There are a lot of different thoughts out there. Many different opinions on a myriad of topics ranging from abortion to global warming, religion to health care. I know that within the church, this is no different. Pre-, Post-, or A-millenial? Calvinism or Arminianism? Women pastors or not? Of course, I'm just touching the tip of the iceberg.
Everyone in the church seems to fall on one side or another with many of these issues (well, other than the pan-millenialists :) , of course), but many of those same people will say something along the lines of, "Well, we won't know the answer to (name that issue) until we get to heaven. This has been argued for a couple thousand years by many brilliant people, so I'm sure it won't be settled any time soon." While I agree with the last statement, that these issues won't be settled amongst ourselves any time soon, the statement is usually said to imply that there just isn't enough information to figure it all out. Or it's said because we're finite beings trying to understand an infinite God. And while these things may have a greater or lesser amount of truth to them, I think these are the furthest reasons from the main reason why these issues won't be settled amongst ourselves before we meet Him, and that reason can be summed up in one word...'sin.'
As humans, yes, we are finite, and yes, sometimes we don't have all the information we need to form rock-solid conclusions, but I think those things carry far less weight than the simple fact that we certainly are a sinful lot. Pride definitely will creep in when we bristle at the thought of being wrong, or others telling us we're wrong. We have a hard time having someone tell us that they think we're crazy for coming to some conclusion, even if they say it lovingly and in a way that's not condecending. On the other hand, sometimes we just feel the need to be right and look that way in front of others. We end up approaching many of these issues with our minds set on what we like, or what seems right to us, but not willing to hear someone that's thought about it more than us who would tell us to reconcider our position. And the lengths we will go to protect it! What about all the other things we'd simply rather be doing...I can't tell you how many people act as if they just don't want to exhaust their brain power to know God more. "We're not going to know the answer until we get to heaven, anyway" just becomes and excuse to not take the time to think.
Is it possible to begin looking at these things from a different perpective, one that desires to know God above all else, including our desire for looking good in front of others? Are we willing to be wrong or look wrong in front of people if it means that we'll know God better in the end? Are we willing to put forth the effort required to really think through the issues? I believe that there are answers to the vast majority of our questions/disputes in the church, and that God has given us all the information we need to know and understand the vast majority of them, including the issues that have been discussed for centuries. My only questions is, can we lay ourselves aside long enough to find out the answers?
James begins his book to the Jewish believers talking about trials, and counting them joy. Why should we count trials as joy? The reason is because we will increase in patience or perseverance. If I may be so bold, I would say that it will make us more like Christ.
The next part of what he says goes something like this (off the top of my head, and I'm guessing what's on the top of my head is the New King Jimmy version):
For a long time I thought this part was talking about asking for wisdom to get through the trial. If the trial was cancer, asking for wisdom for finding the right doctors, getting the right treatments, etc., to help me through the trial. If I blew a tire, I would ask for wisdom about getting safely to my destination. However, I don't believe this to be what James is saying here.
The point of the trial is not for us to just get through it. The goal is to get through it having learned the lesson God wants us to learn, looking more like Christ in the end. So what wisdom would one need as they go through the trial? Not what they need to do to make it out, but wisdom to decern what it is God is telling them, through the trial, needs to be changed so that they look more like Christ in the end. If God brings cancer, to go back to one of my previous examples, into your life, and His Spirit is leading you to understand that He wants you to learn to trust Him more, but you say, "That can't be, God. I already trust You...a lot!" then it is this one who is doubting, or "double-minded." You ask the Lord what you need to learn through this, but then when it's revealed to you, you insist that can't be it.
A couple months ago, my wife and I lost our twin babies, miscarrying at about 11 weeks. That's a trial. I'm still wanting to know what exactly the Lord wants me to learn through this...certainly waiting on Him is a part of it. I'm so thankful that He's completely in control, that He has reasons and purposes to all He does, and that He would count me worthy to test my faith through such things. I don't want to waste this trial. I'm listening...
The next part of what he says goes something like this (off the top of my head, and I'm guessing what's on the top of my head is the New King Jimmy version):
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and
without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no
doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the
wind. Let not that man suppose he will receive anything from the Lord. He is a
double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
For a long time I thought this part was talking about asking for wisdom to get through the trial. If the trial was cancer, asking for wisdom for finding the right doctors, getting the right treatments, etc., to help me through the trial. If I blew a tire, I would ask for wisdom about getting safely to my destination. However, I don't believe this to be what James is saying here.
The point of the trial is not for us to just get through it. The goal is to get through it having learned the lesson God wants us to learn, looking more like Christ in the end. So what wisdom would one need as they go through the trial? Not what they need to do to make it out, but wisdom to decern what it is God is telling them, through the trial, needs to be changed so that they look more like Christ in the end. If God brings cancer, to go back to one of my previous examples, into your life, and His Spirit is leading you to understand that He wants you to learn to trust Him more, but you say, "That can't be, God. I already trust You...a lot!" then it is this one who is doubting, or "double-minded." You ask the Lord what you need to learn through this, but then when it's revealed to you, you insist that can't be it.
A couple months ago, my wife and I lost our twin babies, miscarrying at about 11 weeks. That's a trial. I'm still wanting to know what exactly the Lord wants me to learn through this...certainly waiting on Him is a part of it. I'm so thankful that He's completely in control, that He has reasons and purposes to all He does, and that He would count me worthy to test my faith through such things. I don't want to waste this trial. I'm listening...
It has been a while since I've last written, and there are a lot of different reasons. This has been a particularly interesting time in my life, these past few months, and though I won't go into detail here, God has been teaching me a lot that hopefully I will be able to share, at least in part, here.
Another reason is that, for a while, I was afraid of this blog becoming something I didn't want, and that was a political commentary. I enjoy politics, and from the election on, there's been so much to comment on that I've wanted to comment on, I felt like this would become something more political than I would like. And not that I'm against talking about it, as I know I will bring things up of that nature from time to time, I just don't want you, the reader, equating the Power of the Towel with political commentary. The main thrust of what I do here is to journal what the Lord has been teaching me so that somehow, someway, He might use it to help and serve others, and hopefully encourage you to help and serve others, as well.
So again, I apologize to my readers out there, and I look forward to doing a better job of this. A new post is forthcoming...
Another reason is that, for a while, I was afraid of this blog becoming something I didn't want, and that was a political commentary. I enjoy politics, and from the election on, there's been so much to comment on that I've wanted to comment on, I felt like this would become something more political than I would like. And not that I'm against talking about it, as I know I will bring things up of that nature from time to time, I just don't want you, the reader, equating the Power of the Towel with political commentary. The main thrust of what I do here is to journal what the Lord has been teaching me so that somehow, someway, He might use it to help and serve others, and hopefully encourage you to help and serve others, as well.
