Messiah, (2) the new life He gives us through His Spirit and (3) the control over our sinful nature by God’s Spirit that opens our hearts and our congregations to the real prospect that Christlike love, compassion and humility may grow strong amongst us. Here are two texts to underline that reality:

-- The author of the Book of Hebrews writes:“Just think how much more the blood of Christ will purify our hearts from deeds that lead to death so that we can worship the living God. For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins.” (Hebrews 9:14*)

-- The apostle Paul warns the church in Rome, saying: “If you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.” (Romans 8:13**)

God wants Christlike humility to grow strong in our churches

In Meditation 133 we read that a healthy congregation is in all likelihood a mix of Christians from different age groups and different cultures, with different characters, different likes and dislikes, different educational backgrounds, different professions, different skills, different gifts, different experiences, different ‘levels’ of faith (from new converts up to mature believers), different degrees of commitment, etc. Therefore, it is obviously a divine miracle if our churches desire to grow strong in Christlike humility.

Here I want to mention some verses that stress the importance for a congregation to mature in Christlike humility. For a church to reach such a state of being ‘strong in the Lord’, the apostles clearly presuppose the work of God’s Spirit in that church:

-- The apostle Paul encourages the church in Ephesus (Turkey), saying: “Be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other's faults because of your love. Always keep yourselves united in the Holy Spirit, and bind yourselves together with peace.” (Ephesians 4:2-3*)

-- To the church in Philippi (Greece), Paul explains the Christlike humility manifests itself in church through great respect for each other: “If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.” (Philippians 2:1-3**)

-- The apostle wants the church in Colossae (Turkey) to grow strong Christlike humility when he writes: “... you have clothed yourselves with a brand-new nature that is continually being renewed as you learn more and more about Christ, who created this new nature within you. In this new life, it doesn't matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us. Since God chose you to be the holy people whom he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. You must make allowance for each other's faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. And the most important piece of clothing you must wear is love. Love is what binds us all together in perfect harmony.” (Colossians 3:10-14*)

-- Concerning heartfelt humility amongst the Christians in the church of Crete (Greece), Paul instructs his co-worker Titus: “Remind the people ... to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no-one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility towards all men.” (Titus 3:1-2**)

-- The apostle James urges his readers to take a humble, obedient attitude towards God’s Word: “In His goodness He chose to make us His own children by giving us His true Word. And we, out of all creation, became His choice possession. My dear brothers and sisters, be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Your anger can never make things right in God's sight. So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the message God has planted in your hearts, for it is strong enough to save your souls.” (James 1:18-21*)

-- In his letter, James shows the churches that Christlike humility is a manifestation of divine wisdom: “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.” (James 3:13**)

-- The apostle James also tells us how our churches should approach God and why: “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up” (James 4:10**), because “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:4**)

-- Last but not least, the apostle Peter shows us in two texts how we should relate to each other in our congregations: “All of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.” (1 Peter 3:8**). Again, in 1 Peter 5:5, he prompts us with the words: “All of you, clothe yourselves with humility towards one another, because, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’” (1 Peter 5:5**)

Earlier in this meditation, we saw that Christlike humility is not a natural capacity for any church. It is God’s Spirit who is well able to produce this attitude amongst our church members. Therefore, we want to close this meditation with some challenging questions:

1. If the Head of our church, Jesus Messiah, testifies of Himself “... I am gentle and humble in heart...” (Matthew 11:29**), in how far is this same disposition manifest amongst our church members?

2.  Humility is the opposite of pride and selfish ambition (see Philippians 2:5-8). How can my church express the same attitude that Jesus had by obediently humbling itself before God and by being willing to serve the marginals and outcasts of our world?

3. To what extend does God’s Spirit have His way in my church to grow Christlike love, compassion and humility?

4. How patient and forgiving are the members of my church with each other’s weaknesses and differences? Does mutual criticism destroy the peace in my church?

5. How strong is the desire of my church members to keep united in the Holy Spirit so that love, compassion, humility and peace reign among us?  

6. Is my church constantly reminded in sermons and other ways to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no-one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility towards all men? ( See Titus 3:1-2). How does my church practically show true humility towards all men?

7. How does my church grow in divine wisdom? (See James 3:13)

8. How does my church grow strong in a humble relationship with God and with His Word?

If God’s Spirit is able to produce love, compassion and humility in our churches, I believe that Jesus’ royal prayer comes to fulfillment: “I have given them the glory You gave Me, so that they may be one, as We are -- I in them and You in Me, all being perfected into one. Then the world will know that You sent Me and will understand that You love them as much as You love Me.” (John 17:22-23*)

Translations: * New Living Translation; ** New International Version; *** New King James Version

About “Who is the Holy Spirit and what is His ministry?”, see Meditations 27-33 and 49-55.

