4.14.2014
3.24.2014
3.17.2014
3.10.2014
2.28.2014
Love Thy Neighbor
I was happy to see the Arizona Governor veto the bill that
would allow business owners to refuse service to gays because of religious objections.
That might seem like an odd thing for a
Christian to say. I am by no means supporting the homosexual lifestyle. I
believe the Bible clearly states that it a sinful lifestyle. But I am
supporting Christian values and human dignity. I am standing up for what the
Bible commands Christians to do.
The Bible commands us to love people. We are to love our
neighbor and we are to love our enemies. Gays are not our enemies, they are human
beings caught up in the trap of sinful behavior. The Bible tells us that we are
not at war with people, but with demonic spirits. We are not giving our consent
to the homosexual lifestyle if we sell a gay person a tube of toothpaste or
serve them a hamburger. We are only selling a product to a human being. Who knows
that along with that toothpaste or hamburger we might also be able to impart a
word of friendship and plant a seed showing the love of Christ? If we deny
service, we are cutting ourselves off from the very ones whose lives we need to
be touching, not to mention we are not doing what the Bible commands us to do, “love
your neighbor as yourself”!
On the other hand, I hope we can get away from the current
prevailing thought that we hate everyone we disagree with. We can have
differences of opinion and still be friends and not hate each other. A
Christian who hates people for any reason is not living the biblical Christian
life. But when Christians stand with the Bible and say that Homosexuality is
sinful, that is deemed to be “hate speech” and we are called homophobes. I’m
not afraid of you nor do I hate you just because I disagree with you. Christians
must tolerate Homosexuals, but Homosexuals apparently don’t have to tolerate
Christians! Where’s the fairness in that? Shouldn't we all be held to the same
standard and be required to give life and freedom to each other?
2.24.2014
Enablers
We have become a country of enablers. Under the guise of love
and tolerance, we have enabled people to live in sin and not feel guilty or
ashamed of their actions. As a matter of fact, guilt and shame have become
dirty words themselves. No one can be held accountable for their actions
because they are either ‘sick with a disease’, ‘born that way’ or ‘free to live
their lives as they see fit’. They can't help it, so how can we blame them? We must accept them as they are and love them and their ways. I am afraid to think of what is coming down the
pike next, but I’m sure we’ll find a way to accept it no matter how perverted
or evil it is.
What God calls sin is sin. There’s no way around it, over it
or under it righteously. We may not hold ourselves or others responsible, but
God can and will. We may candy-coat the truth, spare people’s feelings and
enable (even reward) bad behavior, but God will not. He will punish it. It will
feel the full weight of His wrath. There will be no excuses accepted, no humanistic
reasoning debated and no tear-filled cries for mercy granted on the judgment
day. Mercy is only available in the here-and-now. Make things right before you
die or suffer the consequences before a Holy God.
I feel badly for the millions of people who have
fallen into deadly sin because society has put their stamp of approval on it.
People use to turn from sinful living when their conscious’s bothered them. But
now society has declared that not only can we live any old way we want, but we
must tolerate, respect and even admire others who live perverted lifestyles.
And I’m not only talking about homosexuals. Alcoholics have a disease, thieves
have a disease, sex addicts have a disease, child molesters have a disease,
adulterers have a disease, and on and on. No one is responsible for their evil
deeds. And how dare you Christians quote from some ancient fairy-tale book to
tell us different. There is no absolute truth. There is no moral standard.
There is no God.
The Bible says there was a time when every man did what was
right in his own eyes. It says there was a time when the Earth was so full of
sin that God destroyed it with a flood. It says that there was a time when man’s
thoughts were only evil continuously. Look around and see history repeating
itself. The final cleansing will be with
fire, not water; and sooner than we think.
1.22.2014
Fixing what ain't broke
I read about 'seeker-sensitive' churches and about 'doing church in a whole new way' and churches where 'the unchurched feel comfortable'. Here are some of my favorite quotes and articles on that subject:
"It is a myth that man in his natural state is genuinely seeking God. Men do seek God. But they do not seek him for who he is. They seek him in a pinch as one who might preserve them from death or enhance their worldly enjoyments. Apart from conversion, no one comes to the light of God." ~John Piper
"In the Garden of Eden, when sin came into the world, who hid? Jesus came into the world to seek and to save the lost. Jesus wasn’t the one who was hiding. God is not a fugitive. We are the ones on the run. Scripture declares that the wicked flee when no man pursues. As Martin Luther remarked: “The pagan trembles at the rustling of a leaf. The uniform teaching of Scripture is that fallen men are fleeing from God.”
People do not seek God. They seek after the benefits that only God can give them. The sin of fallen man is this: Man seeks the benefits of God while fleeing from God Himself. We are, by nature, fugitives." ~RC Sproul
""the natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.” (1 Cor. 2:14 ESV) Deal with it. Like Paul said above, it’s all foolishness until the Spirit opens their eyes. All too often, your church feels more like a middle school cafeteria than a church storming the gates of hell. It’s as if the message is “Won’t you please like us, pretty please! Let’s connect on Facebook – BFF LOL!” We should expect the gospel light to be offensive to those in darkness. Jesus warned us that would be the case. So why are we so focused on creating an environment that makes those who are perishing feel comfortable?
It’s about where you put your focus. What’s the point of designing your church to seem attractive to those to whom the gospel is unattractive? Is it just to get them in the door? I’ve got to tell you, at times your church more resembled a network marketing meeting than a church service. Been there done that. Just get people to the weekly meeting and let the flashy band, superstar speaker, and stellar child care do the rest. Don’t forget to take a sample and sign up on your way out – oh, and tell your friends about us!
