Introduction: We invariably make our theology visible. As my wise grandmother used to say, “What’s down in the well comes up in the bucket.” We live out what we truly believe, not what we say we believe. Below’s a short piece about peace, about shalom, about contentment. I invite you to read on.

Example: I remember during my seminary years I had a professor whose theology was made visible such that he became distinct from many others from whom I learned. He was both an M.D. and a theology professor. He was as smart as they come. But the thing about him that stuck out was that he was genuine, laughed a lot, and invested in us–not just as students but as future pastors, missionaries, and professors ourselves. He and his wife co-taught classes on marriage, too. They both got to know our wives and children. Dr. C. even served as my wife’s OB/GYN when she was pregnant during our seminary years.

But even more than his genuineness, laughter, and investments in us, Dr. C. invariably was a man at peace. He didn’t seem at peace; he was at peace. He never struck you as phony or as a poser. Sad to say, but that’s not always the case–especially in church circles. We all know of those who try to sound super-spiritual but our spidey-sense antennae go up and warn us, “Watch out; this guy’s a charlatan.”

Scriptural Connections: In Proverbs, Solomon wrote, “The righteous has enough to satisfy his appetite, but the belly of the wicked suffers want” (Pr 13:25, ESV). That is, for the good man/woman, God’s provision is sufficient but for the wicked/evil man/woman, there’s invariably a lack, something missing, a pervading sense of insufficiency.

As I meditated on that verse, it reminded me of another piece of Solomonic wisdom: “The LORD does not let the righteous go hungry, but he thwarts the craving of the wicked” (Pr 10:3, ESV). The same wisdom echoes there–namely, God’s providence. God is the sufficiency of the Christian. It’s not the person’s bank account, platform, status in the world’s eyes, etc. He/she is satisfied in God. That’s so rare, I think, that “jewel of contentment,” as one of my favorite Puritans said it.

Examples: In our church which I’m privileged to serve (3cs-canton.org), we’re not the biggest church. We’re a new church plant. We don’t have all the creature comforts of big box churches, with fancy lights, half a dozen staff members, fancy titles, etc. We have a couple of elders and a body of willing servants. But we’re at peace. We’re not out to to make much of ourselves. We’re out to make much of God. There’s a peace that comes with that–no drama, no siloing of power, no backbiting.

Closing Illustration: Dr. C. and I spent a lot of time together in my seminary years. I’d go to him often with questions about pastoring, about how to lead and teach and serve. And he taught me so much through books and lectures and seminars, etc. But what he taught me most enduringly was to keep God the center and be at peace there.

One of his favorite passages was this one:

Two things I ask of you;

deny them not to me before I die:

Remove far from me falsehood and lying;

give me neither poverty nor riches;

feed me with the food that is needful for me,

lest I be full and deny you

and say, “Who is the Lord?”

or lest I be poor and steal

and profane the name of my God. (Pr 30:7-9, ESV)

Encouragement: I end as I began. We all make our theology visible. Are we characterized as people of peace? Do we manifest a spirit of serving rather than being served? Do we love, laugh, and come alongside one another–in good times and in bad? You don’t have to look far to see those who want others to do the work. That’s not the way leadership works, per Scripture. Jesus washed his disciples’ feet. When’s the last time you saw leadership like that? Usually what we see is men isolating themselves from accountability wherein they dictate a list of things they’ll not do. My fellow elder and I at Christ Covenant Church (3cs-canton.org) are not paid. We serve the body for free. We both have full-time careers (he’s in corporate America and I’m an officer in the U.S. Army). Dr. C., a godly mentor of mine during some of my formative years, taught me, you see–about peace. He taught me that God sees, that God knows our motives, that God is the believer’s peace. And he did it, not so much by way of a book or lecture or spiritual-sounding/churchy language, but by his example. Nothing teaches quite like example.

***We are a new church plant in the Canton, GA area. If you’re looking for a solid body of believers who love the Lord and one another, please check us out. Nothing fancy–just biblical service and fidelity to the Lord and one another. You can find out more via any of the links below:

YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@jonpirtle2605

Writing ministry: http://www.jonpirtle.com

Church YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/@3cs-canton

Quote: “Satan is most effective in the church when he comes not as an open enemy, but as a false friend; not when he persecutes the church, but when he joins it; not when he attacks the pulpit, but when he stands in it.” That was one of the many truths I learned from one who mentored me. He has since gone on to his reward. He fought the good fight and now has received his inheritance.

