Every year during the holiday season it becomes more and more apparent that man has succeeded in making Christmas (the celebration of the birthday of Jesus) about us. We make our lists of what we want so that they can be distributed to all of our friends and family members. Stores have taken any reference to Christ out of their advertising and displays, and schools have replaced Christmas concerts with Holiday concerts. Man has done everything in his power to overcome the presence and power of God. The time has come for us to pray the prayer of David. "Arise, O Lord! Let not man prevail..." (Psalm 9:19)
How many of us can honestly pray such a prayer? We fill our days with activity after activity that will allow us to accomplish our ambition and meet our goals while giving little - if any - thought to what God desires to accomplish through us. We wonder why the church seems impotent and powerless in our society today, and why our influence has diminished to the point where we are looked at as a fringe group of lunatics. It's because our desire is not for God to prevail over man. We want to see man get his way. We want earthly success and great accomplishments to be admired by generations to come.
If we are ever to be the church that God has called us to be, and the Christians that He wants us to be, it will be because God has arisen and prevailed over man. This will never take place until we can honestly pray, as David prayed so many years ago, "Let not man prevail..."
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
What If?
I'm looking out the window at the rain this afternoon and wondering what Noah must have thought the first time he experienced this. He had likely never seen rain before, and God had told him that this rain would flood the entire earth. (I know that some of my more liberal friends don't believe that the entire earth was flooded, but the Bible says it was and you and I weren't there to prove otherwise, so we'll look at it as truth.)
Consider the place from which Noah saw the rain. He was in a boat. He had never built a boat before, but there he was. He didn't know if it would float, and this particular boat had no rudder to steer (check out the instructions God gave, there's not rudder or helm). Of course, that was probably better for everyone since Noah was not a sailor and his sons were not navigators.
Imagine the submission to God's command that it took for Noah to be in this position. We talk about holiness as a consecration to God and His love and commands, and this is a clear example of such a commitment. When God calls us today we always have a list of "what ifs" a mile long. Whether it is finances, or resources, or support from others we always want to know "what if?" Do we really think that the Old Testament prophets were without these same questions? They probably asked every question that the human mind could imagine when God called them to do the improbable, and in most cases the seemingly impossible.
Maybe if we are to see God's power at work among us we need to forget about the "what ifs" and just allow God to work. We serve the same God who parted the seas, kept Jonah in a fish, defeated the prophets of Baal, and made the sun stand still. Why do we feel this need to incessantly ask "what if?" Do we really think that God is incapable of doing what He said He would do? If scripture teaches anything, it teaches that God has given His word, and He will keep that word. He has promised to provide, comfort, free from sin, among many other things. It is time that we quit asking "what if" and simply trust in the one to whom we belong.
Consider the place from which Noah saw the rain. He was in a boat. He had never built a boat before, but there he was. He didn't know if it would float, and this particular boat had no rudder to steer (check out the instructions God gave, there's not rudder or helm). Of course, that was probably better for everyone since Noah was not a sailor and his sons were not navigators.
Imagine the submission to God's command that it took for Noah to be in this position. We talk about holiness as a consecration to God and His love and commands, and this is a clear example of such a commitment. When God calls us today we always have a list of "what ifs" a mile long. Whether it is finances, or resources, or support from others we always want to know "what if?" Do we really think that the Old Testament prophets were without these same questions? They probably asked every question that the human mind could imagine when God called them to do the improbable, and in most cases the seemingly impossible.
Maybe if we are to see God's power at work among us we need to forget about the "what ifs" and just allow God to work. We serve the same God who parted the seas, kept Jonah in a fish, defeated the prophets of Baal, and made the sun stand still. Why do we feel this need to incessantly ask "what if?" Do we really think that God is incapable of doing what He said He would do? If scripture teaches anything, it teaches that God has given His word, and He will keep that word. He has promised to provide, comfort, free from sin, among many other things. It is time that we quit asking "what if" and simply trust in the one to whom we belong.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Submission
As Ezekiel stood among the exiles by the Chebar canal he saw a vision. He saw four figures, each with four faces. They represented the people of God - each face representing the banners of the tribes of Israel. The details of the creatures in the vision are important, but there is one that jumped off the page at me the other day. "And each went straight forward. WHEREVER THE SPIRIT WOULD GO, THEY WENT, without turning as they went." (Ezekiel 1:12)
Even in this Old Testament vision given to the disobedient captives the people of God (represented by these images) are guided by the Spirit of God. They go where they are led by the Spirit without turning to the side, without stopping to admire and chase the worldly things around them.
The whole of Holy Scripture teaches submission to God's Spirit, and as Christians we claim the Bible to be authoritative. The Word of God, inspired by His Spirit. I believe all of those things to be true. But if that's the case, why are we so afraid to submit to Him? Why do we continually refuse to give up our control of things and let God be God? This is why we don't see the holy people of God. Holiness is God's love and His character showing through our lives. If we do not submit to Him, how can He make us something better than we were before? Without a full submission we simply cannot live the lives that God requires us to live.
Our refusal and fear of submission make no sense whatsoever when we really take the time to think about it. How many people have ever had everything turn out exactly like they wanted it to? How can that be since "we're in control?" No matter what methods we employ to control our circumstances, things never happen like we had thought, or hoped, they would. Yet we have convinced ourselves that we know better than God. He created the universe, sent His son to die for us, performed all of the miracles that we read in Scripture, and we still will not submit. The danger is this: Historically, when the people of God refuse to submit to God they are judged. Over and over again this has taken place. This is the place in which we find Ezekiel. We can keep telling ourselves that we are smart enough and powerful enough and rich enough to guide ourselves, but history has proven different since the beginning of time. If we are ever going to see a revival of holiness within the church, and awakening of God's people, it will be when we learn to submit EVERYTHING to God.
Even in this Old Testament vision given to the disobedient captives the people of God (represented by these images) are guided by the Spirit of God. They go where they are led by the Spirit without turning to the side, without stopping to admire and chase the worldly things around them.
The whole of Holy Scripture teaches submission to God's Spirit, and as Christians we claim the Bible to be authoritative. The Word of God, inspired by His Spirit. I believe all of those things to be true. But if that's the case, why are we so afraid to submit to Him? Why do we continually refuse to give up our control of things and let God be God? This is why we don't see the holy people of God. Holiness is God's love and His character showing through our lives. If we do not submit to Him, how can He make us something better than we were before? Without a full submission we simply cannot live the lives that God requires us to live.