At some point later, I guess, we’ll talk about all that tougher stuff about dying to self, forsaking all to follow Christ, and – gasp — hell and sin. But for now, just push that Easy Button. Settle back into your stadium seating and enjoy this riveting drama and dance routine we’ve cooked up for you while we smile incessantly.
Sounds like the classic bait-n-switch to me. I don’t recall Jesus charging his disciples to “lure potential recruits in with flashy programs, comfy chairs, and a free foot massage. Then, when the mood is right, guys, drop the whole repent thing on ‘em – but subtle, boys, subtle with a capital S and that rhymes with – well, you know – that word we do not speak of. (Wink!)”
Quite the opposite, I recall him telling us to go out into the world, not bring the world into the church. He has called us to be ambassadors who go out, not sales reps who stay in, lurking at the hotel to sign up prospects lured in by the promise of sweet treats and easy riches. He told us to make disciples, not water down the gospel power to make it more seeker-friendly." ~Bill Blankshaen (in "Why I left your seeker-friendly church")
"Seeker-sensitive services originally promised to woo post-moderns back into the fold. Out the stained glass window went the somewhat formal 45-minute exegetical sermon, replaced by a shorter, story-based talk to address the "felt needs" of the congregants while reinforcing the premise that following Jesus would dramatically improve their quality of life.
Contemporary worship had already found its way into the mainstream, but their new model nudged the church further toward a rock-concert feel. Finally, programs proliferated, with programs for nearly every demographic, from Mothers of Preschoolers to Red Glove Motorcycle Riders.
None of these changes were pernicious or even poorly intentioned. In the case of my previous church, choosing the seeker model began innocently. The staff endeavored to create a wide on-ramp for folks who might ordinarily bypass the sanctuary in favor of Starbucks. (As an incentive, we provided fair-trade coffee and bagels each week.) Trained not to assume that everyone was on the same page politically or spiritually, we sought to have friendly, nuanced conversations with visitors.
Being aware of those who come through the doors of any organization is a good thing. I have walked out of many services without a single person engaging with me. However, many churches gradually, and perhaps unwittingly, transitioned from being appropriately sensitive to the needs of their congregants to becoming–if you'll permit some pop-psychologizing–co-dependent with them.
What does co-dependence look like within a church? Avoiding sections of Scripture out of fear that certain power pockets will be offended. Believing that repeat attendance depends primarily upon the staff's seamless execution of Sunday morning–rather than the manifest presence of God. Eliminating doleful songs from the worship repertoire because they might contradict the through line that "following Jesus is all gain." ~Dorothy Greco
"It is a myth that man in his natural state is genuinely seeking God. Men do seek God. But they do not seek him for who he is. They seek him in a pinch as one who might preserve them from death or enhance their worldly enjoyments. Apart from conversion, no one comes to the light of God." ~John Piper
"In the Garden of Eden, when sin came into the world, who hid? Jesus came into the world to seek and to save the lost. Jesus wasn’t the one who was hiding. God is not a fugitive. We are the ones on the run. Scripture declares that the wicked flee when no man pursues. As Martin Luther remarked: “The pagan trembles at the rustling of a leaf. The uniform teaching of Scripture is that fallen men are fleeing from God.”
People do not seek God. They seek after the benefits that only God can give them. The sin of fallen man is this: Man seeks the benefits of God while fleeing from God Himself. We are, by nature, fugitives." ~RC Sproul
""the natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.” (1 Cor. 2:14 ESV) Deal with it. Like Paul said above, it’s all foolishness until the Spirit opens their eyes. All too often, your church feels more like a middle school cafeteria than a church storming the gates of hell. It’s as if the message is “Won’t you please like us, pretty please! Let’s connect on Facebook – BFF LOL!” We should expect the gospel light to be offensive to those in darkness. Jesus warned us that would be the case. So why are we so focused on creating an environment that makes those who are perishing feel comfortable?
It’s about where you put your focus. What’s the point of designing your church to seem attractive to those to whom the gospel is unattractive? Is it just to get them in the door? I’ve got to tell you, at times your church more resembled a network marketing meeting than a church service. Been there done that. Just get people to the weekly meeting and let the flashy band, superstar speaker, and stellar child care do the rest. Don’t forget to take a sample and sign up on your way out – oh, and tell your friends about us!
At some point later, I guess, we’ll talk about all that tougher stuff about dying to self, forsaking all to follow Christ, and – gasp — hell and sin. But for now, just push that Easy Button. Settle back into your stadium seating and enjoy this riveting drama and dance routine we’ve cooked up for you while we smile incessantly.
Sounds like the classic bait-n-switch to me. I don’t recall Jesus charging his disciples to “lure potential recruits in with flashy programs, comfy chairs, and a free foot massage. Then, when the mood is right, guys, drop the whole repent thing on ‘em – but subtle, boys, subtle with a capital S and that rhymes with – well, you know – that word we do not speak of. (Wink!)”
Quite the opposite, I recall him telling us to go out into the world, not bring the world into the church. He has called us to be ambassadors who go out, not sales reps who stay in, lurking at the hotel to sign up prospects lured in by the promise of sweet treats and easy riches. He told us to make disciples, not water down the gospel power to make it more seeker-friendly." ~Bill Blankshaen (in "Why I left your seeker-friendly church")
"Seeker-sensitive services originally promised to woo post-moderns back into the fold. Out the stained glass window went the somewhat formal 45-minute exegetical sermon, replaced by a shorter, story-based talk to address the "felt needs" of the congregants while reinforcing the premise that following Jesus would dramatically improve their quality of life.
Contemporary worship had already found its way into the mainstream, but their new model nudged the church further toward a rock-concert feel. Finally, programs proliferated, with programs for nearly every demographic, from Mothers of Preschoolers to Red Glove Motorcycle Riders.