About "God's major project: transforming me and my church into the likeness of Christ", see Meditations 44-48.

About “Personal, Christlike love for God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ”, see Meditations 56-62.

About “Corporate, Christlike love for God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ”, see Meditations 63-99.

About “The Church as a ‘Corporate Personality’, see Meditation 63-65.

About “The two Tracks of Maturing in Christlikeness”, see Meditation 100.

About “How to overcome the power of sin in my life?”, see Meditations 101-130.

About “How to overcome the power of sin in my church?”, see Meditations 131-137.

138. HOW TO OVERCOME THE POWER OF SIN IN MY CHURCH? – Interruption (e) – For a church to ‘grow strong in the Lord’, it needs to grow strong in Christlike compassion.

In the current meditations we reflect on the question: is the full armour of God of which Paul talks in Ephesians 6:10-17 only meant for individual Christians or also for the local church as a whole? Does God’s armour only protect Christ’s life in us personally against Satan’s assaults? Does it equally protect Christ’s life within the local church which is the Body of Christ? So far we have seen that Jesus wants to manifest His life in our churches through our passionate love for God and for each other. We have realized that God’s Spirit is well able to produce this Christlike love in our hearts and in our congregations. However, the question remains: how do we protect Jesus’ life in our churches against Satan’s attacks? The apostle Paul encourages the church in Ephesus (Turkey) to “be (or: grow, become) strong in the Lord...” (Ephesians 6:10**). In the present meditations we ask ourselves: how does a church that wants to grow strong ‘in the Lord’ practically look like?

In Meditation 136 we saw that for a church to ‘grow strong in the Lord’, growing in pure Christlike love, produced by God’s Spirit, is a first requirement. Today we want to meditate on the importance of maturing in Christlike compassion. Actually, compassion is an expression of deep love and an intense feeling of distress for the need and suffering of others. This heartfelt identification with the deprivation that others experience gives incentive to alleviate the pain. This is another requisite a church needs for ‘growing strong in the Lord’.

Let us first see how the Bible speaks about compassion as one of the most dominant character traits of God and as a powerful manifestation of His deep love for us.

The tender compassion of our Triune God

In the Bible our Triune God reveals to us that compassion is one of the traits of His character. We read in Exodus 34:6** that “God passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, ‘The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness...”

God’s tender compassion is lauded throughout the Old and New Testament: 

King David (11^th century BC) reminds us of it in his Psalms:

-- “You, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.” (Psalm 86:15**)

-- “The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.” (Psalm 145:8**)

-- “The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.” (Psalm 103:8**)

An anonymous Psalmist writes:

-- “The LORD is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion.” (Psalm 116:5**)

The disobedient prophet Jonah (c. 8^th century BC) prayed to God while being upset about His love for the rueful city of Nineveh: “O LORD, is this not what I said when I was still at home? That is why I was so quick to flee to Tarshish. I knew that You are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity.” (Jonah 4:2**)

The prophet Micah (c. 8^th century BC.) intercedes on behalf of God’s people Israel: “Who is a God like You, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of His inheritance? You do not stay angry for ever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us; You will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea. You will be true to Jacob, and show mercy to Abraham, as You pledged on oath to our fathers in days long ago.”

(Micah 7:18-20**)

The priest Zachariah spoke about God’s compassion when he prophesied about the coming of Jesus Messiah, the Lamb of God: "And you, my little son (i.e. John the Baptist), will be called the prophet of the Most High, because you will prepare the way for the Lord (Jesus). You will tell His people how to find salvation through forgiveness of their sins. Because of God's tender mercy (or, compassion), the light from heaven is about to break upon us...” (Luke 1:76-78*)

The apostle Paul lauds God for His tender compassion with us: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles...” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4**)

Tender compassion is one of Jesus’ main characteristics: 

The evangelists tell us more often about Jesus’ tender compassion for others in distress:

-- “When He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.” (Matthew 9:36***)

-- “When Jesus went out (of the boat) He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick.” (Matthew 14:14***)

