My Bible study this morning brought me to the verses of Luke 17. Jesus had been talking with the apostles about faith. Verses 7-10 talk about our duty as Christians. We've all got this mental list somewhere of what we need to do as a Christian. Some people use this list as a check list thinking it will get them into heaven - wrong! We aren't saved by our works. But that doesn't negate our duty. We still have to do what we're supposed to do. If we love Christ, we will keep His commandments. Even when it's not easy.
When my children do a great job, it's important for them to hear it. They like to be praised, and it encourages them to do more. When I get my kitchen pretty and clean, I enjoy it when my husband notices and compliments me. But in verse 10, we are the servants mentioned. When we get our little list finished, it's tempting to think we will be praised. The things we do are our duty. It's merely our job, nothing more. It's what we were supposed to do anyway. We should obey because that is our duty.
We can't rely on the fact that we are saved by God's grace and use that to ignore our duty. We aren't saved by our works, but we still have to work. We can't rely on praises to do something right. We have to just do it. It's our duty.
Showing posts with label Christianity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christianity. Show all posts
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Being a Crown
In the Bible, a crown is used to set something apart or as a symbol of honor. A crown is often associated with glory, such as in Proverbs 4:9, Proverbs 16:31, and I Peter 5:4.
Proverbs 12:4 - A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.
I'd never thought about me being a crown to my husband. Proverbs 12:4 sure says I can be. But only if I'm virtuous. So I'm flipping over to Proverbs 31 for the virtuous woman directions...
Here are some of the qualities of a virtuous woman found in Proverbs 31:
- Be able to accomplish what I set out to do
- And do it well
- My husband can trust me with his heart
- He can trust me to help him with his work
- Do good for my husband, not evil
- Be a diligent and willing worker
- Provide good quality food for my family
- No laziness or idleness allowed
- Be willing to get up early and stay up late to complete my tasks
- Make quality items to sell
- Help the poor and needy
- Make sure my family has good quality clothes and blankets to keep warm
- I will be known for my strength, honor, wisdom, and faithful advice
- Fear the Lord.
Women, what are some things you have done that help you in your quest to become a virtuous woman?
Men, what are the things you look for most when looking for a virtuous woman?
This is something I am praying about and working on every day. Being a crown to my husband sounds like a wonderful honor, and I really want to be one for him!
Saturday, September 18, 2010
What Do You Think About?
Can you quote pieces of movies? Can you sing along with the radio on practically every song? How does your movie knowledge compare with your knowledge of Scripture? How often do you quote from God's Word? How often do you sing hymns or spiritual songs? Are your friends mainly Christians, or are they people of the world?
The things we allow into our life are the things we dwell on. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. -Philippians 4:8 What knids of thoughts are you having when you watch a movie, listen to the radio, or even read a book? I'm not saying they are all bad, but lots of them have at least some questionable content. These are the things on which we are allowing ourselves to meditate. It only stands to reason that if we are meditating on questionable things, then we aren't meditating on the things we should. What do you tend to talk about with your friends? Matthew12:34 - ...for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. This is a good indiation of what our hearts are thinking.
Is it wrong to watch a movie or television, listen to the radio, read a book, or whatever else you do for entertainment? No, it doesn't have to be. We are to diligently guard our heart against the wiles of Satan. Proverbs 4:23 - Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Satan has blatantly satuurated our entertainment, and if we're not careful, it is no longer wholesome. It is no longer wholesome if we have to rationalize it in any way. "Just ignore the _____." You can fill in the blank with profanity, violence, sex, nudity, bad attitudes, immodest clothing, disrespect, etc. All Satan needs is a single foothold, and that's what these are.
We are to take captive every thought we have and make it obedient to Christ. II Corinthians 10:4 - Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. We can't do that if we are filling our hearts with worldly ideas. We will reap what we sow. Galatians 6:7-8 - Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. What will you reap?
The things we allow into our life are the things we dwell on. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. -Philippians 4:8 What knids of thoughts are you having when you watch a movie, listen to the radio, or even read a book? I'm not saying they are all bad, but lots of them have at least some questionable content. These are the things on which we are allowing ourselves to meditate. It only stands to reason that if we are meditating on questionable things, then we aren't meditating on the things we should. What do you tend to talk about with your friends? Matthew12:34 - ...for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. This is a good indiation of what our hearts are thinking.
Is it wrong to watch a movie or television, listen to the radio, read a book, or whatever else you do for entertainment? No, it doesn't have to be. We are to diligently guard our heart against the wiles of Satan. Proverbs 4:23 - Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Satan has blatantly satuurated our entertainment, and if we're not careful, it is no longer wholesome. It is no longer wholesome if we have to rationalize it in any way. "Just ignore the _____." You can fill in the blank with profanity, violence, sex, nudity, bad attitudes, immodest clothing, disrespect, etc. All Satan needs is a single foothold, and that's what these are.
We are to take captive every thought we have and make it obedient to Christ. II Corinthians 10:4 - Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. We can't do that if we are filling our hearts with worldly ideas. We will reap what we sow. Galatians 6:7-8 - Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. What will you reap?
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Wanted: Preacher
While looking for a preacher for a congregation, so many people won't even consider a man unless he has a college degree from a Christian University. They feel a preacher must be adequately trained in preaching God's word. What ever happened to the way it was done in the first century church? It wasn't just "preachers" who were told to go into all the world and preach (Mark 16:15). It wasn't just "preachers" who were told to visit the sick and those in prison (Matthew 25:33-46) or to take care of the widows and orphans (James 1:27). Those are jobs that were only given to specific people, and it wasn't preachers. Get this: Those jobs were given to Christians. Do you want to know something else? All Christians are also told to teach Christ to others too. We're all to get out there and do these things. Even if we've never been "trained". There was no religious training even available for centuries after the church began. Because God's strength is made perfect in our weakness (II Corinthians 12:9). And even though we may think God's methods are too simplistic for modern times, the most simplistic of God's ways is way better than the most sophisticated method any person can come up with. His ways are not our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9), but they certainly are better!
And where did the bragging come from? "Our preacher graduated from _____ University. You know all the best preachers come out of there!" "Really, well ours was trained at _____School of Preaching. They specialize in preachers who are sound." This is so frustrating for me to hear because nowhere in the Bible does it even hint that a Christian must be educated at all before sharing the gospel. I don't think it's bad for someone to go to a Christian University or such for training, but I certainly don't think it should be part of a congregation's qualifications! Furthermore, it doesn't make someone any better of a Christian to go to one of these schools. And I went to a Christian University! I chose the one I attended because it had a reputation for being a strong, sound-in-the-faith school. "Good preachers come from there." And while all of these assertions were true, it's also true that just because a student got their degree from there didn't mean they were sound. There was mandatory chapel every day and mandatory Bible classes for every student, regardless of major. These can be good things. But what was taught in these Bible classes that made them so special? Bible, yes. And the opinions of approved textbooks, commentaries, and professors. Don't get me wrong - I'm not saying that textbooks, commentaries, or professors are bad. My point is that the Bible is completely equipped to give us all the training we need as Christians. While commentaries and the such can be helpful, we need to remember they're not inspired or infallible because they're man-made. So are Christian schools. While they can be very beneficial, we need to keep in mind that it is still a man-made institution, run by men, and subject to all kinds of things.
Apparently (according to modern tradition), a good sermon follows a very precise formula:
Perhaps it is time to re-evaluate what is important and put our priorities in order. Are we putting our faith in things from above or in the traditions of men?
And where did the bragging come from? "Our preacher graduated from _____ University. You know all the best preachers come out of there!" "Really, well ours was trained at _____School of Preaching. They specialize in preachers who are sound." This is so frustrating for me to hear because nowhere in the Bible does it even hint that a Christian must be educated at all before sharing the gospel. I don't think it's bad for someone to go to a Christian University or such for training, but I certainly don't think it should be part of a congregation's qualifications! Furthermore, it doesn't make someone any better of a Christian to go to one of these schools. And I went to a Christian University! I chose the one I attended because it had a reputation for being a strong, sound-in-the-faith school. "Good preachers come from there." And while all of these assertions were true, it's also true that just because a student got their degree from there didn't mean they were sound. There was mandatory chapel every day and mandatory Bible classes for every student, regardless of major. These can be good things. But what was taught in these Bible classes that made them so special? Bible, yes. And the opinions of approved textbooks, commentaries, and professors. Don't get me wrong - I'm not saying that textbooks, commentaries, or professors are bad. My point is that the Bible is completely equipped to give us all the training we need as Christians. While commentaries and the such can be helpful, we need to remember they're not inspired or infallible because they're man-made. So are Christian schools. While they can be very beneficial, we need to keep in mind that it is still a man-made institution, run by men, and subject to all kinds of things.
Apparently (according to modern tradition), a good sermon follows a very precise formula:
- It should consist of no more than 4 points (and that's pushing it) that all support the main point.
- You should be able to put an outline of it on the bulletin.
- It should fit within a specific time slot, never going over into lunch.
- It should be pleasing to the ears of the audience and make them feel good.
