Bringing life

When General Brian Peddle calls The Salvation Army to ‘confidence in the gospel’ (1), it could also be a call to all believers in the Christian Church. Paul’s credo confirms the power of the gospel:

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.
Romans 1:16

However, faith works through many stages.

In the story about the woman who had been sick for twelve years (2), it is easy to see several of these stages. First, we read that ‘she heard about Jesus’. Again Paul confirms that ‘faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ’ (3). Further we learn that ‘she thought’. This is an important stage, because it means that what you hear, needs to be implemented in your life, and the woman thought: “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.”

However, if it stops there, it just remains a nice and comforting thought. Fortunately, the woman took the next step and acted on her faith, she came up behind Jesus in the crowd and touched his cloak.

She experienced immediate healing, however once again: if it had stopped there, it would only have been a healing.

Jesus knew this. That is why I think he wanted her to come out publicly. I believe that Jesus knew who had touched his clothes, but he would hear it from the woman’s lips. A very important stage of faith is to confess the faith and that which has happened. Even though trembling, the woman was also ready to take this step and she ‘told the whole truth’. 

‘Confidence in the gospel’ – means to act in accordance with it all the stages mentioned above. It is a matter of salvation; it is a matter of bringing life.

‘Manna’ for today:

The Gospel is bringing life!

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(1) A CALL TO CONFIDENCE IN THE GOSPEL: As we share the good news of the gospel, we must recognise its power for salvation and transformation. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, people can be released from everything that stops them reaching their God-given potential.
(2) Mark 5:25-34
(3) Romans 10:17

Hope in hell!

Many years ago I met Willy for the first time. He was evangelizing on the street during the day time and handing out food-parcels to people sleeping rough at night. His testimony was simple: “Because I knew evil and my life was a hell, I believed that there had to be a heaven and a good God somewhere. I sought Him and I found Him!”

Some people experience hell on earth. I was reminded about this when I once again met some prisoners serving life-sentences in Moldova. One of them, Vlad, became an adherent of The Salvation Army, and he gave me a painting, that made me think about Willy’s testimony. 

Vlad sought God and through Jesus Christ he found Him when he was in ‘hell’. Many of his mates have done the same. 

Someone cared, and someone cares. Last week I wrote that care influences God’s NOW. Vlad knows where he lives, and that is not ‘hell’ even though the condition around him has not changed. 

Vlad lives in Christ. 

By the way, he has given me permission to share this with you, and the prison authorities have given us permission to take pictures. Many good people, also inside the system, are working to better the conditions for prisoners in the country. 

There is even hope that there will be amendments of the law, so that prisoners serving lifetime-sentences can be released before God takes them to heaven. And we pray and hope together with them.

When I post this, it is with the hope that you who are going through a difficult time – maybe you even call it ‘hell’, shall know that there is always hope in Jesus Christ:

For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance. Likewise, the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
Romans 8:24-26

‘Manna’ for today:

There is hope!

What drives me?

It is a very interesting question, and many Christian authors have addressed it. Gordon MacDonald contrasts to be driven with being called (1). He definitely has a point – a called person follows the Master; a driven person can run ahead of Him. God never drives anybody against their own will; however, I can be so ambitious on God’s behalf that it can wear me out. There is also something positive with having a drive. Rick Warren has written about the importance of being driven by a purpose (2).

Ten months ago I wrote about “Four factors influencing movement” and mentioned “Passion” as the first driving force. This week I have been studying Nehemiah and his leadership once again. The first quality I see in his leadership, is that he was driven by a passion.

When Nehemiah received the news that the Jews who had survived the exile and returned to Jerusalem were in great trouble and disgrace because of the state of the city, his heart was filled grief, but also with burning passion (3). With the passion, came a kind of conviction that this was now his responsibility. If you are passionate about something, you have to be involved yourself, you cannot sit and only watch others being involved. Genuine passion will drive me into action, and that is a good thing.

We find this passion in ground-breaking spiritual leaders. Passion drove Jesus to the cross. It made Paul write:

For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people, those of my own race, the people of Israel.
Rom 9:3-4a

In other words, Paul was willing to sacrifice his own salvation if it could save his own people. A similar passion can be seen in people like John Knox who prayed: “Give me Scotland, least I die”.