So again, I apologize to my readers out there, and I look forward to doing a better job of this. A new post is forthcoming...
I read this article today that really ruffled my feathers. For those of you not willing to read it, the article informs us that eHarmony, an online dating service for anyone to use, though created by those who claim Christianity (whether they are or not is not the issue to be dealt with here; I'm just trying to share what I do know, and not pretending to know what I don't), is settling a lawsuit that a New Jersey man filed against them because they didn't offer a choice for him, that choice being 'men seeking men.' There are two big problems that I want to address here, and if they're not obvious to you, let me make them clear. I'm not suggesting there aren't other problems, but just two that I want to address.
The first is more political in nature. eHarmony is a business. It seeks to help people find others that they could potentially date and maybe even marry that they may never have met otherwise through the wonders of the internet. They provide this service to its customers at a price, in hopes to turn a profit. Now, I know there are a lot of things that I may not understand about this case in particular, but if I'm wrong here, I wish those presenting us with the news would give more detail, because the lawsuit itself seems utterly ridiculous.
I work for a music store. It's a business, of course, and we provide products and services related to music at a price in hopes to profit, as any business does. But what would you say if I told you that a person walked into our store one day and said, "Do you carry karyoke machines?" Our reply would be "No, sorry, we don't." This sounds like a conversation that would happen fairly often. Maybe not over the exact item, but it happens on a regular basis that we must tell people that we don't carry certain products. But what if the conversation continued with the customer saying, "Well, I guess I'm going to have to sue you for discriminating against karyoke singers. You ought to be ashamed of yourselves...see you in court!" The customer can't do that. Why? Because as a business, we have every right to sell whatever we want. You can't tell us that we have to sell karyoke machines if we don't want to sell karyoke machines. But this is exactly what has happened to eHarmony. There are plenty of other places I'm sure this New Jersey man could have gone to seek men. But instead, he thought he'd sue, and now gets $50,000 and is looking forward to utilizing the new service that will be offered by eHarmony for men seeking men and women seeking women.
This brings me to my second point. In the face of such a ridiculous claim, why is eHarmony the one that is folding (not closing up shop, folding, but compromising, folding)? Again, I don't know any more than this article stated, but not only do they have a right as a business to sell whatever services they want, but as Christians, should they not be standing up for the truth of the Word of God inspite of whatever "punishment" may come their way? I also know it's easy for me to sit here behind my computer and say this, but I pray that I won't compromise the truth of God's Word in the face of persecution.
The first is more political in nature. eHarmony is a business. It seeks to help people find others that they could potentially date and maybe even marry that they may never have met otherwise through the wonders of the internet. They provide this service to its customers at a price, in hopes to turn a profit. Now, I know there are a lot of things that I may not understand about this case in particular, but if I'm wrong here, I wish those presenting us with the news would give more detail, because the lawsuit itself seems utterly ridiculous.
I work for a music store. It's a business, of course, and we provide products and services related to music at a price in hopes to profit, as any business does. But what would you say if I told you that a person walked into our store one day and said, "Do you carry karyoke machines?" Our reply would be "No, sorry, we don't." This sounds like a conversation that would happen fairly often. Maybe not over the exact item, but it happens on a regular basis that we must tell people that we don't carry certain products. But what if the conversation continued with the customer saying, "Well, I guess I'm going to have to sue you for discriminating against karyoke singers. You ought to be ashamed of yourselves...see you in court!" The customer can't do that. Why? Because as a business, we have every right to sell whatever we want. You can't tell us that we have to sell karyoke machines if we don't want to sell karyoke machines. But this is exactly what has happened to eHarmony. There are plenty of other places I'm sure this New Jersey man could have gone to seek men. But instead, he thought he'd sue, and now gets $50,000 and is looking forward to utilizing the new service that will be offered by eHarmony for men seeking men and women seeking women.
This brings me to my second point. In the face of such a ridiculous claim, why is eHarmony the one that is folding (not closing up shop, folding, but compromising, folding)? Again, I don't know any more than this article stated, but not only do they have a right as a business to sell whatever services they want, but as Christians, should they not be standing up for the truth of the Word of God inspite of whatever "punishment" may come their way? I also know it's easy for me to sit here behind my computer and say this, but I pray that I won't compromise the truth of God's Word in the face of persecution.
I'm sitting here with my friend Jarrod watching the presidential election results come in, and it looks like America is leaning towards Mr. Obama. The democratic candidate (and quite probably, president-elect, when you read this) has run on the platform of "change."
Unfortunately, I don't believe he will bring "change we need." All we've heard about is change, change, change, but none of it will make a lasting difference. However, I know of change that does make a lasting difference. In fact, it makes an eternal difference. The only one who can make real, lasting "change we need" is Jesus Christ. Let's continue to pray that the Lord will change hearts and lives in our country, as that's far more important than who the president of this country is.
Unfortunately, I don't believe he will bring "change we need." All we've heard about is change, change, change, but none of it will make a lasting difference. However, I know of change that does make a lasting difference. In fact, it makes an eternal difference. The only one who can make real, lasting "change we need" is Jesus Christ. Let's continue to pray that the Lord will change hearts and lives in our country, as that's far more important than who the president of this country is.
One of the objections leveled most often at those who hold to the doctrines of grace is that if God has chosen who He's going to save, then why do we bother evangelizing? On the surface, this seems to make some sense, but not only does it not make sense, it's as if they haven't really taken the time to think through the consequences of their own position, and this is where I want to place my attention.
As for the objection itself, God tells us to preach the gospel to every creature, so that should be good enough for us (simply doing it because He told us to). In addition, to paraphrase Spurgeon, if the elect were marked with a yellow stripe on their backs, we'd quit the ministry and go around pulling up shirt tails. Since we don't know who they are, we have to tell everyone. Forgive me for not going into further reasoning or expounding on these, as there is plenty more that can be said. I just want to spend more of my time turning the tables, so to speak.
If I believe that each person has libertarian free will to choose or not choose God (notice, I'm not suggestion people don't make a choice, just not a libertarian one), then isn't my role to convince people who haven't chosen Christ why they need to? And in order to convince others, it means I have to be smarter than they are, so I'll need to have lots of biblical education. If I can't quote the Romans Road by heart, then I shouldn't be evangelizing until I can (and even then I may not know enough, especially if I'm talking to educated scientists or New Atheists, or the like).
And you know, it's really hard to get people to not only acknowledge God exists, but for them to acknowledge Christ died for them. Beyond that, it's harder to get them to understand their need for Christ to die in their place, which means admitting wrong-doing. And even if I get them this far, getting them to repent is nearly impossible! It's just so hard, even for the well-education Christian to do all this, so maybe we will just leave some of that out. In fact, I'll dress it all up so that it looks really good and won't be so hard. It says, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved." That's all there is to it. It's that easy. We don't need to mention wrath or judgment, just Love.
