Crisis in Church Leadership; Relaxing God’s Standards

There is a crisis of monumental dimensions brewing within the church due to years of watering down the Word of God and relaxing the criteria for leadership.  The result is a diminished quality of overseers and a dramatic increase of clergy abuse cases, financial mismanagement and spiritually hurt believers.  Through leadership flaws, many have left and are leaving congregations and are being devoured by the enemy at an alarming rate.  

In the epistle of First Timothy, Paul gives Timothy specific instructions concerning a wide range of topics that deal with church administration and leadership.  After discussing prayer and how women should act in public worship; Paul spends the first 13 verses of chapter three laying out the qualifications for bishops and deacons.  Bishops are not someone in a tall hat or flowing robe who sit on thrones in old cathedrals.  Bishops in the book of Timothy are the same as “overseers” in the book of Acts.  A bishop is one who oversees an assembly of believers.

A deacon is literally one who “runs to serve”.  A deacon is part of the “leadership team” of a fellowship but their duties tend to be more physical in nature vs. a bishop whose duties are more spiritual.  Both bishops and deacons have very strict qualifications laid out for them.  God most certainly holds those charged with the oversight of His people to higher standard.

The number one qualification for a bishop is to be blameless, which does not mean “faultless”.  The only faultless man to ever live was Jesus.  Everyone else has plenty of faults and God does not expect a leader to be perfect.  What God demands from an overseer is that he be above reproach.  In other words there is to be no secret sins and no scandals hidden in the closet.  An overseer cannot lead two lives.  What people see on the outside must reflect the integrity and character on the inside.

If a person wanted to apply for a job, there is a list of qualifications that must be met to even be considered.  This section of Timothy started with the statement that if a person desires the office of a bishop, he desires a good and noble task.  But, in order to be considered, certain qualifications must be met, with “being above reproach” at the top of the list.  The remaining qualifications will narrow the list of potential candidates greatly:

1.       Husband of one wife—in both Greek and Roman law, it was very common for man and wife to separate, and marry other parties during their lifetimes.  Thus, a man might have three or four living wives meaning women who had all successively been his wives.  This phrase is best described as “successive polygamy” rather than “simultaneous polygamy”.

2.       Vigilant—sober or temperate

3.       Sober—self-restrained, serious-minded, prudent

4.       Of good behavior—orderly, a well ordered life

5.       Given to hospitality—hospitable, showing love for, and being a friend to the believers, especially strangers and foreigners

6.       Apt to teach—skilled in teaching, a ready teacher, ready, willing and able to teach at any moment

7.       Not given to wine—not a drunkard, not addicted to wine, not a hard drinker

8.       No striker—not combative, not given to brawls, not quarrelsome, not violent

9.       Not greedy of filthy lucre—Omitted in best MSS

10.   Patient—gentle, forbearing, peaceable

11.   Not a brawler—considerate, peaceable, not contentious, averse to strife, avoiding quarrels

12.   Not covetous—not a lover of money [insatiable desire for wealth and ready to obtain it by questionable means], free from the love of money, not fond of money-grabbing

13.   One that rules well his own house—ruling his own household well, able to manage his own household properly,

14.   Having his children in subjection with all gravity—keeping his children under control with true dignity, whose children are kept under control and well-behaved, keeping his children under control with true dignity, commanding their respect in every way and keeping them respectful

15.   Not a novice—not a new convert, not a new Christian

16.   He must have a good report of them which are without—ought to have a good reputation among those who are without the church, be well thought of by those outside the church, have a good reputation with the non-Christian public, bear a good character in the world’s eyes

The qualifications necessary for one to become an overseer seem from one perspective to be so rigid no one could possibly fulfill them all, but from another, so logical they should be demanded from any leader.  The reason for all these qualifications is so that the leader is blameless first and foremost, but also so that they do not fall into the condemnation, reproach or snare of the devil.

The three great pitfalls of Christian overseers are; condemnation, reproach and the snare of the devil.  These three things spell nothing but doom and disaster for the leader who falls into them.  The condemnation of the devil results from being blinded by pride which is what happens to a novice.  To fall into the condemnation of the devil can mean just that or it can mean the same condemnation as the devil receives.  Either way, it is not something an overseer can fall into and expect to escape from.

To fall into the reproach of the devil is what happens to those who do not have a good witness from those outside the fellowship of believers.  This is referring to falling into scandals or more specifically to become involved in slander.  Once a leader falls into the reproach of the devil he is ensnared by him.  The ultimate aim of the devil is to trip up, slander and trap those who are overseers of God’s people. 

How many times in the past twenty five years have we seen great Christian leaders build huge ministries and become so full of themselves that they feel invincible.  Then, once the pride is there, they fall into the condemnation of the devil and begin doing scandalous things.  They abuse money and crave power.  Their ethics slip and they get caught in sex scandals and other illegal activities.  Once exposed, they are in the devil’s trap and snare.  Their ministry is finished and their witness is forever shamed.

The reason these verses are in the Bible is to show those who desire to be a leader in the church what is expected of them and to provide an accountability factor for all who serve as overseers within the church.  God is extremely protective of His people and is very selective as to who watches over them. The responsibility of an overseer in the church is an awesome privilege but it demands a level of integrity, honesty and pureness very hard to find and even harder to keep. 

 I know all too well what it means to serve under those whose ethics have been compromised and flagrantly disregard this section of God’s Word.  This is called hypocrisy and deceit and God will deal with those who practice it in His due time.  As a believer you have the right to hold those who are your overseers to the standards of God’s Word.  Please, at least hold them to the first and greatest principle of them all; to be above reproach.  If they reject this message, find a new assembly.

Sad Commentary on Christianity

I stand in utter awe at the venom that flows out of the mouths of those “Christians” who despise the idea that there might be an event called the Rapture ever taking place.  I posted an article on my “secular” blog site daring to call into question the “Global Warming/Climate Change” movement and whether it might be tied into the false prophet and worldwide religion of Revelation 13. 

Within minutes my post was appearing all over the internet on environmental, Al Gore and Christian sites all railing on yet another deceived “Rapture” believer.  Sometimes I tend to forget that the overwhelming majority of “Christians” do not believe in the rapture of the church. 

