Two for the price of one! ;)
Good ole Remy Zero!
I got on a roll with my previous posting and the below rabbit trail evolved into another posting. I guess you could call this "the problem with multi-mega churches part 4".
False teachings have led church leaders to actually believe the church, and not Jesus Christ, can save the world. Just by attending, church leaders suppose that the entire congregation is saved or at least tolerable. We now see the utter failure of this false teaching and thinking as the world intrudes all the more into the church and thereby dilutes the saltiness. By isolating ourselves from the unbelieving world we have allowed this world to intrude into the church with no repercussions as the immoral brother or sister is virtually never expelled and true accountability is almost non-existent, replaced by support groups where instead of being condemned sin is seen as something we can’t help. Need I even get into the general lack of preaching on repentence? Yes we are born into sin, but never should sin be lauded as anything other then reprehensible before our Holy and sovereign God, especially in light of the high price paid for our forgiveness. The church has essentially cheapened this forgiveness and a pursuit of holiness is seen as prudish. Where accountability is virtually non-existent, discipleship follows, again replaced by these contrived support groups (singles, single again, married, older married, etc...). Essentially this communicates to the congregation that the church knows best how to implement holy relationships. This leaves little room for the working of the Holy Spirit to form accountability and discipleship relationships as the church impatiently contrives these relationships instead of fostering and encouraging them.
I don’t want to attend a men’s only Bible study. I don't want to drive 10 to 30 minutes to this guy’s house so that I can sit around with a bunch of guys and read the Bible, especially after I just spent the entire day working around guys. Outside of the fact that sometimes I simply desire the sensitivity of a sister in Christ, I can read the Bible by myself and probably get more out of it. Besides, what are the chances that I’m really going to click with any of these guys enough to form a discipleship or accountability relationship with? I’ve been to several guys Bible study groups and unfortunately most of these guys don’t exhibit much in the way of any kind of spiritual gifts, or they're afraid of looking uncool or at best seem to be at the very beginning stages of their faith (baby Christians) and not truly seeming to be seeking after the appropriate things. You might say “then why don’t you help these guys out?” Why? Because I essentially believe this would be throwing pearls to swine Matthew 7:6, in most cases.
I’ve met true baby Christians before and I was one many many years ago. A true “baby Christian” will be so on fire for Jesus Christ that I would be put to shame before them as I realize how much I’ve pissed on what they now hold dear. I would be put to shame as they remind me when Jesus first opened my eyes to the truth that an impossible weight had been lifted from me and the massive flood of grace released as a result. Perhaps this is why Christians of old always bow down to worship angels? Perhaps the fact that they had just stood in the presence of a holy God whose light (even indirectly) shamed them almost to death, if that were possible? Isaiah 6:5 Just perhaps.
The first reaction of a “baby” Christian should be to either learn as much as they can as quickly as they can and/or tell everyone about their savior Jesus Christ. Tell me how often have you met these folks? Have you ever experienced this sensation? If you haven’t then you’re truly missing out. It’s better then falling in love because it’s truly falling in love. It’s finding your real soul mate and then realizing He first found you. 1 John 4:19
Let me give you a little bit of advice, place yourself around these folks. Not for their good, but for your own. Yes you may be able to offer them fellowship, but you’ll learn more from them as you witness the Holy Spirit at work in them. Meanwhile you’ll be put to shame by their childlike humility and sincerity and desire this for yourself, or at least you should. Trust me, pray to God, in sincerity of your heart, in the holy name of Jesus Christ and He will hear and act.
Matthew 5:13-16
Prayer:
Father God in heaven, forgive me for my sins and my wretchedness as a wicked rebellious, unloving man. Forgive me in the holy name of Jesus Christ who bore my sins at Calvary. If it’s your will please instill in me a desire to pursue holiness, not for my own glory, but for the glory of Jesus Christ who is worthy of all praise.
I pray you would make me nothing and strip me of everything you’ve blessed me with, if it will save my eternal soul. Father, if it’s your will, release me from my bonds, but if it’s not then please help me to see the grace which you have poured down upon me from your dwelling place. If it’s your will, take this feeble body and put it to the work and furtherance of thy kingdom. In the precious holy name of Jesus Christ I pray.
Our Father which art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
Saturday, July 29, 2006
Pluck out Your Eye?