Our refusal and fear of submission make no sense whatsoever when we really take the time to think about it. How many people have ever had everything turn out exactly like they wanted it to? How can that be since "we're in control?" No matter what methods we employ to control our circumstances, things never happen like we had thought, or hoped, they would. Yet we have convinced ourselves that we know better than God. He created the universe, sent His son to die for us, performed all of the miracles that we read in Scripture, and we still will not submit. The danger is this: Historically, when the people of God refuse to submit to God they are judged. Over and over again this has taken place. This is the place in which we find Ezekiel. We can keep telling ourselves that we are smart enough and powerful enough and rich enough to guide ourselves, but history has proven different since the beginning of time. If we are ever going to see a revival of holiness within the church, and awakening of God's people, it will be when we learn to submit EVERYTHING to God.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Coming Out
"John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were GOING OUT TO HIM and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins." (Mark 1:4, 5)
The people of Israel were supposed to be God's covenant people. They were the nation that God inhabited. Jerusalem was the "city of God" and there was a temple in the city that was the very house of God. Everything about that city within that nation was focused on that temporal dwelling place that had been built for the God that they continually sought.
But before the time of Christ, God had been silent for 400 years. People were starved for a word from God. They wanted to know Him, and see Him move and work in ways that their fathers had experienced. This desire to know God made them do the unthinkable. They left the city, the temple, their traditions, and went out to the desert to see God work through one of the roughest figures that many had ever seen. Have you ever considered what they were leaving behind in order to experience God?
They left behind the traditional places that God had lived. The Jews believed that the temple in Jerusalem was the exclusive dwelling place of God. It was the only place that one could go to be anywhere near His presence. The rituals that were practiced by the priests and pharisees were rituals designed to bring about the presence of God. At one point these rituals had been valid - even commanded by God - but by this time Israel had come to the point where they were simply going through the motions. The ritual had become just that, ritual. They had ceased to be about pleasing God and had become nothing more than a method for man to manipulate God.
I say these things, not to run down tradition, but to point out that sometimes tradition grows cold. Those who went out into the desert were not leaving behind tradition simply to do something new. Far too often we change just for the sake of change. This was not the case. These people were not leaving behind the commands of God. They were simply tired of the ineffectiveness of man's interpretation of God's commands. They wanted explanation, they wanted substance rather than formality and legalism. These people wanted to experience the holiness of God. They wanted to see Him work, they wanted to know Him.
This scripture has an interesting parallel in our day. We go through the motions, and do what we've always done, and we don't experience God, we don't experience holiness, and we seldom experience anything more than those of the world experience. We are generally pretty ignorant of the commands of God, why God gives them, and what we need to do with them. We don't experience God because we've become very good at performing ritual and ignoring the substance. I think this is probably a "form of Christianity that denies the power." Scripture gives us the information that we need to experience God. If we earnestly seek Him, He will be found. The Bible gives us an abundance of proof that if we are seeking God, and not simply a free ticket to heaven, we will experience His presence in our lives. We will see Him work among us, and within us, and around us. The question is, how much dead ritual are you willing to give up to experience Him? Are you willing to come out from among the cold, dead ritual that we practice to experience God through prayer, His Word, and His Holy Spirit? It had taken the people of Jerusalem and Judea 400 years, but by the time John the Baptist came onto the scene they were finally willing. Are we?
The people of Israel were supposed to be God's covenant people. They were the nation that God inhabited. Jerusalem was the "city of God" and there was a temple in the city that was the very house of God. Everything about that city within that nation was focused on that temporal dwelling place that had been built for the God that they continually sought.
But before the time of Christ, God had been silent for 400 years. People were starved for a word from God. They wanted to know Him, and see Him move and work in ways that their fathers had experienced. This desire to know God made them do the unthinkable. They left the city, the temple, their traditions, and went out to the desert to see God work through one of the roughest figures that many had ever seen. Have you ever considered what they were leaving behind in order to experience God?
They left behind the traditional places that God had lived. The Jews believed that the temple in Jerusalem was the exclusive dwelling place of God. It was the only place that one could go to be anywhere near His presence. The rituals that were practiced by the priests and pharisees were rituals designed to bring about the presence of God. At one point these rituals had been valid - even commanded by God - but by this time Israel had come to the point where they were simply going through the motions. The ritual had become just that, ritual. They had ceased to be about pleasing God and had become nothing more than a method for man to manipulate God.
I say these things, not to run down tradition, but to point out that sometimes tradition grows cold. Those who went out into the desert were not leaving behind tradition simply to do something new. Far too often we change just for the sake of change. This was not the case. These people were not leaving behind the commands of God. They were simply tired of the ineffectiveness of man's interpretation of God's commands. They wanted explanation, they wanted substance rather than formality and legalism. These people wanted to experience the holiness of God. They wanted to see Him work, they wanted to know Him.
This scripture has an interesting parallel in our day. We go through the motions, and do what we've always done, and we don't experience God, we don't experience holiness, and we seldom experience anything more than those of the world experience. We are generally pretty ignorant of the commands of God, why God gives them, and what we need to do with them. We don't experience God because we've become very good at performing ritual and ignoring the substance. I think this is probably a "form of Christianity that denies the power." Scripture gives us the information that we need to experience God. If we earnestly seek Him, He will be found. The Bible gives us an abundance of proof that if we are seeking God, and not simply a free ticket to heaven, we will experience His presence in our lives. We will see Him work among us, and within us, and around us. The question is, how much dead ritual are you willing to give up to experience Him? Are you willing to come out from among the cold, dead ritual that we practice to experience God through prayer, His Word, and His Holy Spirit? It had taken the people of Jerusalem and Judea 400 years, but by the time John the Baptist came onto the scene they were finally willing. Are we?
Friday, September 24, 2010
Following at a Distance
When Jesus was arrested in Gethsemane most of His disciples scattered. They fled in fear for their lives. After having vowed allegiance to Him, they showed the great value that they placed on their earthly lives. However, Luke tells us that Peter "followed at a distance (22:54)." He had made the bold claim that he was willing to follow Jesus to the death, but after seeing Him arrested was only will to look on from afar. Doesn't this seem like a familiar scene?
We have people in the church today who just can't understand why they don't experience the power of God in their lives. They follow all the popular speakers and preachers, they read the most promising books, they go to the most up to date conferences and worship seminars, yet God just doesn't move. Why? I wonder if it's because so many are following at a distance.
There are thousands of professing Christians today who want to see the miraculous and the exciting, but they are not committed enough to their Savior to see it up close. They follow those who are doing God's work and hope to see God move from a distance. They're just close enough to see the fireworks, but not close enough to be scared of the bang. We function within a church today that largely embodies this mentality that was displayed by the Apostle Peter so many years ago. They want the benefits of following Jesus, but they don't want to make the sacrifice necessary to walk with Him. So they think that if they follow far enough behind they can see the exciting work of God and simply be dragged into heaven along with the wake of those who are following God. They want to see the results of a holy life without actually living one. They want to see the results of an uncompromising biblical life, but they don't want to take the ridicule that may come with it. They want to spend eternity in heaven, but they don't want to have to prepare for it during their time on earth.