- It should generate enough energy to bring in more people.
- The person delivering it must wear the proper suit and tie.
Perhaps it is time to re-evaluate what is important and put our priorities in order. Are we putting our faith in things from above or in the traditions of men?
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Agape Love
In the Bible, there are several kinds of love. I once heard a description of agape love that really stuck with me. Agape love is deciding to give of ourselves for the good of the other person and expecting nothing in return.
This is definitely something that is missing in lots of marriages today. This is one of the things the Love Dare is all about. Putting this kind of love into practice has put many Christian counselors into business! But this is also missing in friendships and how we treat other Christians. It's not one of those character traits we can choose to ignore.
It's a decision, not an emotion. You don't have warm fuzzy feelings about your enemy, but we're told to love them. Matthew 5:43-44, 46 - Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you... For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? Just like we're told to love our neighbors. Sometimes our neighbors aren't the nicest people. Matthew 19:19b - Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Romans 13:10 - Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
This is the love we should have for all Christians. John 13:34-35 - A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. I Peter 2:17 - Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.
We should be willing to go the distance. John 15:12-13, 17 - This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends... These things I command you, that ye love one another. We will get out of our comfort zone and help one another out and serve one another. Galatians 5:13 - For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. 1 John 3:16-18 - Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
This is how a husband is supposed to love his wife. You can read the whole chapter, but the verses specifically on this are Ephesians 5:25, 28, 33 - Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it... So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself... Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband. Colossians 3:19 - Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.
Agape love is how God loves us and how we are to love Him. These verses sum it up better than I can. 1 John 4:7-12, 16-21 - Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us... And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. We love him, because he first loved us. If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.
With Valentine's Day right around the corner, perhaps we should focus more on developing agape love in our lives rather than on the chocolate and roses aspect of it all.
This is definitely something that is missing in lots of marriages today. This is one of the things the Love Dare is all about. Putting this kind of love into practice has put many Christian counselors into business! But this is also missing in friendships and how we treat other Christians. It's not one of those character traits we can choose to ignore.
It's a decision, not an emotion. You don't have warm fuzzy feelings about your enemy, but we're told to love them. Matthew 5:43-44, 46 - Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you... For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? Just like we're told to love our neighbors. Sometimes our neighbors aren't the nicest people. Matthew 19:19b - Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Romans 13:10 - Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
This is the love we should have for all Christians. John 13:34-35 - A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. I Peter 2:17 - Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.
We should be willing to go the distance. John 15:12-13, 17 - This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends... These things I command you, that ye love one another. We will get out of our comfort zone and help one another out and serve one another. Galatians 5:13 - For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. 1 John 3:16-18 - Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
This is how a husband is supposed to love his wife. You can read the whole chapter, but the verses specifically on this are Ephesians 5:25, 28, 33 - Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it... So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself... Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband. Colossians 3:19 - Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.
Agape love is how God loves us and how we are to love Him. These verses sum it up better than I can. 1 John 4:7-12, 16-21 - Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us... And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. We love him, because he first loved us. If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.
With Valentine's Day right around the corner, perhaps we should focus more on developing agape love in our lives rather than on the chocolate and roses aspect of it all.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Giving
We all know about giving to the Lord. It can be done in lots of ways. Some are the money that we give to the Lord's church, we can give our time, of our things. Jesus even gave His life (Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. Matthew 20:28). No matter the method we are using to give, "...God loveth a cheerful giver." (2 Corinthians 9:7) God wants the sacrifices and offerings we make to be free will offerings. When we are grudging, it ruins it. Without the love in our attitude, our giving is meaningless (1 Corinthians 13).
It's the same thing with our children. They have chores and tasks they are expected to complete. But we want them to do it with a good attitude and willingly. If they grumble and complain, it's ruined. The grumbling and complaining removes the beauty of their sacrifice.
In Matthew 10 Jesus sent out the 12 apostles. He was giving them their instructions. The last part of verse 8 applies to us as well "...freely ye have received, freely give." God has given to us bountifully! Think of all the things we have that we take for granted every day. Some things we never even think about until they're gone. Even our friendships are a gift from God. It's God's good pleasure to give to us extravagantly (Luke 12:32 - Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.). He's sure not giving grudgingly! O.k. I'm getting off the topic.
Luke 6:30 talks of giving to all who ask (Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.). But then it goes on to say in verse 32 (For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.) that you're doing this because you love them. It's not something you do grudgingly. It's not something you go and brag about ot your friends. See the reward listed in verse 38 (Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.). God's not after a sacrifice we check off our list, or he would have accepted the Pharisee in Luke 18:11-12.
This is just my thought here, but I've often thought this might be why God doesn't tell us to tithe in the New Testament. I'm not saying tithing is wrong. It can be a very good idea. But we're not bound to tithe as the Old Law bound tithing. See 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 again. We are to think about it in our heart. Give from our heart, not from a list and not so we can complain, but cheerfully. We are to give. There's no doubt about it. God just wants us to watch our attitudes and give with a glad heart and willingly. It's the difference between getting someone a gift because you kow it's expected and getting a gift for someone because you love them and really want to find the right gift and are excited to give it.
Imagine this: A little girl has been playing outside on a warm and sunny morning. She runs inside all breathless and excited. Her cheeks are positively pink with pleasure. "Look, look! I got them just for you!" At this proclomation, she lets her skirt tail down and proudly displays her treasure - a whole big bunch of dandelions. Then she proceeds to empty her pockets too. Those dandelions are the most beautiful boquet a mother or grandmother could hope for! Every one was picked with love and excitement and joy. The kitchen is so much brighter now, and the table is full of cups that have been transformed into vases. There is no way you can see them and NOT smile!
Let your giving be like this. This pure, uncomplicated, worry-free giving. It will be hard not to do it with a hop and a skip in your step. But maybe you shouldn't stifle the urge...
It's the same thing with our children. They have chores and tasks they are expected to complete. But we want them to do it with a good attitude and willingly. If they grumble and complain, it's ruined. The grumbling and complaining removes the beauty of their sacrifice.
In Matthew 10 Jesus sent out the 12 apostles. He was giving them their instructions. The last part of verse 8 applies to us as well "...freely ye have received, freely give." God has given to us bountifully! Think of all the things we have that we take for granted every day. Some things we never even think about until they're gone. Even our friendships are a gift from God. It's God's good pleasure to give to us extravagantly (Luke 12:32 - Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.). He's sure not giving grudgingly! O.k. I'm getting off the topic.
Luke 6:30 talks of giving to all who ask (Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.). But then it goes on to say in verse 32 (For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.) that you're doing this because you love them. It's not something you do grudgingly. It's not something you go and brag about ot your friends. See the reward listed in verse 38 (Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.). God's not after a sacrifice we check off our list, or he would have accepted the Pharisee in Luke 18:11-12.
This is just my thought here, but I've often thought this might be why God doesn't tell us to tithe in the New Testament. I'm not saying tithing is wrong. It can be a very good idea. But we're not bound to tithe as the Old Law bound tithing. See 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 again. We are to think about it in our heart. Give from our heart, not from a list and not so we can complain, but cheerfully. We are to give. There's no doubt about it. God just wants us to watch our attitudes and give with a glad heart and willingly. It's the difference between getting someone a gift because you kow it's expected and getting a gift for someone because you love them and really want to find the right gift and are excited to give it.
Imagine this: A little girl has been playing outside on a warm and sunny morning. She runs inside all breathless and excited. Her cheeks are positively pink with pleasure. "Look, look! I got them just for you!" At this proclomation, she lets her skirt tail down and proudly displays her treasure - a whole big bunch of dandelions. Then she proceeds to empty her pockets too. Those dandelions are the most beautiful boquet a mother or grandmother could hope for! Every one was picked with love and excitement and joy. The kitchen is so much brighter now, and the table is full of cups that have been transformed into vases. There is no way you can see them and NOT smile!
Let your giving be like this. This pure, uncomplicated, worry-free giving. It will be hard not to do it with a hop and a skip in your step. But maybe you shouldn't stifle the urge...
Friday, February 5, 2010
Except the Lord Build the House
This was written by my friend Lisa Sipper. I feel she did a superb job of putting this into words.
On Anastasia Island in Florida, there is a little fort which can be toured by taking a ferry across the Matanzas Inlet. In the 1740s, Fort Matanzas was the watchtower for what was known as the “backdoor” of St. Augustine for enemy forces borne by ship, looking to infiltrate the city by surprise. This small, temporary residence was manned by seven soldiers at a time. Their duties were to watch for invading troops, warn the city, and resist the enemy’s invasion by canon fire and musket fire. Within the fort was room for the soldiers to keep their provisions and ammunition, while working in shifts to ensure the safety of the inhabitants within the city of St. Augustine.
Fort Matanzas is not a very imposing fort. It isn’t pretty, and is situated in the middle of nowhere. What soldier would have wanted to be assigned for any length of time in this secluded structure, as opposed to the grand, well-defended Castillo de San Marco in the heart of St. Augustine? Yet, the soldiers who were watchmen for the city knew that standing guard in that tiny fort off the Matanzas Inlet was a serious undertaking. If the job was neglected, St. Augustine would be under surprise attack and the lives of men, women, and children would be lost.