Most mornings I pop in Johnny Cash and listen to him read the NT. As I was following this routine the other day I listened to Johnny read Matthew. Specifically, he read Matthew 5:27-30. So I’m listening to Jesus instruct His disciples to essentially dismember themselves in order to avoid sin.
There are only 3 possible interpretations (that I’m aware of) of this teaching. The first is the literal. In other words, Jesus quite literally instructed His disciples to avoid any hint of sin in their lives, at all costs. The second is the non-literal. Jesus was simply trying to make a very dramatic point that sin is really bad. Obviously Jesus wasn’t referring to mutilation of our bodies. The third interpretation is that Jesus was referring to His body. That is the body of Christ, His bride the church.
I would guess most, if not everyone, would disagree with the first literal translation, except a few crazy monks back in the day. I was taught, as I believe most folks have, the 2nd interpretation (or a close version), especially in light of verses 27 & 28. Now I’m not totally convinced the 2nd interpretation is bad, but it doesn’t seem to hold up with solid doctrine.
Regarding man’s useless designs to avoid sin read 1 John 1:8-10. Isn’t the severity of sin more dramatically demonstrated as truly wicked and evil in that Jesus had to die for ours? I would think this would be a better demonstration then a discussion on a non-literal teaching of dismembering oneself. However, due to our myriad of sins and self focus, Jesus did employ several different perspectives and stories to get across His point.
The 1st interpretation abdicates desecration of the temple of God. Yes Jesus’ body was tortured to the point of death, but He didn’t do it to Himself. He allowed this event to happen and it wasn’t to avoid His own sin, but to achieve forgiveness of sins for the world. This wasn’t desecration, but glorification of Jesus Christ. On the other hand, where Jesus was born without sin, we are born into sin. Therefore, if we hold to the 1st interpretation, then all Christians would either have to dismember themselves or be taken up by God prior to birth given Ephesians 1:4-7. Also another result of this line of thinking, both with the 1st & 2nd interpretations, we would have to isolate ourselves from the unbelieving world. In fact we know this is impossible as it’s being implemented and utterly failing in America in nearly every church (a bit more on this in my next posting). Not to mention the Great Commission in Mark 16:14-18, in which Jesus Christ directly teaches against this. Then the Holy Spirit teaches against this in 1 Corinthians 5:9-10, via Paul. So following either the 1st or 2nd interpretations how are we to be the salt of the world or the light on the hill?
Again another issue I have with the 2nd interpretation is that it seems to abdicate works over faith. In other words, if I figuratively pluck out my eye, I can become more pleasing to God. I now have the power to do something to directly effect the way God looks at me and thereby manipulate Him, much as others use suicide attacks or confess sins to a priest, to please God. My problem with this is that God is pleased with Christians, not because of anything any of us could ever do, but because of what Jesus Christ has already done. Though it seems James teaches works over faith, this is a false interpretation of these teachings. Works are a fruit of faith in Jesus Christ. The good works of a Christian have nothing to do with mans’ inherit goodness, or ability to achieve righteousness apart from Christ (Ephesians 2:1-10). Any righteousness we could boast in are lost as we cannot boast in self, but only in the good works of Jesus Christ (Galatians 6:11-15). So the true church of Jesus Christ is only capable of performing the good works of Jesus Christ, through faith in Him. We, His church, are members of His church in which Jesus Christ is the head.
Now for the defense of my flawed possible interpretation that Jesus Christ is referring to the church body, versus the literal body of one person. To be sure this is by no means an interpretation I’ve set in stone for myself. As a result I would covet opinions on this interpretation.
I use the following scriptures to back up this interpretation: 1 Corinthians 12:12-28, 1 Corinthians 5:12-13, 2 Corinthians 2:3-11. Also the entire Bible teaches of false teachers and prophets and how they should be dealt with. In fact the Bible teaches that the false teacher or immoral brother or any other “member” of the body in open sin should be cast from our mists. Read Exodus and Leviticus for further references to this form of judgment & punishment. This is done for the good of the member (in the case of 1 Corinthians 5) and the good of the body.
If its God will I pray that I will better understand these verses in Matthew 5. It’s funny how the gospels seem to be lauded as the most basic books in the Bible and yet I’m continually challenged by their meanings. The gospels, to me at least, seem to be both the most basic books as well as the most difficult. Matthew 11:25-26
There are only 3 possible interpretations (that I’m aware of) of this teaching. The first is the literal. In other words, Jesus quite literally instructed His disciples to avoid any hint of sin in their lives, at all costs. The second is the non-literal. Jesus was simply trying to make a very dramatic point that sin is really bad. Obviously Jesus wasn’t referring to mutilation of our bodies. The third interpretation is that Jesus was referring to His body. That is the body of Christ, His bride the church.