As I was meditating on this scripture a couple of weeks ago it occurred to me that this is the case with many more "Christians" than we would like to admit. They'll come to church and participate in some of the activities, but it's always from a distance. They'll only come so close. Can it be that one of the reasons that we don't see God move in a mighty way in our day is because we're afraid to get to close to His work?
We have people in the church today who just can't understand why they don't experience the power of God in their lives. They follow all the popular speakers and preachers, they read the most promising books, they go to the most up to date conferences and worship seminars, yet God just doesn't move. Why? I wonder if it's because so many are following at a distance.
There are thousands of professing Christians today who want to see the miraculous and the exciting, but they are not committed enough to their Savior to see it up close. They follow those who are doing God's work and hope to see God move from a distance. They're just close enough to see the fireworks, but not close enough to be scared of the bang. We function within a church today that largely embodies this mentality that was displayed by the Apostle Peter so many years ago. They want the benefits of following Jesus, but they don't want to make the sacrifice necessary to walk with Him. So they think that if they follow far enough behind they can see the exciting work of God and simply be dragged into heaven along with the wake of those who are following God. They want to see the results of a holy life without actually living one. They want to see the results of an uncompromising biblical life, but they don't want to take the ridicule that may come with it. They want to spend eternity in heaven, but they don't want to have to prepare for it during their time on earth.
As I was meditating on this scripture a couple of weeks ago it occurred to me that this is the case with many more "Christians" than we would like to admit. They'll come to church and participate in some of the activities, but it's always from a distance. They'll only come so close. Can it be that one of the reasons that we don't see God move in a mighty way in our day is because we're afraid to get to close to His work?
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Blessings of the Holy Spirit
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law. (Gal. 5:22)"
When Jesus Christ ascended to heaven, He empowered His people with the Holy Spirit of God. The Spirit cleanses us, sanctifies us, and conforms our character to that of God. He can provide us with all of the things (and more) listed by the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Galatians. Not only can He provide those things, but we fully expect Him to. God has promised these things, and He should provide them in the way that we want them.
Something occurred to me along these lines this week. Can we really expect the blessings of the Holy Spirit if we are unwilling to stand in the truth revealed by Him? The Holy Spirit inspired the Word of God, interprets the Word, and teaches us about the Word. He is God's witness to us in the world today. There are things that are clearly revealed (such as the call to be holy) that are largely ignored by the church in our day. We explain them away and try to diminish the importance of many truths by making lists of "essentials" and "non-essentials" but the fact remains that the Spirit of God inspired these truths.
I think that if we are ever going to see revival among God's people it will come first and foremost through the prayers of God's people; but I also suspect that many of our prayers are in vain because we are not praying from the proper foundation. We do not see the blessings and power of the Spirit in the church because it is not sought with a proper foundation. The truth that is revealed by the Spirit is something that must be applied to our lives as a foundation for everything that happens spiritually.
We have tried for far too long to get by on what we think and what we want. It is time that the church stand on the truth that has been given by God. Look around you. The world, and especially our nation, is in turmoil. We have compromised too many times. We have ignored the truth far too often. If we are to be the holy people that God has called us to be we must be people whose desire is to know the truth that will set us free.
When Jesus Christ ascended to heaven, He empowered His people with the Holy Spirit of God. The Spirit cleanses us, sanctifies us, and conforms our character to that of God. He can provide us with all of the things (and more) listed by the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Galatians. Not only can He provide those things, but we fully expect Him to. God has promised these things, and He should provide them in the way that we want them.
Something occurred to me along these lines this week. Can we really expect the blessings of the Holy Spirit if we are unwilling to stand in the truth revealed by Him? The Holy Spirit inspired the Word of God, interprets the Word, and teaches us about the Word. He is God's witness to us in the world today. There are things that are clearly revealed (such as the call to be holy) that are largely ignored by the church in our day. We explain them away and try to diminish the importance of many truths by making lists of "essentials" and "non-essentials" but the fact remains that the Spirit of God inspired these truths.
I think that if we are ever going to see revival among God's people it will come first and foremost through the prayers of God's people; but I also suspect that many of our prayers are in vain because we are not praying from the proper foundation. We do not see the blessings and power of the Spirit in the church because it is not sought with a proper foundation. The truth that is revealed by the Spirit is something that must be applied to our lives as a foundation for everything that happens spiritually.
We have tried for far too long to get by on what we think and what we want. It is time that the church stand on the truth that has been given by God. Look around you. The world, and especially our nation, is in turmoil. We have compromised too many times. We have ignored the truth far too often. If we are to be the holy people that God has called us to be we must be people whose desire is to know the truth that will set us free.
Monday, August 30, 2010
What Are We Living For?
Holiness is a realignment of or priorities and motives. According to John Wesley it is God's love perfected within us. It is the desire to love God above all else and our neighbor as ourselves. It is the same self-sacrificing love that Jesus Christ showed when He died on the cross to save us from (notice, I did not say "in") our sins. This is why Scripture teaches us to be like Christ. He came to emody holiness. He died so that we could also live such a life. So that we could live to serve our God. So that the greatest among us would be servants of the Almighty.
All of this brings us to a question that was asked by Leonard Ravenhill. In fact, the question was written on his tombstone. Even in death he challenges us by asking, "Are the things you are living for worth Christ dying for?" Every once in awhile this question will pop into my mind and haunt me for weeks. Not because I doubt that I am living for God, but because I wonder if we - as the church - are living for God. We spend hours and days and even years dealing with our thoughts (not that those are bad) and ideas while teaching holiness - a complete surrender to God.
I have no doubt that there are people who are living holy lives. I've witnessed it. Holiness, however, is a way of living. It is not a static characteristic. It is shown in the way that we interact with one another. It is shown in the things that we are "living for." How often do we get caught up in ourselves, and our ideas, and our wants and desires and forget what we are living for? Sometimes we seem to be reminded that our lives are not our own. If we are to be holy, we must be "sold out" to God. He must be the one for whom we live. I'll leave you to spend some time considering Ravenhill's question:
Are the things you are living for worth Christ dying for?
All of this brings us to a question that was asked by Leonard Ravenhill. In fact, the question was written on his tombstone. Even in death he challenges us by asking, "Are the things you are living for worth Christ dying for?" Every once in awhile this question will pop into my mind and haunt me for weeks. Not because I doubt that I am living for God, but because I wonder if we - as the church - are living for God. We spend hours and days and even years dealing with our thoughts (not that those are bad) and ideas while teaching holiness - a complete surrender to God.