The Bible speaks of the watchman and his role throughout the Old Testament. The word “watchman” is also translated “keeper” in some passages, such as II Kings 11:5, speaking of the “keepers of the watch of the king’s house,” and Esther 2:3, when it talks of Hegai, the “keeper of the women.” The Hebrew word is shawmar. It means to guard, hedge about, and protect. It also includes taking heed to oneself, being aware of the surroundings, and looking about carefully and circumspectly. Being a watchman or keeper requires full attention and alertness. A watchman is responsible for the lives of those for whom he watches.
In Psalm 127, this idea is given in a spiritual sense: Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.
For Christians who are part of the heavenly city, the Church, these are encouraging words. The watchmen of God do not need to worry or be troubled, for God will provide rest and give His soldiers comfort. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)
Yet, the remaining verses in the Psalm seem unrelated to the first two verses: Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.
This brings a greater meaning to the passage and presents what is at the heart of the Church, the Christian home. Just as the Church is the spiritual city of God, so each Christian family is a bastion built to withstand the forces of a spiritual enemy. Just like the Church, the builder of the Christian family is God. Without God as the designer and maker of the fortress of the home, it is vulnerable and only waits to be infiltrated. The duty of each individual family member is to submit to the Designer’s guidance found in His commands and examples in the Bible. God has designed roles for each family member to see to the needs of that spiritual city. If those roles are neglected, the city will not be able to withstand attack, as God, the master builder, designed it to handle.
Psalm 127 also gives ways to prepare for any spiritual attack. One is to be watchful, guarding the inhabitants of the city from spiritual assault. This requires watching for things that might be introduced into the hearts and minds of the family members which are not conducive to a moral, godly standard of living.
As mentioned earlier, the heart and mind shouldn’t be hampered by sorrow or sleeplessness, brought on by worry, when faced with the threat of the fiery darts of the wicked one. Trusting in God’s protection is so vital. It is also lack of faith which prompts the worry; and many times it causes rash, detrimental decisions to be made, keeping the family from trusting in God to see them through.
Another part of preparing for an attack is the training and instruction of the children. Have you ever considered your child as a weapon? What kind of blow is a misdirected arrow going to have in comparison with the arrow that is handled by the God-directed marksman? The marksman prepares and guides the arrow for shooting. We are aiming our children toward the mark of obedience to God. This task requires teaching righteous living and the consequences that come from disobedience. Children must be taught self-discipline in order to follow God’s laws. A child who won’t obey parental authority is going to have greater difficulty being obedient to God. Parents are held accountable for the training that goes on in the home!
Brief detour here: There is an undermining philosophy among families today that incorporating spanking into a child’s training does not teach a child the importance of making the right choices. While there are children with serious disabilities that the above philosophy may apply to, there are overwhelming numbers of families who make excuses, disobeying God’s words of wisdom. Spanking is not enjoyable. It is not an outlet for anger. It is a means to succinctly apply the understanding that there are consequences for bad actions. (Proverbs 23:13-14)
Lastly, Psalm 127 presents the children of the Christian home as speaking to the enemies at the gate without being ashamed. The word for “ashamed” (Hebrew word, boosh) means to become pale with confusion, to be confounded. This implies the children are given instruction within the city on how to speak with the enemy. Children of the Christian home are to be taught what the enemy will tell them and how to respond. When the time comes for them to combat the weapons thrown at them, they will not bow the head and hesitate about how to address what is wrong. They will confront it boldly with knowledge of the power that the builder of their city possesses.
Your Christian home is like Fort Matanzas. It is a small fortress guarding the Church from the backdoor attacks. You have been designated as the watchman! It is your duty and your defense is crucial. Don’t let your guard down; that is the way the city of God gets infiltrated. Don’t neglect your role! Don’t devalue it by the standards the world shoots at you. God has chosen your family to this task. He will protect and provide everything, everything you need, but you must defend His cause by building up your Christian home in obedience to Him!
On Anastasia Island in Florida, there is a little fort which can be toured by taking a ferry across the Matanzas Inlet. In the 1740s, Fort Matanzas was the watchtower for what was known as the “backdoor” of St. Augustine for enemy forces borne by ship, looking to infiltrate the city by surprise. This small, temporary residence was manned by seven soldiers at a time. Their duties were to watch for invading troops, warn the city, and resist the enemy’s invasion by canon fire and musket fire. Within the fort was room for the soldiers to keep their provisions and ammunition, while working in shifts to ensure the safety of the inhabitants within the city of St. Augustine.
Fort Matanzas is not a very imposing fort. It isn’t pretty, and is situated in the middle of nowhere. What soldier would have wanted to be assigned for any length of time in this secluded structure, as opposed to the grand, well-defended Castillo de San Marco in the heart of St. Augustine? Yet, the soldiers who were watchmen for the city knew that standing guard in that tiny fort off the Matanzas Inlet was a serious undertaking. If the job was neglected, St. Augustine would be under surprise attack and the lives of men, women, and children would be lost.
The Bible speaks of the watchman and his role throughout the Old Testament. The word “watchman” is also translated “keeper” in some passages, such as II Kings 11:5, speaking of the “keepers of the watch of the king’s house,” and Esther 2:3, when it talks of Hegai, the “keeper of the women.” The Hebrew word is shawmar. It means to guard, hedge about, and protect. It also includes taking heed to oneself, being aware of the surroundings, and looking about carefully and circumspectly. Being a watchman or keeper requires full attention and alertness. A watchman is responsible for the lives of those for whom he watches.
In Psalm 127, this idea is given in a spiritual sense: Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.
For Christians who are part of the heavenly city, the Church, these are encouraging words. The watchmen of God do not need to worry or be troubled, for God will provide rest and give His soldiers comfort. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)
Yet, the remaining verses in the Psalm seem unrelated to the first two verses: Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.
This brings a greater meaning to the passage and presents what is at the heart of the Church, the Christian home. Just as the Church is the spiritual city of God, so each Christian family is a bastion built to withstand the forces of a spiritual enemy. Just like the Church, the builder of the Christian family is God. Without God as the designer and maker of the fortress of the home, it is vulnerable and only waits to be infiltrated. The duty of each individual family member is to submit to the Designer’s guidance found in His commands and examples in the Bible. God has designed roles for each family member to see to the needs of that spiritual city. If those roles are neglected, the city will not be able to withstand attack, as God, the master builder, designed it to handle.
Psalm 127 also gives ways to prepare for any spiritual attack. One is to be watchful, guarding the inhabitants of the city from spiritual assault. This requires watching for things that might be introduced into the hearts and minds of the family members which are not conducive to a moral, godly standard of living.
As mentioned earlier, the heart and mind shouldn’t be hampered by sorrow or sleeplessness, brought on by worry, when faced with the threat of the fiery darts of the wicked one. Trusting in God’s protection is so vital. It is also lack of faith which prompts the worry; and many times it causes rash, detrimental decisions to be made, keeping the family from trusting in God to see them through.
Another part of preparing for an attack is the training and instruction of the children. Have you ever considered your child as a weapon? What kind of blow is a misdirected arrow going to have in comparison with the arrow that is handled by the God-directed marksman? The marksman prepares and guides the arrow for shooting. We are aiming our children toward the mark of obedience to God. This task requires teaching righteous living and the consequences that come from disobedience. Children must be taught self-discipline in order to follow God’s laws. A child who won’t obey parental authority is going to have greater difficulty being obedient to God. Parents are held accountable for the training that goes on in the home!
Brief detour here: There is an undermining philosophy among families today that incorporating spanking into a child’s training does not teach a child the importance of making the right choices. While there are children with serious disabilities that the above philosophy may apply to, there are overwhelming numbers of families who make excuses, disobeying God’s words of wisdom. Spanking is not enjoyable. It is not an outlet for anger. It is a means to succinctly apply the understanding that there are consequences for bad actions. (Proverbs 23:13-14)
Lastly, Psalm 127 presents the children of the Christian home as speaking to the enemies at the gate without being ashamed. The word for “ashamed” (Hebrew word, boosh) means to become pale with confusion, to be confounded. This implies the children are given instruction within the city on how to speak with the enemy. Children of the Christian home are to be taught what the enemy will tell them and how to respond. When the time comes for them to combat the weapons thrown at them, they will not bow the head and hesitate about how to address what is wrong. They will confront it boldly with knowledge of the power that the builder of their city possesses.
Your Christian home is like Fort Matanzas. It is a small fortress guarding the Church from the backdoor attacks. You have been designated as the watchman! It is your duty and your defense is crucial. Don’t let your guard down; that is the way the city of God gets infiltrated. Don’t neglect your role! Don’t devalue it by the standards the world shoots at you. God has chosen your family to this task. He will protect and provide everything, everything you need, but you must defend His cause by building up your Christian home in obedience to Him!