It made Catherine Booth cry: “Never!” when the leaders of the church put restrictions on William’s ministry. It made the old William Booth proclaim in his last sermon: “I will fight to the very end!”

‘Manna’ for today:

I want to be driven by my passion for Jesus

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(1) Gordon MacDonald: “Ordering your private world”
(2) Rick Warren: “Purposedriven Life” & “Purposedriven Church”
(3) Nehemiah 1:4

What is the 'one' baptism?

Immediately it may seem equally difficult to find an answer to what the ‘one’

baptism is, as it is to find answers to what the ‘one’ faith is. Looking at the discussions that have taken place through the history of the church, it often narrows down to a question about infant Christening or adult baptism, and whether the rituals should be perceived as symbolic or if the ‘act of grace’ happens in the ritual elements or in the ritual act itself.

Paul actually referred to several types of baptism. He asked the disciples in Ephesus what kind of baptism they had received. When Paul learned that it was John’s baptism, he spoke to them and the result was that they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus (1). Following this, Paul laid his hands upon them and they were baptized in the Holy Spirit.

When Paul referred to the ancestors, he wrote that ‘they were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea’ (2). This indicates that baptism is a transition into a new phase of life with a new direction.

In his teaching on keeping the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace (3) where he also writes about one baptism, I do not think Paul neither had the baptism in the water or the baptism of the Holy Spirit in mind. I believe he solely thought about the fact that we are ‘baptized into the death of Jesus’. This baptism is the ‘one’ and same for all born again believers. How the different churches choose to celebrate this is subordinate to the fact that ‘we have been united with him in a death like his’ (4). Jesus also spoke about his own death as a baptism (5).

I believe that the context of ‘one’ baptism strengthens this interpretation. The ‘one’ hope assumes that I have grown into Christ in a death that is like him, so that I also will be united with him in a resurrection like his (6). Because, if I claim to have ‘one’ Lord, this can only happen after my ego has died with him to enable me to live in him. In view of this I can only see one real baptism. How churches choose to symbolize this is without any value if it does not lead people into living the resurrection life as new creatures in Christ Jesus.

‘Manna’ for today:

There is only ‘one’ baptism that unites us with Christ and with one another.

_________________________________________
(1) Acts 19:3-4
(2) 1 Corinthians 10:2
(3) Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism... Ephesians 4:3-5
(4) Romans 6:3-4
(5) Luke 12:50
(6) Romans 6:5
* Thanks to Bodil Østergreen for letting me use this picture of the cross she bought in Assisi. On FB she writes: God stretches out his hand to you. You can choose whether you want to accept God's hand and stretch your hand to your fellow human beings.

What is the ‘one’ faith?

Is the ‘one’ faith identical to the Apostles’ Creed, the doctrines of TSA, the Lutheran Formula of Concord, the Anglican Book of Common prayers, or is it the canonical scripture and sacred tradition, as interpreted by the magisterium of the Catholic Church?

When Paul wrote about the unity in ‘one body’ with ‘one faith’, none of the creeds existed, therefore the answer to what the ‘one’ faith is, has to be found somewhere else. It does not become easier if we look at the definition of the Christian faith made by the World Council of Churches (1), or a similar definition made by the Evangelical Alliance (2).

The older I get, the simpler I need it; and when I read Paul, I think that for him the ‘one faith’ could only be: “The faith that saves!”. A number of verses from Paul’s writings could be quoted to support this. One example is the verse which made Luther come with the statement “Faith alone” (3): “in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last”. However, in light of the context of the ‘one Lord’ in the reflection last week, these verses really add up the content of ‘one faith’:

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.
Rom 10:9-10

I am not implying that this is simple to grasp with our human intellect. It will forever remain a mystery. But for those who believe, it is as simple as that.

‘Manna’ for today:

There is only ‘one’ faith that can save me

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(1) See: The Lima document 
(2) See: The Lausanne Covenant
(3) Romans 1:17- For lovers of Latin: “Sola fide” is the word theologians use to say “Faith alone”.

One Lord!