I have no doubt that there are people who are living holy lives. I've witnessed it. Holiness, however, is a way of living. It is not a static characteristic. It is shown in the way that we interact with one another. It is shown in the things that we are "living for." How often do we get caught up in ourselves, and our ideas, and our wants and desires and forget what we are living for? Sometimes we seem to be reminded that our lives are not our own. If we are to be holy, we must be "sold out" to God. He must be the one for whom we live. I'll leave you to spend some time considering Ravenhill's question:
Are the things you are living for worth Christ dying for?
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Proactive Faith
I keep hearing about Christians who are "turning people away" by "ramming Scripture down their throats." I'm told that they are overwhelming people with their zeal and passion about spreading the gospel, and many people take it the wrong way. There's just one thing that bothers me about these discussions, and the accusations about Christians that result. WHERE ARE THESE CHRISTIANS??? I read about them in books, I hear about them on tv, and people talk about them in small groups. Be honest, have you ever really met someone whose witness was just overpowering? I'm 28 years old, and in my lifetime I have only ever seen one person standing on a street corner yelling at people to repent (and I do admire his zeal and determination). I'm beginning to think that these people are nothing more than a figment of someone's imagination. The "seeker-sensitive" movement, and the emergent church want nothing more than for us to take away the offense of the gospel, so they made up a scapegoat to get us to change. They tell us about the masses of people that are "turned off" when we tell them that they need to get saved.
Let's consider some facts. 1) We have become so weak in our stand for the truth that most people are never "turned on" in the first place. We'd hate to make someone think that we're "too radical." I think our problem is that there AREN'T ENOUGH radical Christians. I am in no way promoting violence. That is not what it is to be a Christian. I mean that we need people who will live the word of God and the love of Christ with reckless abandon.
2) We have become very reactive rather than proactive in our faith. I was sitting in a conference a couple of weeks ago (it was a great conference) listening to people discuss the beliefs of the emergent church. I thought to myself, "here we are reacting to their false teachings. If we had been proactive with the truth for the last 30 years people would know that this stuff is wrong, and we wouldn't be in this position." People are being taken by false doctrine with each passing day. People cease to recognize the authority of Scripture, or the substitutionary death of Christ. They explain away the miraculous. We hear false teachings and then we respond with the truth. Why don't we simply teach the truth in the first place? As long as we're not hearing false teaching in the public arena we're content with our pop-psychology lessons in place of sermons. It's time that we become proactive with the truth that God has revealed to us.
I say all this to point out the possibility that we need Christians who are willing to preach and teach the truth. Even if it makes sinners uncomfortable. We have sacrificed truth in the name of "love" for far too long. Love is not to keep the truth of God from people. It is to obey the commands of Christ, and live our lives as servants of God, like He was. I don't care if we're in a post-modern/post-Christian culture, or any other type. The truth will still set us free.
Let's consider some facts. 1) We have become so weak in our stand for the truth that most people are never "turned on" in the first place. We'd hate to make someone think that we're "too radical." I think our problem is that there AREN'T ENOUGH radical Christians. I am in no way promoting violence. That is not what it is to be a Christian. I mean that we need people who will live the word of God and the love of Christ with reckless abandon.
2) We have become very reactive rather than proactive in our faith. I was sitting in a conference a couple of weeks ago (it was a great conference) listening to people discuss the beliefs of the emergent church. I thought to myself, "here we are reacting to their false teachings. If we had been proactive with the truth for the last 30 years people would know that this stuff is wrong, and we wouldn't be in this position." People are being taken by false doctrine with each passing day. People cease to recognize the authority of Scripture, or the substitutionary death of Christ. They explain away the miraculous. We hear false teachings and then we respond with the truth. Why don't we simply teach the truth in the first place? As long as we're not hearing false teaching in the public arena we're content with our pop-psychology lessons in place of sermons. It's time that we become proactive with the truth that God has revealed to us.
I say all this to point out the possibility that we need Christians who are willing to preach and teach the truth. Even if it makes sinners uncomfortable. We have sacrificed truth in the name of "love" for far too long. Love is not to keep the truth of God from people. It is to obey the commands of Christ, and live our lives as servants of God, like He was. I don't care if we're in a post-modern/post-Christian culture, or any other type. The truth will still set us free.
Friday, August 20, 2010
Spiritual Disciplines
The church of our day has become very focused on doing good works. The current generation seems to use works as their measuring rod for success within the church (especially those who claim to be "emergent"). There are congregations that cancel Sunday morning services to go do things in their communities, and others who give weekly pep talks on doing good things for people. Don't misunderstand me, THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH DOING GOOD THINGS! In fact, the Bible says that we should do good things. However, I'm beginning to get the feeling that we are pursuing good works to the extent that we have devalued spiritual disciplines.
You know what I mean. We will go out of our way to help people do whatever they need done (again, not necessarily bad), but when is the last time you fasted? When is the last time that you took an hour to worship God during the week? When is the last time that you spent an evening in prayer? It is pretty hard to argue that these disciplines are not necessary in our lives. The Bible teaches that there is importance in fasting. Paul said, "Pray without ceasing." Worship is what man was created for.
If the Bible is so clear on the importance of these things, why do our works often take priority? I say all this to make this suggestion. It is good for you to do things to help other people, but if you're doing so many things that you are neglecting spiritual disciplines maybe God does not intend for you to do ALL of those things. Maybe you should narrow it down to some of them. I know people will say, "people keep calling me," or "I can't turn people away." I understand how hard that can be to do, but maybe sometimes the phone needs to ring. Maybe there are times that it is more important for us to spend the time in fasting and prayer, or to spend time in worship than anything else. Maybe the church is not the holy bride that it was called to be because we do not spend the necessary time practicing spiritual discipline.
Just a thought.
You know what I mean. We will go out of our way to help people do whatever they need done (again, not necessarily bad), but when is the last time you fasted? When is the last time that you took an hour to worship God during the week? When is the last time that you spent an evening in prayer? It is pretty hard to argue that these disciplines are not necessary in our lives. The Bible teaches that there is importance in fasting. Paul said, "Pray without ceasing." Worship is what man was created for.
If the Bible is so clear on the importance of these things, why do our works often take priority? I say all this to make this suggestion. It is good for you to do things to help other people, but if you're doing so many things that you are neglecting spiritual disciplines maybe God does not intend for you to do ALL of those things. Maybe you should narrow it down to some of them. I know people will say, "people keep calling me," or "I can't turn people away." I understand how hard that can be to do, but maybe sometimes the phone needs to ring. Maybe there are times that it is more important for us to spend the time in fasting and prayer, or to spend time in worship than anything else. Maybe the church is not the holy bride that it was called to be because we do not spend the necessary time practicing spiritual discipline.