Herein is the problem.  Rapture terminology is associated with fundamentalist Christians who are hated and despised by not only unbelievers but many other Christians.  The argument against the rapture theory is that it diminishes the importance of this world.  Duh, what is wrong with that? 

Those who want to stay on this earth devoting their lives to saving it instead of the lost people living on it, are becoming the fundamentalist Christian’s biggest enemy.  The battle lines are being drawn even as I write this.  One side firmly believes this world is the center of the universe and thus every effort must be made to save it from man’s pollution, making it too warm etc.  The other side firmly believes that the church is to be taken from this earth to meet the Lord in the air and forever be with Him, and that a few years later Christ will come to rule this earth for one thousand years and then God will create a new heaven and earth wherein only righteousness dwells.

One side lives for the NOW and the other side lives for ETERNITY.  One side devotes all its resources to worshipping “mother earth” and the other side worships and serves God and His Son Jesus Christ.  The sad reality is that the fringe elements of the environmental movement have taken over a movement with many good ideas and has turned it into a religion and demands all bow down and worship it.

Global warming is a scientific myth.  Every true scientist who has not sold his or her soul out to the big money foundations and agencies knows this.  Every scientist who dares speak out against this myth is blackballed and deprived grant money for his or her research which is how they are able to keep going.  The entire Global Warming/Climate Change movement is built upon a lie and the lie is now believed by billions of people worldwide.

Stopping pollution and trying to not destroy the land and water and air of this planet is not the same as the new religion of global warming/climate change.   Although related, one exercises common sense and good stewardship and the other is built on a lie and demands insane things should be done to stop something that doesn’t exist.

If my recent experiences with some of these people are any indication of what is to come; then perhaps my parody of global warming being linked to Revelation 13 better be stripped of its humor and investigated for possible truth.  Whether or not there is any truth in the idea or not, one thing I know for sure.  Any of us who firmly believe in the rapture of the church represent a small percentage of Christianity and a mere fraction of all humanity.  What a truly sad realization this is and what a sad commentary on the state of “Christianity”.

Many Trunks But Still One Tree

In many respects, Christianity is as a huge tree.  The gigantic trunk represents certain basic truths which most Christians believe in.  The pillars of the faith which once made up the trunk of Christianity used to produce a trunk far bigger than the tree above it.  It seems that now, the tree is being turned upside down.  The trunk is getting steadily smaller and the limbs and branches are multiplying above it.

There used to be commonly accepted tenets which formed the trunk of Christianity.  These fairly universally held beliefs consisted of things like; Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried.  Jesus came into the world to save sinners and was raised from the dead by God and ascended into heaven where he sits at the right hand of God the Father.  One day He returns as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  We are members in particular of His church and of His body.  The Bible is the Word of God, the Holy Spirit is the Comforter and salvation is by grace.  As Christians we should strive to love one another and live righteously. 

There might have been differences of opinion regarding specific elements of these beliefs, but for the most part, Christians agreed on these basic things.  Some form of these things represented the trunk of the Christian faith.  To be quite honest, I really don’t know what is left of that trunk.  In other words, I am not quite sure I know of anything everyone who calls themselves a Christian universally believes to be true.

Over the past few centuries, Christianity has branched into one denomination after another.  Denominations arise, and then split into sub-denominations due to differences of opinion in various doctrinal and practical matters.  Sometimes denominations keep one thing in common (such as Baptists regarding baptism) but other than that have little in common.  A good case in point would be the American Baptists and the Southern Baptists. 

No split among Christianity is any deeper and more radical than that which separates the liberal and conservative sides of the faith.  In many respects, it is almost as if there are two trees.  Being perfectly honest, there is very little common ground between these two branches of the faith.  Although common terminology is used, definition of terms is entirely different in many cases.

It is very interesting that although I am a Protestant, I have far more in common with many of my Catholic friends than those on the liberal side of Protestantism.  That is because the Catholic faith is very conservative.  I certainly have doctrinal issues with these friends, but on ethical, charity and lifestyle issues; we basically agree.  It may appear outwardly that I would agree with some doctrinal issues promoted by liberal Protestantism, and should thus have that in common.  But, upon further review, those similarities usually fade when scrutinized closely.

For many centuries the chasm was between Protestant and Catholic.  Even to the point of war.  I question now that the greater chasm is between the liberal and conservative sides of Protestantism.  Unfortunately, on most issues, there is little chance of reconciliation between the “far left” and the “far right” sides of Protestantism.  In the middle, there is much common ground, but on the fringes there is little, if any. 

What do we do?  Christianity has been split since the days of Martin Luther.  Christianity has gone from either one is Catholic or one is Protestant to thousands of divisions on both sides of the original split.  What was once a magnificent tree with two massive trunks is now a bush with hundreds of trunks and thousands of limbs and branches.  Good bad or otherwise, one thing can be said for the thousand plus years of the Holy Roman Empire; the church was one. 

The days of there being any possible way for Christians to unite ended before the death of Paul, Peter and John in the First Century.  Internal bickering and factions splitting from the main body of believers started even in the book of Acts and went on until around the Fourth Century.  There was a “forced unity” of sorts until Martin Luther.  But, soon after Luther, different great men rose up with differing opinions on theological matters and developed followings.   In time, these followings took on the name of their founder and became major denominations. 

I have attended services at Lutheran churches and masses at Catholic churches.  The difference between them was miniscule.  I have attended services at Methodist churches and I have attended services at Presbyterian churches.  The difference between them was nonexistent.  I have attended services at Assembly of God churches and many non-denominational churches.  I could find no difference between them.   I have attended services at two different churches in the same denomination and found little or nothing in common.

Here is the truth, as I see it from having studied denominationalism and having attended numerous different kinds of services.  It mainly comes down to the local pastor or priest and what he believes and how he chooses to conduct a service.  In other words, I have been to Catholic mass and except for communion thought I was attending a small non-denominational church because the priest was very open minded and independent.  I have also attended some non-denominational churches where I honestly couldn’t figure out what they believed due to all the emphasis placed on the “worship experience”.

