What Glenn Writes

I like coffee. Now, I’m not talking about your frilly cup of frothy whipped cream and steamed milk that might be disguised as a “coffee drink” or some frozen concoction with a fancy drink cup; I’m talking about straight up, brewed coffee. I do not mean to imply there is anything wrong with these other variations of coffee; they’re just not my preference.

I like it black, like my crayons, markers, and biker t-shirts.

This isn’t an addiction in anyway, as some days I only have one cup, some two cups, and when we are working with a really good tasting coffee, I might have several over the course of the day. I can go a day or two without coffee, and no headache, crankiness, or other withdrawal symptoms, but going a day or two without coffee is just plain silly.

I just like coffee.

My all out favorite coffee (right now) is Caribou Coffee brand, however Panera Bread has very good coffee, and my local coffee hub here in Elmore, the Red, White, and Brew, has excellent choices in brewed coffee. I also trust my friends that Crossroads Coffee in Carterville, Illinois is a place to find a good cup, although I haven’t had the opportunity to experience them first hand. 

I don’t really see it as an addiction or even an obsession – I just like coffee. Did I mention that?

I am fully persuaded that a really good coffee delights the senses on many levels:

• It has a deep, rich color,
• A pleasing aroma to bring a smile to your face,
• Is not scorching hot or too cold,
• Flows thick but smoothly without gritty grounds,
• Oh… and it tastes great! 

This is my standard for really good coffee. This is my opinion. This is based on my experience, on what I have learned about good coffee, and this influences my coffee decisions – I have no time for the foolishness of having a bad cup of coffee.

I believe when someone is fully persuaded, there is no wavering, flip-flopping, or wishy-washy hesitation; my standard for a really good coffee does not change to accommodate a stale coffee bean, a weak brew, or an overriding well-water taste. When someone is fully persuaded, the situation, attitude, or circumstances will not influence their decision – it is either really good coffee or it is not. Period.

I referenced Abraham’s faith in yesterday’s article. This is a “fully persuaded” kind of faith where there is no wavering, flip-flopping, or wishy-washy hesitation. 

Check out Romans 4:20-21:

Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.

You see there was no wavering. Abraham was fully persuaded in his faith. Because Abraham was fully persuaded, the situation, attitudes, or circumstances had no influence over his faith – he believed God’s promise. Period.

In Romans 4:21, the phrase “fully persuaded” is translated from the word, plerophoreo (play-rof-or-eh’-o), which means to be completely convinced, entirely believing, and fully proven.

Abraham didn’t stagger in his faith - he didn’t waste his time with such foolishness. Instead, he focused on what God had promised without questioning, without wavering, being convinced, entirely believing, and fully proven. He recognized God is able to work with nothing. Our Lord creates out of nothing, from a void, with just a single Word. He spoke into creation all there is today and continues to speak into our lives. He can create miracles for us, often out of nothing.

Because of Abraham’s fully persuaded faith, Romans 4:22-24 continues by showing how God counted Abraham as righteous because of his faith.

This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.” The words “it was credited to him” were written not for him alone, but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness– for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.

We should note there is nowhere in Scripture where is claims Abraham did not sin or make mistakes – this is not a requirement for the credit of righteousness. The requirement was for Abraham to be fully persuaded in his faith. We also should note the promise we receive in this passage does not require we are perfect, but for us to be fully persuaded in our faith, convinced, entirely believing, and fully proven that Jesus is our Lord.

This is where our faith does not waver. This is where our faith does not flip-flop or get wishy-washy. This is where there is no hesitation in our faith.

I don’t know about you, but I am not quite there yet… I still struggle with my faith. My faith is challenged when I work through tough situations or circumstances. I have times when I am fully persuaded, but I am still working on being fully persuaded all of the time. I still have times when I just need to wake up, smell the coffee, and remind myself God is still God and He is still on the throne… and be fully persuaded.

How about you? Is this something you are working on, too?

Glenn Sasscer
www.glennsasscer.com
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