Does anyone see the slippery slope? There are some real problems that can creep in with this kind of mindset. There are also some biblical issues of evangelism that one would have to work through. How would this person react to reading that Christ would have his true disciples (not just His apostles, but the 70) shake the dust of their feet in protest against a town that didn't return peace to them (Luke 10) or shortly before that where Jesus doesn't get all that excited when a man tells Him that he wants to follow Him. In fact, Jesus let's the man know that's it's not going to be easy, as He doesn't even have a place to lay His head. That doesn't sound like great recruitment technique.
And you realize this plays itself out in real life, don't you? What about that guy who's been asking about spiritual things, and instead of answering him, you don't because you feel inadequate, so you invite him to church with you (that sounds good, right?). But then he asks, "do you sing those boring old songs?" and since you know you do but you're afraid he won't come if you tell him the truth, you're at a loss for words and actually considering lying to the guy just so he won't turn your invitation down. Or what about when you have taken the time to share the gospel with someone and they still reject Him, but you go home and beat yourself up because you think you must have said something wrong or forgot to mention something as if, by having said things better, you would have convinced them. Now they may be on their way to an eternity separated from Him because you screwed up.
This is unbiblical. The doctrines of grace allow us to freely share with whomever without fear or reservation. We need to realize that God is in complete control. We don't have to water down the gospel, or spice it up, or take out the 'offensive' stuff, or worry about being inadequate or having said anything wrong. We can't scare someone off by telling them that it's going to cost them everything, unless of course what they would have professed wasn't really a saving faith anyway. We simply need to go and make disciples, trusting that God will do what He has said He will do, and that is use us (what a privilege!) to bring His chosen to Himself.
As for the objection itself, God tells us to preach the gospel to every creature, so that should be good enough for us (simply doing it because He told us to). In addition, to paraphrase Spurgeon, if the elect were marked with a yellow stripe on their backs, we'd quit the ministry and go around pulling up shirt tails. Since we don't know who they are, we have to tell everyone. Forgive me for not going into further reasoning or expounding on these, as there is plenty more that can be said. I just want to spend more of my time turning the tables, so to speak.
If I believe that each person has libertarian free will to choose or not choose God (notice, I'm not suggestion people don't make a choice, just not a libertarian one), then isn't my role to convince people who haven't chosen Christ why they need to? And in order to convince others, it means I have to be smarter than they are, so I'll need to have lots of biblical education. If I can't quote the Romans Road by heart, then I shouldn't be evangelizing until I can (and even then I may not know enough, especially if I'm talking to educated scientists or New Atheists, or the like).
And you know, it's really hard to get people to not only acknowledge God exists, but for them to acknowledge Christ died for them. Beyond that, it's harder to get them to understand their need for Christ to die in their place, which means admitting wrong-doing. And even if I get them this far, getting them to repent is nearly impossible! It's just so hard, even for the well-education Christian to do all this, so maybe we will just leave some of that out. In fact, I'll dress it all up so that it looks really good and won't be so hard. It says, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved." That's all there is to it. It's that easy. We don't need to mention wrath or judgment, just Love.
Does anyone see the slippery slope? There are some real problems that can creep in with this kind of mindset. There are also some biblical issues of evangelism that one would have to work through. How would this person react to reading that Christ would have his true disciples (not just His apostles, but the 70) shake the dust of their feet in protest against a town that didn't return peace to them (Luke 10) or shortly before that where Jesus doesn't get all that excited when a man tells Him that he wants to follow Him. In fact, Jesus let's the man know that's it's not going to be easy, as He doesn't even have a place to lay His head. That doesn't sound like great recruitment technique.
And you realize this plays itself out in real life, don't you? What about that guy who's been asking about spiritual things, and instead of answering him, you don't because you feel inadequate, so you invite him to church with you (that sounds good, right?). But then he asks, "do you sing those boring old songs?" and since you know you do but you're afraid he won't come if you tell him the truth, you're at a loss for words and actually considering lying to the guy just so he won't turn your invitation down. Or what about when you have taken the time to share the gospel with someone and they still reject Him, but you go home and beat yourself up because you think you must have said something wrong or forgot to mention something as if, by having said things better, you would have convinced them. Now they may be on their way to an eternity separated from Him because you screwed up.
This is unbiblical. The doctrines of grace allow us to freely share with whomever without fear or reservation. We need to realize that God is in complete control. We don't have to water down the gospel, or spice it up, or take out the 'offensive' stuff, or worry about being inadequate or having said anything wrong. We can't scare someone off by telling them that it's going to cost them everything, unless of course what they would have professed wasn't really a saving faith anyway. We simply need to go and make disciples, trusting that God will do what He has said He will do, and that is use us (what a privilege!) to bring His chosen to Himself.
I don't get it. I see it time and time again, and I fail to understand the logic every time. I'm really tired of hearing, "The Bible is supposed to be easy enough for a child to understand," or, "You're doing mental gymnastics that aren't neccessary and are thinking way too hard about it," or, "The plain reading of the text proves you wrong," or, "If you need bullet points and a system of theology than you're going wrong somewhere."
Apparently, their "plain reading of the Bible" doesn't help them to understand that they need to love their God with their mind, as well as their heart, soul and strength. And last I checked, I'm not so sure a five year-old...ok, ok...a twelve year-old...alright already, or even I can claim that Revelation is an easy read.
The Bible was written thousands of years ago, so we have to understand the perspective of such audiences. God used about 40 different men to write 66 different books/letters, many in different genres that all need special understanding. Our English version has been translated from Ancient Greek, Hebrew and Aramaic, and we have how many English versions? But somehow people have come to think that understanding and interpreting Scripture is easy...so easy a child could do it.
Now don't get me wrong here, I'm not suggesting that Scripture is impossible to understand or interpret correctly, and certainly not that children are stupid, but there is a distinct difference between milk and meat (and you can even catch that in a "plain reading" of Scripture!). So why is it that when we are under the teaching of Scripture, we simply find someone we like and hand them our brain and tell them to "fill 'er up!" Why do we get the attitude when we sit in front of Scripture thinking that if we bust superficially through x chapters a day that somehow I'm a super-Christian. And after all of this, some still have the gall to say something like, "this (clearly unbiblical teaching) is what the Holy Spirit led me to understand."
To me, it sounds more like an excuse for laziness than anything. Somehow we feel fully justified believing certain things because it seems like that's what the Text is saying upon first glance. But really, we just don't want to take the time to know God deeper. We like comfortable. And if it's going to take me out of my comfort zone, than it must not be of God.