The differences between us as Christians are not so much in what the individual governing bodies claim is their statement of faith, but more the individual’s personal beliefs.  Some good friends of ours attend a Southern Baptist church because they lead the worship band.  They are no more Southern Baptists than the Pope.  Yet, they attend church, are blessed and have no serious problems.  Why?  Because they chose to set aside their differences and instead be blessed by what they have in common.

We had a funny looking “tree” outside our front door that we had to have removed because it was too close to the house.  This “tree” must have had 100 trunks.  It was almost as if there were 100 separate trees.  But, when it was dug up, there was only one root system.  I was told earlier by a tree specialist, that if I wanted to, I could tie a heavy cord around all those individual trunks and make the tree look more like a normal tree instead of a huge bush. 

Think about this.  Colossians 3:14 speaks of love being the “bond of perfection”.  This bond is like a cord which binds everything together completely in ideal harmony.  Perhaps during this season when, for a change, Christians agree on many things, we can go out of our way to love one other.  Perhaps we could allow the love of God to act as a giant cord to bind all our thousands of trunks together, so at least for the next ten days, we could look like the majestic tree we once were.  After all, we still do all share the same root system.

 

Proud to be a “Jesus Freak”

Most people do not like being “labeled”.  By definition “label” is simply a short word or phrase descriptive of a person, group, movement, etc.  Labels are affixed for convenience sake, for they make it easy to sort people into categories.  “Oh, there goes a religious fanatic” or “Watch out, here comes that Jesus freak” are examples of labels people in the world put on us Christians.  I do not object to being labeled, as long as it is accurate.

I have been called, among other things, a “Jesus freak” since I was a teenager back many centuries ago.  What exactly is a “Jesus freak” anyway?  I realize that the very word “freak” is not used as much as it was many years ago, but I know people still “freak out” when they get shocked or stunned by something.  The questions that come to mind are whether Jesus was a “freak” and what it means to be a “Jesus freak”. 

I love the dictionary.  I love looking up the meaning of words.  Upon looking up the word “freak”, I was amazed to see all the ways it can be defined.  Gosh, one would think I would have looked this word up ages ago, as many times as I was called it, but I never did until today.  Why today?  You guessed it, I was recently called a “Jesus freak” again.

I would like to assume the usage of “freak” that is reflected in what I am called is:  a devoted fan or enthusiast (such as a baseball freak).  O.K., I can live with that.  I most certainly am a fan of Jesus and definitely an enthusiast.  But, somehow I don’t think this is the definition being implied by those who use it as an insult.  Freak is basically meant to describe an abnormal phenomenon or product or unusual object: an aberration.  Hmm, that is getting closer to the meaning I think is intended.  But, there is more.  Freak can also mean a person or animal on exhibition as an example of a strange deviation from nature.
 
You know what; I sort of like these definitions.  I don’t know if I object to being called an aberration or a deviation from nature, for that is exactly what I become when I put on the renewed mind and manifest the mind of Christ as opposed to my old nature.  By golly, perhaps these scorners have stumbled upon a very good description of us Christians.  Maybe we really are “freaks” after all.  Just so long as the definition being used is not:   habitual user or addict (such as a heroin freak).

All kidding aside, in the world’s eyes, we are strange people.  People who have no spirituality about them cannot figure us out.  They have no clue why we live the way we live, think the way we think or talk the way we talk.  They look at us as “freaks of nature”.  In their eyes we have a big horn between our eyes, or have six legs.  We are aberrations for sure.  Some laugh at us, and some feel sorry for us.  Some are afraid of us and some ignore us.  All look at us as freaks in one form or another.

Twenty years ago, my wife and I took our first trip to the animal shelter to find what became our “firstborn” dog.  I wanted a nice looking cocker spaniel that appeared to be a fine dog.  My wife kept being drawn to a strange looking white dog with only one eye.  This dog was on “death row” and was scheduled to be put down the next day if no one adopted her.  I didn’t want the dog because of how she looked.  My wife wanted the dog because of how she looked.  I am sure most of you know which dog we ended up getting.

“Pirate”, as we immediately named her, was our beloved and truly special pet for the next twelve years.  She ended up being a good of a dog as anyone could ever want.  Within a very short amount of time, we no longer saw her physical imperfections when we looked at her.  In our eyes she was perfect, no matter how she looked to anyone else.

We may look like “freaks” to those around us now, but if we stay faithful, keep growing in love and continue to renew our minds to God’s Word; we could easily turn into a thing of beauty to someone in dire need down the road.  So what if those who are only interested in this world’s praise think us to be weird.  So what if those who think themselves to be perfect because of their looks, money or influence turn in disgust when they see us coming.  So what if in their eyes we have a big “J F” (Jesus Freak) stamped on our foreheads.   Rest assured when Jesus himself walked this earth, he was considered far worse than a “freak” by his enemies. 

One of these days, one of these people will see their entire life fall apart before their eyes.  One of these days they will lose their career, their spouse, their home or their children and find all they lived for  thrust into a state of confusion and despair.  Suddenly, instead of being the “cool” one looking down on everyone else, they will be the crushed one desperately searching for anyone to love them and show them the way. 

Truth be told, when that day arrives, deep in their heart they will be praying for one of the “J F” people to come around.  Within their heart of hearts, they will scream out for one of those “freaks” they used to deride to appear in front of them to comfort, exhort and lead them out of their despair into the promised land of peace and joy in Christ.
 
Never despair if others call you names or look down upon your faith.   Simply remain faithful and know deep within, that someday soon those who think you crazy will be praying for you to help them.  Our job is to remain faithful and proudly wear our “J F” for all to see.   God will bring those who need us to us if we do.
 

Have the Faith of God

Faith is one of those words which has many different definitions.  Biblically, one must determine by the context whether faith is referring to “the faith of Jesus Christ”, the “family of faith” or “firm belief”.  There is no greater verse in the Bible dealing with faith as an act of utter and complete belief than Hebrews 11:1 where it says:

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

The word translated “substance” is the Greek word “hupostasis”.  The word basically means “essence, substance, reality; that which is the basis of something; hence, guarantee or confidence.”  In other words, the word means “documentable proof, thus providing a guarantee”.    I believe it was James Moulton who first started using the term “title deed” as the appropriate translation of this word. 