There are many reasons for appreciating this wisdom from him. One of the biggest is because of its clarion call to discern. It is easy to point out flaws in the church or any organization, of course. They’re both comprised of people and wherever people are, there’s sin in the camp. No surprise there. But the call to discern is fundamental for Christians. Think of just a few of the countless times we are commanded to be discerning:

• “But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil” (Heb 5:14, ESV).
• “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 Jn 4:1, ESV).
• “If they were wise, they would understand this; they would discern their latter end” (Dt 32:29, ESV).
• And your servant thought, ‘The word of my lord the king will set me at rest,’ for my lord the king is like the angel of God to discern good and evil. The LORD your God be with you!” (2 Sam 14:17, ESV)
• “Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?” (1 Kings 3:9, ESV).
• “The discerning sets his face toward wisdom, but the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth” (Pr 17:24, ESV).
• “Do not be conformed to this world, but transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Rom 12:2, ESV).

The list goes on and on in Scripture: 1 Cor 1:19; 1 Cor 2:14; 1 Cor 11:29; Eph 5:10; Philippians 1:9; Hb 4:12, and on and on. Since the church is commanded to be discerning, how do we explain the shallowness and utter dearth of discernment of so many who claim to be Christians? I think it’s because the visible church is populated by many unbelievers. They’re checking the box of church attendance, Bible study, fellowships, service, giving, etc. but they’ve not been regenerated. They’re cultural Christians. They wear Christian swag, but their minds and hearts have yet to be gripped savingly by God.

We were told this, too, up front by God in Scripture (Mt 13:30, ESV). Or Jesus’ sermon in Matthew 7:15: “Beware of false prophets, who come in to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.” Or think of when Paul spoke to the Ephesian elders: “I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock;” (Ac 20:29, ESV).

Encouragement: There’s an endless supply of information available in our day, that’s for sure. The masses amuse themselves to death with entertainment and palaver. But where’s the discernment? Where’s wisdom? How might things improve if we were a people of discernment instead?

YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@jonpirtle2605

Writing ministry: http://www.jonpirtle.com

Church YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/@3cs-canton

There are several verses often cited from Scripture that are near and dear to us military folks and our families. Below are three:

• And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “here I am! Send me.” (Isaiah 6:9, ESV)
• “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13, ESV).
• “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9, ESV).

Context, Context, Context: As always, to properly interpret Scripture we must have the proper context so as to prevent plucking pet verses out of the Bible to fit our agenda. It’s God’s book; therefore, we need to understand that Scripture is God’s revelation, not a trove of quotables for proof texting.

• Isaiah was called by God to herald the truth of God to a stubborn and recalcitrant people. Isaiah’s ministry was promised to be brutal, and it was. Isaiah’s great theme was God, not Isaiah.
• John 15:13 is Jesus’ farewell discourse in John’s Gospel wherein Jesus is telling his disciples what Christian obedience looks like–namely, obedience to God and love of neighbor. That means a life of sacrifice–with Jesus as the perfect model.
• And in Joshua’s book here, the context is God’s raising up Joshua to be the national leader after the death of Moses. It is a picture of what a high calling it is to shepherd and lead a people–spiritually, militarily, and governmentally.

Encouragement: Tomorrow is Veterans Day in America, a national holiday to honor all those who serve and have served. I’m grateful for you, brothers and sisters. Some of the finest people I’ve ever known have been my fellow military personnel. I’m also deeply grateful for your families who have often stood behind and beside you. Despite many days and years of separation, you remained steadfast. I salute you, too.

YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@jonpirtle2605

Writing ministry: http://www.jonpirtle.com

Church YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/@3cs-canton

Introduction: This week I’m preparing to teach Romans 1:8-15, “Will You Have a Harvest?” to the saints of Christ Covenant
Church (3cs-canton.org). In verse 13 of this passage, Paul writes, “I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that I have often intended to come to you (but thus far have been prevented), in order that I may reap some harvest among you as well as among the rest of the Gentiles” (Romans 1:13, ESV).

In one verse, Paul (a man who shouldered a formidable workload) expresses longing to demonstrate his intention to do still more on behalf of others he loves. He says that he has “often intended to come to you.” That is, he has been working. He has not been idle. He has gone from persecutor of the Christian faith (“the Way,” as it was known then). See John 14:6 for the reason why. He was met personally by the Lord Jesus in Acts 9 and was born again there by the Spirit of God. He was made an apostle to the Gentiles by Christ himself (Acts 9:15). Paul would go on to pen much of the New Testament. Why? To be used by God to produce a massive “harvest.” But Paul was not wrapped up in Paul; he was, rather, a man consumed by his mission–namely, for the sake of Jesus’ name and glory (Romans 1:5).