Where do we come up with this stuff?
Apparently, their "plain reading of the Bible" doesn't help them to understand that they need to love their God with their mind, as well as their heart, soul and strength. And last I checked, I'm not so sure a five year-old...ok, ok...a twelve year-old...alright already, or even I can claim that Revelation is an easy read.
The Bible was written thousands of years ago, so we have to understand the perspective of such audiences. God used about 40 different men to write 66 different books/letters, many in different genres that all need special understanding. Our English version has been translated from Ancient Greek, Hebrew and Aramaic, and we have how many English versions? But somehow people have come to think that understanding and interpreting Scripture is easy...so easy a child could do it.
Now don't get me wrong here, I'm not suggesting that Scripture is impossible to understand or interpret correctly, and certainly not that children are stupid, but there is a distinct difference between milk and meat (and you can even catch that in a "plain reading" of Scripture!). So why is it that when we are under the teaching of Scripture, we simply find someone we like and hand them our brain and tell them to "fill 'er up!" Why do we get the attitude when we sit in front of Scripture thinking that if we bust superficially through x chapters a day that somehow I'm a super-Christian. And after all of this, some still have the gall to say something like, "this (clearly unbiblical teaching) is what the Holy Spirit led me to understand."
To me, it sounds more like an excuse for laziness than anything. Somehow we feel fully justified believing certain things because it seems like that's what the Text is saying upon first glance. But really, we just don't want to take the time to know God deeper. We like comfortable. And if it's going to take me out of my comfort zone, than it must not be of God.
Where do we come up with this stuff?
I'm sorry to all of my avid readers out there (Stan) that it's been so long since I last wrote. My wife and I just purchased our first house and I've been going nuts with very little free time since, so needless to say, things have been hectic. But I've found a little time, so I'll just apologize and move on...
I've been thinking lately about the issue of homosexuality, especially in light of what's happened in California in recent days. Why is this debate so polarizing? Why is it likened to the civil rights movement? What makes this different than so many other issues?
I think it has to do with a case of mistaken identity. Let me role play for a moment...
Does anyone else see a major problem here? In this scenario, the person has taken their sin and made it their identity...they've made it who they are. This, to me, is what makes this issue of homosexuality so polarizing. When one speaks against homosexuality, it becomes nearly impossible to separate it from the person. Speaking against it is speaking against the person themself. It's easy to say that lying is wrong because there aren't people, on a large scale, who've made it their identity. It's the same for a myriad of other vices. But not so with homosexuality. This is the challenge we are faced with...
I've been thinking lately about the issue of homosexuality, especially in light of what's happened in California in recent days. Why is this debate so polarizing? Why is it likened to the civil rights movement? What makes this different than so many other issues?
I think it has to do with a case of mistaken identity. Let me role play for a moment...
I'm nervous, so bear with me. There's something I want to tell you. In fact, I need to tell you. It's something I've known for a while now, but just been too scared to admit. I've been afraid of what people would think of me if they knew, so I've just kept it to myself. But after lots of thought, I've realized that I shouldn't really be worried about that. Who cares what other people think of me?! That doesn't change who I am! So, I've decided that I need to tell someone, I've got to come out of the closet and just let it out. So here I go...
I am...............................I'm a liar.
I know you're thinking, "No, not my son!" But, you don't have to worry. In fact, you're just going to have to get over it. You should be proud of me for discovering this about myself. It's who I am!
You're probably also wondering how long I've known. Well, I started realizing it when I realized that I could get away with things that I didn't want others to know I did, like the one time I broke your antique vase when I was six...yeah, that was me...and I grew to understand this more fully when I realized it would also help other people think better of me than I really am, and it just grew from there.
The frustrating thing about it is the complete injustice I've endured because of this. It's not my choice, it's who I am, but people just don't seem to get it. They look at me funny when they find out who I am. The judicial system doesn't tolerate me or others like me. Neither does the church...I can be a good Christian and still be a liar! There are plenty of lying clergy! Yeah, yeah...the Bible does say, "Thou shalt not lie." But that's not really what it means. Those ten commandments are all outdated anyway. They were for people a few thousand years ago. They obviously aren't meant for today. I get churched folk coming up to me all the time telling me I'm going to hell, but they just don't get the fact that God made me this way.
There are some good things happening though. I've started a group for liars...all different kinds, from little white liars to people who tell the most amazing kinds! It's great...we're all really supportive of each other and have been able to organize rallies and get publicity to help further our cause! We're even working hard to pass legislation to legalize lying. Just the other day, I was contacted by a scientist who heard about us, and he told us he was working on getting a grant so that he could begin looking for a lying gene that would prove this is just a part of who we are, and he's pretty sure it exists based on past studies! Isn't that exciting?!?!
Does anyone else see a major problem here? In this scenario, the person has taken their sin and made it their identity...they've made it who they are. This, to me, is what makes this issue of homosexuality so polarizing. When one speaks against homosexuality, it becomes nearly impossible to separate it from the person. Speaking against it is speaking against the person themself. It's easy to say that lying is wrong because there aren't people, on a large scale, who've made it their identity. It's the same for a myriad of other vices. But not so with homosexuality. This is the challenge we are faced with...
A story was recently printed in the Beaver County (PA) Times about a young man who chose not to play in the state championship game his high school basketball team was playing in so that he could attend a weekend church retreat. Many are saying that it is about time "church/religion comes before sports." I'm not sure I'm quite as quick to agree.
First, lets take a look at the pro's of his decision. He probably was able to gain encouragement from the Word and from other men that weekend. He probably grew in his knowledge of God by going to the camp. These are very important things; very good things. But, do they outweigh the cons?
If I'm his teammate, I'm upset. First of all, though he's not a starter, his team was without three key players, which means the bench players could play a crucial role in the championship game, especially if an injury to another player occurs during the course of the game. He made a commitment to this team, and now he's broken that commitment, and not only broken it, but broken it when his team needs him most. In addition, someone was probably cut from the team to make a spot for him. They could have been vying for the championship trophy while he was at his retreat. And now, if this young man tries to introduce his teammates to Jesus, what will their reaction to him be? "You want me to commit my life to Jesus? Who are you to tell me about commitment?" "I used to respect you, but you let us down, so now I don't know what to think about you or your Jesus."
Why are we so concerned with what we culturally deem to be "church?" We applaud people for going to church or doing church programs, instead of being the church. Those teammates probably need Jesus far more than He needed that weekend at the church retreat, and if playing in a basketball game helped his teammates see Jesus that much better, or at least didn't tarnish His name, then I choose the game over the retreat any day of the week.