Just a thought.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Expectations
I have nothing original or new to post this week, but I'd be interested to hear some thoughts on a quote that I've been thinking about for a few days. It is from A.W. Tozer's book, "Reclaiming Christianity."
"As God's people, you have every scriptural right to demand that you hear the Word in power, and if you do not hear the Word in power, you have a right to rise up and ask why. If you are hearing nothing but teaching, nothing but instruction, with no evidence of God in it, and the preacher cannot say, "I appeal to God" to say whether this is true or not; if this cannot be, then you have a right to demand that somebody preach that can. On the other hand, every man who stands in a pulpit to preach has a right to expect that the congregation believe in power and are so close to God, so surrendered, so full of faith and so prayerful that the Word of God can work in power."
"As God's people, you have every scriptural right to demand that you hear the Word in power, and if you do not hear the Word in power, you have a right to rise up and ask why. If you are hearing nothing but teaching, nothing but instruction, with no evidence of God in it, and the preacher cannot say, "I appeal to God" to say whether this is true or not; if this cannot be, then you have a right to demand that somebody preach that can. On the other hand, every man who stands in a pulpit to preach has a right to expect that the congregation believe in power and are so close to God, so surrendered, so full of faith and so prayerful that the Word of God can work in power."
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Is All Scripture God-Breathed?
I am always amused when I hear people say things like, "I don't believe in Christian perfection," or, "We just cannot live a holy life." Doesn't the Bible tell us to do these things?
"Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord (Heb. 12:14)."
Jesus said, "Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect (Matthew 5:48)."
So what does it really mean when someone says that they do not believe in holiness, or Christian perfection? Since the Bible says that we should be perfect and holy it must mean that we do not believe what the Bible says. Even those who claim to respect the authority of the Bible will claim not to believe something that is clearly taught there.
Since the Bible is "God-breathed" or "inspired" by God I'm not so sure that any of us are in a position to decide which of its teachings we should or should not believe. Here's my suggestion, and the point of this blog. Rather than just ignoring something that is clear in Scripture, why don't we find a way to define it that makes sense in light of all Scripture? Wouldn't that make more sense than ignoring it and acting like it doesn't exist?
How do you define holiness and perfection? How should we define them? Do you suppose that if we define them the way that God intend that they will make sense? I would suggest that definition and diligent study is a far better practice than willful ignorance.
"Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord (Heb. 12:14)."
Jesus said, "Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect (Matthew 5:48)."
So what does it really mean when someone says that they do not believe in holiness, or Christian perfection? Since the Bible says that we should be perfect and holy it must mean that we do not believe what the Bible says. Even those who claim to respect the authority of the Bible will claim not to believe something that is clearly taught there.
Since the Bible is "God-breathed" or "inspired" by God I'm not so sure that any of us are in a position to decide which of its teachings we should or should not believe. Here's my suggestion, and the point of this blog. Rather than just ignoring something that is clear in Scripture, why don't we find a way to define it that makes sense in light of all Scripture? Wouldn't that make more sense than ignoring it and acting like it doesn't exist?
How do you define holiness and perfection? How should we define them? Do you suppose that if we define them the way that God intend that they will make sense? I would suggest that definition and diligent study is a far better practice than willful ignorance.
Friday, May 7, 2010
Is Sin Really So Bad?
Over the past few weeks I have taken notice of a lot of the sin around me. I've been watching as I see people (even within the church) live as though there is no such thing as sin. Worse yet, they live as though there is no consequence for sin. The Bible tells us, "Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, AND DEATH THROUGH SIN, and thus death spread to all men..." (Romans 5:12) The consequence of sin is death. Spiritual death. Separation from God. Could God have given us any more clarity on the issue through His Word? Over and over throughout the inspired word we read that SIN IS BAD! Yet we act like sin is alright.
The divorce rate among the church is as high as that of the world. Despite what some of us seem to think, the Bible does indeed teach us that divorce is not the will of God. We expect it from sinners, but it happens among professing Christians, and even in some instances clergy. Professing Christians are just as guilty of fornication, and gossip and other sins as anyone else. Notice that I said "professing Christians" and not Christians.
In spite of our ignorance (often willful ignorance) of God's Word, it still teaches that we are to live above these things. "Knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be DONE AWAY WITH, that we should no longer be slaves of sin." (Romans 6:6)
The point is this. The Spirit of God does not dwell in darkness. Too often those who claim to be the church dwell in darkness. We condone it by teaching that "we're all sinners." When we do that, we're condoning something that brings death. When we condone it within the church we're bringing death to the body of Christ. There are thousands of people who claim to be Christians who will not give up their sin. They still want to continue to look at pornography, they want to drink, or gossip, or control a church that is God's. They want to live like the world. You cannot be a worldly Christian. Those terms are mutually exclusive. If we are ever going to see revival in the church it will be because we have become serious about seeking holiness "without which NO ONE WILL SEE THE LORD." (Hebrews 12:14)
The divorce rate among the church is as high as that of the world. Despite what some of us seem to think, the Bible does indeed teach us that divorce is not the will of God. We expect it from sinners, but it happens among professing Christians, and even in some instances clergy. Professing Christians are just as guilty of fornication, and gossip and other sins as anyone else. Notice that I said "professing Christians" and not Christians.
In spite of our ignorance (often willful ignorance) of God's Word, it still teaches that we are to live above these things. "Knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be DONE AWAY WITH, that we should no longer be slaves of sin." (Romans 6:6)
The point is this. The Spirit of God does not dwell in darkness. Too often those who claim to be the church dwell in darkness. We condone it by teaching that "we're all sinners." When we do that, we're condoning something that brings death. When we condone it within the church we're bringing death to the body of Christ. There are thousands of people who claim to be Christians who will not give up their sin. They still want to continue to look at pornography, they want to drink, or gossip, or control a church that is God's. They want to live like the world. You cannot be a worldly Christian. Those terms are mutually exclusive. If we are ever going to see revival in the church it will be because we have become serious about seeking holiness "without which NO ONE WILL SEE THE LORD." (Hebrews 12:14)
Thursday, April 15, 2010
The Offense of Holiness
I was in a situation the other night where I had some interaction with Christians who are part of various denominational churches. Some were talking, and I sat back and listened to the conversation. Eventually one of them asked me what church I pastor. I told him and he responded, "Isn't that the group that teaches that you're not supposed to sin or you'll lose your salvation?" I told him that it is. He shared that he feels the teaching of holiness is "pretty rough."
I cannot grasp the idea that holiness is offensive. I have taught a lot of things that could be seen as offensive by those who are worldly, but nothing ever seems as offensive as holiness. Even the suggestion makes people cringe. Why? It seems to me that we should be glad that Jesus died to save us from our sins. If we continue to sin, then what has Jesus saved us from?