A title deed provides proof of ownership.  If you can produce the title deed to a property, then you can prove you own that property.  When making the dreaded trip to the DMV to get tags for a new vehicle; you must have the title for the vehicle or it will never become yours.  A title is the legal proof you own something, even if it is a thousand miles away.  If you have the title, the property is yours. 

When a person buys a car and finances it through a bank or other facility; the title goes to the bank and stays there until the car is paid off.  Although you have the car, drive the car, pay taxes on the car, etc; you do not own the car until there is no longer a lien against it.  As long as money is owed on the car, it never really is yours.  The same thing happens with mortgages on homes.  Until the home is paid off, the mortgage holder is the real owner of the house.

Hebrews 11:1 states that faith is the title deed of things “hoped for”.  This hope is really nothing more than what we are praying for.  When we pray, we have faith that what we are praying about comes to pass.  That faith is our title deed to what we are praying for.  It is also the “evidence” of things not seen.  The word translated “evidence” is an obscure Greek word only used one other place in the New Testament.  The word literally means “to convict, or conviction”.   It is a legal word that is used as a figure of speech here in Hebrews.  It would be better translated “certain persuasion” although many versions translate it “conviction”.

Faith, that mysterious word with a truckload of different meanings, is the title deed and certain persuasion of things prayed for and not yet seen.  Every great person of faith who ever lived knew by experience what this verse was talking about.  In fact, the entire eleventh chapter of Hebrews is devoted to those who from God’s perspective were men and women of faith.  Everyone mentioned or mentioned by name in Hebrews 11 practiced verse 1 and that is what enabled them to make into the “Faith Hall of Fame”.

Think of dearly beloved Peter.  Out in their boat at night, the disciples think they see a ghost standing on the water.  Peter thinks it might be Jesus, but isn’t quite sure.  He calls out to this ghost and demands that if he is really Jesus, then tell him to walk on the water to him.  Ah, Peter knew that only Jesus would really tell him to do it.  I am quite sure Peter was not expecting any reply.  Much to his surprise, the Master told him ONE WORD; “COME”.  The word of God doesn’t always have to be 2000 words.  Sometimes it is only ONE word.

Once Peter had the Word Of God, he either needed to believe it or reject it.  Without so much as even thinking about the consequences, Peter climbed out of the boat and started walking on the water to Jesus.  Even as he was climbing out, the voices of the other disciples were ringing through his mind.  “Don’t do it Pete”, “You are going to sink”, “Think of your Mom, Peter”; everywhere and from all directions he was being bombarded with all the good reasons NOT to walk out on faith to Jesus.

Once you receive the Word of God in your life, start walking.  Don’t wait around for detailed instructions as to how to get out of the boat and how to handle walking on waves.  Just DO IT!!  Peter got out of the boat and immediately started walking on the water.  When he took that first step of faith, he literally believed what Jesus had said to him was true.  In his case, Peter did not need a title deed, but rather a plank, and he got one.  Peter’s faith in the word of God given to him by Jesus was the guarantee he would not sink when he tried to walk on the water.

Peter did begin to sink only when he “lost the faith” by getting distracted and looking at the waves instead of the Lord Jesus.  When we glue our eyes upon the Lord and fasten ourselves to the word He gives us; we can walk on water.  We can do whatever it is that God sets before us to do if we have complete faith it came from God and is directed to us. 

Nowhere is faith more completely taught, than by Jesus after he has cursed the fig tree and it died overnight.  In Mark 11:22 it says:

“And Jesus answering said unto them, Have faith in God.”

Some manuscripts omit this verse, some have it as it is recorded in the KJV and still others would have it read; “Have the faith of God”.  Wow, what a concept that is!   To have the faith of God is certainly beyond our mortal mind’s ability to comprehend.  How much faith does God have?  Hebrews 11:3 says:

“Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed (prepared) by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.”

God had to literally create everything as He prepared the ages and fashioned the universe.  God spoke, and things that were not there came into being.  That is faith!  As Genesis 1 repeatedly says; “and God said…” and it came to pass.  God spoke His Word and it came to pass because of His faith.  Oh how glorious life would be for us all if we could “have the faith of God”!  If we could, then back in Mark 11 it goes on to say in verses 23 and 24:

“For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he says shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he says.

Therefore I say unto you, What things soever you desire, when you pray, believe that you receive and you shall have them.”

Faith is powerful.  Prayer without faith is like a boat without an oar.  When we pray, we need to manifest the “faith of God” in order to see the mountains moved and the things prayed for come to pass.  I think we all know that faith is vital to seeing results when we pray.  But, did you ever notice what the next two verses in Mark say, immediately after these verses on prayer?  Look at verses 25 and 26 squarely in the context of having the faith of God:

“And when you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against any; that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.

But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.”

Holy something or other; it takes the “faith of God” to forgive others for those things they have done against you and to believe the Father has forgiven you.  Do we need to forgive others?  We do if we want our Father to forgive us.  Honestly, it takes just as much faith to conquer bitterness and resentment and forgive as it does to move a mountain or expect results in prayer. 

All these things are humanly impossible, but with God, they are possible.  It takes faith to forgive for it goes against our very nature.  It takes faith to believe, for the senses say it is impossible.  It takes faith to conquer the doubts that keep us from seeing God’s Word come to pass in our lives for they gnaw away at us like gnats in the summer.  Have the faith of God!

What is the True Church and Who are True Christians?

Religion is not Christianity and true Christianity is not a religion.  I have written on this before and I will continue to hammer away at this subject until I am chased away.  Sincerity is not guarantee for truth and truth needs no defense.  I have written on this before and I will continue to hammer away at this subject until someone succeeds in hammering me away.  Theologians have no better grasp on true Christianity and the truth than any believer who honestly studies the Bible and allows the Holy Spirit to guide them into the “all truth”. 

Sheep are very stupid animals.  They, along with cattle and pigs will follow the leader wherever he goes.  When Jesus cast out the demons from the lunatic, they went into a herd of swine that proceeded to one by one walk right off the cliff to their demise.  Both the Old Testament and the New speak of “sheep being led to the slaughter”.  This is because sheep will literally follow each other to the slaughterhouse. 