None of these changes were pernicious or even poorly intentioned. In the case of my previous church, choosing the seeker model began innocently. The staff endeavored to create a wide on-ramp for folks who might ordinarily bypass the sanctuary in favor of Starbucks. (As an incentive, we provided fair-trade coffee and bagels each week.) Trained not to assume that everyone was on the same page politically or spiritually, we sought to have friendly, nuanced conversations with visitors.
Being aware of those who come through the doors of any organization is a good thing. I have walked out of many services without a single person engaging with me. However, many churches gradually, and perhaps unwittingly, transitioned from being appropriately sensitive to the needs of their congregants to becoming–if you'll permit some pop-psychologizing–co-dependent with them.
What does co-dependence look like within a church? Avoiding sections of Scripture out of fear that certain power pockets will be offended. Believing that repeat attendance depends primarily upon the staff's seamless execution of Sunday morning–rather than the manifest presence of God. Eliminating doleful songs from the worship repertoire because they might contradict the through line that "following Jesus is all gain." ~Dorothy Greco
1.17.2014
Science and Religion
When I was a kid in church, we were led to believe that science and religion were mutually exclusive. I got the gist early on that faith and reason were as well. Scientists were just trying to contradict and disprove the Bible. People of faith didn't need to understand why things were the way they were, we left all that to God. Never question, just believe.
The Bible tells us in the book of Romans (and elsewhere) that God has chosen to reveal himself in what He has created. It tells us that no man has an excuse to not know God because God can clearly be seen in nature. Science is the study of God's creation. Scientists look, measure, test and then report what they find. Now, I know that some scientists have an agenda and because they don't want there to be a God, they try to use their findings to prove that He doesn't exist. But have you noticed how many times recent scientific discoveries jive perfectly with what was written in the Bible thousands of years ago?
There is only one truth - God's truth. When scientific data contradicts what the Bible clearly states, the scientist has misinterpreted the data. When the theologian's teaching from scripture contradicts legitimate scientific findings, the theologian has misinterpreted the scriptures. God has chosen to reveal Himself in scripture and in creation and the two revelations must agree! There is only one truth!
I can remember not too many years ago in the Holiness denomination, people believed that the moon shined it's own light. You would be excommunicated for agreeing with science that the moon only reflected the sun's light! Then again, there was a time when the best scientists in the world said the Earth was flat and all the other planets and the sun revolved around it. In both these examples, the facts were misinterpreted. Scientists can be wrong and Theologians can be wrong. Unbiased scientific findings and unbiased scriptural interpretation will always agree.
The Bible tells us in the book of Romans (and elsewhere) that God has chosen to reveal himself in what He has created. It tells us that no man has an excuse to not know God because God can clearly be seen in nature. Science is the study of God's creation. Scientists look, measure, test and then report what they find. Now, I know that some scientists have an agenda and because they don't want there to be a God, they try to use their findings to prove that He doesn't exist. But have you noticed how many times recent scientific discoveries jive perfectly with what was written in the Bible thousands of years ago?
There is only one truth - God's truth. When scientific data contradicts what the Bible clearly states, the scientist has misinterpreted the data. When the theologian's teaching from scripture contradicts legitimate scientific findings, the theologian has misinterpreted the scriptures. God has chosen to reveal Himself in scripture and in creation and the two revelations must agree! There is only one truth!
I can remember not too many years ago in the Holiness denomination, people believed that the moon shined it's own light. You would be excommunicated for agreeing with science that the moon only reflected the sun's light! Then again, there was a time when the best scientists in the world said the Earth was flat and all the other planets and the sun revolved around it. In both these examples, the facts were misinterpreted. Scientists can be wrong and Theologians can be wrong. Unbiased scientific findings and unbiased scriptural interpretation will always agree.
12.23.2013
Teach the Children
Have you noticed how many children from Christian families go off to college and return minus their faith in God? Good, humble, church-going kids go out into the world and agnostic (or downright atheistic) kids return home. And it's all our fault!
It's easy to blame the atheistic professor, the worldly education system or someone else's 'wild children'. But the fault lies with us: parents, uncles and aunts, youth ministers. We tell the children what to believe, but not why they should believe it or even why it's believable! We give them scripture verses and Bible stories and think that's enough. They go away strong in faith but weak in theology and reasoning skills. They show up at college easy prey for atheistic professors who question their faith. They don't know how to defend their faith with sound doctrine and logical, reasonable arguments and cave to public humiliation. You can bet their professors are ready with logic and reason to defend their godless arguments!
The Bible warns us to be ready to give a defense of what we believe. We need to be ready with an answer for why we believe what we believe. Faith is not the opposite of logic and reason. The Christian faith is both logical and reasonable. Our children are looking to make sense of this crazy world and if we don't answer their questions biblically, someone else will answer them for us.
Encourage your children to question their faith. Encourage them to ask questions and teach them that their faith is logically and reasonably defendable. Don't stifle their curiosity, but feed it. Of course if we adults don't study to show ourselves approved, then how will we be able to answer our children's questions?
It's easy to blame the atheistic professor, the worldly education system or someone else's 'wild children'. But the fault lies with us: parents, uncles and aunts, youth ministers. We tell the children what to believe, but not why they should believe it or even why it's believable! We give them scripture verses and Bible stories and think that's enough. They go away strong in faith but weak in theology and reasoning skills. They show up at college easy prey for atheistic professors who question their faith. They don't know how to defend their faith with sound doctrine and logical, reasonable arguments and cave to public humiliation. You can bet their professors are ready with logic and reason to defend their godless arguments!
The Bible warns us to be ready to give a defense of what we believe. We need to be ready with an answer for why we believe what we believe. Faith is not the opposite of logic and reason. The Christian faith is both logical and reasonable. Our children are looking to make sense of this crazy world and if we don't answer their questions biblically, someone else will answer them for us.