I have no new idea or thought to share. I have only a question. Why is the idea of Jesus saving us FROM our sins so offensive?
I cannot grasp the idea that holiness is offensive. I have taught a lot of things that could be seen as offensive by those who are worldly, but nothing ever seems as offensive as holiness. Even the suggestion makes people cringe. Why? It seems to me that we should be glad that Jesus died to save us from our sins. If we continue to sin, then what has Jesus saved us from?
I have no new idea or thought to share. I have only a question. Why is the idea of Jesus saving us FROM our sins so offensive?
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Buying the Truth
Proverbs 23:23 says, "Buy the truth and do not sell it. Also wisdom, instruction, and understanding (NKJV)." While the Bible teaches us that God has revealed truth, and it is there for us to see we continue to wait for a mandate from above. People within the church wait for their colleges, or their leaders to tell them what they should believe. We seem to have come to a point where we expect those who are "enlightened" to share with us what they think we need to do. That is not the case.
We talk a lot about the church "being the church." If we are going to be the church it will be because we have made the necessary sacrifice to "buy the truth." Not "a" truth, but "the" one truth of God, revealed to us in His Holy Word. Throughout history the church has been the church when people have been willing to do this. It is when government type bureaucracy runs the church that it has seen problems. The apostolic church was not mandated by any government. It was not ruled by man. It was composed of people who had bought, and seen, and experienced the Truth.
I would suggest that the church is in trouble. We will not climb out of the whole in which we find ourselves until we ignore the man-made creedal statements, the liberal emerging-church type propaganda, the idea that others will tell us what God's Word means, and all of the other things that take the focus off of Scripture. We must buy the truth no matter what the cost. The church will stand when it's foundation in in the Word of God.
We talk a lot about the church "being the church." If we are going to be the church it will be because we have made the necessary sacrifice to "buy the truth." Not "a" truth, but "the" one truth of God, revealed to us in His Holy Word. Throughout history the church has been the church when people have been willing to do this. It is when government type bureaucracy runs the church that it has seen problems. The apostolic church was not mandated by any government. It was not ruled by man. It was composed of people who had bought, and seen, and experienced the Truth.
I would suggest that the church is in trouble. We will not climb out of the whole in which we find ourselves until we ignore the man-made creedal statements, the liberal emerging-church type propaganda, the idea that others will tell us what God's Word means, and all of the other things that take the focus off of Scripture. We must buy the truth no matter what the cost. The church will stand when it's foundation in in the Word of God.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Holy Standard
Against what do we measure our spiritual lives? How do you know that your relationship with God is growing and maturing? I would contend that within holiness movements the standard against which we measure ourselves has become increasingly low. Rather than using the Word of God as our guide, we want to compare ourselves to the atheist who lives next door.
"I'm not perfect, but I'm not as bad as that guy," we tell ourselves. We are always on the lookout for those who are living far below the standard to which God has called us. They give us a great excuse to live beneath the holy standards of God's chosen people. I cannot even count the number of times that I've heard people excuse themselves with, "It's not like I've killed someone."
Here's a fact: If you are not living God's commands, and growing in a relationship with Him, it is like you've killed someone. It's exactly like that. Jesus died to SAVE US FROM our sin. I can't find anyplace in Scripture that would lead us to believe that He died to save us in our sin. Yet, we continue to live in sin. I read a blog by an emerging church leader just last week that claims that it's alright for homosexuals to serve in the church. He began his claim by asking readers to ignore the verses in the Bible that speak directly about homosexuality so that we can debate it from a philosophical perspective. Why can't we debate it from a biblical perspective? Homosexuality is not the only issue that some try to deal with in this way. We eliminate what the Bible says about divorce with regularity. We want to look at everything from our perspective and not from God's. If we eliminate His Word all that we're left with is our opinion.
Again I ask, against what do you measure your spiritual life? I would suggest that it should be God's Word.
"I'm not perfect, but I'm not as bad as that guy," we tell ourselves. We are always on the lookout for those who are living far below the standard to which God has called us. They give us a great excuse to live beneath the holy standards of God's chosen people. I cannot even count the number of times that I've heard people excuse themselves with, "It's not like I've killed someone."
Here's a fact: If you are not living God's commands, and growing in a relationship with Him, it is like you've killed someone. It's exactly like that. Jesus died to SAVE US FROM our sin. I can't find anyplace in Scripture that would lead us to believe that He died to save us in our sin. Yet, we continue to live in sin. I read a blog by an emerging church leader just last week that claims that it's alright for homosexuals to serve in the church. He began his claim by asking readers to ignore the verses in the Bible that speak directly about homosexuality so that we can debate it from a philosophical perspective. Why can't we debate it from a biblical perspective? Homosexuality is not the only issue that some try to deal with in this way. We eliminate what the Bible says about divorce with regularity. We want to look at everything from our perspective and not from God's. If we eliminate His Word all that we're left with is our opinion.
Again I ask, against what do you measure your spiritual life? I would suggest that it should be God's Word.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Fellowship With God
God desires fellowship with you. The book of Genesis tells us that God walked in the garden of Eden in the cool of the day. He lived in harmony and fellowship with Adam and Eve, and all of His creation. God commanded Moses to build a tabernacle in the wilderness so that He could dwell in the midst of His people. A temple was erected in Jerusalem, again, so He could live with the people. Even in our day God desires this fellowship. He wants to live in the midst of His people. He wants a relationship with each and every one of us, but (this is the important part) He will not compromise His holiness in the name of fellowship.
We like to talk about our relationship with God, and our fellowship with Him, but so many times we act like He steps down into the gutters where we live to have that relationship. God does not take a step down to have fellowship with us. He restores us to the image in which man was created. "And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man (1 Cor. 15:49)."
We can indeed live in fellowship with God in this live, but we MUST REMEMBER that in order to do that we must grow and mature spiritually. We must allow God to make us something better than the fallen men that we once were. The Bible teaches that God draws men to Himself. Even when "He became flesh and dwelt among us" He was drawing us to Himself. It does not teach that He comes to us and changes His attitude toward our sin in the name of fellowship. He desires fellowship, but the change must occur within us. Why did God's fellowship with the Jews of the Old Testament cease at times? Not because He didn't want the relationship, but because THEY did not rise up to meet Him in holiness. They did not allow Him to make them something better than they were before.
We like to talk about our relationship with God, and our fellowship with Him, but so many times we act like He steps down into the gutters where we live to have that relationship. God does not take a step down to have fellowship with us. He restores us to the image in which man was created. "And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man (1 Cor. 15:49)."