Let it be understood that I appreciate this young man's desire to make God first in his life and the willingness to sacrifice personal accolades in order to make it so. That much is admirable and praiseworthy. I just hope he, along with the rest of us, comes to realize that 'going to church' doesn't necessarily equal godliness, but that 'being the church' does.
First, lets take a look at the pro's of his decision. He probably was able to gain encouragement from the Word and from other men that weekend. He probably grew in his knowledge of God by going to the camp. These are very important things; very good things. But, do they outweigh the cons?
If I'm his teammate, I'm upset. First of all, though he's not a starter, his team was without three key players, which means the bench players could play a crucial role in the championship game, especially if an injury to another player occurs during the course of the game. He made a commitment to this team, and now he's broken that commitment, and not only broken it, but broken it when his team needs him most. In addition, someone was probably cut from the team to make a spot for him. They could have been vying for the championship trophy while he was at his retreat. And now, if this young man tries to introduce his teammates to Jesus, what will their reaction to him be? "You want me to commit my life to Jesus? Who are you to tell me about commitment?" "I used to respect you, but you let us down, so now I don't know what to think about you or your Jesus."
Why are we so concerned with what we culturally deem to be "church?" We applaud people for going to church or doing church programs, instead of being the church. Those teammates probably need Jesus far more than He needed that weekend at the church retreat, and if playing in a basketball game helped his teammates see Jesus that much better, or at least didn't tarnish His name, then I choose the game over the retreat any day of the week.
Let it be understood that I appreciate this young man's desire to make God first in his life and the willingness to sacrifice personal accolades in order to make it so. That much is admirable and praiseworthy. I just hope he, along with the rest of us, comes to realize that 'going to church' doesn't necessarily equal godliness, but that 'being the church' does.
To continue with our thoughts on the church, I want to bring up another consequence of our thoughts toward church as being a destination. It has been mentioned to this point that, while followers of Christ may come up with the correct definition of what the church is, they don't necessarily live like they know it. Yesterday, I mentioned that one of the major consequences of our wrong thinking is that church becomes something where we try make the unsaved world come to us, ignoring our responsibility as the church to go to them. Today, we'll look at what may be an even more devastating consequence: self-centeredness.
If the church is something that I go to, it becomes like everything else I go to. If I go to a baseball game, it's about what I get out of it; namely, entertainment. If I'm not entertained, or my team loses every time I go, I get angry, because I'm not getting out of it what I'm investing into it. The same goes for the grocery store, another destination. I'm going for what I can get out of it, which in this case is food. Hopefully, I find the best food at great prices, but if I don't get out of it what I want, I'll get upset and return things, ask for my money back, etc. It's the same with a trip to the doctor, or the bank, or a vacation destination, or just about any other destination I can think of.
This same mentality has carried over to church. It has become about what I can get out of it. How often do you hear of people, searching for a body of believers to join with, that, in the midst of their search, say that they didn't like the music at the one church, didn't like the preacher's style at the other, and didn't think the children's ministry was good enough at a third? Now, all of these things are not inherently wrong. It's a good thing to know that your children are getting a good, biblically-based education and are not being fed lies. It's good to have a preacher that truly has the gift of preaching. But all of these sorts of things are self-centered. They are all about what I am getting out of my experience. I can't recall the last time I heard someone say, "We were visiting this church and noticed that their children's ministry is hurting, but that's one of my strengths. I think God brought us here to help them build that aspect of the body."
This then, inevitably leads to another problem. Because church becomes about what I can get out of it, false doctrine sets in. Where do we think the "health, wealth and prosperity gospel" has come from? It came from someone wanting to get more out of Scripture than what is really there, most likely in an attempt to justify their sin. This can be said of many of the false principals we see invading the church. Stan, over at his blog, Birds of the Air, has been battling progressive Christianity and its inclusive doctrine (in short, that all religions can get us to heaven). This comes about when we don't like the fact that truth, as stated in Scripture, doesn't make us feel good because our friends who happen to be (insert religion here) would be eternally separated from God if they stayed their present course. It comes in when we start believing things that we want to believe instead of believing what the truth actually is. In fact, Paul states in his first letter to Timothy that,
This is not what the church was created to be. The church, as a destination, is a place that glorifies self. Again, I can see where I could have words put in my mouth, and so I don't want to be misunderstood. We all need to be refreshed. We all need to be taught. But, at what point is our focus changed from self-service to serving others and ultimately, the Lord? At what point do I stop being so concerned about what I'm getting out of it and start looking to others and how I can give to them? What did Jesus tell Peter each time after asking him if he loved Him? Be fed? No! "Feed my sheep." I would argue that it's when we do as the Lord commands, that is, when we serve those around us, it is in that time that we, ourselves, are nourished.
If the church is something that I go to, it becomes like everything else I go to. If I go to a baseball game, it's about what I get out of it; namely, entertainment. If I'm not entertained, or my team loses every time I go, I get angry, because I'm not getting out of it what I'm investing into it. The same goes for the grocery store, another destination. I'm going for what I can get out of it, which in this case is food. Hopefully, I find the best food at great prices, but if I don't get out of it what I want, I'll get upset and return things, ask for my money back, etc. It's the same with a trip to the doctor, or the bank, or a vacation destination, or just about any other destination I can think of.
This same mentality has carried over to church. It has become about what I can get out of it. How often do you hear of people, searching for a body of believers to join with, that, in the midst of their search, say that they didn't like the music at the one church, didn't like the preacher's style at the other, and didn't think the children's ministry was good enough at a third? Now, all of these things are not inherently wrong. It's a good thing to know that your children are getting a good, biblically-based education and are not being fed lies. It's good to have a preacher that truly has the gift of preaching. But all of these sorts of things are self-centered. They are all about what I am getting out of my experience. I can't recall the last time I heard someone say, "We were visiting this church and noticed that their children's ministry is hurting, but that's one of my strengths. I think God brought us here to help them build that aspect of the body."
This then, inevitably leads to another problem. Because church becomes about what I can get out of it, false doctrine sets in. Where do we think the "health, wealth and prosperity gospel" has come from? It came from someone wanting to get more out of Scripture than what is really there, most likely in an attempt to justify their sin. This can be said of many of the false principals we see invading the church. Stan, over at his blog, Birds of the Air, has been battling progressive Christianity and its inclusive doctrine (in short, that all religions can get us to heaven). This comes about when we don't like the fact that truth, as stated in Scripture, doesn't make us feel good because our friends who happen to be (insert religion here) would be eternally separated from God if they stayed their present course. It comes in when we start believing things that we want to believe instead of believing what the truth actually is. In fact, Paul states in his first letter to Timothy that,
If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, he is conceited and understands nothing. (I Tim. 6:3-4a)I hope you didn't miss that. What was the first thing Paul said of those who teach false doctrine? "...he is conceited..." In other words, he has an agenda that has 'self' at the top of the list.
