Affection and Perspective
- Jerry Witham
- Oct 6, 2009
- Series: Sacred
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Affection and Perspective
This morning in my readings I read through part of John Piper's small book, The Dangerous Duty of Delight. I am posed with the question to myself as a result, Do I feel the depth and intensity of affections that are appropriate for God and His cause? So often the Christian life is all about decisions and not necessarily our affections. Peter says, and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory (1 Peter 1.8). Jonathan Edwards pointed to this verse and said, true religion, in great part, consists in the affections.
This past Sunday, as we looked at the beginning verses of Philippians we see that what Peter and Edwards had deep within and longed for believers to possess is exactly what the Apostle Paul had. Paul was a man filled with joy inexpressible in God, who is his exceeding joy (Psalm 43.1-5). Paul is filled with gratitude to God for the Philippians (Philippians 1.3). His thankful heart is overflowing with joy. It is a sacred joy. A joy that does not change when one’s circumstances, whether for the good or the bad, do. This is a sacred joy, which comes from God through Christ by means of the Holy Spirit. King David says about God, as he reflects on life and death, my heart is glad and my glory rejoices; in Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forever (Psalm 16.9, 11). This kind of joy comes from God. Jesus says, These things I have spoken to you (about this abiding relationship with Him that produces a fruitful life) so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full (John 15.11). This joy comes through a relationship with Christ. Paul says, But the fruit of the spirit is joy (Galatians 5.22). This joy comes by the power of the Holy Spirit. God does not just lead us to make decisions about Him, His commands and people, but He also stirs our affections for Him, His ways and others.
God has commanded us to not just think or decide, but to also feel. The Lord commands us through King David with, Delight yourself in the Lord (Psalm 37.4). We seem to think often of the second part of this verse, and He will give you the desires of your heart. But we must not forget the first part. I love what St. Augustine says about this verse, Command what you wish, but give what you command. You and I desire the great joys, pleasures and delights of the Lord, but we are commanded here to give our delight first. Paul delighted in the Lord. An overflow of such joy and delight in God was seen in his affection for others. Paul says about his joy for the church at Philippi, For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart (Philippians 1.7). Paul basically says, how could I not feel this way? Then he says, For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1.8). Paul has a great depth of compassion for the Philippians. He longs and prays for them to have this same type of affectionate love grow more and more both for God and others (Philippians 1.9-11).
Not only am I thoughtful about affections this week in reflecting on last week’s sermon, but I also am mindful of my perspective of others, specifically the church. Paul writes, For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1.6). The good work of God is salvation. Paul believes that God not only begin this great work, but that He also will complete it. According to Scripture that completed work comes when we see Him. The Apostle John says, when we see Him we will be like Him (1 John 3.2). Paul believes that what God has started in the lives of the Philippians will turn out for their perfection when they see Christ.
This is so important for the church to get. For this belief of Paul in the sovereign grace and work of God produces in him a perspective that we all need toward others in the church. Paul believes that the church will not be what it is now. He believes in what the church will become. Paul says, in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now (Philippians 1.5). The view Paul has toward these in Philippi, who are generous, compassionate, giving, but as well sinful, broken and prone to wander is filled with hopeful anticipation of better days. Not that everything in the church at Philippi is bad because things are actually pretty good when Paul writes to them, but according to Paul even better days are coming. So do not get caught up in what the church is not. Remember we are not perfect people. At least not yet, but one day we will be. So keep in view what the church will be. I hope and pray that we are all in the journey of becoming, as God prepares us for that great day of what we will be.