-- “Jesus left there and went along the Sea of Galilee. Then He went up on a mountainside and sat down. Great crowds came to Him, bringing the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute and many others, and laid them at His feet; and He healed them. The people were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled made well, the lame walking and the blind seeing. And they praised the God of Israel. Jesus called His disciples to Him and said, "I have compassion for these people; they have already been with Me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way..." (Matthew 15:29-32**)

-- “A funeral procession was coming out as He approached the village gate. The boy who had died was the only son of a widow, and many mourners from the village were with her. When the Lord saw her, His heart overflowed with compassion. ‘Don't cry!’ He said. Then He walked over to the coffin and touched it, and the bearers stopped. ‘Young man,’ He said, ‘get up.’ Then the dead boy sat up and began to talk to those around him! And Jesus gave him back to his mother.” (Luke 7:12-15*)

Regarding Jesus' tender compassion, the book of Hebrews encourages us by saying: “We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathise with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet was without sin.” (Hebrews 4:15**) 

Only God’s Spirit can produce Christlike tender compassion in my church

In Meditation 136 we saw that at heart we are all disobedient rebels against God’s laws and commands. We go our own way and do our own thing. That’s why we need reconciliation with God through Jesus’ death and resurrection and through the gift of His Spirit to transform us into the likeness of Christ. Only then can we start to talk about God’s transformation of our church into Christlike tender compassion!

Jesus’ tender compassion lives in the apostle Paul

The apostle Paul testifies to the church in Philippi (Greece) that his love and tender compassion come from Jesus Christ: “God knows how much I love you and long for you with (or, in) the tender compassion of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:8*)

Paul declares again and again that Christ lives in him by His Spirit. It is He who accomplishes His work in the apostle so that he can serve God in a new way:

-- “I myself no longer live, but Christ lives in me. So I live my life in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20*)

-- “Now we have been released from the Law (of the Sinai Covenant), for we died with Christ, and we are no longer captive to its power. Now we can really serve God, not in the old way by obeying the letter of the Law, but in the new way, by the Spirit.” (Romans 7:6*)

Jesus’ tender compassion in the life of the church

Jesus promises on the night before His death that - after His Ascension - the Triune God will come and live in all those who love and obey Him: “All those who love Me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and We will come to them and live with them.” (John 14:23*)

The apostle Paul reminds the Corinthian church of the fact that the Triune God lives in them:

“Don't you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16*)

Paul shares the deepest desire of his heart with the churches in Galatia (Turkey) when he writes: “My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you...” (Galatians 4:19**)

So we know that our Triune God lives in every church that consists of God’s reborn children. And we know that His Spirit has the task to form Jesus’ character in the church. What an awesome mission God’s Spirit has to transform our churches into communities filled with Christlike tender compassion!

Because God’s Spirit lives in the church, the apostle Paul encourages the church in Colosse (Turkey) to grow in Christlike tender compassion: “As God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion...” (Colossians 3:12**)

Paul writes to the Ephesian church: “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32**)

He persuades the church in Philippi (Greece) to grow in Christlike tender compassion: “If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:1-4**)

The apostle Peter speaks to the heart of the church when he writes: “All of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.” (1 Peter 3:8**)

From what I wrote in this meditation, it is clear that Christlike tender compassion is not a natural capacity of any church family. We desperately need the transforming work of God’s Spirit in our hearts and our churches to grow strong in the Lord and fill us with Christlike tender compassion. Only then a healthy and multifarious church will be able to deal effectively and in a Christlike way with all the suffering and need it meets among its members and in the world around.

Let us close this meditation with some challenging questions:

1.  Does my church family have a clear divine vision on what it means to grow together in Christlike tender compassion?

2. Does my church family have leaders who share that vision with the congregation and exemplify Christlike tender compassion to the church?

3. How strong and what way does Christlike tender compassion function practically within my church family?

4. How committed is my church family to Christlike tender compassion to those in need outside our own Christian community? 

Translations: * New Living Translation; ** New International Version; *** New King James Version

About “Who is the Holy Spirit and what is His ministry?”, see meditations 27-33 and 49-55.

About  “God’s major project: Transforming me and my church into the likeness of Christ”, see meditations 44-48.

About “Personal, Christlike love for God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ”, see meditations 56-62.

About “Corporate, Christlike love for God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ”, see meditations 63-99.

About “The Church as a ‘Corporate Personality’, see meditation 63-65.

About “The two Tracks of Maturing in Christlikeness”, see meditation 100.

About “How to overcome the power of sin in my life?”, see meditations 101-130.

About “How to overcome the power of sin in my church?”, see meditations 131-137.