Encourage your children to question their faith. Encourage them to ask questions and teach them that their faith is logically and reasonably defendable. Don't stifle their curiosity, but feed it. Of course if we adults don't study to show ourselves approved, then how will we be able to answer our children's questions?
12.20.2013
Warned from the Start
"When the world hates you, remember it hated me before it hated you. The world would love you if you belonged to it, but you don't. I chose you to come out of the world, and so it hates you." John 15:18,19
"And everyone will hate you because you are my followers." Mark 13:13
"For you will be expelled from the synagogues, and the time is coming when those who kill you will think they are doing a holy service for God." John 16:2
Where in the Bible do we get the idea that this world is going to like us? What scripture do we use to show how this world system is supposed to agree with us and tolerate our biblical ideals and embrace us as friends? Jesus warned us 2000 years ago how it would be. Why are we so surprised that it is as he said it would be? And why are we surprised that it is getting worse the closer we get to His return?
This world will tolerate everything except Jesus (and therefore us, if we truly follow Him). It hated Him then and it hates Him now. He tells them they can't do things they want to do. He places moral restriction on them and they don't like it! The world will tolerate everything except the intolerant. Play along, be nice, accept everything that comes along, keep your opinions to yourself, don't make a stand for anything being 'the way it should be' and the world will take you in and love you. Follow Jesus, stand for the truth, voice your opinions, call evil evil and you are sure to be persecuted, hated and shunned.
"And everyone will hate you because you are my followers." Mark 13:13
"For you will be expelled from the synagogues, and the time is coming when those who kill you will think they are doing a holy service for God." John 16:2
Where in the Bible do we get the idea that this world is going to like us? What scripture do we use to show how this world system is supposed to agree with us and tolerate our biblical ideals and embrace us as friends? Jesus warned us 2000 years ago how it would be. Why are we so surprised that it is as he said it would be? And why are we surprised that it is getting worse the closer we get to His return?
This world will tolerate everything except Jesus (and therefore us, if we truly follow Him). It hated Him then and it hates Him now. He tells them they can't do things they want to do. He places moral restriction on them and they don't like it! The world will tolerate everything except the intolerant. Play along, be nice, accept everything that comes along, keep your opinions to yourself, don't make a stand for anything being 'the way it should be' and the world will take you in and love you. Follow Jesus, stand for the truth, voice your opinions, call evil evil and you are sure to be persecuted, hated and shunned.
During the recent Duck Dynasty debacle, one 'reporter' said he was surprised that the patriarch of the family would say such awful things about homosexuals because he thought this show was "supposed to be about good, God-fearing, hard-working, likeable sorts of folks." Apparently 'good, God-fearing, hard-working, likeable sorts of folks' aren't supposed to be against homosexuality. My answer is that good, God-fearing folks have to be against homosexuality because the Bible calls it sin and because they follow Jesus, not man. The world sees Christians as either 'good old boys and girls' who are peaceful and quiet, who get along with everyone and who are not willing to get into controversial areas (you know, humble and meek and all that stuff) or as homophobic, racist troublemakers who can't keep their backward, conservative opinions to themselves and want to force their religious ideas down everyone's throats. They falsely accused Christians of wanting to take all the homosexuals and lesbians and putting them on an island somewhere by themselves when the truth is they would do that to Christians in a heartbeat!
Anyone who hates another human being for any reason is not following Jesus' teachings. We are to love our neighbor as ourselves and treat everyone with respect and courtesy regardless of whether we agree on everything or not. God created us all in his image and gives us life and therefore we are all equally important. But we must not be bullied into backing down from the truth. We must follow God and not men. We must agree with God and call sin whatever He calls sin regardless of the consequences. Be assured, you will be hated and despised; You may be ostracized or even jailed for obeying God. But we were warned.
12.15.2013
Sheep Who Stray
6 All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. ~ Isaiah 53:6
There are times when we stray away. Life is so full of distractions and busy is our middle name. How often do we look up from our busy lives and find that we're not where we thought we were and certainly not about the Father's business. Like sheep who get so caught up in the next juicy bite of green grass that they walk right into danger, we look up and find we are far from where we planned (and want) to be.
There are times when we walk away. It's not that we absent-mindedly wander off track, we know exactly what we're doing. We're doing what we want to do, all the while knowing it's contrary to God's will. We take control of our lives and assert out independence.
There are times when we fade away. We get tired. We get frustrated. Life can be tough. We can handle life one day at a time, but it seems like life often throws two or three days at us at a time. We get overwhelmed and it's so easy to just sit down. Unfortunately, it's not so easy to get up again. Objects at rest tend to stay at rest. Often it seems like we can't find the strength to get up and get started again.
All these 'times' are common to us all. We all find ourselves in one of them at points in our lives. It helps me to stay out of these 'times' by remembering this: when we disobey God's will and command, it is treason. We can call it by nicer names, but a rose by any other name..... Well, you know the rest. It is what it is no matter what you choose to call it. God is our Sovereign, our Head, our King, our Lord. It is our responsibility to be obedient. As our creator, the author of our lives, he has the right to command us, to obligate us. We have the responsibility to obey. When we choose what we want over what he commands, it is treason against our Sovereign. It is no little thing. We make it sound insignificant by saying we strayed from the path or missed the mark or maybe got out of line. But when a subordinate disobeys a Sovereign, it is treason!
We should all be thankful that God is merciful and forgiving. He allows us time to see what we have done and to repent of it. He doesn't owe that time to us, it is his grace. He doesn't have to accept our repentance, that also is his grace. We need to be better overcomers and we wouldn't have to be such good repenters! We need to be vigilant and obedient and remember that treason is a capital offense. It is an offense that shows arrogance and ingratitude to a Sovereign God.