This is not what the church was created to be. The church, as a destination, is a place that glorifies self. Again, I can see where I could have words put in my mouth, and so I don't want to be misunderstood. We all need to be refreshed. We all need to be taught. But, at what point is our focus changed from self-service to serving others and ultimately, the Lord? At what point do I stop being so concerned about what I'm getting out of it and start looking to others and how I can give to them? What did Jesus tell Peter each time after asking him if he loved Him? Be fed? No! "Feed my sheep." I would argue that it's when we do as the Lord commands, that is, when we serve those around us, it is in that time that we, ourselves, are nourished.
In my last post I discussed the thought process we go through as Americans when it comes to the church and what it is. One of the effects of this thought process has been poisonous to the church as a whole.
Because we act like church is a destination instead of something that we are, we've advertised church to the lost much like one would advertise a tourist attraction to tourists, or a performance to concert-goers. In those instances, one might have a flashy sign out front of the attraction or concert hall with something catchy on it to capture people's attention, or one might put an advertisement on television. Of course, the most important thing is that you have something at your destination that is worth coming to see. I suppose with a tourist attraction, this comes inherently, but with the concert hall, you try to obtain the best performers with the best programs in order to convince people there is something they need to experience. The goal is to have the most attractive program advertised in the most attractive way to maximize the number of people that will come (and ultimately, to maximize the profit).
How is this all that different from the American Church? How many church bodies have a flashy sign out front of the building they own (or, though it may not be flashy, at least have a sign with some catchy [read as 'cheesy' or 'lame'] phrase on it)? How many churches take out ads in the local newspaper or yellow pages? Numerous church bodies (usually the larger ones that can afford to do so) have advertisements on television, and my church growing up even took out space on a local billboard along a major roadway. And don't forget that there has to be something worth coming to experience, so a flashy rock band is added, only the most charismatic people are found on the stage, and the church programs itself to death with retreats, revivals, children's programs, teen events, concerts, plays, and the list goes on and on and on...
And on top of that, the content needs to be relevant! Otherwise, none of what is done will be worthwhile, so the church needs to work extra hard to make sure that God is helped out by making Him appear relevant. Oh, and it would be awful to offend those that the church has worked so hard at getting to come, because if they do get offended, they might not come back. This may mean compromising which parts of the gospel are shared, and may go so far as to allowing the post-modern mindset to creep in, but it's so that people who are seeking will come to our destination on the weekend. And, of course, God wants us to fill the pews...He'll be so proud!
Last I checked, Christ didn't tell His disciples to "get everyone to come to you so you can preach the gospel to them." He said, "Go and make disciples of all nations..." He didn't say, "Help make me relevant, because I struggle with that." He said, "I am the bread of life," (John 6:35) and "whoever drinks of the water I give him will never thirst." (John 4:14) If that isn't relevant, I don't know what is. Scripture doesn't say that "there are tons of people seeking God, so help them on the journey." It says that "No one seeks God. All have turned away." (Rom. 3:11-12) It doesn't say, "The message of the cross is attractive if presented a certain way." It says, "the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing..."(I Cor. 1:18) and that Christ crucified is "a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles." (I Cor. 1:23)
The church was never intended to be a destination, but because it has become that in the way we live, it has also become an excuse to not do the very things the church was made to do. Church gatherings aren't solely for evangelism. They are for the edification of the believers. They are so that we can be "teaching [disciples] to obey (or do) everything I (Jesus) have commanded you." (Matt. 28:20)
Please don't get me wrong. There is nothing inherently wrong with programs that share the gospel. But we've got the wrong idea. Most of the time, the unbeliever isn't going to come to us. We must be mobilized to go! We need to be the church every day, not just once or twice a week, reflecting Christ to all those we come in contact with.
Because we act like church is a destination instead of something that we are, we've advertised church to the lost much like one would advertise a tourist attraction to tourists, or a performance to concert-goers. In those instances, one might have a flashy sign out front of the attraction or concert hall with something catchy on it to capture people's attention, or one might put an advertisement on television. Of course, the most important thing is that you have something at your destination that is worth coming to see. I suppose with a tourist attraction, this comes inherently, but with the concert hall, you try to obtain the best performers with the best programs in order to convince people there is something they need to experience. The goal is to have the most attractive program advertised in the most attractive way to maximize the number of people that will come (and ultimately, to maximize the profit).
How is this all that different from the American Church? How many church bodies have a flashy sign out front of the building they own (or, though it may not be flashy, at least have a sign with some catchy [read as 'cheesy' or 'lame'] phrase on it)? How many churches take out ads in the local newspaper or yellow pages? Numerous church bodies (usually the larger ones that can afford to do so) have advertisements on television, and my church growing up even took out space on a local billboard along a major roadway. And don't forget that there has to be something worth coming to experience, so a flashy rock band is added, only the most charismatic people are found on the stage, and the church programs itself to death with retreats, revivals, children's programs, teen events, concerts, plays, and the list goes on and on and on...
And on top of that, the content needs to be relevant! Otherwise, none of what is done will be worthwhile, so the church needs to work extra hard to make sure that God is helped out by making Him appear relevant. Oh, and it would be awful to offend those that the church has worked so hard at getting to come, because if they do get offended, they might not come back. This may mean compromising which parts of the gospel are shared, and may go so far as to allowing the post-modern mindset to creep in, but it's so that people who are seeking will come to our destination on the weekend. And, of course, God wants us to fill the pews...He'll be so proud!
Last I checked, Christ didn't tell His disciples to "get everyone to come to you so you can preach the gospel to them." He said, "Go and make disciples of all nations..." He didn't say, "Help make me relevant, because I struggle with that." He said, "I am the bread of life," (John 6:35) and "whoever drinks of the water I give him will never thirst." (John 4:14) If that isn't relevant, I don't know what is. Scripture doesn't say that "there are tons of people seeking God, so help them on the journey." It says that "No one seeks God. All have turned away." (Rom. 3:11-12) It doesn't say, "The message of the cross is attractive if presented a certain way." It says, "the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing..."(I Cor. 1:18) and that Christ crucified is "a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles." (I Cor. 1:23)
The church was never intended to be a destination, but because it has become that in the way we live, it has also become an excuse to not do the very things the church was made to do. Church gatherings aren't solely for evangelism. They are for the edification of the believers. They are so that we can be "teaching [disciples] to obey (or do) everything I (Jesus) have commanded you." (Matt. 28:20)
Please don't get me wrong. There is nothing inherently wrong with programs that share the gospel. But we've got the wrong idea. Most of the time, the unbeliever isn't going to come to us. We must be mobilized to go! We need to be the church every day, not just once or twice a week, reflecting Christ to all those we come in contact with.