137. HOW TO OVERCOME THE POWER OF SIN IN MY CHURCH? – Interruption (d) – For a church to grow strong in the Lord and in Christlike love, it must meet the requirements for growth.

In the current meditations we reflect on the question: is the full armour of God of which Paul talks in Ephesians 6:10-17 only meant for individual Christians or also for the local church as a whole? Does God’s armour only protect Christ’s life in us personally against Satan’s assaults? Does it equally protect Christ’s life within the local church which is the Body of Christ? So far we have seen that Jesus wants to manifest His life in our churches through our passionate love for God and for each other. We have realized that God’s Spirit is well able to produce this Christlike love in our hearts and in our congregations. However, the question remains: how do we protect Jesus’ life in our churches against Satan’s attacks? The apostle Paul encourages the church in Ephesus (Turkey) to “be (or: grow, become) strong in the Lord...” (Ephesians 6:10**). In the present meditations we ask ourselves: how does a church that wants to grow strong ‘in the Lord’ practically look like?

In Meditation 133 we read that a healthy congregation is in all likelihood a mix of Christians from different age groups and different cultures, with different characters, different likes and dislikes, different educational backgrounds, different professions, different skills, different gifts, different experiences, different ‘levels’ of faith (from new converts up to mature believers), different degrees of commitment, etc. Hopefully, such a church will welcome interested outsiders in their midst as well.

In Meditation 136 we saw how pure Christlike love, produced by God’s Spirit, practically looks like in a church. I finished that Meditation with the question: how could true Christlike love ever permeate a church completely as every church on earth consists of ‘saved sinners’? Is that not an unrealistic church concept which is not worth trying to achieve?

I think that if a church wants to grow ‘in the Lord’ and in mature Christlike love, there are several factors which need to be in place:

(1) Firstly, it needs a vision given by God’s Spirit. In Meditation 64 I wrote: “Without a Spirit-given vision on a certain matter, based on the knowledge of God’s Word and shared by the whole church, there is no Spirit-given unity on that matter, even if there are plenty of Bibles around.” Therefore, I believe that our churches are in need of:

A clear corporate vision seen from God’s eternal vantage point.

(a) God’s Kingdom is an eternal Kingdom

Our churches need to be aware of the fact that God’s Kingdom is not a promised reality for the future only. God’s Kingdom is an eternal Kingdom. It always has existed and always will exist. God’s revealed Word, i.e. the Bible, contains innumerable texts that speak of the eternal dominion of our Triune God. Here are three examples: 

-- “Your throne, O LORD, has been established from time immemorial. You Yourself are from the everlasting past.” (Psalm 93:2*)

-- “Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and Your dominion endures through all generations.” (Psalm 145:13**)

-- “About the Son (Jesus Messiah) He (God the Father) says, "Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever, and righteousness will be the sceptre of Your kingdom.” (Hebrews 1:8**)

 (b) A short history of ‘God’s Messianic Kingdom People’, saved by the sacrificial death of Jesus Messiah

In Romans 8, the apostle Paul teaches the church in Rom about God’s eternal plan for His people that exist of messianic Jews and Gentiles. God has called and saved them by His grace out of the bondage of sin to follow His Son Jesus Messiah as their Saviour and Lord. God’s plan started with His eternal covenant and promises to Abraham and was finally executed by God’s Son Jesus Messiah. God’s ultimate goal is to see His people being transformed into the likeness of His Son and receive their inheritance which is God’s eternal Kingdom. Here are some verses that speak of this eternal plan of God:

    

-- “We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.” (Romans 8:28-30***)

-- “The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The Scripture does not say "and to seeds", meaning many people, but "and to your Seed", meaning one person, who is Christ.....  

You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptised into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.” (Galatians 3:16 and 26-29**)

-- “Long ago, even before He made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in His eyes. His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into His own family by bringing us to Himself through Jesus Christ. And this gave Him great pleasure. ... He is so rich in kindness that He purchased our freedom through the blood of His Son, and our sins are forgiven... God's secret plan has now been revealed to us; it is a plan centered on Christ, designed long ago according to His good pleasure. ... Furthermore, because of Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for He chose us from the beginning, and all things happen just as He decided long ago. ... And now you also have heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, He identified you as His own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom He promised long ago. The Spirit is God's guarantee that He will give us everything He promised and that He has purchased us to be His own people.  (Ephesians 1:4.5.7.9.11.13.14*)

-- “... Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the Word, and to present her to Himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.” (Ephesians 5:25-27**)

-- “We are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for Him to return as our Savior. He will take these weak mortal bodies of ours and change them into glorious bodies like His own, using the same mighty power that He will use to conquer everything, everywhere.” (Philippians 3:20-21*)

-- Then the King (Jesus) will say to those on the right, 'Come, you who are blessed by My Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” (Matthew 25:34*)

-- “We (the apostle Paul) pleaded with you, encouraged you, and urged you to live your lives in a way that God would consider worthy. For He called you into His Kingdom to share His glory.”