I would guess most, if not everyone, would disagree with the first literal translation, except a few crazy monks back in the day. I was taught, as I believe most folks have, the 2nd interpretation (or a close version), especially in light of verses 27 & 28. Now I’m not totally convinced the 2nd interpretation is bad, but it doesn’t seem to hold up with solid doctrine.
Regarding man’s useless designs to avoid sin read 1 John 1:8-10. Isn’t the severity of sin more dramatically demonstrated as truly wicked and evil in that Jesus had to die for ours? I would think this would be a better demonstration then a discussion on a non-literal teaching of dismembering oneself. However, due to our myriad of sins and self focus, Jesus did employ several different perspectives and stories to get across His point.
The 1st interpretation abdicates desecration of the temple of God. Yes Jesus’ body was tortured to the point of death, but He didn’t do it to Himself. He allowed this event to happen and it wasn’t to avoid His own sin, but to achieve forgiveness of sins for the world. This wasn’t desecration, but glorification of Jesus Christ. On the other hand, where Jesus was born without sin, we are born into sin. Therefore, if we hold to the 1st interpretation, then all Christians would either have to dismember themselves or be taken up by God prior to birth given Ephesians 1:4-7. Also another result of this line of thinking, both with the 1st & 2nd interpretations, we would have to isolate ourselves from the unbelieving world. In fact we know this is impossible as it’s being implemented and utterly failing in America in nearly every church (a bit more on this in my next posting). Not to mention the Great Commission in Mark 16:14-18, in which Jesus Christ directly teaches against this. Then the Holy Spirit teaches against this in 1 Corinthians 5:9-10, via Paul. So following either the 1st or 2nd interpretations how are we to be the salt of the world or the light on the hill?
Again another issue I have with the 2nd interpretation is that it seems to abdicate works over faith. In other words, if I figuratively pluck out my eye, I can become more pleasing to God. I now have the power to do something to directly effect the way God looks at me and thereby manipulate Him, much as others use suicide attacks or confess sins to a priest, to please God. My problem with this is that God is pleased with Christians, not because of anything any of us could ever do, but because of what Jesus Christ has already done. Though it seems James teaches works over faith, this is a false interpretation of these teachings. Works are a fruit of faith in Jesus Christ. The good works of a Christian have nothing to do with mans’ inherit goodness, or ability to achieve righteousness apart from Christ (Ephesians 2:1-10). Any righteousness we could boast in are lost as we cannot boast in self, but only in the good works of Jesus Christ (Galatians 6:11-15). So the true church of Jesus Christ is only capable of performing the good works of Jesus Christ, through faith in Him. We, His church, are members of His church in which Jesus Christ is the head.
Now for the defense of my flawed possible interpretation that Jesus Christ is referring to the church body, versus the literal body of one person. To be sure this is by no means an interpretation I’ve set in stone for myself. As a result I would covet opinions on this interpretation.
I use the following scriptures to back up this interpretation: 1 Corinthians 12:12-28, 1 Corinthians 5:12-13, 2 Corinthians 2:3-11. Also the entire Bible teaches of false teachers and prophets and how they should be dealt with. In fact the Bible teaches that the false teacher or immoral brother or any other “member” of the body in open sin should be cast from our mists. Read Exodus and Leviticus for further references to this form of judgment & punishment. This is done for the good of the member (in the case of 1 Corinthians 5) and the good of the body.
If its God will I pray that I will better understand these verses in Matthew 5. It’s funny how the gospels seem to be lauded as the most basic books in the Bible and yet I’m continually challenged by their meanings. The gospels, to me at least, seem to be both the most basic books as well as the most difficult. Matthew 11:25-26
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Judge thy neighbor?
I'd like to add some clarification on judgment. Does the bible really teach us that we shouldn't judge others? Perhaps we're asking the wrong question? Perhaps this is the wrong line of thinking all together on this topic? The way we humans typically define judging, in our heads, yes judging is wrong and I believe this type of judging is what the Bible refers to when defining judging others as bad. However, the Bible also teaches that judging others is actually mandated.