People with “sheep mentality” will not think for themselves.  They want someone else to do their thinking for them.  They want someone to just tell them that 2+2=22 and be done with it.  They do not want to take the time or expend the energy to figure out on their own that 2+2=4.  Thus, they become charter members of the “new math” club.  Laziness in thinking breeds willingness to follow whomever has the best and easiest message.

People attend a particular church many times because they “like” the people, pastor or building.  Whatever happened to liking the message?  People many times choose where they are going worship using the same criteria as when choosing a doctor.  Namely, they go where their friends tell them to go.  When a church becomes popular, the message ceases to be the reason for attending, and the social aspects take over.

I see a billboard every time I drive an interstate near home.  It advertises a church with a white guy, an oriental woman, a black teenager and an Indian child with the message; “So and So Church, where friends become family.”  Hold on here, since when do churches need to put up billboards to begin with.  Even if they do, is the purpose of the church to provide a nice and comfortable social club?  Is the reason Jesus gave his life so that “friends can become family?”

This stuff turns my stomach.  I love my Lord and Savior far too much to hold any other view of such foolishness as that it is pure error.  Years ago there used to be laws on the books prohibiting lawyers from advertising.  Their lobby got those laws overturned in many states and now the billboards and the television commercials are full of advertisements for some personal injury attorney who is going to win you millions of dollars for that stubbed toe you got when kicking a rack at the store.

My attitude about churches advertising is about equal to attorneys advertising.  It should not be done.  I cannot imagine Jesus putting up billboards all around the countryside announcing he was in town for a week of “signs, miracles and wonders”.  I cannot imagine Jesus taking up a special offering after healing people and then climbing into his camel driven motor coach to head to the next town.

Jesus did what he did because he loved God and he loved the people.  He taught them because he wanted them to know the truth and receive eternal life.  He healed them because of the compassion he felt for their misery.  He died for them because it was why he had come in the first place.  He knew his mission and purpose in life, and it dealt fully with doing His Father’s will and manifesting love.

Every time I drive to southwest Missouri, I go past the biggest church complex I have ever seen.  This huge place has a building big enough to hold many thousands for its Sunday services.  It has other buildings scattered around for other events.  It has huge electronic billboards bigger than those at some baseball stadiums with bright lights scrolling messages of upcoming events.  I have never seen more than a couple of cars parked in the spacious lot. 

Is the church supposed to mimic the world and turn itself into a multi-media spectacular theatre putting on productions worthy of academy awards?  Is the church to become so huge that an individual member is known only by their nametag?  Is the church’s purpose to “win” the world by bedazzling it with lights, sound and the such?  Yes, if that church is the counterfeit church of the apostasy.

I am sorry, but there is no way I can believe these ridiculous edifices springing up along the nation’s interstates are God’s churches.  So what if some charismatic leader can inspire twenty five thousand sheep to “follow him or her”.  So what if they can persuade thousands of wealthy people to give millions of dollars to buy “the ministry” airplanes, mansions and vacation condos.  Just because a person has a million dollar smile and is the walking personification of charisma doesn’t mean they know one iota of the truth. 

Christians are being deceived by the same glitter that deceives the world into believing its lies.  Christianity is not about mega-churches, mega-billboards and mega multimedia productions.  Christianity is not about filling stadiums with screaming teenagers who were lured in by some rock group who claim to be Christian.  Christianity is not about plastering the interstates with billboards advertising your church as some fuzzy place to go and hold hands.

What true Christians are left, better wake up and see what is happening to their beloved church before it is too late.  Anybody who loves Jesus as their personal Savior and obeys him as their Lord better request a personal audience with him so as to hear firsthand what he thinks about all these things being done in his name. 

Any ministry, church or group built upon the charisma of one person is a cult.  It is not about the leader, it is about the Head of the Church—Jesus Christ.  Until my dying day, I will call to account every person who built a “ministry” and then had the audacity to name it after themselves.  Not only is this the height      of egotism, it is an automatic clue that the ministry is not legitimately from God.

Christianity does not consist of what is on the outside.  That is religion.  The huge complexes being built in the name of Christianity are nothing more than buildings made of brick and stone.  Sticking a cross or a steeple on a building does not suddenly make the cement and lumber used in building it “holy”.  The true church of Jesus Christ is not a building, but rather the body of believers who have been born again and who have made Jesus Christ Lord of their lives.

If people want a social club, then by all means develop one; but do not call in the church of Jesus Christ.  If people want a building to assemble themselves together in; by all means build one, but do not call it the church of Jesus Christ.  If people want to get dressed up and sit through some type of elaborate religious service on a Sunday morning; by all means do so, but do not call it the church of Jesus Christ.  The true church of Jesus Christ is the body of those who are totally committed to Him as their Lord.  It is that plain and simple.

The next time you see a particular “Christian” group advertising their building, program or pastor; ask yourself if Jesus were walking on earth today, is this how He would build His church?  The next time you see a particular “Christian” group decide to focus all their energy on building a “family” at the expense of all else; ask yourself if that is really what Jesus did with his disciples.  Was his purpose in coming to earth to open the door to umpteen thousand denominations who all claim to be His one true church, and to make available cozy campfires, ice cream socials and rummage sales?

Jesus Christ gave his life to make eternal salvation available to those who are willing to believe He died for their sins and that God raised him from the dead.  Jesus Christ gave his life so that God could crown his King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  So that when a person willingly and publically confesses that Jesus is Lord and is THEIR Lord; they can be saved.  Jesus Christ gave his life so that God could ascend him into the heavens far above all principalities and powers and might and make him to be the Head of the Body made up of his believers.

Jesus Christ did NOT give his life to form a new religion.  He did NOT give his life to watch his body be splintered into thousands of small sects and proceed to argue with each other all day.  He did NOT give his life so buildings could be built “in his name”.  He did NOT give his life so that two thousand years later a religion bearing his name would make a mockery of all he did and God did for him.