Connections for Us: How many of us have had those in our lives who helped make us better people? I remember when I was stationed at Fort Benning for four years. I had a boss there that did that for me. Every time I was around him, he somehow motivated me (and I’m a self-starter). I don’t need much oversight. Some folks need someone to look over their shoulder, but I’m definitely not that type. If you’ll entrust me to to do a good job, I will. I’ll outwork the next guy. That’s what my boss was like at Fort Benning. He’d not say much other than, “Jon: Do what you do. I know who you are. If you need any help, ask me. Otherwise, just send me regular updates. Move out.” And I would. And I thrived. Why? Well, he trusted me to cultivate a harvest. I worked hard, and he knew it. Because I love what I do, it’s not a burden but a duty and joy.

But if we’re honest, we have probably also had other types of folks in our lives. Perhaps they were those who were takers instead of givers. Perhaps they were poor communicators. When you’d reach out to them, they’d not return a call or email or text. Or perhaps they were so wrapped up in their own agendas that you came to realize they were not about the team but only about self. That sort of titular leader undermines the team. In fact, that makes a true team nearly impossible. Trust is deracinated and people don’t feel they have a valued seat at the table any longer.

That’s the exact opposite of what you see with Paul. With Paul, we see a man who was outward-focused. He worked hard because he knew that he answered to the Lord, that he would give an account for the way he spent his time and labors. He longed to “reap some harvest” from those into whom he poured and for whom he labored.

Encouragement: Will you and I have a harvest? I aim to. I value work. I find myself at times dispirited at others’ indolence. I don’t have much patience with lazy people. We’ve been given an appointed number of days to do what we’re supposed to do. I think Paul was wired like that, too. He was consumed by a passion for truth and for laboring well. He aimed to have a harvest–not just from others but from himself. That is, he lived by example. He didn’t worry about his name, because he kept short accounts with God and understood that God only does what is right. How might that theology inform and shape us, so that we, too, have a harvest?

YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@jonpirtle2605

Writing ministry: http://www.jonpirtle.com

Church YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/@3cs-canton

I’m sure you’ve thought about it, even if you didn’t share it. What’s the “it”? The election results. The “blue wave.” The “shellacking.” The “disaster.” The descriptions could continue. I have no desire to descend into name-calling here. The media of your choice will carry that water for you–whatever side you take. If you turn on Fox, you’ll get one message. If you turn on CNN, you’ll get another. If you listen to your radio or podcast personality, you’ll get that one. It’s almost impossible to find anyone who thinks for himself. Usually what you get is someone sharing his preferred person’s views with a tone of authority. Frankly, it sickens me. I’m still an officer in the U.S. military. As such, I cannot weigh in on such matters publicly. I take orders and move out, whether I like my leadership or not. But here’s where I’m going with this: if you are a Christian, your story is much bigger and better than this–or any–human election. I’m not saying that elections are unimportant.

What I am saying is that your world–as a Christian–is much deeper, much more lasting, much more important and precious, than any political leader. God is not surprised–ever. He rules history; it is not ruled by sinners. God raises kingdoms and empires up. God destroys kingdoms and empires. Often that trajectory comes via sinners’ own suppression of the truth. The default position of the sinner is to think he outwits God, that he can outrun God, and do things to thwart God’s plan. (Ask Jonah how that worked out.)

Your story is much bigger and better than this moment. Learn to take the long view. The Christian church is a church that has endured massive obstacles, guys. Massive. Fight the myopia that so easily afflicts some types of people. If you only focus on the immediate, the urgent, the “Breaking Now!” breathless assault of moment-by-moment headlines, you’ll quickly tire. There’s only so much gas in each person’s spiritual tank. So, what to do?

Breathe. Open your copy of the Scriptures. Read. Listen. Cry out to God. Read again. Pray. Be silent. Turn off your screens. Take a walk. No phone. No screens. No music. Just walk. Pray. Listen.

If you’re a Christian, beloved, your story is much bigger and better than this moment. If you’re not a Christian, then it’s possible cultural shake ups will lead to your undoing. What’s down in your well will come up in your bucket. So, choose the right well. Don’t succumb to the mind-numbing triviality and miss the life-changing theology: the gospel.

After Cain murdered Abel, Seth still was born. The gospel promise continued. After Joseph was betrayed by his brothers, God preserved him, and the gospel promise continued. After the flood, God still had a remnant, and the gospel promise continued. After Herod slaughtered the innocents in the 1st century A.D., Jesus was preserved and fulfilled his mission. The gospel promise continued. After Roman and Jewish religious leaders crucified the Christ of God, Jesus was raised bodily from the tomb and was seen by hundreds of eyewitnesses. The church was built. And the gospel promise continued.

Your story is bigger and better than any one single moment. Keep the main thing the main thing. Do the next right thing. Trust the Lord. And just be faithful.

YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@jonpirtle2605

Writing ministry: http://www.jonpirtle.com

Church YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/@3cs-canton