It's interesting to note that earlier in Paul's 1st letter to the Corinthians (that is prior to his discourse on love in chapter 13) he commands them to expel an immoral brother (chp 5). He even directly mentions that it is the responsibility of the church to judge its own (chp 5:12-13). This seems to contradict Chp 13 and Romans 14:13.
Now look back on Matthew 18:15-17. In order to take this kind of action some form of judgment needs to be practiced. Read on to verse 18. Then continue onto verse 21 (the story of the unmerciful servant). In light of Matthew 7:1 it would seem obvious that we aren't to judge each other. Now read verse 2.
I believe the Bible teaches that we are to judge within the church. It's the condition of the heart that comes into question. Is it rooted in pride and selfishness or love and humility? God's concern is for our hearts. Now read 2 Corinthians 2:5-11. Forgiveness, most likely for the immoral brother who was expelled in 1 Corinthians 5. If we judge from a lofty position then we aren't following the path of Jesus Christ who became as nothing (Philippians 2:5-11).
Therefore judgment within the church should be both for the good of the individual who sinned as well as the good of congregation. Basically people who sin openly in the church are leaving themselves open to judgment and discipline. Otherwise, the church is neglecting not only the sinner, but the rest of the congregation. As with everything in creation it really is all about Jesus Christ and His glory.
It's interesting to note that earlier in Paul's 1st letter to the Corinthians (that is prior to his discourse on love in chapter 13) he commands them to expel an immoral brother (chp 5). He even directly mentions that it is the responsibility of the church to judge its own (chp 5:12-13). This seems to contradict Chp 13 and Romans 14:13.
Now look back on Matthew 18:15-17. In order to take this kind of action some form of judgment needs to be practiced. Read on to verse 18. Then continue onto verse 21 (the story of the unmerciful servant). In light of Matthew 7:1 it would seem obvious that we aren't to judge each other. Now read verse 2.
I believe the Bible teaches that we are to judge within the church. It's the condition of the heart that comes into question. Is it rooted in pride and selfishness or love and humility? God's concern is for our hearts. Now read 2 Corinthians 2:5-11. Forgiveness, most likely for the immoral brother who was expelled in 1 Corinthians 5. If we judge from a lofty position then we aren't following the path of Jesus Christ who became as nothing (Philippians 2:5-11).
Therefore judgment within the church should be both for the good of the individual who sinned as well as the good of congregation. Basically people who sin openly in the church are leaving themselves open to judgment and discipline. Otherwise, the church is neglecting not only the sinner, but the rest of the congregation. As with everything in creation it really is all about Jesus Christ and His glory.
Friday, July 14, 2006
Gut check, part 2: J. Edwards
So as per my last article I've been spending a good deal of thought on false believers and the seeming incompetence of the church to engage these folks.
The following Jonathan Edwards excerpt impacted me today as I was reading it. This was a very potent gut check for me.
In this excerpt Edwards is preaching on 1 Corinthians 13. Please read this chapter prior to the below text.
Excerpt taken from ‘All the Graces of Christianity Connected’ (the following are the last 5 paragraphs)
2. Hence, also, they that hope they have grace in their hearts may try one grace by another; for all graces go together. — If persons think they have faith, and therefore think they have come to Christ, they should inquire whether their faith was accompanied with repentance; whether they came to Christ in a broken-hearted manner, sensible of their own utter unworthiness and vileness by sin; or whether they did not come in a presumptuous, Pharisaical spirit, taking encouragement from their own supposed goodness. They should try their faith, by inquiring whether it was accompanied with humility; whether or no they trusted in Christ in a lowly and humble manner, delighting to renounce themselves, and to give all the glory of their salvation to him. So they should try their faith by their love; and if their faith has in it only light, but no warmth, it has not the true light; neither is it genuine faith, if it does not work by love.
And so persons should examine their love by their faith. If they seem to have an affectionate love toward God and Christ, they should inquire whether or no this be accompanied with a real conviction of soul of the reality of Christ, and of the truth of the gospel that reveals him, and with the full conviction that he is the Son of God — the only, and glorious, and all-sufficient Savior. Herein is one great difference between false affections and true ones, that the former are not accompanied with this conviction, and they do not withal see the truth and reality of divine things. And therefore such affections are very little to be depended on. They are very much like the affection which we may have towards a person we are reading of in a romance, and whom we at the same time suppose to be no other than a feigned person. Such affections as are not accompanied with conviction will never carry men very far in duty, or influence them to any great extent, either in doing or suffering.