Monday, February 1, 2010
Being Beautiful
My dh asked me last night if there was anything special I wanted for my birthday. I thought about it for a long time, and I don't think I ever came up with anything I could tell him. Being pregnant and, well, rather whale-shaped, I have decided if I could have anything I wanted for my birthday, I would like to feel absolutely, stunningly beautiful. Don't get me wrong - he tells me I'm pretty and all that sweet stuff. I just want to be able to look in the mirror and feel pretty. Or leave my house and not feel like a cow just getting in and out of the car. And it's not that I dislike being pregnant or want it over with. There are beautiful pregnant women out there. Just not me.
So after feeling sorry for myself for a while, I figured I'd better pull myself together and consult the manual. What does the Bible have to say about being beautiful and attractive?
The famous woman of Proverbs 31 teaches us that seeking physical beauty is vain in verse 30 - Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. Instead, we are to fear the Lord.
Beauty can be only skin deep. Matthew 23:27 - Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. We can't be hypocrites and be truly beautiful. God knows how we really are, even if we manage to fool everyone else. We can't fool God.
Romans 10:15 says the feet of those who bring the Gospel of peace to others are beautiful. It won't make my swelling ankles go away, but it will make them beautiful in God's eyes.
Psalm 149: 4 - For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation. This verse goes even further and states that we become beautiful through salvation. We are all sinners and in need of salvation to be beautiful to God. We are to worship God in the beauty of holiness. (Psalm 29:2 - Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.) We're told to be holy many times (I Peter 1:16 - Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.), but now we find it makes us beautiful too.
There are other verses along the same vein all throughout the Bible, but the message is clear. Seeking after physical beauty is a waste of time. I guess some people are blessed with it and others are not. What I should be spending my time on is making myself spiritually beautiful and sharing that with as many as I can.
So what am I going to tell my dh I want for my birthday? I really have no idea. Do you?
So after feeling sorry for myself for a while, I figured I'd better pull myself together and consult the manual. What does the Bible have to say about being beautiful and attractive?
The famous woman of Proverbs 31 teaches us that seeking physical beauty is vain in verse 30 - Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. Instead, we are to fear the Lord.
Beauty can be only skin deep. Matthew 23:27 - Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. We can't be hypocrites and be truly beautiful. God knows how we really are, even if we manage to fool everyone else. We can't fool God.
Romans 10:15 says the feet of those who bring the Gospel of peace to others are beautiful. It won't make my swelling ankles go away, but it will make them beautiful in God's eyes.
Psalm 149: 4 - For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation. This verse goes even further and states that we become beautiful through salvation. We are all sinners and in need of salvation to be beautiful to God. We are to worship God in the beauty of holiness. (Psalm 29:2 - Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.) We're told to be holy many times (I Peter 1:16 - Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.), but now we find it makes us beautiful too.
There are other verses along the same vein all throughout the Bible, but the message is clear. Seeking after physical beauty is a waste of time. I guess some people are blessed with it and others are not. What I should be spending my time on is making myself spiritually beautiful and sharing that with as many as I can.
So what am I going to tell my dh I want for my birthday? I really have no idea. Do you?
Testing the Spirits
Romans 12:2 - And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
II Corinthians13:5 - Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
I John 4:1 - Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
In all these verses, the word underlined comes from the same Greek word (which I have no idea how to pronounce or spell - I'll leave that to Greek scholars). But it's talking about looking at things and being able to know if they are good or bad, right or wrong. Sometimes it's translated "prove", "try", "qualify", or "allow". But often it's translated as "test". And we really must look at every single thing we believe and test it to see if what we believe is right.
Our word "test" comes from the Latin word testum. It was an earthenware pot or vessel. Later, it came to refer to a vessel or jar used in refining, to separate pure gold and silver from any impurities. Does that remind you of Zechariah 13:9 (And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God.)? What about Malachi 3:3 (And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.)? We are to test like this - to identify and remove anything that is impure.
Logically, this means there has to be a standard as to what is right or wrong, pure or impure. It's not up to what each person thinks is right or wrong. There has to be a standard, and that standard is the Bible. Cooks use measuring cups and spoons to cook. Builders use plumb lines when they build. Teachers have answer keys. Tailors have patterns. Religion is where some people draw the line and say it's o.k. to believe whatever you want. That is just not true! God's word is TRUTH (John 17:17 - Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.). It is absolute truth. It has to be. If God's word is not absolute truth, then there is no truth at all.
If we are going to test our beliefs and ideas against the standard, then we must know the standard. If you don't know what is right, how will you know what is wrong? You can't test your beliefs if you don't know the standard. Get in the Bible and read it. Read it every day. If you don't have a quiet time for Bible reading, or if you have small children at home, it makes it more challenging to find a good time to do this. But it will be more than worth your effort! Just pick up your Bible and read 5 pages a day. That's not very much to read. I've even known some who read the Bible in the bathroom since that's the only place they can get away from their children. Try one page every time you go. Some people have family members take turns reading it before supper to the rest of the family. I like to get up earlier than my children and use that quiet time. It doesn't matter when you do it or where. But you should read your Bible! After all, there will be a test...
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Children's Church/Children's Bible Hour
The Bible states on many occasions that all the people are to come together in one place for worship. Not part of the people (Nehemiah 8:4-6, I Corinthians 11:20, I Corinthians 11:33-34, I Corinthians 14:23, I Corinthians 14:26, Hebrews 10:25). We are supposed to assemble together, not in separated groups. God demands we come together.
I have heard it said that all moms need a break, and sending children to Bible Hour will give mom a break so she can hear the sermon and pay attention better. They sound like noble goals on the surface. It is the parent's responsibility to teach children to worship God, be quiet and respectful during worship service, and show proper awe and respect for God. If children can be taught to behave in Bible classes, then they can certainly be taught to behave in the worship assembly.
Shouldn't the children be able to benefit from having a lesson on their level? Of course! That is exactly why there are Bible classes. But Bible classes are not part of the worship assembly where we are all to gather together.
What about the children of visitors? They don't know how to behave. No, not yet. Any child can be taught. Children learn by being in the worship service. Sending them away to Children's Church deprives them of what they should be learning. Parents should be bringing their children up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4). Not being in the worship assembly keeps children from learning and developing the discipline to sit still, to concentrate, and to have a longer attention span. Worship services teach children what worship is. Children learn by teaching, observation, and experience. The worship services are a place where children learn what true, good, sound preaching is all about.
They also learn that worship is NOT entertainment. If we train them in Children's Bible Hour that they can expect to be entertained during worship, why are we surprised when they don't do things decently and in order as adults (I Corinthians 14:40)?
The adults that are teaching the children are in no better shape. They are often nothing better than glorified baby sitters, and they are being forced to forsake the assembly (Hebrews 10:25).
There is no right way to do a wrong thing.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Miracles and Gifts of the Holy Spirit
Miracles in the Bible are called miracles, signs, and wonders, mighty deeds, and (certain) works. Miracles in the Bible are described by events which cannot be reproduced by nature and that are outside normal experiences (supernatural). A Biblical miracle is something astonishing, incredible, extraordinary, or unusual like the birth of a baby or barely missing an accident. And I’m not talking about the times where God works within the normal parameters of everyday life to work His will.
The examples of miracles in the Bible show the purpose for those miracles was to prove who God is – THE God, omnipotent, etc. These miracles were done by those proclaiming God’s word as proof that they were speaking the truth. Exodus 4:30, Mark 16:15-20, John 2:22-23John 3;2, John 14:10-11, Acts 4:29-32, Acts 8:5-12, Acts 13:7-12, Acts 14:2-3, Acts 15:12, Romans 15:18-19, I Corinthians 2:4-5, I Thessalonians 1:5-6, Hebrews 2:1-4. The miracles were performed so the words of the person doing the miracles would be believed by the audience.
Some say that those who speak in tongues are very spiritual. Where is the evidence of this? I Corinthians 14:6-19 emphasizes that those who did speak in tongues were not spiritually superior to others. I Corinthians 12:7-30. Some say the gift of miraculous healing is because God does not want us to suffer because we are His children. If this is the case, then what about all the first-century Christians who suffered horribly? The Christian is not spared from the same diseases, death, or tragedy to which everyone else is subjected. In fact, we are told to expect all this (I Corinthians 10:13, II Timothy 3:12, I Peter 4:12-17).
Now to this, some will say that a person won’t be healed if they don’t have enough faith. Some people were commended for their faith in the presence of a miracle (Mark 5:34). But what about dead people who were revived (John 11:44)? Their faith couldn’t have been an issue. The same can be said for people who were possessed by demons (Luke 9:42, 11:14). And for others, they just didn’t KNOW (John 9:11-12, 17, 25, 35-36, John 5:13). Sometimes the faith of the companions was cited (Mark 2:5). Paul surely had faith, but his faith did not remove his “thorn in the flesh”, his “messenger of Satan” (II Corinthians 12:7-10). Timothy had stomach problems that were not miraculously healed (I Timothy 5:23). Trophimus, a fellow worker with Paul, had to be left due to his sickness (II Timothy 4:20). Epaphroditus is an example of one who was sick “nigh unto death” (Philippians 2:27-30), yet he was not miraculously healed.