(1 Thessalonians 2:12*)

-- “Yes, dear friends, we are already God's children, and we can't even imagine what we will be like when Christ returns. But we do know that when He comes we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He really is.” (1 John 3:2*)

So, as far as the presence and future of our churches are concerned, we learn from these texts that:

-- God’s eternal plan consists of transforming our multifarious churches by His Spirit into the likeness of His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ!

-- God intends all good and bad things that ever could happen to our churches to work together for bringing about that Christlike transformation.

-- All church members who are saved by Christ’s sacrificial death and reborn by His Spirit have been called into God’s eternal Kingdom to share His glory. That has been God’s eternal plan and is His promised inheritance. What a vision!

(2) That leads us to the second requirement. If a church wants to grow ‘in the Lord’ and in Christlike love, it needs a clear corporate acknowledgement that the entire Bible is God’s revealed Word. It is only this Word that His Spirit uses to transform our church into the image of Christ:

  

A clear corporate acknowledgment that the entire Bible is God’s revealed Word, i.e. the Truth.

There are hundreds of Bible verses that testify to the fact that the Bible is God’s revealed Word. Here are four examples that not only attest that God’s Word is the truth, but also that it has the power to change our churches into Christlike communities:   

“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right. It is God's way of preparing us in every way, fully equipped for every good thing God wants us to do.”

(2 Timothy 3:16-17*)

“The Word of God is full of living power. It is sharper than the sharpest knife, cutting deep into our innermost thoughts and desires. It exposes us for what we really are.” (Hebrews 4:12*)

“Everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” (Romans 15:4**)

“(Jesus Christ) is the One who gave these gifts to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God's people to do His work and build up the church, the Body of Christ, until we come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God's Son that we will be mature and full grown in the Lord, measuring up to the full stature of Christ. Then we will no longer be like children, forever changing our minds about what we believe because someone has told us something different or because someone has cleverly lied to us and made the lie sound like the truth. Instead, we will hold to the truth in love, becoming more and more in every way like Christ, who is the head of His Body, the church.” (Ephesians 4:11-15*)

We have spoken about the necessity of a clear corporate vision seen from God’s eternal vantage point and the importance of corporate acknowledgment that the entire Bible is God’s revealed Word.

(3) A third requirement for our churches to grow strong ‘in the Lord’ and in Christlike love is the need for Christlike leaders who are bearers of God’s vision and exemplify Christlike love for and obedience to God’s Word. It is clear that Christlike leaders never will be perfect, sinless people. Like all church members, they are Christians who know the daily need for God’s forgiveness and grace. Yet, they have learned how to devote themselves to be close to God, like His mouthpiece Jeremiah says: “Their leader will be one of their own; their ruler will arise from among them. I will bring him near and he will come close to Me, for who is he who will devote himself to be close to Me? declares the LORD.” (Jeremiah 30:21**)

  

Church leaders who are bearers of God’s vision and exemplify Christlike love for and obedience to God’s Word.

  

Meditation 65 deals with the importance of Spirit-guided leaders in the church who are bearers of God’s vision and exemplify Christlike love for and obedience to God’s Word. Without such leaders our churches will miss a unified and clear vision of God’s purpose for our churches. Equally, they will miss the example of Christlike love for and obedience to God’s Word. I think that the question how to form such Christlike leaders is of utmost importance to all churches, Bible seminars, theological faculties and Christian organisations.     