When you and I were called and responded with a ‘Yes!’ to the calling, we also said ‘Yes!’ to ‘one’ body, ‘one’ Spirit and ‘one’ hope. However, to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace, also implies the acceptance of the fact there is only ‘one’ Lord. It was an imperative for Paul to remind his readers that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (1).

If we have surrendered to ‘one’ Lord, unity should be a logical consequence. Even though Paul does not explicitly writes this, I sense that it is ‘written’ between the lines. I have often used the following simple illustration:

If Jesus is in the center and I want to get as close as possible to the center, I will also come closer to all his followers who have the same desire. With this in mind, I wonder if lack of unity between Christians can be a sign that Jesus is not any longer the one and only Lord?

With ‘other’ lords, I do not limit 'lords' to e.g. Mammon (2) or a ‘lord’ that takes domination by causing an unhealthy addiction – the ‘lord’ can simply be myself because I can become the center of my own attention and will do it ‘my way’. My inclination is to take control over my own life. It may even sometimes prove to be safer and more predictable than leaving the control to the one and only Lord and let him lead me wherever it suits him best.

I believe Jesus is so focused on unity that he wants me to surrender what I regard as my indisputable right, so that the unity with other believers is not broken. It is not so hard when I remember all the experiences of the truth that “all things work together for good to those who love God” (3)

‘Manna’ for today:

If Jesus is not my 'one and only Lord', I will lose the momentum in my calling.

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(1) Phil 2:11
(2) “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” Matthew 6:24
(3) Rom 8:28

The last that dies…

I have heard it many times before, however it was special to hear it the context of a meeting with prisoners serving life-sentences in Moldova – a country where ‘life-sentence’ is literally a sentence for the rest of the life.

When I spoke with the inmates, I said: “I see hope in your eyes, don’t ever lose it!”. The response from several of them was immediate: “The hope is the last that dies!”

I also learned that many of them shared the same ‘one hope’ in which I have found my salvation. We are in the same ‘one body’:

There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called;
Eph 4:4

There is a lot of hope in the world and it can often be like undefined expectations of something better. In a spiritual Christian context there is in reality only ONE hope. This does not mean that we should not work for the best of our communities, cities and countries – on the contrary, we are encouraged to do so: “Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper” (Jer 29:7). This is 100% in line with how we view our mission as a Salvation Army and the concept “Salvation for both worlds”. However, even the salvation in this world is bound to the ONE hope.

In Paul's mind, hope is something that stands forever and is synonymous with an ever-existing future. Moreover, hope is so strongly linked to Jesus that he wrote:

For in this hope we were saved.
Romans 8:24

For Paul, there is no salvation outside of Christ, so the one hope is also synonymous with Christ alone.

‘Manna’ for today:

United in Christ in ONE hope.

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One Spirit

After a long break, I return with my weekly blog, and I continue with reflections on walking ‘worthy of the calling we have received’ as one body.

There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called;
Eph 4:4

The last entry with posting in six languages was on the last day of June. In the time since then many things have happened in my life. During our homeland-furlough I was able to spend much time together with my family and my father before it was pleasing to God to promote him to glory. It was also good to be able to conduct his funeral and celebrate his life before we returned to office this week.

My father was not only my dad, he was an officer-colleague, a dear brother in Christ, and an intercessor on whom I could count in hard times as well as one who could rejoice with me when we saw the God’s intervening hand in our own lives as well as other people’s lives and situations. We were of the same Spirit, the one Spirit. Even in the struggles on his death-bed I sensed the confirmation Paul described in this way:

The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.
Rom 8:16

I am so grateful to God that this kind of relationship can be found with every born again believer. Sometimes nothing needs to be said, we just know that we are of the One and same Spirit – we are the body of Christ.

‘Manna’ for today:

As one in one Spirit, we can make Jesus known to the whole world. 

Fit for mission

In my last two blogs I have used the chess game as an illustration for spiritual warfare – and I take the chance to use it again:

The # 1 ranked chess-player in the world and reigning world champion Magnus Carlsen (1) says that he needs to be fit to win his games. Therefore, he does a lot of mental and physical training and exercising to be ready and fit for the fight.