In Matthew 13:58, even though unbelief was predominant, Jesus did a few miracles there. Their continued unbelief made further miracles unnecessary. He was just practicing what he had preached in Mark 6:11 and Matthew 7:6.
Once God finished revealing all the information He wished to reveal (what we call the New Testament), the need for miraculous proof became non-existent. We can study the Bible diligently and see the miracles that were performed and know that the words spoken in the Bible are truth. We have all we need in the Bible (II Peter 1:3). To claim that we still need miracles today is to say the Bible isn’t all-sufficient (I Corinthians 1:22, II Timothy 3:16-17).
I Corinthians 12-14 was written to the church in Corinth because the spiritual gifts (speaking in tongues, healing, and prophecy) were being misused. The spiritual gifts are defined in chapter 12, and it goes on to explain how miraculous gifts should function harmoniously when used correctly. Chapter 13 goes on to tell how these gifts won’t be around forever, particularly verses 8-13. 13:10 talks about when “that which is perfect” comes. Paul was contrasting quantities, incomplete and partial miraculous gifts with something that would be total and complete. This is what we have – the fully revealed Word of God. The spiritual gifts were compared to childish things in 13:11, whereas the full truth that we have today (John 16:13). We no longer have partial access to God’s Word.
The same point was made to the church at Ephesus. The gifts given by Christ (Ephesians 4:8) were to have a specific duration (4:13). Many verses in the New Testament indicate that there is ONE faith (Acts 6:7, Acts 13:8, Acts 14:22, Acts 16:5, Galatians 1:23, Jude 3). Not a whole bunch of little groups believing different things. Unity between these divisions is impossible; because the unity being called for in the New Testament is a unity of truth, not an agreement to disagree. The faith being referred to is the completed body of information that sums up Christianity – the Bible (Ephesians 4:5). Miracles lasted until “the faith” was completely revealed.
Speaking in tongues as referred to in I Corinthians 14 refers to people speaking in languages that were unknown to the person doing the speaking (I Corinthians 14:2, 4, 13-14, 19, 27). It was the ability to speak in a foreign language without having prior knowledge of the language. The people speaking were being heard in the native language of the listeners (Acts 2:9-11). All tongue-speaking was done in known human languages, not incoherent gibberish (I Corinthians 14:9-11). The “tongues of angels” as referred to in I Corinthians 13:1 is often brought up in reference to speaking in tongues that are not understood by human ears. The meaning of angel is a messenger – one who communicates a spoken message. They were God’s messengers to humans. They are always represented in the Bible as communicating in human language, and they have the ability to speak all human languages. There would be no spiritual benefit for people to talk in a different “angelic” language.
Speaking in tongues was to be a sign to unbelievers rather than believers (I Corinthians 14:22). It was to be used to confirm to them the Word of God. What people practice today is not done under those terms. In fact, when a person attends a worship service today and is skeptical of the validity of tongue-speaking, it is said that tongue-speaking cannot occur because of unbelief present. This is in direct opposition to what was taught to the Corinthians. There is also every indication that the speakers of tongues in the New Testament could control themselves. They were not overcome, babble, or flail about. They did it one at a time, not interrupting one another, and were to remain silent if no interpreter was present (I Corinthians 14:27-28, 32).
Today, those who can speak in tongues or perform any other miraculous action is said to be baptized in the Holy Spirit, or Spirit-filled. But in the Bible, just because a person could do these things did not mean he had been baptized in the Holy Spirit. It is impossible to tell to whom John the Baptist is referring when he refers to the baptism of the Holy Spirit in Matthew 3:11. But in Luke 24:49, Jesus is clearly talking to his apostles. If this verse is referring to all Christians, then likewise, all Christians would have to be personally guided “into all the truth” (John 16:13) and would have no need of the Bible (John 14:26). Acts 1:4-8 talks about how it would be soon and that it would enable them to witness to the world what they had experienced by being with Jesus. This passage quotes what John the Baptist had said previously in Matthew 3, so it’s obviously talking about the same thing. This was confined to the apostles.
Acts 2 details that it was the apostles who spoke in tongues and taught the people. The 12 apostles were the ones who were baptized by the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:7, 2:14, 2:37, 2:43, 5:12) in Acts 2. They were all Jews. Then in Acts 10, the Gentiles received this gift in the household of Cornelius. This is prophesied in Joel 2:28. Joel 2:28-29 are further fulfilled by the apostles spreading the gifts of the Holy Spirit by laying on of their hands (Acts 8:17-21, 9:10, 10:3, 10, 16:9, 21:9). Philip received his ability to perform miracles in this way (Acts 6:5-6). Paul laid his hands on the Christians in Ephesus (Acts 19:6). Timothy received his in the same way (II Timothy 1:6). There is never an example of anyone with these gifts spreading their gifts further. The only examples given of spreading these gifts are from the laying on the apostles’ hands.
The baptism of I Corinthians 12:13 refers to the baptism that adds one into the body of Christ because it says “baptized into one body…” It doesn’t say they were baptized with the Holy Spirit. They were the beneficiaries of the Spirit’s guidance or assistance. They were baptized by the Spirit, not with the Spirit.
For us today, there is “…one baptism…” (Ephesians 4:5). Water baptism is confirmed in John 3:5, Acts 18:8, Ephesians 5:26, and Titus 3:5. There are no apostles left to lay hands on anyone today. Holy Spirit baptism was unique to the apostles and the first Gentile converts and doesn’t exist today. There is no need for miraculous gifts today because we have God’s complete written Word. Divine healing, speaking in tongues, miracles, and prophecy simply do not exist today.
The examples of miracles in the Bible show the purpose for those miracles was to prove who God is – THE God, omnipotent, etc. These miracles were done by those proclaiming God’s word as proof that they were speaking the truth. Exodus 4:30, Mark 16:15-20, John 2:22-23John 3;2, John 14:10-11, Acts 4:29-32, Acts 8:5-12, Acts 13:7-12, Acts 14:2-3, Acts 15:12, Romans 15:18-19, I Corinthians 2:4-5, I Thessalonians 1:5-6, Hebrews 2:1-4. The miracles were performed so the words of the person doing the miracles would be believed by the audience.
Some say that those who speak in tongues are very spiritual. Where is the evidence of this? I Corinthians 14:6-19 emphasizes that those who did speak in tongues were not spiritually superior to others. I Corinthians 12:7-30. Some say the gift of miraculous healing is because God does not want us to suffer because we are His children. If this is the case, then what about all the first-century Christians who suffered horribly? The Christian is not spared from the same diseases, death, or tragedy to which everyone else is subjected. In fact, we are told to expect all this (I Corinthians 10:13, II Timothy 3:12, I Peter 4:12-17).
Now to this, some will say that a person won’t be healed if they don’t have enough faith. Some people were commended for their faith in the presence of a miracle (Mark 5:34). But what about dead people who were revived (John 11:44)? Their faith couldn’t have been an issue. The same can be said for people who were possessed by demons (Luke 9:42, 11:14). And for others, they just didn’t KNOW (John 9:11-12, 17, 25, 35-36, John 5:13). Sometimes the faith of the companions was cited (Mark 2:5). Paul surely had faith, but his faith did not remove his “thorn in the flesh”, his “messenger of Satan” (II Corinthians 12:7-10). Timothy had stomach problems that were not miraculously healed (I Timothy 5:23). Trophimus, a fellow worker with Paul, had to be left due to his sickness (II Timothy 4:20). Epaphroditus is an example of one who was sick “nigh unto death” (Philippians 2:27-30), yet he was not miraculously healed.
In Matthew 13:58, even though unbelief was predominant, Jesus did a few miracles there. Their continued unbelief made further miracles unnecessary. He was just practicing what he had preached in Mark 6:11 and Matthew 7:6.
Once God finished revealing all the information He wished to reveal (what we call the New Testament), the need for miraculous proof became non-existent. We can study the Bible diligently and see the miracles that were performed and know that the words spoken in the Bible are truth. We have all we need in the Bible (II Peter 1:3). To claim that we still need miracles today is to say the Bible isn’t all-sufficient (I Corinthians 1:22, II Timothy 3:16-17).
I Corinthians 12-14 was written to the church in Corinth because the spiritual gifts (speaking in tongues, healing, and prophecy) were being misused. The spiritual gifts are defined in chapter 12, and it goes on to explain how miraculous gifts should function harmoniously when used correctly. Chapter 13 goes on to tell how these gifts won’t be around forever, particularly verses 8-13. 13:10 talks about when “that which is perfect” comes. Paul was contrasting quantities, incomplete and partial miraculous gifts with something that would be total and complete. This is what we have – the fully revealed Word of God. The spiritual gifts were compared to childish things in 13:11, whereas the full truth that we have today (John 16:13). We no longer have partial access to God’s Word.