So, again, persons should examine themselves as to that in them which seems to be the grace of hope. They should inquire whether their hope is accompanied. with faith, and arises from faith in Jesus Christ, and from a trust in his worthiness, and in his only. Is their hope built on this rock, or is it rather founded on a high opinion of something they think good in themselves? And so they should examine in what way their hope works, and what influence it has upon them, and whether or no it be accompanied. with humility. A true hope leads its possessor to see his own unworthiness, and, in view of his sins, to reflect on himself with shame and brokenness of heart. It lies in the dust before God, and the comfort that arises from it is a lowly, humble, joy and peace. On the contrary, a false hope is wont to lift its possessor up with a high conceit of himself and of his own experience and doings. We should also inquire whether our hope be accompanied with a spirit of obedience, and self-denial, and weanedness from the world. A true hope is accompanied with these other graces, linked. to, and dependent upon it, whereas a false hope is without them. It does not engage the heart in obedience, but flatters and hardens it in disobedience. It does not mortify carnal appetites, and wean from the world, but indulges the appetites and passions that are sinful, and chooses them, and makes men easy while living in them.
So, again, persons should examine their weanedness from the world, by inquiring whether it be accompanied with such a principle of love as draws their hearts off from the things of the world to those spiritual and heavenly objects which a true divine love carries the soul out to, more than to the things of the world. They should not only ask if they have something that appears like a true love, but they should hear Christ asking of them, as he did of Peter, “Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these?” Herein a true weanedness from the world differs from a false weanedness. The latter is not from love to God and heavenly things, but commonly either from fear and distress of conscience, or perhaps from some outward affliction, whereby persons have their minds drawn off for a time from the world to something that they are constrained. to feel is better, though it is not really sweeter to them; and they are only drawn, or beaten, or torn off from the world, while their hearts would still cleave to it just as much as ever, if they could but enjoy it free from these terrors and afflictions. But they, on the other hand, that have a true weanedness from the world, are not wedded to worldly things even in their best and most inviting forms, because their hearts are drawn off by the love of something better. They are so in love with God, and with spiritual things, that their affections cannot fasten on the things of the world.
In the same way, persons should try their love to God by their love to the people of God; and also their love to their fellow-Christians by their love to God. False grace is like a defective or monstrous picture or image, wherein some essential part is wanting. There is, it may be, an appearance of some good disposition toward God, while at the same time there is a destitution of Christian dispositions toward men. Or if there appears to be a kind, just, generous, good-hearted disposition toward man, there is a want of right feeling toward God. On this account, we find God complains of Ephraim, that “he is a cake not turned” (Hos. 7:8); that is, that his goodness is partial and not consistent; that he is good in one thing and bad in another, like a cake not turned, which is generally burnt on one side and raw on the other, and good for nothing on either. Such a character we should studiously avoid, and endeavor that each grace that we have may testify to the genuineness of all our other graces, so that we may be proportioned Christians, growing in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto perfect men, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.
The following Jonathan Edwards excerpt impacted me today as I was reading it. This was a very potent gut check for me.
In this excerpt Edwards is preaching on 1 Corinthians 13. Please read this chapter prior to the below text.
Excerpt taken from ‘All the Graces of Christianity Connected’ (the following are the last 5 paragraphs)
2. Hence, also, they that hope they have grace in their hearts may try one grace by another; for all graces go together. — If persons think they have faith, and therefore think they have come to Christ, they should inquire whether their faith was accompanied with repentance; whether they came to Christ in a broken-hearted manner, sensible of their own utter unworthiness and vileness by sin; or whether they did not come in a presumptuous, Pharisaical spirit, taking encouragement from their own supposed goodness. They should try their faith, by inquiring whether it was accompanied with humility; whether or no they trusted in Christ in a lowly and humble manner, delighting to renounce themselves, and to give all the glory of their salvation to him. So they should try their faith by their love; and if their faith has in it only light, but no warmth, it has not the true light; neither is it genuine faith, if it does not work by love.
And so persons should examine their love by their faith. If they seem to have an affectionate love toward God and Christ, they should inquire whether or no this be accompanied with a real conviction of soul of the reality of Christ, and of the truth of the gospel that reveals him, and with the full conviction that he is the Son of God — the only, and glorious, and all-sufficient Savior. Herein is one great difference between false affections and true ones, that the former are not accompanied with this conviction, and they do not withal see the truth and reality of divine things. And therefore such affections are very little to be depended on. They are very much like the affection which we may have towards a person we are reading of in a romance, and whom we at the same time suppose to be no other than a feigned person. Such affections as are not accompanied with conviction will never carry men very far in duty, or influence them to any great extent, either in doing or suffering.
