10 June 2015 - longing for the long-term

For if what was going to fade was glorious,
how much more will what endures be glorious.

We are called this morning to reflect on the question of what endures. What has lasting value? What is worth long-term investment?

It is an important question. There are genuine goods which are glorious but which can nevertheless be no more for us than a ministry of condemnation.

We don't want to be the least in the kingdom of God. We hear that people who break commandments and teach others to do so will be the least. So what should we do? Do we simply work harder? Do we focus on these commandments and exert our own effort?

If we attempt to simply work harder we find what is at best a short-term solution. We find the occasional success. But we ultimately run smack into a ministry of condemnation.

For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.” But sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of covetousness (cf. Rom. 7:7-8).

The law on its own is not evil. Not even a little. It is important, glorious, and vital.

What then shall we say? That the law is sin? By no means! (cf. Rom. 7:7).

But on its own it is not sufficient. It is not a long-term solution on its own. Jesus does not abolish it. But it can only endure because of what Jesus himself does.

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets.
I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.

Our solution is Jesus. He is the only one who can truly solve our problems in a lasting way. He is long-term. He endures and he alone! When the law is too much for us we need to push, not harder into the law, but harder into Jesus. He is the light which gives source to all other light. Without him all light flickers and vanishes in the breeze. He is the light which can never be overcome nor extinguished (cf. Joh. 1:5).

His holiness is not part of the picture. It is not one hope among others. It is not a strategy we employee as we mainly strive with our own strength. His holiness is our only hope.

Extol the LORD, our God,
and worship at his footstool;
holy is he!