When I now continue to use the chess game in the context of spiritual warfare, to be fit for that mission is synonym with being fit for fight. In several of his letters, Paul likened the mission with being in a fight or in a race on a sports-arena:

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
2 Tim 4:7

In this fight we use the ‘weapon’ of good to defeat evil:

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Rom 12:21

Further, Paul stresses that our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil. To do be able to go to this battle, we need to be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power (2). Very often principles that are valid in a physical context will also be applicable in the spiritual sphere, also this has Paul expressed:

While physical training has some value, training in holy living is useful for everything. It has promise for this life now and the life to come.
1 Tim 4:8

If I want to train for a half-marathon, I can use an app to set up a training program to prepare for the race. In the weeks ahead, I will share some thoughts about what “training in holy living” can mean in practical terms. However, the program starts with knowing who I am in Jesus Christ, and it ends with knowing that he lives in me.

‘Manna’ for today:

Fit for mission requires training in holy living.

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(1) It is not important, but I like to tell that Magnus is from Norway
(2) Eph 6:10-12

“Keep the fire burning – don’t wait for the others!”

NORSK
Part of the unwrapping of the gift of the Spirit, is to confirm that you have done it. This is in line with the Biblical principle of believing in your heart and confessing with your mouth (1). However, it is very important that we confirm each other as well.

When I last week wrote that I was given an opportunity to testify about the baptism of the Holy Spirit at the annual Congress in 1973, several people came and confirmed what I had shared. One of them was the main speaker at the Congress, General Clarence Wiseman. He came down to me and some other young people and said: “Keep the fire burning – don’t wait for the others!”

Very often we lose momentum because we are waiting for everyone to be part of the same move at the same time. It will never happen that ‘all’ are part of the same move. When a considerable number of people are on the same move, it is called revival. However, even in times of revival there will be people who distance themselves from the ‘movement’. General Wiseman knew that, and he encouraged and confirmed the young people ‘on fire’ for the Lord.

Some months ago I wrote a series on the mentoring relationship between Paul and Timothy (2). Several of the more than 90 blogs touched the importance of confirmation and affirmation that is so evident in the letters. It is for example encouraging to see how Paul confirmed Timothy as

"my true son in the faith"
1 Timothy 1:2a (3)

and how he confirmed the gift of the Spirit in Timothy:

I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
2 Timothy 1:6-7 (4)

It shows how important it is to confirm those who are moving in the right direction.

‘Manna’ for today:

I want to confirm people who are on the right track

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(1) Romans 10:9-10
(2) You find link to the English version HERE
(3) In English see “Affirmation and accountability”
(4) In English see: “A mentor is clear and direct”

Will God continue to choose The Salvation Army?

NORSK
The question is a follow up on the series I posted a couple of weeks back. It is may be appropriate to answer with a verse from the Bible:

God does not take back his gifts. He does not change his mind about those he has chosen.
Rom 11:29 

Paul wrote this about the Jews. It is written in a context where he also uses the image of two kinds of olive branches – the joining of the Jews and the Gentiles in faith. He explains that some of the original branches were ‘broken off because they didn’t believe. You stand only because you do believe’ (1).

So it all comes down to faith and being faithful, because it is not about institutions or organisations, it is about people. 

With regard to the question about choosing The Salvation Army, it comes down to me and you. If we have faith and remain faithful to the mission and focus that made him choose the pioneers (2), God will not change his mind, but continue to bless and strengthen those whose hearts are fully with him. It is about keeping the momentum!

‘Manna’ for today:

God does not change his mind!

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(1) Rom 11:20
(2) The reasons are:
# 1 God chose TSA because of people with a calling and a passion!
# 2 God chose TSA because we focus on the fact that everyone is called!
# 3 God chose TSA because everyone who receives the call has the same right to ministry
# 4 God chose TSA because we focus on the content of the baptism and the agape meal, not the ritual.
# 5 God chose TSA because we have a holistic view on humanity and care for the whole person for this world and the next.

The ‘Identity-day’ - A time for everything *

Identity is very much about belonging. Knowing my identity provides a good life even in the difficult phases of life when we face war, resistance, illness and sorrow. Identity is about being at home in myself, at home in the community, at home in the nature and at home in God.