I am sorry, but what most people call Christianity is nothing more than a fabricated religion that uses my Lord and Savior’s name in vain.  True Christianity is a personal matter between a penitent sinner, a merciful God and loving Savior.  True Christians need no building to worship in, for God is in Christ in them.  True Christians need not have a big “family” to function as a gigantic support group to cope with all life throws them. 

True Christians need only the love of God, the support of their Lord Jesus Christ and the prayers of fellow believers to “survive”.  I pray we all strive to be “true Christians” who are members in particular of His “True Church” which is His body of which He is the head.  Thank you and God bless your heart.

  

God So Loved…

There is a good reason why God chose to call the experience of getting saved the “new birth” or getting “born again”.  These phrases carry with them the connotation of a fresh start or a new beginning.  When we get born again, it is as if we were allowed to start life over again.  Not physically, for that is impossible, but spiritually we are “born again”. 

In the third chapter of the Gospel of John, a Pharisee named Nicodemus came to Jesus in the night to privately ask him some questions without the other Pharisees around to judge or condemn him.  The first thing he does is acknowledge that Jesus is a teacher from God and that God was with him.  Jesus answered and said to Nicodemus in verse 3:

“Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

This was obviously not what Nicodemus expected to hear, for it was concept totally foreign to his thinking.  He responded as anyone would upon hearing about being “born again”. 

“Nicodemus said unto him, how can a man be born when he is old?  Can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?”

You can tell he was truly puzzled by the idea of getting “born again”.  Looking at it from the senses point of view, it is not possible for an old man to climb back into his mother’s womb and proceed to get “born again”.  I am sure Nicodemus was wondering why he was even there.  What kind of silly theology was Jesus promoting?  Who ever heard of getting “born again?”

Jesus proceeded elaborate on this subject in verses 5-8:

“Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born of water and of the spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

Marvel not that I said unto thee, ye must be born again.

The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth:  so is every one that is born of the Spirit.”

Verse 8 is very cumbersome in the King James Version.  Reading from the Beck Translation it says:

“The wind blows where it pleases and you hear the sound of it, but you don’t know where it’s coming from or where it’s going.  So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

All Nicodemus could say in response to this was; “How can these things be?”  Please keep in mind that Nicodemus according to verse one was a “ruler of the Jews”.  He was a teacher in Israel and sat on the Jewish court.  He should have been able to figure out what Jesus was speaking about.

After reproving Nicodemus in verses 10-13, Jesus lays out the simple truth of who he is, why he is there and how to get saved.  Please allow me to read verses 14-21 from the Williams Translation which is an older translation in the language of the people:

“And just as Moses in the desert lifted the serpent on the pole, the Son of Man must be lifted up, so that everyone who trusts in Him may have eternal life.

“For God loved the world so much that He gave His Only Son, so that anyone who trusts in him may never perish but have eternal life.

For God sent His Son into the world, not to pass sentence on it, but that the world through Him might be saved.

Whoever trusts in Him is never to come up for judgment; but whoever does not trust in Him has already received his sentence, because he has not trusted in the name of God’s only Son.

And the ground for the sentence is this, that the light has come into the world, and yet, because their actions were evil, men have loved darkness more than the light.

For anyone who is in the habit of doing wrong hates the light, and to keep his actions from being reproved, he does not come out into the daylight.

But whoever is in the habit of living the truth will come out in the daylight that his actions may be shown to be performed with God’s help.”

The record abruptly ends at this time.  There is no hint as to the response of Nicodemus to hearing this incredible dissertation.  If he was as smart as it appears, I am sure he took what Jesus said to heart and in due time got “born again”.

Whoever trusts in Jesus to be their Savior sent by God can receive that which Jesus came to make available; eternal life.  If a person loves habitually doing wrong, he will hate the light.  He will hide in the darkness and never see the light of glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ for fear of having his habits reproved.

Whoever loves habitually living the truth will gladly come out in the daylight so everyone can see that what he is doing is done with God’s help and through His power.  Evil people doing evil things hide what they are doing under the cloak of darkness.  Righteous people doing righteous things gladly do what they do in the light of day so God can be glorified.

God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son.  He allowed His beloved Son to be nailed on the cross to give up his life for our sins.  God loved the world so much that He rejected the natural Fatherly instinct to “save His son from death”.  God loved the world so much that He, with great sorrow, did not grant His Son the request of “If there be any other way to do this”.  God loved the world so much that He watched with agony as His only Son was beaten, abused, tortured, mocked, scorned, spit upon, degraded, debased and subjected to every sadistic urge known to man.  God loved the world so much that He stood by in heaven and allowed His only Son to die. 

Jesus loved us so much that he willingly went through all he had to suffer in order to redeem us.  Jesus loved us so much that he subjected himself to unfathomable abuse, torture and degradation so that God could legally justify us and declare us righteous when we get born again.  Jesus loved us so much that he allowed himself to be treated worse than any criminal who ever lived in order to set us free.  Jesus loved us so much that he laid down his life so that we might live.

Please, my friends, let us never lose sight of the incredible love shown to us by God when He gave us His Son.  Let us never forget for an instant the love of our Savior Jesus Christ as shown by his willingness to “lay it all on the line” for us.  Love so amazing and so Devine demands our life, our heart and our all.  Love so amazing and so Devine was demonstrated so we could get “born again” and receive eternal life.  Praise God and thank you Jesus for loving us enough to allow us into your Kingdom.  Amen.

    

The High Price of Commitment

I deplore religion.  I deplore those who use religion to promote 100% secular causes.  I deplore religious people who don’t have one ounce of Christian blood inside them.  I am a Christian and I am proud of it.  My citizenship is not of this world and I do not pledge my allegiance to any nation or government of man.  My king is Jesus Christ and to Him and Him alone I am committed.  No institution of man, no religious ruling authority, no principality or power has any right to my heart or dominion over my soul. 

Those who wish to cower in the shadows and hide from the stomping boots of agents bent on the destruction of “Christians” should be the first ones shot.  They are a disgrace to those who gave their lives as martyrs for Christ.  Cowards run for cover when the enemy approaches.  Cowards should be the first ones fed to the hungry lions.