The same point was made to the church at Ephesus. The gifts given by Christ (Ephesians 4:8) were to have a specific duration (4:13). Many verses in the New Testament indicate that there is ONE faith (Acts 6:7, Acts 13:8, Acts 14:22, Acts 16:5, Galatians 1:23, Jude 3). Not a whole bunch of little groups believing different things. Unity between these divisions is impossible; because the unity being called for in the New Testament is a unity of truth, not an agreement to disagree. The faith being referred to is the completed body of information that sums up Christianity – the Bible (Ephesians 4:5). Miracles lasted until “the faith” was completely revealed.
Speaking in tongues as referred to in I Corinthians 14 refers to people speaking in languages that were unknown to the person doing the speaking (I Corinthians 14:2, 4, 13-14, 19, 27). It was the ability to speak in a foreign language without having prior knowledge of the language. The people speaking were being heard in the native language of the listeners (Acts 2:9-11). All tongue-speaking was done in known human languages, not incoherent gibberish (I Corinthians 14:9-11). The “tongues of angels” as referred to in I Corinthians 13:1 is often brought up in reference to speaking in tongues that are not understood by human ears. The meaning of angel is a messenger – one who communicates a spoken message. They were God’s messengers to humans. They are always represented in the Bible as communicating in human language, and they have the ability to speak all human languages. There would be no spiritual benefit for people to talk in a different “angelic” language.
Speaking in tongues was to be a sign to unbelievers rather than believers (I Corinthians 14:22). It was to be used to confirm to them the Word of God. What people practice today is not done under those terms. In fact, when a person attends a worship service today and is skeptical of the validity of tongue-speaking, it is said that tongue-speaking cannot occur because of unbelief present. This is in direct opposition to what was taught to the Corinthians. There is also every indication that the speakers of tongues in the New Testament could control themselves. They were not overcome, babble, or flail about. They did it one at a time, not interrupting one another, and were to remain silent if no interpreter was present (I Corinthians 14:27-28, 32).
Today, those who can speak in tongues or perform any other miraculous action is said to be baptized in the Holy Spirit, or Spirit-filled. But in the Bible, just because a person could do these things did not mean he had been baptized in the Holy Spirit. It is impossible to tell to whom John the Baptist is referring when he refers to the baptism of the Holy Spirit in Matthew 3:11. But in Luke 24:49, Jesus is clearly talking to his apostles. If this verse is referring to all Christians, then likewise, all Christians would have to be personally guided “into all the truth” (John 16:13) and would have no need of the Bible (John 14:26). Acts 1:4-8 talks about how it would be soon and that it would enable them to witness to the world what they had experienced by being with Jesus. This passage quotes what John the Baptist had said previously in Matthew 3, so it’s obviously talking about the same thing. This was confined to the apostles.
Acts 2 details that it was the apostles who spoke in tongues and taught the people. The 12 apostles were the ones who were baptized by the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:7, 2:14, 2:37, 2:43, 5:12) in Acts 2. They were all Jews. Then in Acts 10, the Gentiles received this gift in the household of Cornelius. This is prophesied in Joel 2:28. Joel 2:28-29 are further fulfilled by the apostles spreading the gifts of the Holy Spirit by laying on of their hands (Acts 8:17-21, 9:10, 10:3, 10, 16:9, 21:9). Philip received his ability to perform miracles in this way (Acts 6:5-6). Paul laid his hands on the Christians in Ephesus (Acts 19:6). Timothy received his in the same way (II Timothy 1:6). There is never an example of anyone with these gifts spreading their gifts further. The only examples given of spreading these gifts are from the laying on the apostles’ hands.
The baptism of I Corinthians 12:13 refers to the baptism that adds one into the body of Christ because it says “baptized into one body…” It doesn’t say they were baptized with the Holy Spirit. They were the beneficiaries of the Spirit’s guidance or assistance. They were baptized by the Spirit, not with the Spirit.
For us today, there is “…one baptism…” (Ephesians 4:5). Water baptism is confirmed in John 3:5, Acts 18:8, Ephesians 5:26, and Titus 3:5. There are no apostles left to lay hands on anyone today. Holy Spirit baptism was unique to the apostles and the first Gentile converts and doesn’t exist today. There is no need for miraculous gifts today because we have God’s complete written Word. Divine healing, speaking in tongues, miracles, and prophecy simply do not exist today.
Speaking the Truth in Love
I was reading an article this morning by Douglas Hoff. His point was that when we speak the truth in love, we are not being arrogant. Here are some points that he made.
Declaring there is only one true church Jesus will save is not a mark of arrogance. It is stating the truth that will save souls (Ephesians 1:22-23).
When people believe one church is as good as another, there is no incentive to seek the true church.
What does it mean to speak the truth in love? Apparently, some have concluded it means never upsetting anyone. However, this is not in harmony with God's word. See Matthew 15:12 and John 6:60-66.
Accusing a person of being arrogant when he stands for the unique identity of the Lord's church makes one a judge of the heart. Only God can judge a person's heart.
If you are interested, some of his articles (including this one) can be found at Seek The Old Paths. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
Declaring there is only one true church Jesus will save is not a mark of arrogance. It is stating the truth that will save souls (Ephesians 1:22-23).
When people believe one church is as good as another, there is no incentive to seek the true church.
What does it mean to speak the truth in love? Apparently, some have concluded it means never upsetting anyone. However, this is not in harmony with God's word. See Matthew 15:12 and John 6:60-66.
Accusing a person of being arrogant when he stands for the unique identity of the Lord's church makes one a judge of the heart. Only God can judge a person's heart.
If you are interested, some of his articles (including this one) can be found at Seek The Old Paths. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Jesus Loves Me, This I Know
Did you know that Jesus loves you? No, I mean REALLY loves you?
As little children, we sing this song, and we firmly believe it, and it makes us happy! But something changes as we get older. Sometime between being little and high school, we think this song doesn't apply to us anymore. Maybe it's because we're not "little ones" anymore like the song specifies. So we sing it the few times someone leads it in the worship service, but we feel uncomfortable doing so because we don't really believe it. Then as adults we sing it to our children. It doesn't feel so uncomfortable because He really does love our little ones! And we believe that! Who could NOT love our little ones?! Especially their creator. By this time, we don't really think of ourselves as being divinely loved at all. What happened? Why do we begin to think this song does not apply to us?
But God has always given every evidence that He does love us. He didn't want us to go to hell, so He sent a way out for us. He sent His only Son. Jesus even died a horrible death because He loves us! He's preparing a place for us.
God has the kind of love for us that he is so happy when we talk to Him in prayer and when we read the words He has given us. When we come to Him with sadness in our hearts, He knows and understands and wants to ease our pain. When we are excited about something, He wants to jump up and down with us (yes, it's o.k. for adults to jump up and down with joy - you know the kind that fills to overflowing) and squeal with delight. When we can't sleep at night or feel completely alone, He wants to hold us in His arms and rock us gently. He is so very sad and hurt when we ignore our times to get together. He wants to hold our hands all through life if we will let Him.
So when you sing Jesus is all the world to me, my life, my joy, my all... Mean it. Live it. Because knowing He loves you like He does, you won't be able to help keeping it all to yourself. And when you sing Jesus Loves Me, sing it with all your heart. Even if you do mumble the little children ones part or replace it with big ones or something like that.
Jesus loves me this I know.
For the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to Him belong.
They are weak, but He is strong.
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
The Bible tells me so.
As little children, we sing this song, and we firmly believe it, and it makes us happy! But something changes as we get older. Sometime between being little and high school, we think this song doesn't apply to us anymore. Maybe it's because we're not "little ones" anymore like the song specifies. So we sing it the few times someone leads it in the worship service, but we feel uncomfortable doing so because we don't really believe it. Then as adults we sing it to our children. It doesn't feel so uncomfortable because He really does love our little ones! And we believe that! Who could NOT love our little ones?! Especially their creator. By this time, we don't really think of ourselves as being divinely loved at all. What happened? Why do we begin to think this song does not apply to us?
But God has always given every evidence that He does love us. He didn't want us to go to hell, so He sent a way out for us. He sent His only Son. Jesus even died a horrible death because He loves us! He's preparing a place for us.
God has the kind of love for us that he is so happy when we talk to Him in prayer and when we read the words He has given us. When we come to Him with sadness in our hearts, He knows and understands and wants to ease our pain. When we are excited about something, He wants to jump up and down with us (yes, it's o.k. for adults to jump up and down with joy - you know the kind that fills to overflowing) and squeal with delight. When we can't sleep at night or feel completely alone, He wants to hold us in His arms and rock us gently. He is so very sad and hurt when we ignore our times to get together. He wants to hold our hands all through life if we will let Him.
So when you sing Jesus is all the world to me, my life, my joy, my all... Mean it. Live it. Because knowing He loves you like He does, you won't be able to help keeping it all to yourself. And when you sing Jesus Loves Me, sing it with all your heart. Even if you do mumble the little children ones part or replace it with big ones or something like that.
Jesus loves me this I know.
For the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to Him belong.
They are weak, but He is strong.