For me, Pentecost is primarily about discovering my identity as a child of God. The Holy Spirit came upon the disciples like a tongue of fire, like a language with a burning passion. In addition to sharing a common belief and confession, there was suddenly something more that identified the 120 who had been waiting for ten days for the Holy Spirit. It was a new incarnation. They were one body with a common burning language, the language of love. Without this language, Christianity would have ended up as another religion instead of as the life of Jesus in the world. The 120 were at home in God and the Spirit of God was at home in them.

The first church experienced what Christians in the coming generations have experienced, which is so well expressed by Paul:

The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.
Romans 8:16

Therefore, Pentecost is both a goal and a start. Pentecost is where we come home, and from that home we go out, knowing that the home is always with us because the Holy Spirit is always with us. Of course, I have an identity in the world. I am Norwegian, I am a Salvationist, I have a physical family and I love the identity this gives me, but my most important identity is in Jesus Christ, and I received this in the miracle of Pentecost.

‘Manna’ for today:

Pentecost gives me identity

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(1) Today's illustration is also about identity, and we received the drawing as a gift a week ago. A cartoonist working at Salvattex redesign in Iasi is the master of the product. He had been informed about four interests individual interests Magna and I have. He then placed us and our interests in the picture people in this world have of Norway. In the background, you will find Norwegian mountains represented by the landmarks: Torghatten, Trolltunga and Nordkapp. You can also identify our interests - and four grandchildren, though their given gender is free imagination - like most of the other features - but cleverly done!

The best clothing - a time for everything *

NORSK
Today, I take a small side track from Jesus' teaching in the intense learning-period between Easter and Pentecost. I do this because it was also important for Paul that they who repented and were saved should experience ‘the power from on high’ - the baptism in the Holy Spirit (1). 

In the Romans he described the Spirit as ‘the first crop of the harvest’ (2). This must mean that the harvest that comes is also about being dressed:

“Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.”
2 Corinthians 5:2-5

Paul used the same word Luke used to when he quoted Jesus' promise to be clothed with power from on high. Paul added a preposition that can translate on-clothed or over-clothed. He regarded to be clothed with the Spirit as a taste of the covering clothing of the life in the heavenly dwelling. To have such a deposit is a great treasure!

‘Manna’ for today:

The power-clothing is a deposit on the heavenly clothing.

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(1) Acts 19:1-6
(2) Romans 8:23

He does it anyway ... - a time for everything *

NORSK
Today, I return to the theme of ‘praying in the name of Jesus’, because it is important, and because Jesus returned to the theme himself:

In that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf.
John 16:26

I think Jesus primarily is speaking about the fact that after ‘that day’ we have direct access to Father. After ‘that day’, his role as a ‘mediator’ is not necessary in my interaction with God. For, as Paul wrote: “A mediator, however, implies more than one party; but God is one” (1). The role of Jesus as a mediator was necessary for my salvation and my new life in Him. However, where the new life lives, there is direct access to the whole deity - Father, Son and Holy Spirit, in Jesus’ name.

Nevertheless, it is comforting and good to know that:

Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.
Rom 8:34b

Even though I do not need to use him as a mediator, he still continues to intercede for me. The Spirit does the same, and ‘in the name of Jesus’, my spirit can pray together with them ‘through wordless groans’ (2).

‘Manna’ for today:

In the name of Jesus: ‘wordless groans’. Amen!

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(1) Gal 3:20
(2) Romans 8:26
* 'A time for everything' is connected with the Bible's teaching about a 'season for every activity' Eccl 3 This series is about the teaching in the ime between Easter and Pentecost 

Outside the 'box' - a time for everything *

NORSK
The idea of ​​throwing the net on the other side of the boat is illogical. At the same time, the event tells us that the kingdom of God is different and that disciples need to be open and think 'outside the box'.

Religion quickly becomes a 'box'. Jesus came with life and life cannot survive in a box. This can be one of the reasons why the exercise of throwing the net on the 'other side' to see results was an important lesson to learn – particularly if the number ‘153’ also added an extra ‘hint’.