There are times when we stray away. Life is so full of distractions and busy is our middle name. How often do we look up from our busy lives and find that we're not where we thought we were and certainly not about the Father's business. Like sheep who get so caught up in the next juicy bite of green grass that they walk right into danger, we look up and find we are far from where we planned (and want) to be.
There are times when we walk away. It's not that we absent-mindedly wander off track, we know exactly what we're doing. We're doing what we want to do, all the while knowing it's contrary to God's will. We take control of our lives and assert out independence.
There are times when we fade away. We get tired. We get frustrated. Life can be tough. We can handle life one day at a time, but it seems like life often throws two or three days at us at a time. We get overwhelmed and it's so easy to just sit down. Unfortunately, it's not so easy to get up again. Objects at rest tend to stay at rest. Often it seems like we can't find the strength to get up and get started again.
All these 'times' are common to us all. We all find ourselves in one of them at points in our lives. It helps me to stay out of these 'times' by remembering this: when we disobey God's will and command, it is treason. We can call it by nicer names, but a rose by any other name..... Well, you know the rest. It is what it is no matter what you choose to call it. God is our Sovereign, our Head, our King, our Lord. It is our responsibility to be obedient. As our creator, the author of our lives, he has the right to command us, to obligate us. We have the responsibility to obey. When we choose what we want over what he commands, it is treason against our Sovereign. It is no little thing. We make it sound insignificant by saying we strayed from the path or missed the mark or maybe got out of line. But when a subordinate disobeys a Sovereign, it is treason!
We should all be thankful that God is merciful and forgiving. He allows us time to see what we have done and to repent of it. He doesn't owe that time to us, it is his grace. He doesn't have to accept our repentance, that also is his grace. We need to be better overcomers and we wouldn't have to be such good repenters! We need to be vigilant and obedient and remember that treason is a capital offense. It is an offense that shows arrogance and ingratitude to a Sovereign God.
12.06.2013
Evil
I don't know how many times I have started a discussion about God with someone only to hear them say "How can there be a good God when there is so much evil in the world?". I recall the words of atheist Sam Harris who said “Either God can do nothing to stop catastrophes like this, or he doesn't care to, or he doesn't exist. God is either impotent, evil, or imaginary.". I tend to look at the whole question of evil from the other side: "How can there be any good in this world without a good God?".
Just look at how evil people can be. Look at the atrocities they can commit. It seems like each new outbreak of violence pushes the envelope a little further as if evildoers were trying to one up each other! Just try to imagine how evil a person could actually be, what atrocities they could think up to do. I believe it is God who keeps people from being as evil as they could be.
God, in times past, has removed his restraining hand from certain individuals and allowed them to fulfill the evil in their hearts: Pharaoh and Hitler and the like. It's not that God put evil thoughts into their minds or evil desires into their heads, but he allowed them to live out the evil that was already present in them. I can't say that I fully understand why God has allowed these evils to occur, but I know that it is part of an overall plan that, because of my limited capabilities as a finite human, I can't see.
Some people believe that humans are inherently good. They believe that children learn to be bad. I believe the Bible teaches us that we are born evil and only 'learn' how to express the evil that is in us.The Bible teaches that "The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?". (Jeremiah 17:9).
When something terrible and tragic happens, it's easy to find someone asking how God could have allowed such a bad thing to happen to innocent people. But wonderful things happen to people everyday and I rarely hear anyone asking how God could have allowed such a nice thing to happen to sinful people. It's an act of God when a tornado kills 100 people or a Tsunami kills 3000. But few take the time to thank God and recognize him for his generosity when the sun shines and the sky is blue and the crops grow tall and the children are healthy and happy. No one seems to question where the good comes from, only the evil.
Just look at how evil people can be. Look at the atrocities they can commit. It seems like each new outbreak of violence pushes the envelope a little further as if evildoers were trying to one up each other! Just try to imagine how evil a person could actually be, what atrocities they could think up to do. I believe it is God who keeps people from being as evil as they could be.
God, in times past, has removed his restraining hand from certain individuals and allowed them to fulfill the evil in their hearts: Pharaoh and Hitler and the like. It's not that God put evil thoughts into their minds or evil desires into their heads, but he allowed them to live out the evil that was already present in them. I can't say that I fully understand why God has allowed these evils to occur, but I know that it is part of an overall plan that, because of my limited capabilities as a finite human, I can't see.
Some people believe that humans are inherently good. They believe that children learn to be bad. I believe the Bible teaches us that we are born evil and only 'learn' how to express the evil that is in us.The Bible teaches that "The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?". (Jeremiah 17:9).
When something terrible and tragic happens, it's easy to find someone asking how God could have allowed such a bad thing to happen to innocent people. But wonderful things happen to people everyday and I rarely hear anyone asking how God could have allowed such a nice thing to happen to sinful people. It's an act of God when a tornado kills 100 people or a Tsunami kills 3000. But few take the time to thank God and recognize him for his generosity when the sun shines and the sky is blue and the crops grow tall and the children are healthy and happy. No one seems to question where the good comes from, only the evil.
12.05.2013
Praying for the Lost
We should all have a heart for the lost. We should all be praying for the lost to be saved, those we know and those we don't know. I believe the Holy Spirit gives all true believers a burden to see people saved. After all, Jesus came "to seek and to save that which was lost" (Luke 19:10).
I think a lot of times we just aren't sure how to go about praying for the lost. Some of us believe that human beings have 'free will' and must use that freedom to choose to be saved. So how do we pray for God to save them when God can't save them until they decide to be saved? Some of us believe that God has predetermined the 'elect' from before time. So since we're not sure who's of the elect and whose not, who do we pray for to be saved; If God elected them, they'll be saved and if He didn't no amount of praying will change that. It can certainly be confusing.