I am very tired of “playing religious games” with people who never have or ever will know and love Jesus Christ as a true Christian does.  “Religious” people are not Christians simply because they practice some religion.  Christianity is not a religion; it is a way of life.  Christianity is a FAITH, not a system of rules or traditions of men.

I pray the next time some crazed madman aims his automatic weapon at people that he would first dare any Christians to be first in line to be shot.  I would pray that there would be some who value their King more than their physical lives.  I would pray there would be some willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for God.  Oh how I pray there will always be a few true Christians around to show the enemy he cannot intimidate everyone.

I thank God for those who have served in the military.  I understand the concept of fighting for freedom.  I also understand that in spiritual warfare, there is only one thing the enemy understands and that is boldness.  Peter speaks of our foe as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.  A lion’s roar freezes its prey in their tracks.  Out of fear they stop and the lion has an easy lunch.  When the lion roars, roar back at him.  Don’t just stand there shaking in your boots.  Take out the sword of the spirit and cut off his tail as a souvenir of your encounter!

Fear freezes people and renders them easy prey for the enemy.  Animal experts say that if a wild animal senses fear in its victim, it will immediately attack them.   So what if the enemy snarls and growls madly.  Snarl and growl right back at him.  No fear has to be a true Christian’s ironclad rule of combat.  If the enemy senses fear, he will immediately go for the jugular.

I am not the least bit afraid of dying.  I especially look forward to the day when I am hauled before the authorities and given the choice of renouncing my faith or being killed.  I would count it my greatest honor in life to give my life on behalf of my king.  There is nothing in this life worth compromising my faith for.  My life is not my own, for I have been bought with a price.  If the greatest thing I can do with this life is give it as a sacrifice to my King; so be it.

In the past 8 months there has been a rash of shooting sprees.  First there was Virginia Tech, and then there was Finland, then Minnesota and now Colorado.  Out of nowhere a wild person suddenly opens fire on innocent bystanders.  Is this a bad thing?  Of course it is, and the latest incident bears out where this is heading.  The gunman in Colorado stated on his pre-killing internet post that he was going out to kill as many Christians as he could.  He hated Christians and his hate bred murder.  This started with Cain and continues unto the present.

 Cain hated his brother Abel and his intense hatred motivated Cain to kill Abel.  The devil hated Christ and the devil hates true Christians for they represent Christ now.  Anyone who is daring to walk as He walked and talk as He talked is at the top of the devil’s hit list.  John 10:10 states that the devil’s purpose is to steal, kill and destroy.  He lives and breathes to disrupt and destroy true Christian’s lives.  He plots and plans circumstances to hinder, distract and burden those on his “list”.  He maneuvers people and situations around to present roadblocks, diversions and other things all for the purpose of thwarting God’s plans.  The devil is the ultimate orchestrator and manager.

Those who do not like battle, quickly make deals with the devil to leave them alone.  They agree to do nothing that would threaten him in exchange for “immunity”.  They willingly shut up or water down the truth so as to not rile up the enemy.  They find other “worthy” things to do with this life so as to not do anything worthy of getting the enemy mad.  They are the ultimate pacifists and World War II proved conclusively what happens when you try and pacify the enemy.  He steamrolls right over you.

Those who do not have the “heart” to fight the enemy want comfortable “desk jobs” far removed from the front lines of battle.  These lukewarm Christians don’t want anything to do with the actual “fight”.  They want to be spectators who get to sit in the stands and watch their Christian heroes do battle with the enemy like watching football on a Sunday afternoon.

Fighting the devil is difficult and entails putting on the whole armor of God found in Ephesians chapter 6.  This section of Scripture specifically states that we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities, and powers and wicked spirits from on high.  The battle is spiritual and it is not pretty.  The devil and his gang are ruthless thugs when it comes to their hatred of Christians.  They will stop at nothing to destroy anyone attempting to expose them and their father the devil.  Thank God He gave us weapons to fight with.  Thank God He has promised us He will never leave nor forsake us.  Thank God for the victory, if not in this life, then eternally!

Christians need to stand up and be counted, not retreat into their fancy churches and hide.  If Christianity is nothing more than a means to financial prosperity; it is nothing but a man-made religion.  If Christianity is a means to become famous; then it is nothing but a man-made fraud.  If Christianity is a fuzzy blanket to snuggle up in and hide from all the woes of the world; it is a counterfeit religion.  True Christianity entails sacrifice and suffering.  True Christianity demands separation from everything this world holds dear.  True Christianity adamantly refuses to compromise with the enemy no matter how attractive his offers sound.

Christians need to have some “guts” or they will become fodder for the devil and his hungry legions of lions.  Weak Christians breed a weak religion void of power and any real conviction.  Christians need to understand that Christianity is not a religion but the rock solid faith of those totally committed to their Master.  Christianity is simply that which describes and defines Christians.  Christians are those who deliberately seek to become just like the Christ who lives within them. 

I direct this post at no one in particular except the enemy.  Jesus Christ needs warriors to rise up.  He needs people not afraid of dying.  He needs people more committed to Him than the world.  He needs people unfazed by the screams of those demanding Christians shut up.  He needs an army of men and women who count not this life dear to them.  He needs people who would rather fight than compromise the truth.  He needs people who are willing to burn rather than bow.  He needs people unafraid of being cast into the lion’s den or the fiery furnace heated 7 times more than normal.

Throughout this world, movements are arising that have one thing in common; their hatred for Christians.  The day will come very soon when those who refuse to compromise the faith will suffer the consequences.   Lord, I want to be in that number.  I want to be one of those you can count on to fight and not run.  I want to put on the whole armor of God so having done all; I can stand for God and withstand all the fiery darts thrown by the wicked one.  I don’t want the enemy to win and thus I feel compelled to fight for that which is true, honest, just and right; no matter the consequence and no matter the cost.  Lord, please grant me the desire of my heart; to stand for you, no matter what.

  

Receiving Your Answer of Peace

Some people make all their decisions in life based on the impact they will have on their “image”.  Others make all decisions based on the impact they will have on their status or sphere of influence.  Still others use financial concerns as the basis for all decisions.  Rare indeed it is to find someone who bases all the decisions in their life on the standard of the Word of God. 

