Blackhawk Church 2008 Peru Mission Trip

GRACE REORDERING OUR CATEGORIES

Matthew 20:25-28

But Jesus called them to Himself, and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over
them, and their great men exercise authority over them. It is not so among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."

Philippians 2:5-7

"Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bondservant, being made in the likeness of men."

Last Sunday, Tim Mackie began a new sermon series titled "Following Christ Without Exception". I was impressed by the implications of the truths he shared from Colossians 1:9-14
for our Peru Team. He made reference to Titus 1:11-14, where Paul sketched the Christian's
response to the love of God revealed in Jesus Christ's redeeming sacrifice: He redeemed us from every lawless deed and purified for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for
good deeds. Tim defined "good deeds" as "meeting the urgent needs of other people." He
said that "good works" permeates the New Testament, also stating that Grace has reordered
the Christian's categories; it gives itself outward to other needy people, seeking their good.
"Good works" are simply nothing more nor less than our response to God's good work done on
our behalf by and through His Son. We are commanded to do good works (it's not optional) not
to gain His approval or favor, but because we are already approved and favored by virtue of
our position in Christ. Our proper response to His love for us is one of love and service to those
who are--as we once were--living in the land and shadow of death (Matthew 4"16).

In the doing of good works, a specific attitude is called for within the parameters of a specific
example: The example is that of Jesus Himself, and the attitude is that of a servant. He came
to serve us. This is utterly astonishing! Jehovah-God became a man in Jesus Christ in order
to serve you and me, and to pay redemption's price, which we could never pay.

In my case, this call and command to serve tends to go against my grain; if I am honest, I am
(because of my sinful nature) self-serving, and disinclined to put others first. Paul recognized
this about man when he wrote to the Philippian Christians: "Do not merely look out for your
own personal interests, but also for the interests of others" (2:4). It takes a work of Grace to
change our fallen focus! Wanting to serve others rather than to be served isn't natural; it's
supernatural! It is a desire that God implants in our hearts as the Holy Spirit does His
sanctifying work within us, conforming us to the likeness of Jesus. "You shall receive power,
after the Holy Spirit has come upon you......"(Acts 1:8). It requires nothing less than the power
of the Holy Spirit to transform us from self-servers to God-servers and servers of those who
are needy. We cannot serve God effectively in our own strength!

I have been impressed over the past several months with this call and command to be a servant in practical ways to those in need. I am convinced that going to Peru is a first step in the right
direction. I have had opportunities over the years to use my spiritual gifts, but they have been
oriented to teaching (word-oriented). At this point in my journey I have a strong desire and
conviction that I need to be deeds-oriented, to not be a hearer [or teacher] of the Word only,
but also a doer (James 1:22). For me, it's time to "put up or shut up!"

I look forward to serving with the other members of our Peru Team. I believe the experience
will be life-changing for all of us, and that as a consequence of our going and doing, we will
sense the approval of God. After all, did not the Father say of Jesus at His baptism, "This is
my beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased"? (Matthew 3:17) He was the Servant par
excellence. By taking advantage of opportunities to serve others instead of ourselves, we
follow His example (I Peter 2:21). And in serving others, we may very well discover the same
joy that He knew as He served us (John 15:11).

Eric Bakken