Straight Up Conference

From October 5-7, we served and attended the Straight Up Conference at Harvest.  It is a yearly conference to refresh and spiritually feed tired pastors.  This year's speakers included James MacDonald (of course), Joe Stowell, John MacArthur, Dave Stone, and CJ Mahaney.  Their words were wonderfully encouraging as they preached God's Word. 

What struck me most was what CJ Mahaney had to say about evidences of grace in our lives and God's commendation of us when we arrive in Heaven.  No one struggles to be critical of others and notice imperfections, but it takes a Spirit-energized person to notice evidences of grace in other believers.  Examples of these would be the fruits of the Spirit from Galatians 5:22-23: "Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness and self-control."  CJ encouraged us to look for these in others and verbalize our marvel of the Spirit's sanctifying work in one another's lives.  Just think for a moment about how helpful this would be for the church!  An environment where we are vigilant to observe Christlikeness in others and make mention of it to one another!  I think of Psalm 145:5, "One generation will commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts."

CJ also discussed God's commendation of us when we reach Heaven.  I imagine that most Christians feel that God will have plenty of frustrated words for us when we arrive on Heaven's shore, but CJ noted for us a verse in 1 Corinthians 4:5, "...then each one will receive commendation from God."  God will commend us for evidences of His grace in our lives?!  He will recall to us our Spirit-energized behavioral change to glorify and imitate His grace on this earth?  He delights in observing my current fruits of the Spirit and exults in my growing responsiveness to the Holy Spirit's presence in me?  Paul is not concerned about other's judgment of Him because he works toward the commendation of God and not men.  How motivating!  What an honor to glorify Him while He mercifully allows me to minister here on this planet.  I deligh in His commendation, not because I receive it, but because He is worthy of my life lived evidencing Him! 

How is the Spirit of God within you being manifested to those around you?  In your growth in Christ authentically increasing?  The Ancient of Days, when you arrive on Heavens shore, will commend you for evidences of grace because it is during those moments that you best represent Him!

Amen!

mike