In light of my recent reflections (1), this may be a signal that it is important to think outside the box if we desire to reach all nations with the gospel – there are still many unreached people around us.

I therefore take the liberty of elaborating on this thought:

When Jesus had fed 5000 people, I read that:

Right then, Jesus made his disciples get into a boat and go ahead to the other side of the lake, toward Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd.
Mark 6:45

So they went from Galilee (on the west side of the Sea of Galilee) where they had ministered mainly to Jews. The 'other side', was the region of Decapolis, which was heavily influenced by other nations. It is interesting that they also on ‘the other side’ became witnesses to a ‘bread-miracle’. This time 4000 people were fed, and when the mission was completed, Jesus made the call for return:

he got into the boat with his disciples and went to the region of Dalmanutha.
Mark 8:10

It is assumed that Dalmanutha was close to, or identical with Magdala on the north-western side of the sea. When Jesus fed the 5,000 most likely Jews, 12 baskets were filled with left overs. This indicates that there will be more than enough ‘bread of life’ for the 12 tribes of Israel. When he fed 4000 on the ‘other side’, there were seven baskets with left overs – ‘seven’ is the number of perfection, which is the sum of the number of creation = ‘four’ and the number of God = ‘three’. Which may indicate that there more than enough ‘bread of life’ for all. Perhaps the order of the two bread-miracles is not random? Because the gospel is ‘is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.’ (2). 

‘Manna’ for today:

The ‘other side’ is important if I want to reach new people with the gospel

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(1) See 'Statistics with a deeper meaning' and 'Guaranteed space'
(2) Rom 1:16
* 'A time for everything' is connected with the Bible's teaching about a 'season for every activity' Eccl 3 This series is about the teaching in the time between Easter and Pentecost.  

Knowing what magnanimity is - a step on the journey

NORSK
In Norwegian we have a very nice word describing generosity taken a step further. I have tried to find it in the other Scandinavian languages, but struggle to find an equivalent. To be magnanimous, is as close I get in English. It covers to do generous act which is not expected and which I do not have to do. I choose to do it motivated be a desire to please or help others. Peter learned this lesson on the journey up to Jerusalem. Tax-collectors came from the temple about asked Peter if his ‘Master’ paid tax to the temple. Peter confirmed that Jesus did, and Matthew continues in this way:

When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. “What do you think, Simon?” he asked. “From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes—from their own children or from others?” “From others,” Peter answered. “Then the children are exempt,” Jesus said to him.
Matt 17:25-26

The conclusion is that both Jesus and the disciples (his children) are exempt from paying. Nevertheless, Jesus wanted to pay the temple tax with the following justification “…so that we may not cause offense.” v 27a (1).

The attitude of magnanimity and generosity to please rather than to offend others, is a virtue that have been held in high esteem among the Christians down through the centuries. And I agree with them who consider it to be part of God's DNA. 
In his letter to the Romans, Paul used two full chapters on this challenge (2).

I'll pick a verse from these writings to describe this magnanimity, and use it as my

‘Manna’ for today:

“Love does no harm to a neighbour. Therefore love is the fulfilment of the law.” (3)

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(1) See yesterday's reflection
(2) Rom 13 About Submission to Governing Authorities and Rom 14 About the weak and the strong
(3) Rom 13:10

Knowing who I am - a step on the journey

NORSK
For the pilgrimage together with Jesus, it is important that I am aware of who I am and what my status is. After Peter made his 'good confession' (1), he received this affirmation from Jesus:

“Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter…”
Matt 16:17-18a

What did Peter know about himself after this affirmation?
 
1. God has shown me something

This is not unique to Peter, for God speaks and calls upon all human beings (2) through many channels (3)

2. I have accepted what God has shown me

This is possible for all people (4)

3. The confession I have given is important for me

Without this confession he had not been affirmed as Peter. (5)

4. The confession is important also for other people

Because it is the confession that is the 'rock' = Peter.

Point four forms the starting point for reflection tomorrow. Peter was unique, but it applies to all people, including me.

‘Manna’ for today:

I know who I am in Christ.