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
The Bible tells me so.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
More On Church Unity
There can still be unity among all Christians even if there are differences between them. As long as the issues are not doctrinal, there can be absolute unity among all Christians. God would never give a command that we would be unable to follow. Everything else is opinion. Romans 14 refers to inconsequential things, opinions. Opinions will always differ because we are all unique individuals. Opinions do not get us to heaven or keep us out of heaven. But other matters regarding Christian living can be embraced by all Christians, and we can still be unified.
Different religions include different ideas in their group of key issues, hence their creed statements. But if we stick to the Bible, then there is no disagreement until personal preferences start to creep in. As for members of our congregation who disagree, are they matters of opinion or not? If they believe differently on important issues, why are they still there? There are plenty of denominations who have differing viewpoints. Surely one of them would match their beliefs. If they are not going to a different denomination, they either do not think the matter is important enough to change or they are not totally sure and they would rather be safe than sorry.
It is very easy to determine who is saved – anyone who does God’s will, which He gave us in the Bible. He would not provide a Bible for us and then make it too hard or confusing to understand. It is not my job to judge the intent of another’s heart, thankfully! But where we go to worship does say something about what we believe. That is why we have a sign on the door saying church of Christ. There are other acceptable Biblical names as well, but this is just what it is called in these parts. I have visited a congregation in Vienna where the only thing on the sign was The Lord’s Church meets here with the times. After speaking with them, the only difference I could see was a different order in the services and they had wine for communion. My point here, is it is not the name (as long as it is Biblical), it is what we believe and practice.
Members of other denominations are not members of the church of Christ because our differences mean too much to them. To them, our differences are a matter of doctrine, not opinion. It matters to them enough to mark the difference. So if they believe one way strongly enough not to be members of the church of Christ, they have already drawn the line of separation.
As far as denominationalism, the definition is a religious organization uniting in a single legal and administrative body of a number of local congregations, a sect. Sect means to cut or divide. We get the word "section" from this word. How can a church who follows only what the Bible teaches (nothing more or less) be a sect, a division of the whole? Divisions only come when some part is added, changed, or taken away from the original. Some churches who claim to be non-denominational merely refuse to take a stand on any tough religious issues, resulting in what they call "unity". This is unity in error. Christ demands unity in truth. By biblical example, there is no church government above the eldership at the local level. So a church with no higher government cannot be a denomination by definition. The Lord’s church is often imitated but never duplicated.
Different religions include different ideas in their group of key issues, hence their creed statements. But if we stick to the Bible, then there is no disagreement until personal preferences start to creep in. As for members of our congregation who disagree, are they matters of opinion or not? If they believe differently on important issues, why are they still there? There are plenty of denominations who have differing viewpoints. Surely one of them would match their beliefs. If they are not going to a different denomination, they either do not think the matter is important enough to change or they are not totally sure and they would rather be safe than sorry.
It is very easy to determine who is saved – anyone who does God’s will, which He gave us in the Bible. He would not provide a Bible for us and then make it too hard or confusing to understand. It is not my job to judge the intent of another’s heart, thankfully! But where we go to worship does say something about what we believe. That is why we have a sign on the door saying church of Christ. There are other acceptable Biblical names as well, but this is just what it is called in these parts. I have visited a congregation in Vienna where the only thing on the sign was The Lord’s Church meets here with the times. After speaking with them, the only difference I could see was a different order in the services and they had wine for communion. My point here, is it is not the name (as long as it is Biblical), it is what we believe and practice.
Members of other denominations are not members of the church of Christ because our differences mean too much to them. To them, our differences are a matter of doctrine, not opinion. It matters to them enough to mark the difference. So if they believe one way strongly enough not to be members of the church of Christ, they have already drawn the line of separation.
As far as denominationalism, the definition is a religious organization uniting in a single legal and administrative body of a number of local congregations, a sect. Sect means to cut or divide. We get the word "section" from this word. How can a church who follows only what the Bible teaches (nothing more or less) be a sect, a division of the whole? Divisions only come when some part is added, changed, or taken away from the original. Some churches who claim to be non-denominational merely refuse to take a stand on any tough religious issues, resulting in what they call "unity". This is unity in error. Christ demands unity in truth. By biblical example, there is no church government above the eldership at the local level. So a church with no higher government cannot be a denomination by definition. The Lord’s church is often imitated but never duplicated.
Is Unity In The Church All-Inclusive?
Some believe unity in the church should extend to all denominations or at least a few. If this is true, where do we draw the line? Where does God draw the line? We are to have one faith as Christians. I Corinthians 1:10 says that it is possible for everyone to be of the same mind and judgement. This is contrary to what most people will say – that there is no way people will interpret the Bible the same way as everyone else. They believe that people aren’t wrong when they believe differently, they just have differences in opinion.
There is only one body who is going to heaven. This body won’t include the majority of people –Matthew 7:13-14. There will be lots of people who thought they were included in this body, but will find out on the day of judgement that they were not –Matthew 7:22-23. Inclusion in this body is gained by the one baptism –Ephesians 4:4-6. We get into this body one way – baptism for the remission of sins –Acts 2:37-38. Those who are not cleansed by Christ’s blood cannot enter heaven because His blood continues to cleanse us of our sins. Sin separates us from God –Romans 6:23.
So this is how we become part of the unified body of Christ. Now how do we stay in it? We can’t continue in sin. To do so would not be repentance –Matthew 3:8. We must continually study God’s word –Acts 17:10-11. II Timothy 3:16-17 says that if I study the Bible, I should be able to glean everything I need to know for life as a Christian. God has given me everything I need. My job is to study what he wants me to do and follow through with obedience.
Everyone who reads the Bible and truly searches for the truth will find it. This is a promise from God –Matthew 7:7. The Bible is absolute truth. If not, then God doesn’t know what He’s talking about, and the Bible is irrelevant. This being the case, you can’t have one set of beliefs that is “true” and a different set of beliefs that is also “true”. God compares His word to a seed. A seed produces the same thing over and over again. It doesn’t change. God’s church today should be following the same model it followed when it was first started.
God wants His Christians to be unified. He hates division. Those who cause division in the church are sinning –Galatians 5:19-21, and they won’t be in heaven. So obviously if they won’t be in heaven, their followers won’t be in heaven either. We are supposed to know who they are and avoid them –Romans 16:17. Additionally, these divisive people are to only have 1 or 2 warnings and then we are to leave them alone and have nothing to do with them –Titus 3:9-10.
We can have unity when we don’t ignore the Bible and the commands of God. Being united in error is not what God intended. We are united in truth through God’s word.
There is only one body who is going to heaven. This body won’t include the majority of people –Matthew 7:13-14. There will be lots of people who thought they were included in this body, but will find out on the day of judgement that they were not –Matthew 7:22-23. Inclusion in this body is gained by the one baptism –Ephesians 4:4-6. We get into this body one way – baptism for the remission of sins –Acts 2:37-38. Those who are not cleansed by Christ’s blood cannot enter heaven because His blood continues to cleanse us of our sins. Sin separates us from God –Romans 6:23.
So this is how we become part of the unified body of Christ. Now how do we stay in it? We can’t continue in sin. To do so would not be repentance –Matthew 3:8. We must continually study God’s word –Acts 17:10-11. II Timothy 3:16-17 says that if I study the Bible, I should be able to glean everything I need to know for life as a Christian. God has given me everything I need. My job is to study what he wants me to do and follow through with obedience.
Everyone who reads the Bible and truly searches for the truth will find it. This is a promise from God –Matthew 7:7. The Bible is absolute truth. If not, then God doesn’t know what He’s talking about, and the Bible is irrelevant. This being the case, you can’t have one set of beliefs that is “true” and a different set of beliefs that is also “true”. God compares His word to a seed. A seed produces the same thing over and over again. It doesn’t change. God’s church today should be following the same model it followed when it was first started.
God wants His Christians to be unified. He hates division. Those who cause division in the church are sinning –Galatians 5:19-21, and they won’t be in heaven. So obviously if they won’t be in heaven, their followers won’t be in heaven either. We are supposed to know who they are and avoid them –Romans 16:17. Additionally, these divisive people are to only have 1 or 2 warnings and then we are to leave them alone and have nothing to do with them –Titus 3:9-10.
We can have unity when we don’t ignore the Bible and the commands of God. Being united in error is not what God intended. We are united in truth through God’s word.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Break Down The Barriers
I saw this on a friend's Facebook page. It was too good not to share.
Break Down The Barriers
The Bible speaks extensively of certain people with whom Christians cannot associate themselves or be in fellowship (Ephesians 5:11; Romans 16:17; 2Thessalonians 3:14). The Bible also shows the path of reconciliation or the way that barriers which divide can be broken down. The way in which biblical fellowship can be exercised is in Christ. Paul said, “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:27-28). The key to reconciliation is Christ. This is seen in the first statement — “For as many of you were baptized in Christ have put on Christ.” Then Paul mentions specifically three of the barriers which are broken down in Christ.