I believe that no one in his natural state, that is, in his flesh, ever wants to be saved or have anything to do with God. The Bible tells us that in our flesh, "nothing good dwells" (Rom 7:18). I believe the Bible teaches that sin has corrupted us beyond repair (there remains no ability to want the things of God left in us) and that is why we need to be reborn of the Spirit. I believe that God must give us the will to want him and the ability to desire to do his will. The Bible tells us that it is "God working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him" (Phil 2:13). I believe in 'free will', in that we are free to choose what we want. But I also believe that what we want is not (and without God's intervention, will never be) God. The Bible says that we love him because he first loved us. We need God's help to be saved.
I believe we need to pray and ask God to give lost people the desire to be saved, the ability to repent and the will to follow Jesus.
I think a lot of times we just aren't sure how to go about praying for the lost. Some of us believe that human beings have 'free will' and must use that freedom to choose to be saved. So how do we pray for God to save them when God can't save them until they decide to be saved? Some of us believe that God has predetermined the 'elect' from before time. So since we're not sure who's of the elect and whose not, who do we pray for to be saved; If God elected them, they'll be saved and if He didn't no amount of praying will change that. It can certainly be confusing.
I believe that no one in his natural state, that is, in his flesh, ever wants to be saved or have anything to do with God. The Bible tells us that in our flesh, "nothing good dwells" (Rom 7:18). I believe the Bible teaches that sin has corrupted us beyond repair (there remains no ability to want the things of God left in us) and that is why we need to be reborn of the Spirit. I believe that God must give us the will to want him and the ability to desire to do his will. The Bible tells us that it is "God working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him" (Phil 2:13). I believe in 'free will', in that we are free to choose what we want. But I also believe that what we want is not (and without God's intervention, will never be) God. The Bible says that we love him because he first loved us. We need God's help to be saved.
I believe we need to pray and ask God to give lost people the desire to be saved, the ability to repent and the will to follow Jesus.
11.28.2013
Thy Will Be Done
When it comes to theology, I confess that there are many things I don't know. I'm quite sure there are many, many more things that I don't know than I do know. Often, when asked my thoughts on a certain subject, I have had to answer honestly, I don't know.
But there is one thing that I know I know: God is sovereign. Everything that happens is his will, it is ultimately good and ultimately brings him glory. Notice I said ultimately. God doesn't promise that everything that happens is good, but that everything works together for good. Things happen that I don't understand; Things happen that I don't like; Things happen that make me sad; Things happen that hurt me at the time of their happening. But because I have settled the question of God's sovereignty in my heart, I can go on in peace and have hope no matter what happens.
Life can be hard. The world can be a miserable place sometimes. I'm not saying that I'm always happy; Happiness is too easily manipulated by circumstances. It's easy to be happy when everything is going right. It's more difficult to be happy when times are tough. I said I could go on in hope and peace. When hope is lost and peace can't be found, life isn't worth living. We see it everday - people who have money, fame, and all the trappings of 'the good life' commit suicide and we wonder what could have caused them to do such a thing. Having things may make you happy, but having things doesn't give hope or bring peace.
Knowing that everything that happens to me has been filtered through God's loving hands and will eventually be for my good brings me peace. Knowing that the day is coming when all my tears will be dried and all my fears, worries and struggles will end gives me hope. I want God's will to be done in everything, even when I don't understand it or even like it.
But there is one thing that I know I know: God is sovereign. Everything that happens is his will, it is ultimately good and ultimately brings him glory. Notice I said ultimately. God doesn't promise that everything that happens is good, but that everything works together for good. Things happen that I don't understand; Things happen that I don't like; Things happen that make me sad; Things happen that hurt me at the time of their happening. But because I have settled the question of God's sovereignty in my heart, I can go on in peace and have hope no matter what happens.
Life can be hard. The world can be a miserable place sometimes. I'm not saying that I'm always happy; Happiness is too easily manipulated by circumstances. It's easy to be happy when everything is going right. It's more difficult to be happy when times are tough. I said I could go on in hope and peace. When hope is lost and peace can't be found, life isn't worth living. We see it everday - people who have money, fame, and all the trappings of 'the good life' commit suicide and we wonder what could have caused them to do such a thing. Having things may make you happy, but having things doesn't give hope or bring peace.
Knowing that everything that happens to me has been filtered through God's loving hands and will eventually be for my good brings me peace. Knowing that the day is coming when all my tears will be dried and all my fears, worries and struggles will end gives me hope. I want God's will to be done in everything, even when I don't understand it or even like it.
11.26.2013
Time for a Trade-In
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
~ Matthew 11:28-30
Here once again, Jesus makes a compassionate offer to everyone to come to him. He says plainly that everyone is welcome, that there are no heavy, condemning requirements and that rest is guaranteed. What an offer!
No doubt this was welcomed news for the people standing around him. The Pharisees had been quite busy making new rules and regulations for 'religious' Jews to live by. Jesus said that they "load people down with rules and regulations, nearly breaking their backs, but never lift even a finger to help.". Jesus was telling them something that we need to learn today: morality and righteousness can't be legislated; Rules and regulations will never make people live like they should. But human nature will always tell you to work and earn your salvation.
Jesus said his yoke is easy and his burden is light; Two rules covered everything - "You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. A second is equally important: Love your neighbor as yourself.The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”
Are you tired of the 'religious rat race'? Are you tired of the 'rat race' in general?Are you ready for a lighter burden and an easier yoke? I like the old-time song we used to sing that said "take your burdens to the Lord and leave them there".Trade the burdens for rest. Trade the worries and fear for peace.Trade the rules and regulations for justification and sanctification in Jesus. Trade your heart of stone for a heart of flesh. Trade condemnation for acceptance.