We can indeed live in fellowship with God in this live, but we MUST REMEMBER that in order to do that we must grow and mature spiritually. We must allow God to make us something better than the fallen men that we once were. The Bible teaches that God draws men to Himself. Even when "He became flesh and dwelt among us" He was drawing us to Himself. It does not teach that He comes to us and changes His attitude toward our sin in the name of fellowship. He desires fellowship, but the change must occur within us. Why did God's fellowship with the Jews of the Old Testament cease at times? Not because He didn't want the relationship, but because THEY did not rise up to meet Him in holiness. They did not allow Him to make them something better than they were before.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
The Season of Lent
I was in a restaurant the other day and heard one of the women sitting at the booth behind me ask the other what she is giving up for lent. Prior to that I had not been listening to their conversation, but that caught my attention. Every year at this time we see people with ashes on their foreheads struggling to decide what they can give up for a season to show their allegiance to God. What are you giving up this year?
Many web sites of congregations that observe lent say something like this: "No one knows for sure where lent started, or why it was originally observed." You can check for yourself if you don't believe me. Every year people are fired up about giving up something that will show God they are worthy. First of all, we are not worthy regardless of what we go without for a few short weeks. Second, I've searched the scriptures and have yet to find anything to support giving up your favorite tv show for a couple of weeks to show God you care.
Despite the lack of biblical support for lent, I can find the call in the New Testament to make a sacrifice, but it is not simply for a month. GIVE UP SIN FOREVER! Jesus told those that He healed, "Go and sin no more." Paul asked the question, "Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?" He emphatically answered the question, "God forbid!" The Bible tells us "They that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts (Gal. 5:24)." Throughout the New Testament the call rings out for us to stop living in sin. As we approach the season in which we commemorate the death and resurrection of Christ, I encourage you to forget about this idea of giving something for lent and give up one thing forever. Sin.
Many web sites of congregations that observe lent say something like this: "No one knows for sure where lent started, or why it was originally observed." You can check for yourself if you don't believe me. Every year people are fired up about giving up something that will show God they are worthy. First of all, we are not worthy regardless of what we go without for a few short weeks. Second, I've searched the scriptures and have yet to find anything to support giving up your favorite tv show for a couple of weeks to show God you care.
Despite the lack of biblical support for lent, I can find the call in the New Testament to make a sacrifice, but it is not simply for a month. GIVE UP SIN FOREVER! Jesus told those that He healed, "Go and sin no more." Paul asked the question, "Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?" He emphatically answered the question, "God forbid!" The Bible tells us "They that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts (Gal. 5:24)." Throughout the New Testament the call rings out for us to stop living in sin. As we approach the season in which we commemorate the death and resurrection of Christ, I encourage you to forget about this idea of giving something for lent and give up one thing forever. Sin.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Rebellion
In 1787, Thomas Jefferson wrote, "I hold that a little rebellion from time to time is a good thing." I hereby resolve to rebel against the following:
-The idea that "we're all sinners" and that we "sin every day." ("Go and sin no more" teaches us that this is wrong)
-The belief that "holiness teaching is not practical." (The Bible says without holiness no one will see the Lord)
-The belief that holiness is not one of the "essentials" of Bible doctrine ("Be holy for I am holy" is pretty clear)
-The idea that preaching and teaching the Bible "should not be the top priority" for pastors. ("How shall they hear without a preacher?" Romans 10:14)
-The belief that "people don't really want to hear doctrine." (I no longer care what they want. I want ice cream for breakfast every day, but it's not what I need)
From this point on, I will no longer allow these statements to be made without questioning them. I will not ignore them and move on. I will not use the excuse "we'll never agree on everything." I find that most of the people who use that excuse really don't even try. On this day, I resolve to rebel against the emerging, unbiblical, unholy, ungodly, beast-riding harlot that is taking the place of the church in our day. I hope you will join me.
-The idea that "we're all sinners" and that we "sin every day." ("Go and sin no more" teaches us that this is wrong)
-The belief that "holiness teaching is not practical." (The Bible says without holiness no one will see the Lord)
-The belief that holiness is not one of the "essentials" of Bible doctrine ("Be holy for I am holy" is pretty clear)
-The idea that preaching and teaching the Bible "should not be the top priority" for pastors. ("How shall they hear without a preacher?" Romans 10:14)
-The belief that "people don't really want to hear doctrine." (I no longer care what they want. I want ice cream for breakfast every day, but it's not what I need)
From this point on, I will no longer allow these statements to be made without questioning them. I will not ignore them and move on. I will not use the excuse "we'll never agree on everything." I find that most of the people who use that excuse really don't even try. On this day, I resolve to rebel against the emerging, unbiblical, unholy, ungodly, beast-riding harlot that is taking the place of the church in our day. I hope you will join me.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Biblical Standards
The Bible speaks 76 times in the King James Version of "abominations." These are things that profane the holiness of God and His people. Malachi 3:11 says, "Judah has dealt treacherously, and an abomination has been committed in Israel and in Jerusalem, for Judah has profaned the Lord's holy institution which He loves: he has married the daughter of a foreign god (NKJV)." Jesus told the Pharisees, "You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God (Luke 16:15)."
Here we have Old and New Testament accounts of abominations in the sight of God, or things that defile His people who are supposed to be set apart. If the Bible speaks about things that defile God's people, why are we so quick to discount the fact that there are things in which God does not want us to take part? I agree that the Old Testament laws are shadows of New Testament truths. I'm not saying that we shouldn't eat pork, in fact, the New Testament says that we can. But it seems like every time a conversation about things that Christians should not do some simply says, "Don't be legalistic."
There was a day where holiness teaching was far too often legalistic, but I have some news for those who live in this day: that time has passed. I'm not promoting wearing your hair in a bun, or skirts that go to the floor. What I am promoting is that the Bible does certainly teach that there are things that Christians should not do. Why can't we have that conversation? As I read the web sites and blogs of the emergent church, I see over and over again criticism of any kind of standard that comes from Scripture. Christians have come to a point in our day where we don't want to tolerate anything that tells us how to act. I wonder if that has something to do with the state of the church today. Can we get on track without admitting that there are certainly something things that the Bible says Christians should not do?
"Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God(1 Corinthians 6:9, 10)."
It's funny, we have made a lot of gray area in these commands, but they seem pretty clear.
Here we have Old and New Testament accounts of abominations in the sight of God, or things that defile His people who are supposed to be set apart. If the Bible speaks about things that defile God's people, why are we so quick to discount the fact that there are things in which God does not want us to take part? I agree that the Old Testament laws are shadows of New Testament truths. I'm not saying that we shouldn't eat pork, in fact, the New Testament says that we can. But it seems like every time a conversation about things that Christians should not do some simply says, "Don't be legalistic."