I think that the following hallmarks are characteristic for Christlike church leaders:

(a) Christlike church leaders are solely appointed by our Triune God:

The Bible is clear about the fact that God Himself appointed the leaders of His people Israel in ancient times. Here are 2 examples:

-- “... I took the leading men of your tribes, wise and respected men, and appointed them to have authority over you.” (Deuteronomy 1:15**)

-- “I will give you leaders after My own heart, who will guide you with knowledge and understanding.” (Jeremiah 3:15*)

In his letter to the church in Ephesus (Turkey), the apostle Paul testifies that God the Son nominates the leaders to God’s people: “He (Jesus Christ) is the one who gave these gifts to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers.” (Ephesians 4:11*)

The apostle Paul declares in Acts 20:28 that God the Holy Spirit appoints the leaders of God’s people: “Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers.” (Acts 20:28**)

(b) God wants Christlike church leaders to care for God’s people like good shepherds:

God calls the leaders whom He has chosen for His people shepherds: “I will appoint responsible shepherds to care for them..." says the LORD.” (Jeremiah 23:4*)

The apostle Paul charges church leaders with the following words: “Be shepherds of the church of God, which He (Jesus Christ) bought with His own blood.” (Acts 20:28**)

The apostle Peter implores church leaders to care for God’s people like good shepherds care for their flock: “To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow-elder, a witness of Christ's sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers--not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.” (1 Peter 5:1-4**)

(c) Christlike church leaders model themselves on our Triune God who is ‘the Good Shepherd’:

David testifies in his famous 23^rd Psalm that God cares for him like a good shepherd: “The LORD is my shepherd; I have everything I need.” (Psalm 23:1*)

Isaiah prophesies that God the Son, the promised Messiah, will care for His people as a good shepherd: “The Sovereign LORD is coming in all His glorious power. He will rule with awesome strength. See, He brings His reward with Him as He comes. He will feed His flock like a shepherd. He will carry the lambs in His arms, holding them close to His heart. He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young.” (Isaiah 40:10-11*)

God promises by mouth of His prophet Ezekiel to save His people from harm like a good shepherd would do: “I will be like a shepherd looking for his scattered flock. I will find my sheep and rescue them from all the places to which they were scattered on that dark and cloudy day. I will search for my lost ones who strayed away, and I will bring them safely home again. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak. ... I will feed them, yes-- feed them justice!” (Ezekiel 34:12 and 16*)

Jesus Messiah, who is God the Son, testifies of Himself: "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. ... I know My own sheep, and they know Me” (John 10:11 and 14*)

The book of Hebrews as well as the apostle Peter point to Jesus Messiah as the good shepherd:

-- “May the God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, equip you with all you need for doing His will. May He produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, all that is pleasing to Him. Jesus is the great Shepherd of the sheep by an everlasting covenant, signed with His blood. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen.” (Hebrews 13:20*)

-- “Once you were wandering like lost sheep. But now you have turned to your Shepherd, the Guardian of your souls.” (1 Peter 2:25*)

(d) The Church should follow its Christlike leaders:

A church that desires to grow in the Lord and in Christlike love, will obey and imitate their Christlike leaders:

-- “Remember your leaders who first taught you the word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives, and trust the Lord as they do.” ( Hebrews 13:7*)

-- “Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.” (Hebrews 13:17**)

-- “Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord's work. They work hard among you and warn you against all that is wrong. Think highly of them and give them your wholehearted love because of their work. And remember to live peaceably with each other.”

(1 Thessalonians 5:12-13*)

Obviously, there are more factors that need to be in place if a church wants to grow ‘in the Lord’ and in mature Christlike love. Yet, I think that the earlier mentioned requirements are of the utmost importance.

Let us close this meditation with some challenging questions:

1.  Does my church family have a clear divine vision on what it means to grow together in Christlike love?

2.  Does my church have leaders who are bearers of God’s vision?

3. Does my church family acknowledge that the entire Bible is God’s Word and therefore divinely revealed truth?

4. Does my church family have leaders who exemplify Christlike love for and obedience to God’s Word?

5. Are the leaders of my church family solely appointed by God?

6.  Do the leaders of my church family model themselves on our Triune God who is ‘the Good Shepherd’?

7.  Do the leaders of my church family care for our congregation like good Christlike undershepherds?

8. Does my church family follow her Christlike undershepherds?

I wonder if a church is able to grow strong in the Lord and in Christlike love if the earlier mentioned requirements for growth are not entirely met.

Translations: * New Living Translation; ** New International Version; *** New King James Version

About “Who is the Holy Spirit and what is His ministry?”, see meditations 27-33.

About “God's major project: Transforming me and my church into the likeness of Chris”, see meditations 44-48.

About “Personal, Christlike love for God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ”, see meditations 56-62.

About “Corporate, Christlike love for God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ”, see meditations 63-99.

About “The Church as a ‘Corporate Personality’, see meditation 63-65.

About “The two Tracks of Maturing in Christlikeness”, see meditation 100.

About “How to overcome the power of sin in my life?”, see meditations 101-130.

About “How to overcome the power of sin in my church?”, see meditations 131-136.