~ Matthew 11:28-30
Here once again, Jesus makes a compassionate offer to everyone to come to him. He says plainly that everyone is welcome, that there are no heavy, condemning requirements and that rest is guaranteed. What an offer!
No doubt this was welcomed news for the people standing around him. The Pharisees had been quite busy making new rules and regulations for 'religious' Jews to live by. Jesus said that they "load people down with rules and regulations, nearly breaking their backs, but never lift even a finger to help.". Jesus was telling them something that we need to learn today: morality and righteousness can't be legislated; Rules and regulations will never make people live like they should. But human nature will always tell you to work and earn your salvation.
Jesus said his yoke is easy and his burden is light; Two rules covered everything - "You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. A second is equally important: Love your neighbor as yourself.The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”
Are you tired of the 'religious rat race'? Are you tired of the 'rat race' in general?Are you ready for a lighter burden and an easier yoke? I like the old-time song we used to sing that said "take your burdens to the Lord and leave them there".Trade the burdens for rest. Trade the worries and fear for peace.Trade the rules and regulations for justification and sanctification in Jesus. Trade your heart of stone for a heart of flesh. Trade condemnation for acceptance.
11.20.2013
Not Born Again, Just Religious Jerks
"Sometimes when jerks become Christians, it's like a bully learning karate. Instead of having Christ transform our hearts and attitudes, we now have a new method with which to beat you up...what was once just 'forcing everyone to agree with my opinion' is now 'forcing everyone to agree with my opinion in the name of God.'" ~ Jon Acuff
The latest Barna survey reports that most born again Christians live just like the rest of the world lives. The divorce rates for Christians are the same, infidelity rates are the same, most Christians don't pay their bills on time or tithe their income or give any more to charities than anyone else, etc. The survey makes it appear that born again Christians are no more moral or loving or generous than the rest of society! Why would anyone want to be a Christian?
I have said it time and again - no change, no new birth. The problem with the Barna survey (and others like it) is that they are surveying people who are confessing born again believers. Anyone can confess they have been born again - show me the change, show me the fruit! Surveys rely on people being honest and actually knowing what they're talking about when they answer. A lot of people think that because they believe God exists that means they are Christians. And a lot of people really don't know what it means to be 'born again'. Going to the altar, being baptized and attending church does not necessarily mean you have been born from above. Being birthed by the Holy Spirit changes a person; it changes their desires, their attitude, their whole lives! It's not that they're immediately made perfect or made impervious to temptation, but there is a definite change that can be seen. The person will continue to change as they allow the Holy Spirit to sanctify them.
When a jerk is born again, he or she will stop being a jerk as the Holy Spirit convicts them of their sins and gives them the will and the power to change. When a jerk becomes religious, he or she will become like Mr. Acuff states - like a bully learning karate. They will pick and choose the scriptures that, at least in their minds, justify their opinions. The Word of God won't be to them a seed to sow, but a bat to swing.
The latest Barna survey reports that most born again Christians live just like the rest of the world lives. The divorce rates for Christians are the same, infidelity rates are the same, most Christians don't pay their bills on time or tithe their income or give any more to charities than anyone else, etc. The survey makes it appear that born again Christians are no more moral or loving or generous than the rest of society! Why would anyone want to be a Christian?
I have said it time and again - no change, no new birth. The problem with the Barna survey (and others like it) is that they are surveying people who are confessing born again believers. Anyone can confess they have been born again - show me the change, show me the fruit! Surveys rely on people being honest and actually knowing what they're talking about when they answer. A lot of people think that because they believe God exists that means they are Christians. And a lot of people really don't know what it means to be 'born again'. Going to the altar, being baptized and attending church does not necessarily mean you have been born from above. Being birthed by the Holy Spirit changes a person; it changes their desires, their attitude, their whole lives! It's not that they're immediately made perfect or made impervious to temptation, but there is a definite change that can be seen. The person will continue to change as they allow the Holy Spirit to sanctify them.
When a jerk is born again, he or she will stop being a jerk as the Holy Spirit convicts them of their sins and gives them the will and the power to change. When a jerk becomes religious, he or she will become like Mr. Acuff states - like a bully learning karate. They will pick and choose the scriptures that, at least in their minds, justify their opinions. The Word of God won't be to them a seed to sow, but a bat to swing.
11.18.2013
Hyphenated Christianity
I don't believe in hyphenated Christians. I'm not a Calvinist-Christian because I believe in election and predestination; I'm not a Charismatic-Christian because I believe in speaking in tongues and lively worship; I'm not a Pentecostal-Christian because I believe in miracles, healing and the gifts of the Spirit. I believe the Word of God, the WHOLE Word of God. If the Holy Scriptures contradict my theology, then my theology must change. I don't choke on the 'hard sayings'. If I come upon a part of the scriptures that is hard to understand, I know I need to spend more time reading that particular scripture, meditating on it and praying for the Holy Spirit's enlightenment.
I don't make light of or criticize anyone else's doctrine (unless it plainly contradicts scripture and even then I only quote the offended scripture, not my opinion) and I don't mind confessing that I don't know when I don't know. I believe there are mysteries and paradoxes in the scriptures, but no mistakes. I do, however, believe in going back to the oldest manuscripts for word study in the original language when I have trouble understanding the text.
I lived my early Christian years basing my theology on what came down from the pulpit of the church I grew up in, embracing what was taught and shunning what was taught against. One day I decided it was time to take the Bible literally when it said "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling". I am responsible for seeking understanding of Biblical concepts and being able to "give an answer" for why I believe... and so are you! We are all called to be disciples - learners of and searchers for the Truth. We are called to dig into the Word of God as if it were a field containing buried treasure. And it surely is!