"Come on kids! Time to get up and get yourselves ready to go to church!"
"Oh, I'm sorry we won't be able to make it. We have to go to church Sunday morning."
"The leak in the roof of the church needs to be fixed."
"Why don't you come to church with me on Sunday?"
These phrases are all very common in today's Christian circles. However, do any of these phrases, or others like them, use a proper definition of the word, 'church?' Though few of us would, when asked, define the church as a building used for Christians to gather in for worship, our mindset has certainly taken on this definition. Because of this shift in understanding, the way has been paved for many false concepts to creep in to the hearts and minds of Christ-followers, and the consequences are far reaching; in fact, eternal.
So if it's not the building, what is the church? I'm amazed by this question, and here's why. Most followers of Christ will get the answer to this question correct by saying that the church is the body of Christ, with Christ as its head, or the bride of Christ, whom Christ loved sacrificially; so much so that he died for her. Paul backs this up in Colossians:
1:18b - "[Jesus] is also head of the body, the church;"
1:24 - "...I do my share on behalf of [Christ's] body, which is the church..."
And in Ephesians 5:23b - "...as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body."
What amazes me is that most Christians will answer this question correctly, but it doesn't change how we think of the church on an everyday basis. While we know what the church is, we don't talk like we know it. In fact, we don't act like we know the definition either. Our actions show that we believe the church is something that it is not. We know the Sunday School definition, but we live differently. We are so focused on going to church that we forget to be the church. We are so concerned with being fed that we forget to feed.
Now, don't get me wrong. We have a command to not forsake that gathering of ourselves together (Heb 10:25). We must gather together. It is important for exhortation, fellowship, discipleship and coperate worship, among other things. But we've got to stop seeing church as a once- or twice-a-week activity, and starting to see it as a lifestyle.
Our thought process leads us to go to church in order to hear the Word and be fed, and church stops there. We go home, carry on with our week, and do it all over again the following Sunday. Instead, we need to see church as something we are, having been given the means by which we can be doers of the Word, feeding those we come in contact with every day, not just one or two days a week.
Let's stop going to church and start being the church.
"Oh, I'm sorry we won't be able to make it. We have to go to church Sunday morning."
"The leak in the roof of the church needs to be fixed."
"Why don't you come to church with me on Sunday?"
These phrases are all very common in today's Christian circles. However, do any of these phrases, or others like them, use a proper definition of the word, 'church?' Though few of us would, when asked, define the church as a building used for Christians to gather in for worship, our mindset has certainly taken on this definition. Because of this shift in understanding, the way has been paved for many false concepts to creep in to the hearts and minds of Christ-followers, and the consequences are far reaching; in fact, eternal.
So if it's not the building, what is the church? I'm amazed by this question, and here's why. Most followers of Christ will get the answer to this question correct by saying that the church is the body of Christ, with Christ as its head, or the bride of Christ, whom Christ loved sacrificially; so much so that he died for her. Paul backs this up in Colossians:
1:18b - "[Jesus] is also head of the body, the church;"
1:24 - "...I do my share on behalf of [Christ's] body, which is the church..."
And in Ephesians 5:23b - "...as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body."
What amazes me is that most Christians will answer this question correctly, but it doesn't change how we think of the church on an everyday basis. While we know what the church is, we don't talk like we know it. In fact, we don't act like we know the definition either. Our actions show that we believe the church is something that it is not. We know the Sunday School definition, but we live differently. We are so focused on going to church that we forget to be the church. We are so concerned with being fed that we forget to feed.
Now, don't get me wrong. We have a command to not forsake that gathering of ourselves together (Heb 10:25). We must gather together. It is important for exhortation, fellowship, discipleship and coperate worship, among other things. But we've got to stop seeing church as a once- or twice-a-week activity, and starting to see it as a lifestyle.
Our thought process leads us to go to church in order to hear the Word and be fed, and church stops there. We go home, carry on with our week, and do it all over again the following Sunday. Instead, we need to see church as something we are, having been given the means by which we can be doers of the Word, feeding those we come in contact with every day, not just one or two days a week.
Let's stop going to church and start being the church.
We've all heard it. "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me." What an aweful saying. First off, sticks and stones? I can see logs and boulders, or at the least, branches and rocks, but sticks and stones? Come on! Who are we kidding? Maybe, "Sticks and stones will leave a bruise," but that may even be pushing it. Of course, that is the least of the concerns we should have with this phrase, as it grossly underestimates the power of words. Wounds from sticks and stones, or logs and boulders, may be gone in a matter or days, weeks, or possibly months, but wounds left from harsh words can last a lifetime.
Words have the power to tear down, build up, prove folly, reveal wisdom, express truth, and carry out deceit. We can see the chasm that separates the two ends of the spectrum in two verses, though the ideas are strewn throughout Scripture. Proverbs 16:24 says that "Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones." But, in James 3:6 we are made aware that "The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell."
I'm an outgoing person who loves to talk. I'm usually loud and long-winded. However, the bible warns people like me that "When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise." (Prov. 10:19) It also mentions that "a gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." (Prov. 15:1)
What a challenge, especially in the information age, to do what James says can't be done, and that is to tame our tongue. Information is all about words. Words are everywhere, and so it's no wonder we have incidents with people leaving radio and television because of ill-placed words, most recently seen in the Don Imus/Rutgers women's basketball team incident, or public feuds like Donald Trump and Rosie O'Donnell.
If that isn't enough, look at the words that Christ, Himself, uses in Matthew 12:34 & 37, "...For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks...For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned." If that doesn't make us more careful about what comes out of our mouths, I'm not sure what will.
Words have the power to tear down, build up, prove folly, reveal wisdom, express truth, and carry out deceit. We can see the chasm that separates the two ends of the spectrum in two verses, though the ideas are strewn throughout Scripture. Proverbs 16:24 says that "Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones." But, in James 3:6 we are made aware that "The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell."
I'm an outgoing person who loves to talk. I'm usually loud and long-winded. However, the bible warns people like me that "When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise." (Prov. 10:19) It also mentions that "a gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." (Prov. 15:1)
What a challenge, especially in the information age, to do what James says can't be done, and that is to tame our tongue. Information is all about words. Words are everywhere, and so it's no wonder we have incidents with people leaving radio and television because of ill-placed words, most recently seen in the Don Imus/Rutgers women's basketball team incident, or public feuds like Donald Trump and Rosie O'Donnell.
If that isn't enough, look at the words that Christ, Himself, uses in Matthew 12:34 & 37, "...For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks...For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned." If that doesn't make us more careful about what comes out of our mouths, I'm not sure what will.
