H is for Held by God?

I have my grandfather’s clock. It probably looks familiar to most of you. I understand they are fairly common in Holland. As many of you know my Opa Delleman was a pastor and this clock was given to him by a profession of faith class in 1927. Used at the time, I have no idea how old it is. And I don’t care either. What I do care about is that it connects me to him. I also care deeply that it runs. We had it cleaned and running when I got it 15 years ago; then it stopped, so we had it cleaned again and then it stopped for a long time. And then, out of nowhere, it started up again. I tapped the pendulum and it just kept going. It keeps perfect time.

So there are two things I care about that will get stressed this morning: being connected and being mindful of the time.

Timely stuff as we’re sharing our last in five messages surrounding the word FAITH. If you remember the letters stand for:

Fallen humanity,

Adopted by God,

Intentionally atoned for,

Transformed by the Spirit, and

Held by God.

In other times and places the letters would spell TULIP known also as the Cannons of Dort. That is the conclusions of a meeting that took place about 400 years ago.

So today is, “Held By God,” or perseverance of the Saints, or Eternal Security. The last two may sound more familiar, but honestly, I like ‘Held by God’ better. It seems to me it describes things more accurately. Because as we well know the faith we’re talking about is a gift; we can’t beg, borrow or buy it. And the Faithfulness we’re talking about is God’s not ours. Let’s be honest, God’s grip on us is far stronger than our grip on God. It’s God who calls and connects his children to the living Vine – Jesus. It’s God who holds us in the palm of the Father’s hand so securely that no one can snatch us out. It’s God’s Spirit who journeys with us along the way.

And while all those promises are true come as such blessings, there is a risk for us if we misunderstand this point. God’s grip on us is greater than our grip on him. Let’s explore that by looking at the text for today.

I call these verses, Romans 8.35-39: ‘The Scope of God’s Faithfulness.’

               

³⁵ Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? ³⁶ As it is written:

“For your sake we face death all day long;

we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” (Psalm 44)

³⁷ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. ³⁸ For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, ³⁹ neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Now let’s look at it arranged slightly different:

Note with me how vs 35 asks and vs 37 answers a very bold question. In counseling I always tell people to avoid words like always and never. Those words usually get us into trouble. You always . . . You never . . . .   But here I like it. No exceptions, God holds his children always.

And also note that it’s within this security that trouble comes: “hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword.” Likening us to sheep in the slaughter house line up, disciples of Jesus have and will suffer, but no matter what, In spite of the enemy’s best efforts we prevail completely.

And then verse 38 where nothing in all of Creation – not physical things or spiritual things – can separate us from Christ. And I pause here again to point out that in Paul’s world as with our own spirituality is big. Mix and match religion is a hobby of many, many people. Most like and only want a loving God. They reject a just God or a God who call for obedience.

And then there are those who teach about guardian angels. Did you wonder why angels are mentioned along with demons? Not for contrast but as a warning.

In both ways Satan is trying to replace or undermine Jesus. Other spiritualties do not replace Jesus; Guardian angels do not replace Jesus. Why go for a middleman when the boss’ door is always open?

                                               

Jesus and Jesus alone is God to the glory of the Father. That’s whose holding us. So just to be clear, God’s Promise to You,

Because of Jesus,

By the Spirit,

No matter what,

you are the Father’s children in community.

Yes that’s right; Note all the us’s and we’s in these verses. God’s promise is to his people: individuals in community. Connected to the Saviour AND each other.

But this is not the whole of it yet. Let’s take a look at why God chooses to hold us tightly in his hand. Anika read it earlier and yes, here we go with pre-destination. The youth had a lively discussion on this last week.

²⁸ And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.  ²⁹ For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

It seems to me from what I’ve been taught and experienced firsthand is that Predestination is typically understood in one of two or three ways.

The first goes something like this: God knows what ever human will do in their life before hand and God knows who will and who will not believe and therefore those who will respond to his call are the only ones to get an invitation to start with.

The second is more severe. In this understanding God simply chooses some for salvation and others for damnation. This scenario, by divine decree, has the person brought forcibly into one or the other destinations.

Now, while I agree and believe that God is sovereign and has the right to do as God will, I wonder. Is that what Paul meant? Or, do we read the Bible in light of tradition missing something? It seems the plain meaning goes more like this. While God does know the future, it does not necessarily mean God is controlling our every choice. If God did then what kind of God is that? One who causes marriages to explode, wars to erupt and atomic bombs? Yeah, I don’t think so.

Besides, why else say, ‘And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him?’ Let’s face it, life is a journey of exploration and mistakes where the results of sin can be a wonderful teacher. And that is what God chooses for us.

Another thing, Paul could have said some are predestined for heaven and others for hell, if that is what he really meant. So let’s be careful with what the text says. And get the full picture because these two ways of looking at predestination often leave something out. The point of it all.

Verse 29 says those, a group, are predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son. That is what Christians are corporately chosen for. Collectively predestined to be conformed to him over time.

Which certainly explains the need for community. If being conformed to his likeness means growing in faith, learning to reject sin and so on, then we need each other to support, encourage and correct each other. Satan and the world will only try to turn us away from Christ. And, if suffering is a part of it, then we certainly need safe places to stand strong together and heal after doing battle. And one more, if God is interested in all believers as one body, group, people that are to be conformed to the likeness of his son, then there is no room for division. Rather, we are called to function as one people over space and time. Because if anyone gets left behind, if anyone is rejected then the entire body suffers. The Spirit through Paul is encouraging those who believe that they are better together because God is for them as they learn, suffer, grow and mature together.

So predestined to be held by God is awesome, the reality is authentic community, spiritual maturity, confidence and unfailing love.

And now the Risk. Remember that? I mentioned it about a thousand words ago. A misunderstanding of predestination or of being held by God eternally can produce a few negative results.

One: some believe that baptism and profession of faith are the end of spiritual growth and maturity. There is no need for Christian community, accountability or discipline. Bible reading and study becomes self-help and important texts like, in all things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. Are reduced to a sense that we have God’s permission and support to do whatever we want. The text is about prevailing in times of trouble and persecution, not making a fortune by being a workaholic or some other worldly pursuit.

Another risk is that a certain smugness can overcome people. It sounds like, I’m saved, sucks to be you. Too bad the world has issues, none of my concern. Evangelism, why? God saves whom he will. Not my deal. And so on.

Third and last, the sad truth is without a clear understanding and a heart of gratitude, the result is spiritual immaturity. And that is a great waste. A waste of gifts, abilities and time. People like this are short changing themselves missing out on the true pleasures of life. Settling instead for a so called ticket to heaven and a miserable striving after the wind in the meantime.

Maybe it’s time to think it through. Has your heart clock quit running and needs a push to engage or reengage in the life Christ offers? Maybe it’s time to say yes when a ministry opportunity comes along or the next profession of faith class. Maybe it’s time to seek out a sister or brother and become reconciled. Maybe it’s time to consider the stakes as someone once famously said:

This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life. (Dt. 30.19-20)