So, again, persons should examine themselves as to that in them which seems to be the grace of hope. They should inquire whether their hope is accompanied. with faith, and arises from faith in Jesus Christ, and from a trust in his worthiness, and in his only. Is their hope built on this rock, or is it rather founded on a high opinion of something they think good in themselves? And so they should examine in what way their hope works, and what influence it has upon them, and whether or no it be accompanied. with humility. A true hope leads its possessor to see his own unworthiness, and, in view of his sins, to reflect on himself with shame and brokenness of heart. It lies in the dust before God, and the comfort that arises from it is a lowly, humble, joy and peace. On the contrary, a false hope is wont to lift its possessor up with a high conceit of himself and of his own experience and doings. We should also inquire whether our hope be accompanied with a spirit of obedience, and self-denial, and weanedness from the world. A true hope is accompanied with these other graces, linked. to, and dependent upon it, whereas a false hope is without them. It does not engage the heart in obedience, but flatters and hardens it in disobedience. It does not mortify carnal appetites, and wean from the world, but indulges the appetites and passions that are sinful, and chooses them, and makes men easy while living in them.
So, again, persons should examine their weanedness from the world, by inquiring whether it be accompanied with such a principle of love as draws their hearts off from the things of the world to those spiritual and heavenly objects which a true divine love carries the soul out to, more than to the things of the world. They should not only ask if they have something that appears like a true love, but they should hear Christ asking of them, as he did of Peter, “Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these?” Herein a true weanedness from the world differs from a false weanedness. The latter is not from love to God and heavenly things, but commonly either from fear and distress of conscience, or perhaps from some outward affliction, whereby persons have their minds drawn off for a time from the world to something that they are constrained. to feel is better, though it is not really sweeter to them; and they are only drawn, or beaten, or torn off from the world, while their hearts would still cleave to it just as much as ever, if they could but enjoy it free from these terrors and afflictions. But they, on the other hand, that have a true weanedness from the world, are not wedded to worldly things even in their best and most inviting forms, because their hearts are drawn off by the love of something better. They are so in love with God, and with spiritual things, that their affections cannot fasten on the things of the world.
In the same way, persons should try their love to God by their love to the people of God; and also their love to their fellow-Christians by their love to God. False grace is like a defective or monstrous picture or image, wherein some essential part is wanting. There is, it may be, an appearance of some good disposition toward God, while at the same time there is a destitution of Christian dispositions toward men. Or if there appears to be a kind, just, generous, good-hearted disposition toward man, there is a want of right feeling toward God. On this account, we find God complains of Ephraim, that “he is a cake not turned” (Hos. 7:8); that is, that his goodness is partial and not consistent; that he is good in one thing and bad in another, like a cake not turned, which is generally burnt on one side and raw on the other, and good for nothing on either. Such a character we should studiously avoid, and endeavor that each grace that we have may testify to the genuineness of all our other graces, so that we may be proportioned Christians, growing in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto perfect men, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.
Gut check, part 1
It seems a regular pattern in my life, or rather practice, is to look at myself in the mirror and judge what I see. I’m truly a wicked and wretched man, completely deserving of eternal separation from my Lord and savior Jesus Christ. I must ask myself why. Why, Father, did you have mercy on me? Why did you grab this wretched soul from the miry depths? Am I deserving? No. I am completely lacking, except in what He fills in me.
It’s faith I refer to and this pit in my stomach is most obvious when I’m confronted by the perceived complete lack of faith in Christ by those who claim to be believers. It pains me to see how over and over again those who claim Jesus Christ piss on His cross and try to wash it clean with their filth. Not only does it pain me how they mock my Lord, but also how seemingly oblivious they are to the fires of hell licking at their feet. The worst part is that the church stands by over and over again and watches this deplorable scene. Not only does the church not stop this action they do virtually nothing to at least help these folks out of the fire.
Where’s the accountability? Everyone wants the easy selfish way out. It’s easier (guilt free) to give your child a time out, then to spank them. Again, it’s easier to say “they have to ask me to help them before I’ll help them”, with regards to loving our brothers and sisters in Christ. Where’s the accountability? Ask yourself if you’re part of the problem or part of the solution. I hate that the phrase “God only helps those who help themselves”. How does this measure up against: We love him, because he first loved us (1 John 4:19), or But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved (Ephesians 2:4-5)? Don’t believe the hype. You are your brother’s keeper.