I'm not sure who wrote this originally, but it was passed on to me about eight years ago and I pulled it out recently, so I thought I'd pass it along to you.
When you are forgotten, or neglected, or purposely set at naught, and you don't sting and hurt with the insult or the oversight, but your heart is happy, THAT IS DYING TO SELF."That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death." Phil. 3:10
When your good is evil spoken of, when your wishes are crossed, your advice disregarded, your opinions ridiculed, and you refuse to let anger rise in your heart, or even defend yourself, but take it all in patient, loving silence, THAT IS DYING TO SELF.
When you lovingly and patiently bear any disorder, any irregularity, any impunctuality, or any annoyance; when you stand face-to-face with waste, folly, extravagance, spiritual insensibility - and endure it as Jesus endured, THAT IS DYING TO SELF.
When you are content with any food, any offering, any climate, any society, any raiment, any interruption by the will of God, THAT IS DYING TO SELF.
When you never care to refer to yourself in conversation, or to record your own good works, or itch after commendations, when you can truly loved to be unknown, THAT IS DYING TO SELF.
When you can see your brother prosper and have his needs met and can honestly rejoice with him in spirit and feel no envy, nor question God, while your own needs are far greater in desperate circumstances, THAT IS DYING TO SELF.
When you can receive correction and reproof from one of less stature than yourself and can humbly submit inwardly as well as outwardly, finding no reellion or resentment rising up within your heart, THAT IS DYING TO SELF.
I've read through James many times before and the book has always struck me as choppy. James touches on one topic, moves to another topic, leaps to another, and the book ends. They are all wonderful topics, to say the least, but it always has seemed to me to be a smattering of topics, nonetheless. That is, until recently...
I was going through a study on the spiritual disciplines, and as I was focused on the specific discipline of Scripture intake, I realized something that has revolutionized how I read the Bible. Now, when I say revolutionize, I don't mean that what I realized was something that was new or never been discovered before, but that it was something so simple and plain that I'd missed out for a long time. Our society is a society built on speed and efficiency, and it has translated to how we (I'll speak for myself - I) read God's word. We hear statements like, "Read your Bible through in a year," and, "5 minutes with the Lord." We might also talk about how many chapters we've read this week or hear of people talking (boasting?) about how many times they've read the Bible in it's entirety. Why is it that when it comes to spending time with our true Love, we speed through it? I wouldn't do that when I spend time with my wife, so why do I do that when it comes to spending time with God?
"Hey hunny, I don't have a lot of time today, but here's five minutes. Go!" "Babe, I'm on a schedule. I know you want to talk about other things, but I've got to talk about _____ and _____, and then skip over to ______. It doesn't look like I'm scheduled to have that discussion with you until October." "My wife wrote me this love letter, and I breezed right through it!" It just doesn't make sense, but that's how I would treat reading through Scripture. I wasn't content with reading a verse or two and marinating in it; meditating on it and memorizing it. One may say, "But Ryan, it'll take years to get through Scripture that way!" to which I would reply, I'd rather take it slow and get daily insight, wisdom, correction, doctrine, and instruction in how to live righteously, than read my Bible through in a year and have grasped very little to actually live by and make applicable to my life.
Now, I know that God's Word "doesn't return void." So please don't think I'm saying that reading through Scripture in a year is, by any means, bad or wrong, or that you won't get anything out of it. But what I am saying is that we shouldn't let our cultural concept of speed and efficiency dictate how we spend time with the One who loved us so much that He gave His life for us.
For years, that's how I read James. I just breezed through it. Lot's of good topics, but I wondered how good a writer James actually was. I didn't see any continuity or flow. But now that I've slowed down and actually taken the time necessary to grasp what James was writing about, I see it much more clearly now. Chapter 1 is an introductory chapter that concludes with the main concept. We, as Christ-followers, are to be doers of the Word, and not merely hearers. He then ends the chapter by stating three things Christ-followers do that separates them from the rest: they work at bridling their tongue, they show true benevolence to the outcasts of society, and they don't allow the world to "spot" or "taint" them. The rest of the book, James spends his time writing about those three things. And to think that I'd missed out for all these years because I just had to read as much as I could in as little time as possible.
I was going through a study on the spiritual disciplines, and as I was focused on the specific discipline of Scripture intake, I realized something that has revolutionized how I read the Bible. Now, when I say revolutionize, I don't mean that what I realized was something that was new or never been discovered before, but that it was something so simple and plain that I'd missed out for a long time. Our society is a society built on speed and efficiency, and it has translated to how we (I'll speak for myself - I) read God's word. We hear statements like, "Read your Bible through in a year," and, "5 minutes with the Lord." We might also talk about how many chapters we've read this week or hear of people talking (boasting?) about how many times they've read the Bible in it's entirety. Why is it that when it comes to spending time with our true Love, we speed through it? I wouldn't do that when I spend time with my wife, so why do I do that when it comes to spending time with God?
"Hey hunny, I don't have a lot of time today, but here's five minutes. Go!" "Babe, I'm on a schedule. I know you want to talk about other things, but I've got to talk about _____ and _____, and then skip over to ______. It doesn't look like I'm scheduled to have that discussion with you until October." "My wife wrote me this love letter, and I breezed right through it!" It just doesn't make sense, but that's how I would treat reading through Scripture. I wasn't content with reading a verse or two and marinating in it; meditating on it and memorizing it. One may say, "But Ryan, it'll take years to get through Scripture that way!" to which I would reply, I'd rather take it slow and get daily insight, wisdom, correction, doctrine, and instruction in how to live righteously, than read my Bible through in a year and have grasped very little to actually live by and make applicable to my life.
Now, I know that God's Word "doesn't return void." So please don't think I'm saying that reading through Scripture in a year is, by any means, bad or wrong, or that you won't get anything out of it. But what I am saying is that we shouldn't let our cultural concept of speed and efficiency dictate how we spend time with the One who loved us so much that He gave His life for us.
For years, that's how I read James. I just breezed through it. Lot's of good topics, but I wondered how good a writer James actually was. I didn't see any continuity or flow. But now that I've slowed down and actually taken the time necessary to grasp what James was writing about, I see it much more clearly now. Chapter 1 is an introductory chapter that concludes with the main concept. We, as Christ-followers, are to be doers of the Word, and not merely hearers. He then ends the chapter by stating three things Christ-followers do that separates them from the rest: they work at bridling their tongue, they show true benevolence to the outcasts of society, and they don't allow the world to "spot" or "taint" them. The rest of the book, James spends his time writing about those three things. And to think that I'd missed out for all these years because I just had to read as much as I could in as little time as possible.