First, the national or racial barrier is broken down. In Christ, “There is neither Jew nor Greek.” In Christ, there is no racial division but rather spiritual unity. In Acts 10:9-16, this is illustrated very well when the Lord appears to Peter in a vision and explains that there are no longer limitations on animals which man can eat. He also explains how Gentiles can receive the gospel (Acts 10:17-23). This is also seen in John 4 when Jesus goes through Samaria (something not commonly done then — John 4:4) and conversed with the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well. There were some who were advocating the idea that Christians of Jewish decent were better than Christians of Gentile decent. Paul was dealing with the foolishness of such a doctrine in the book of Galatians. This, of course, builds up to his statement already considered in Galatians 3:27-28. Christ has torn down any racial barriers by dying on the cross for all.
Next, Galatians 3:27-28 tears down a status barrier. While today, it may be hard for some to imagine the idea of slavery, such was very commonplace in New Testament times. Interestingly, the Bible was not primarily intended to abolish slavery. In fact, the Bible points out good reasons for slavery such as punishment for crimes (Exodus 21). Some have reasonably argued that while the Bible never set out to abolish slavery, the abolition of slavery came as a natural result of Christianity. Paul encourages both slaves and masters who are Christians to treat each other equitably (Ephesians 6:5-9). Paul encouraged Philemon, a runaway slave, to return to his master showing fruits of repentance after he had been converted (Philemon 8-16). While in life, many may have different roles, in Christ all are one. In Christ, the barrier of status is broken down.
Finally, in Christ, gender or sex is broken down — “...there is neither male nor female….” Perhaps of all the barriers mentioned in Galatians 3:27-28, this is currently the most controversial. Many tend to think since God made male and female one in Christ Jesus, there is no difference of roles between them. Passages like 1Corinthians 14:34-35 and 2Timothy 2:8-15 tell of the differences in roles which God intends for men and women. The church has different members each with different roles which together will accomplish the mission of the church (Romans 12:4-5). Accomplishing the purpose of the church, the members are all one in Christ. Men have a role in the church and women have a role in the church. When everyone does their part, the work of the church is being accomplished and the individual members are one in Christ.
The Bible also speaks of different women who were involved in the work of the church in the New Testament. Chloe was mentioned in 1Corinthians 1. In Romans 16:1, Phoebe was commended by Paul. Aquilla’s wife, Pricilla worked with him in teaching Apollos the way of the Lord more accurately (Acts 18:26). There is a work for women and the gender/sex barrier has been broken down in Christ.
Through Christ, so many other barriers can be broken down in addition to the ones mentioned in Galatians 3:27-28. Christ also abolishes cultural, language, geographical, and age barriers. In fact, in Christ there are no barriers or prejudice of any kind. Christ brings unity, not division. The unity is found in obeying His will, not man’s will. The unity is found in being baptized into Him, not someone else. The unity is found in living for God, not anyone else. The unity Christians seek is that all be one with God which will bring about unity with one another. This action will Break Down the Barriers.
Break Down The Barriers
The Bible speaks extensively of certain people with whom Christians cannot associate themselves or be in fellowship (Ephesians 5:11; Romans 16:17; 2Thessalonians 3:14). The Bible also shows the path of reconciliation or the way that barriers which divide can be broken down. The way in which biblical fellowship can be exercised is in Christ. Paul said, “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:27-28). The key to reconciliation is Christ. This is seen in the first statement — “For as many of you were baptized in Christ have put on Christ.” Then Paul mentions specifically three of the barriers which are broken down in Christ.
First, the national or racial barrier is broken down. In Christ, “There is neither Jew nor Greek.” In Christ, there is no racial division but rather spiritual unity. In Acts 10:9-16, this is illustrated very well when the Lord appears to Peter in a vision and explains that there are no longer limitations on animals which man can eat. He also explains how Gentiles can receive the gospel (Acts 10:17-23). This is also seen in John 4 when Jesus goes through Samaria (something not commonly done then — John 4:4) and conversed with the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well. There were some who were advocating the idea that Christians of Jewish decent were better than Christians of Gentile decent. Paul was dealing with the foolishness of such a doctrine in the book of Galatians. This, of course, builds up to his statement already considered in Galatians 3:27-28. Christ has torn down any racial barriers by dying on the cross for all.
Next, Galatians 3:27-28 tears down a status barrier. While today, it may be hard for some to imagine the idea of slavery, such was very commonplace in New Testament times. Interestingly, the Bible was not primarily intended to abolish slavery. In fact, the Bible points out good reasons for slavery such as punishment for crimes (Exodus 21). Some have reasonably argued that while the Bible never set out to abolish slavery, the abolition of slavery came as a natural result of Christianity. Paul encourages both slaves and masters who are Christians to treat each other equitably (Ephesians 6:5-9). Paul encouraged Philemon, a runaway slave, to return to his master showing fruits of repentance after he had been converted (Philemon 8-16). While in life, many may have different roles, in Christ all are one. In Christ, the barrier of status is broken down.
Finally, in Christ, gender or sex is broken down — “...there is neither male nor female….” Perhaps of all the barriers mentioned in Galatians 3:27-28, this is currently the most controversial. Many tend to think since God made male and female one in Christ Jesus, there is no difference of roles between them. Passages like 1Corinthians 14:34-35 and 2Timothy 2:8-15 tell of the differences in roles which God intends for men and women. The church has different members each with different roles which together will accomplish the mission of the church (Romans 12:4-5). Accomplishing the purpose of the church, the members are all one in Christ. Men have a role in the church and women have a role in the church. When everyone does their part, the work of the church is being accomplished and the individual members are one in Christ.
The Bible also speaks of different women who were involved in the work of the church in the New Testament. Chloe was mentioned in 1Corinthians 1. In Romans 16:1, Phoebe was commended by Paul. Aquilla’s wife, Pricilla worked with him in teaching Apollos the way of the Lord more accurately (Acts 18:26). There is a work for women and the gender/sex barrier has been broken down in Christ.
Through Christ, so many other barriers can be broken down in addition to the ones mentioned in Galatians 3:27-28. Christ also abolishes cultural, language, geographical, and age barriers. In fact, in Christ there are no barriers or prejudice of any kind. Christ brings unity, not division. The unity is found in obeying His will, not man’s will. The unity is found in being baptized into Him, not someone else. The unity is found in living for God, not anyone else. The unity Christians seek is that all be one with God which will bring about unity with one another. This action will Break Down the Barriers.
-Jeremy Northrop
Monday, September 21, 2009
Playing Church
But that's all it is. Play. I was in college and feeling rather worn out with what I perceived as Christianity. I was going to church when I should, doing everything I was supposed to, being a "good little Christian". But in my heart, I knew something was missing. I was really worried about it! Something was wrong! I talked to my professors, called home to my parents, talked to my friends. No one really understood what I was trying to say, and finally one of my suite mates told me it was just one of those times people just have to fake it till you make it. I tried that for a couple of weeks, and called to talk to my mama. I cried for a while and told her as best as I could what was wrong, and she told me something I will never forget. She told me that it sounded like I was doing everything right. But we can't do our way into heaven. She said my heart wasn't in the right place. I was going to church and doing all those things because I thought that's what was expected of me. Doing those things wasn't wrong, but I should have been doing them because I love God and couldn't NOT do them. I was just going to classes every day, and I should have been sharing Jesus with folks. I was at a Christian University, and there weren't very many non-Christians there. While I definitely grew in faith while I was there, I used that isolation as an excuse to keep quiet about Jesus. I'm so glad my mama had the wisdom and insight to tell me what I needed to hear and tell me what I needed to change to get right!
That's one of the things children need. They need their parents to show them what is right and wrong. As a child grows up, they don't need to play church anymore. They should be transitioning into adult life and learning how to be participating Christians. We have to put away childish things, and this is one of them (I Corinthians 13:11). My parents took my questions seriously and answered them and taught me. Just for the record, if I wouldn't have changed my attitude, it probably would not have been long before I stopped going to church at all. What's the point of pretending? You can't just go through the motions and expect things to get better on their own. When people play church, obviously they aren't there because they want to be. They feel obligated to for whatever reason. Maybe family goes and expects to see them every service, or maybe they feel like they should at least be seen so no one thinks they have fallen away.
Where we live, people think if you go to church, you must be a good Christian. That's not all there is to it according to the Bible. That's only a small part of it. Christianity is not only going to church for worship, but it's everything we believe with our heart, it's fellowship with other Christians, and it's helping people out and being there for them. It's how we LIVE. Playing church as an adult causes a person to look for a church situation where they are emotionally satisfied after the service or entertained appropriately while they are there. Maybe they just want to feel encouraged to make the same effort again next week. The emphasis shifts to self instead of where it should be on God.
God never asks for worship to include our silly little games and gimmicks to attract more people. If the Gospel is being preached, no gimmicks will be needed. God's Word brings people in. God's Word will convict people in their heart, and God's Word will show them what they need to do. If you find yourself playing church or going through the motions, find you a church home that focuses on the Word. Then it's a lot easier to get your attitude in the right place.
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