I don't make light of or criticize anyone else's doctrine (unless it plainly contradicts scripture and even then I only quote the offended scripture, not my opinion) and I don't mind confessing that I don't know when I don't know. I believe there are mysteries and paradoxes in the scriptures, but no mistakes. I do, however, believe in going back to the oldest manuscripts for word study in the original language when I have trouble understanding the text.
I lived my early Christian years basing my theology on what came down from the pulpit of the church I grew up in, embracing what was taught and shunning what was taught against. One day I decided it was time to take the Bible literally when it said "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling". I am responsible for seeking understanding of Biblical concepts and being able to "give an answer" for why I believe... and so are you! We are all called to be disciples - learners of and searchers for the Truth. We are called to dig into the Word of God as if it were a field containing buried treasure. And it surely is!
I refuse to be placed into a man-made category just because I believe a certain thing. I am out for the Truth; the Truth based on God's Holy Word. Wherever it leads, I will go.
11.16.2013
Of Babies and Bathwater
Are there excesses in the Charismatic movement? Are there ungodly people with selfish agendas in the Charismatic ranks? Yes... And yes again. The prosperity message has been corrupted, the healing message has been corrupted and the gifts of the Spirit message has been corrupted. Do we throw the baby out with the bathwater? No. But we definitely need to change the bathwater, the baby is starting to smell a little funny.
I was raised up in a Holiness church. I have been in the Pentecostal faith all my life. I was ordained in a non-denominational, charismatic church. I have seen, heard and been a part of the real work of God and what I'm seeing these days is disheartening to say the least. Anywhere there is the opportunity to be rich and/or famous, there will always be people ready to take advantage of that opportunity. Christianity is not immune.
The Bible teaches that God wants his people to prosper. The Preachers I hear these days seem to have a different definition of prosperity than God does. God wants us to have enough, with a little left over so that we can give to others. And that only comes when we are obedient and faithful. The Bible teaches us that God is our healer. God hears us when we cry out in our painful circumstances and He helps us in our times of need. But God has never promised us a painless, easy life with no hard times. Soft lives make soft Christians. We are told to persevere and endure as good soldiers; To count it all joy and learn to be thankful in whatever state we find ourselves. The Bible teaches that the Holy Spirit gifts believers "for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ..." The gifts of the Spirit are not for personal gain or personal glory or personal anything else. They are for service to others and for glorifying God.
On the other side of the coin, there are those who are pointing out the faults with Charismatics and overlooking their own faults. Excess is wrong, but so is absence. Not teaching that God will provide for His people according to their earthly needs, teaching that healing is not for today and that miracles have passed away, and squashing legitimate spiritual gifts is just as bad.
I was raised up in a Holiness church. I have been in the Pentecostal faith all my life. I was ordained in a non-denominational, charismatic church. I have seen, heard and been a part of the real work of God and what I'm seeing these days is disheartening to say the least. Anywhere there is the opportunity to be rich and/or famous, there will always be people ready to take advantage of that opportunity. Christianity is not immune.
The Bible teaches that God wants his people to prosper. The Preachers I hear these days seem to have a different definition of prosperity than God does. God wants us to have enough, with a little left over so that we can give to others. And that only comes when we are obedient and faithful. The Bible teaches us that God is our healer. God hears us when we cry out in our painful circumstances and He helps us in our times of need. But God has never promised us a painless, easy life with no hard times. Soft lives make soft Christians. We are told to persevere and endure as good soldiers; To count it all joy and learn to be thankful in whatever state we find ourselves. The Bible teaches that the Holy Spirit gifts believers "for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ..." The gifts of the Spirit are not for personal gain or personal glory or personal anything else. They are for service to others and for glorifying God.
On the other side of the coin, there are those who are pointing out the faults with Charismatics and overlooking their own faults. Excess is wrong, but so is absence. Not teaching that God will provide for His people according to their earthly needs, teaching that healing is not for today and that miracles have passed away, and squashing legitimate spiritual gifts is just as bad.
11.13.2013
Keep it Real
"One of my problems is that I like to be liked. I spend most of my social and professional life around Christians, so it is mostly Christians I want to please. Any "real" Christian must say and do certain things, thus ensuring acceptance by the Christian community. You have to subscribe to a certain standard, and live reasonably close to it; you must use certain catchwords popular in the Christian community; and you must never express doubts or ask questions...
When the requirement for acceptance in any particular group is to think certain thoughts, to act in certain ways, and to fit certain molds ~ and we don't think or act that way, or fit the mold ~ we tend to fake it. We put on a mask that says, 'I'm just like you. Now, will you please love me and accept me?' I can think of hardly anything that will kill your joy and freedom more than wearing a mask geared to get others to accept you because you're acting like them....
Before I gave up, I spent half of my time trying to do something I couldn't do, and the other half of my time trying to convince others that I had done it. It is called hypocrisy, and it's quite human and quite injurious to your sanity...as well as your freedom. That's why I gave it up." ~ Steve Brown
Popeye the sailor said "I yam what I yam and that's all that I yam!". And the Genie from Disney's Alladin advised Alladin to 'beeeee yourself!'. Even cartoon characters know that pretending to be something you're not is just too hard. 'Playing Christian' is stressful, dangerous and unfortunately... common.
I know we are commanded in the Bible to live holy lives, to be humble people, to dress modestly and speak soberley and these things we have in common as believers. But I also know that Christians can be very judgmental and critical of other Christians if they look, talk or think the least bit different. As the Apostle Paul would say - brothers and sisters, this shouldn't be so.
Be yourself. God loves you and real Jesus followers will love you too. Imitate no one but Christ and you'll be just fine.
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