There was a day where holiness teaching was far too often legalistic, but I have some news for those who live in this day: that time has passed. I'm not promoting wearing your hair in a bun, or skirts that go to the floor. What I am promoting is that the Bible does certainly teach that there are things that Christians should not do. Why can't we have that conversation? As I read the web sites and blogs of the emergent church, I see over and over again criticism of any kind of standard that comes from Scripture. Christians have come to a point in our day where we don't want to tolerate anything that tells us how to act. I wonder if that has something to do with the state of the church today. Can we get on track without admitting that there are certainly something things that the Bible says Christians should not do?
"Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God(1 Corinthians 6:9, 10)."
It's funny, we have made a lot of gray area in these commands, but they seem pretty clear.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Are the Narrow Minded Always Wrong?
I sometimes wonder what we really mean when we say that something is "too narrow," or that someone is "narrow-minded." I've been accused on more than one occasion of being this way. I don't try to be, but there are some things that Scripture teaches very clearly, and on those things I will not bend unless I am shown truth beyond what God's Holy Spirit has already revealed to me.
It seems like we put a lot of emphasis on being "open minded" within the church today. We've got liberal Christians telling those who are conservative that they're "narrow" and the emergent church movement telling everyone that they're "too narrow" among other things. Now I understand that there are people who are more narrow than the truth, and that is certainly not a good thing. But if the Bible is the inspired Word of God and is authoritative in our lives, then should we really be more "broad" in our beliefs than the Bible?
This, again, comes back to convictions. After some conversations that I have had over the past couple of weeks, I wonder if we just use "narrow-minded" as a derogatory title for those who have firm convictions. I'm not trying to say that we all need to be as narrow as we can be, but maybe it wouldn't hurt us to learn to bend a little bit less on firm convictions that come from God's Witnesses, His Word and Spirit. This does not mean that we shouldn't be open to new truth, but it's time that the church (especially the holiness movements) stand firm in their convictions. There are people that can move from holiness churches to Calvinist congregations and not even know the difference. Why are we so willing to bend on holiness? Is it not a clear command in Scripture? Regardless of what background you come from, it is an indisputable truth that the Bible says, "Be holy for I am holy" (Lev. 11:45 among others).
Maybe the problem within the Holiness Movement is that we are not "narrow-minded" enough. Maybe our lack of conviction (along with a desire for everyone to pastor a mega church) has allowed us to become more "broad" in our thinking than Scripture intended.
It seems like we put a lot of emphasis on being "open minded" within the church today. We've got liberal Christians telling those who are conservative that they're "narrow" and the emergent church movement telling everyone that they're "too narrow" among other things. Now I understand that there are people who are more narrow than the truth, and that is certainly not a good thing. But if the Bible is the inspired Word of God and is authoritative in our lives, then should we really be more "broad" in our beliefs than the Bible?
This, again, comes back to convictions. After some conversations that I have had over the past couple of weeks, I wonder if we just use "narrow-minded" as a derogatory title for those who have firm convictions. I'm not trying to say that we all need to be as narrow as we can be, but maybe it wouldn't hurt us to learn to bend a little bit less on firm convictions that come from God's Witnesses, His Word and Spirit. This does not mean that we shouldn't be open to new truth, but it's time that the church (especially the holiness movements) stand firm in their convictions. There are people that can move from holiness churches to Calvinist congregations and not even know the difference. Why are we so willing to bend on holiness? Is it not a clear command in Scripture? Regardless of what background you come from, it is an indisputable truth that the Bible says, "Be holy for I am holy" (Lev. 11:45 among others).
Maybe the problem within the Holiness Movement is that we are not "narrow-minded" enough. Maybe our lack of conviction (along with a desire for everyone to pastor a mega church) has allowed us to become more "broad" in our thinking than Scripture intended.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
With Conviction
Do you have any convictions? We all claim to believe things, but we seem to have fewer and fewer convictions. Webster's dictionary defines conviction as "firm belief, convincing or being convinced to carry conviction, to bear the clear mark of convincing truth."
It seems to me that if we have convictions they should be obvious. They should be something that people see in us as we interact at the workplace, or at school, or with our family and friends. So often we have a weak set of beliefs that are little more than theoretical. They aren't really convictions that guide us, and they certainly aren't apparent to those around.
I wonder if this is a problem within the church. We hear preaching and teaching that doesn't really take a stand for anything. We don't like to talk about the things of which God has convicted us for fear of offending or making people uncomfortable. To be completely honest, I've come to a point where I would rather be offended than continue to hear people attempt to talk about God like He's simply a philosophy. If we can't find something about God to drive us and convict us, should we even attempt to be vessels to carry His Word? Is it possible that many of the issues we face as Christians come from a lack of clear conviction from God's Holy Spirit?
It seems to me that if we have convictions they should be obvious. They should be something that people see in us as we interact at the workplace, or at school, or with our family and friends. So often we have a weak set of beliefs that are little more than theoretical. They aren't really convictions that guide us, and they certainly aren't apparent to those around.
I wonder if this is a problem within the church. We hear preaching and teaching that doesn't really take a stand for anything. We don't like to talk about the things of which God has convicted us for fear of offending or making people uncomfortable. To be completely honest, I've come to a point where I would rather be offended than continue to hear people attempt to talk about God like He's simply a philosophy. If we can't find something about God to drive us and convict us, should we even attempt to be vessels to carry His Word? Is it possible that many of the issues we face as Christians come from a lack of clear conviction from God's Holy Spirit?
Friday, January 15, 2010
The Burden for Holiness
I have a burden. Do we get burdens anymore? It seems like we jump from church to church looking for places that will give us an emotional high without any burden. I wonder if that's possibly something that hinders the holines of the church. Can we be holy people when we really have no burden to know God, or to understand Him? Why do we have this aversion to feeling like we have to know our creator more? The more I think about it, the more I believe that a little bit of burden and discomfort might help to push our spiritual lives in the right direction.
That's what has started this blog. God has given me a burden to teach what He has inspired through His Word. The command to "be holy for I am holy" is pretty plain. I realize that holiness offends people and makes them uncomfortable, but the Bible teaches it. I think that the time has come for God's people to come together with scriptural holiness, or the command to "go and sin no more," as the motive. I know that some don't think there's any way it can happen in this life, but if that's the case why did Jesus command it? That's what it all comes down to. When will the body follow the commands of the head, Jesus Christ?
That's what has started this blog. God has given me a burden to teach what He has inspired through His Word. The command to "be holy for I am holy" is pretty plain. I realize that holiness offends people and makes them uncomfortable, but the Bible teaches it. I think that the time has come for God's people to come together with scriptural holiness, or the command to "go and sin no more," as the motive. I know that some don't think there's any way it can happen in this life, but if that's the case why did Jesus command it? That's what it all comes down to. When will the body follow the commands of the head, Jesus Christ?
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