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(1) Cf. 1 Tim 6:12
(2) The Mighty One, God, the Lord, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to where it sets.
Psalm 50:1
(3) Primarily, God speaks through His Word, but he also speaks in through the nature and our conscience and through our fellow believers.
(4) John 1:12
(5) As quoted yesterday Rom 10:10

A step on the journey: To discover who Jesus is

NORSK
It is important that the headline is read correctly. It does not say ‘one’ step, but ‘a’ on the journey. To discover who Jesus is not one step, but many steps and I must take one step at a time. 

Personally I have taken quite a few steps and expect that there will be many more before I finally meet Jesus face to face.

Peter is a good example of such a development. He walked with Jesus both before and after the ascension of Jesus, and for Peter it was a journey with ongoing new revelations of who Jesus is. Peter knew a great deal about Jesus before he and the other disciples were challenged to answer the question: “Who do you say I am?” I do not know if Peter realized the scope of the confession he gave:

“You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
Matt 16:16

It can hardly be said briefer and more accurate. Anyway, Peter's confession made a strong impact on Jesus. Like his Father, Jesus loves to hear confession. It becomes evident in several of the stories recorded in the Bible, and Paul summarizes it in an important verse:

Trusting with the heart leads to righteousness, and confessing with the mouth leads to salvation.
Rom 10:10 

In a salvation-historical perspective, it may be a bit premature to say that Peter was saved through this confession, but his confession was sufficient for Jesus to launch his teaching about the necessity for him to go up to Jerusalem to lay the foundation for salvation.
 
Geographically, this was a relatively short trip. Spiritually, it was a long and challenging journey for the disciples in general, and for Peter in particular, but it is a very exciting journey.
 
‘Manna’ for today:

To confess who Jesus is, is an important step on the journey.

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I am saved three times

NORSK
In the last chapter in his letters to Timothy, it is evident that Paul is preparing for a new court trial and that he expects that this time he will face death. Yet it seems as though he lived a relatively normal life despite of this situation, and that he must have thought that it could take some time. It is also evident that he did not regard being saved from the lions (1) as a true salvation. This he made clear in this way:

The Lord will deliver me from every evil work and save[a] me into His heavenly kingdom.
2 Timothy 4:18

Like most "theologians", Paul saw salvation in three stages:

1. Jesus' sacrifice was a “righteous act” which “resulted in justification and life for all people” (2). Ergo, I was saved on Calvary together with all people.
2. This is the gospel. However, because of our free will salvation must be made valid for every individual through faith by confessing this as true for themselves (3). Ergo, having done so, I am saved today.
3. The last stage is “to depart and be with Christ” (4) - and that is what Paul is referring to in today's greeting to Timothy. Ergo, I will be saved when I one day I “depart to be with Christ” in eternity.

‘Manna’ for today:

I am so glad that I was, am and will be saved.

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(1) In the previous court trial Paul was "rescued from the lion's mouth" v 17b - a description that probably was literally. Many Christians became food for lions in the circus.
(2) Romans 5:18
(3) Romans 1:16-17
(4) Phil 1:21-23

The charge piece by piece

NORSK
When our children were small we used to cut a slice of bread into small pieces for several reasons. Firstly, it was easier for them to put the small pieces in the mouth. Secondly, they ate more bread because it was some topping on each piece. When we gave them a full slice, they would eat the topping first and leave the bread alone.

Today I will attempt do the same with the charge Paul gave to Timothy in order not to miss any nourishment. The charge is actually a summary of the mission:

Preach the word - because the Word is Jesus (1)
be prepared in season and out of season – because the Word is a support both on the good and bad days (2)
correct – because the Word is truth (3)
rebuke – because the Word is like a two-edged sword (4)
and encourage – because the Word is full of grace (5)
with great patience – because the Word gives patience (6)
and careful instruction – because the Word is 'sound doctrine' (7)
2 Tim 4:2

‘Manna’ for today:

The Word is complete but can be digested in small pieces

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* OK - it seemed to work - occasionally ..... (sorry Silje)
(1) John 1:1
(2) Matt 28:20
(3) John 14:6
(4) Hebrews 4:12
(5) John 1:14
(6) Rom 15:4
(7) 2 Timothy 4:3