Application:
Instead of waiting on someone else to take an interest in you, you take an interest in them. Instead of wallowing in your fear because you don’t feel mature, confident or bold enough, trust in God. Just do it and then taste and see that the Lord is good. Trust me, not only will you start making friends, but the Lord will use you in the lives of others. You may quite literally save a life just by taking a simple, yet sincere, interest in someone else’s life, but this won’t happen if you don’t venture out of your comfort zones and start engaging the strange, yet quite guy or gal sitting next to you or in the back of the church by themselves.
It’s faith I refer to and this pit in my stomach is most obvious when I’m confronted by the perceived complete lack of faith in Christ by those who claim to be believers. It pains me to see how over and over again those who claim Jesus Christ piss on His cross and try to wash it clean with their filth. Not only does it pain me how they mock my Lord, but also how seemingly oblivious they are to the fires of hell licking at their feet. The worst part is that the church stands by over and over again and watches this deplorable scene. Not only does the church not stop this action they do virtually nothing to at least help these folks out of the fire.
Where’s the accountability? Everyone wants the easy selfish way out. It’s easier (guilt free) to give your child a time out, then to spank them. Again, it’s easier to say “they have to ask me to help them before I’ll help them”, with regards to loving our brothers and sisters in Christ. Where’s the accountability? Ask yourself if you’re part of the problem or part of the solution. I hate that the phrase “God only helps those who help themselves”. How does this measure up against: We love him, because he first loved us (1 John 4:19), or But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved (Ephesians 2:4-5)? Don’t believe the hype. You are your brother’s keeper.
Application:
Instead of waiting on someone else to take an interest in you, you take an interest in them. Instead of wallowing in your fear because you don’t feel mature, confident or bold enough, trust in God. Just do it and then taste and see that the Lord is good. Trust me, not only will you start making friends, but the Lord will use you in the lives of others. You may quite literally save a life just by taking a simple, yet sincere, interest in someone else’s life, but this won’t happen if you don’t venture out of your comfort zones and start engaging the strange, yet quite guy or gal sitting next to you or in the back of the church by themselves.
Sunday, July 09, 2006
Secret of all Contentment
Philippians 4:10-14
Well by the grace and mysterious movements of God my situation has changed once again. Not only am I a fully licensed real estate agent, but I’m also a full time engineering manager for a local Columbia company. Outside of leading a couple of Bible studies and discipling a few guys, I’ve never really been in a leadership position before. My hope is that it may be God’s will that through this real estate gig I might fully come out of my shell and shed any fear which might hinder me from sharing the hope found in Jesus Christ with those He brings into my life. My hope for this new engineering job is that God will use this new position to teach me how to express 1 Corinthians 13 in terms of leadership. How can I be an inspiring leader rather then an arrogant tyrant? How could I be an inspiring husband to the wife God may will for me to have in my life? How can I help make it easier for others to serve the Lord rather then burden them with my selfishness and pride?
Now that I’ve lived through having wealth to having no income 3 times, my hope is that God is still answering the question I posed to Him many years ago. That is “Lord teach me the secret of contentment you showed your servant Paul.” Not that I’ve fully adopted this teaching, but that I’m closer to a clearer image.
Well by the grace and mysterious movements of God my situation has changed once again. Not only am I a fully licensed real estate agent, but I’m also a full time engineering manager for a local Columbia company. Outside of leading a couple of Bible studies and discipling a few guys, I’ve never really been in a leadership position before. My hope is that it may be God’s will that through this real estate gig I might fully come out of my shell and shed any fear which might hinder me from sharing the hope found in Jesus Christ with those He brings into my life. My hope for this new engineering job is that God will use this new position to teach me how to express 1 Corinthians 13 in terms of leadership. How can I be an inspiring leader rather then an arrogant tyrant? How could I be an inspiring husband to the wife God may will for me to have in my life? How can I help make it easier for others to serve the Lord rather then burden them with my selfishness and pride?
Now that I’ve lived through having wealth to having no income 3 times, my hope is that God is still answering the question I posed to Him many years ago. That is “Lord teach me the secret of contentment you showed your servant Paul.” Not that I’ve fully adopted this teaching, but that I’m closer to a clearer image.
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