In order to ever make a decision, you must have a standard by which to judge the pros and cons by.  Arbitrary decisions are nothing more than “whims”.  Although minor meaningless choices may be fine to make on a “whim”, anything which will impact your life must be carefully weighed and considered in light of some standard. 

Moving is a huge decision which never can be taken lightly.  Physically moving from one place to another involves so much time and expense, any decision to do so HAS to be right.  Making the wrong decision can have catastrophic consequences for years to come.  Changing jobs is another MAJOR decision which must be carefully considered and weighed against the standard of short vs. long term gain.  Making a big purchase is a huge decision which cannot be done on impulse without tragic results.  A car salesman’s dream customer is one who wanders into the showroom, sees a fancy vehicle and buys on impulse. 

Deciding to have children is the biggest decision a couple ever makes.  Deciding what to do with an elderly parent is a “gut wrenching” decision most children have to make later in life.  Decisions regarding where to attend church and even which faith or denomination to become involved with cannot be made on the spur of the moment based on emotional impulses.

One of the most dangerous things in life is impulse decision making.  Emotions cannot be trusted when it comes to decisions.  The world’s history is littered with examples of ruined people who made horrible decisions based on emotional “whims” or impulses.  To avoid being yet another piece of trash due to making wrong choices, we must learn how to make Godly decisions based on the trustworthy standard of His faithful Word.

We make hundreds if not thousands of decisions every day which ARE made on impulse or split second choice.  These minor choices are an entirely different subject for another day.  The kinds of decisions I am talking about here are the major “life altering” ones where we cannot afford to be wrong.  Believe it or not, we make many more of these kinds of decisions than we realize, and thus it is very important that we learn how to “choose wisely”.

To make sound decisions that are in alignment with God’s Word, we must of course first know a little bit of God’s Word.  But then we need wisdom to know how to apply His Word to the situations that come up in life.  There are no short cuts for experience, even when it comes to understanding God’s Word.  Youth by nature are impetuous and extremely impatient.  It is very difficult for someone under age 30 to grasp why an “elder” should be consulted for advice and why parents should be listened to instead of “blown off”.

A teenage THINKS he knows it all.  A twenty-something person KNOWS he knows it all.  But a person in their thirties begins to realize they don’t know everything and by the time they reach “middle age” they freely admit they don’t know much of anything.  Age tempers and age mellows.  Age and experience allow for maturity and maturity provides for wisdom and understanding.

We were taken out to a very nice restaurant last evening by a dear friend to belatedly celebrate my wife’s birthday.  She was treated to a “center cut filet mignon” steak.  The meat literally melted in her mouth.  Part of the reason was that it was “aged” meat.  Many things do indeed get better with age.  It is interesting to note that people in their 50s and 60s and 70s make far fewer bad decisions than those in the 20s.  Maturity does have its benefits.  That is why in the Bible, elders are to be looked up to and treated with the utmost of respect.  Pretty much just the opposite of what our silly world teaches.

Among the enemies to making sound decisions, the two biggest ones are stubborn pride and fear.  Arrogant people make snap decisions and believe they are always right.  Their basis for making a choice is their own superiority and greatness.  Self confident people are excellent leaders but often make horrible decisions because of their inability to seek advice or heed counsel.  Yes, decisiveness is a quality of leadership, but it is a two-edged sword.  The ability to make a decision and act provides impetus to action but many times the action is flawed due to the original decision being wrong.

The Bible speaks of there being safety in a multitude of counselors.  Major decisions in a business, church or family should be made in a group setting with all members of the “board” present.  All sides of the matter should be presented and pros and cons discussed among the people present.  If the “board” is not a democracy (majority rules), then at least the chairman had all sides of the argument presented before making a decision.  One person operations run by the decisions of one person only are doomed to fail almost every time.

The worst enemy in making a decision is fear.  Fear prohibits making a decision to begin with.  Of course THE fear is the one of being wrong.  No one WANTS to make a bad decision, but we all occasionally do.  We cannot let a bad choice trap us forever in indecision.  A person who cannot “make up his mind” is not only aggravating but highly dangerous.  In matters of great consequence, the last thing you want is someone who is afraid to make a decision.

If you had surgery tomorrow, would you want a doctor who couldn’t make up his mind which instrument to use to make the incision?  If your car broke down would you want a mechanic to hem and haw and tell you he can’t decide whether to fix the flat tire or put in new motor?  I dearly love the old movie “Fiddler on the Roof”; but Tevye and his constant “on one hand, but on the other hand” indecisiveness is enough to drive a person crazy. 

Fear of failure prohibits a person from making a decision.  Every time the person thinks they have made up their mind, the doubts creep in and the semi truckload of “what ifs” are dumped on the mind.  Oh my, the greatest killers to making a decision are the old “what ifs”.  What if the truck next to me on the road tips over?  What if the jet flying 30,000 feet above me falls to the earth on my house?  What if the person next to me on the elevator has bird flu?  What if my kid blows up the school today? What if the pain in my little toe means a heart attack?  What if the sun doesn’t come up tomorrow?

“What ifs” choke the decision making process and make it impossible to ever make up our mind.  “What if” the chicken is not good, so I better not order it.  “What if” the beef is not aged, so I better not get it.  “What if, the fish has mercury in it, I better not choose it.  “What if” the pork has a bad disease, I better not get it.  If this is the sequence of events at a restaurant or grocery store, the end result is starvation.  Sooner or later the “What ifs” have to be silenced or the fear they drag into the equation will make it impossible to correctly make a decision.

To make a Godly decision, one must first and foremost pray.  Any major decision must be discussed fully with Almighty God and our Lord Jesus Christ.  We must have the humility and meekness to bring the situation before them or we are wrong to begin with.  The bigger the decision, the more prayer is involved.  Major life-altering decisions need a season in the wilderness, far removed from distraction, where hours, if not days are spent consulting the Lord on the matter.

Reading, studying, meditating upon and thinking about what the Bible has to say on the matter is critical.  The Bible does give cut and dry instruction on some issues.  But, in the majority of things, there are only guidelines in the Bible; specifics must be sought out through prayer and consulting elders.  Never underestimate the importance of seeking advice from elders when making a big decision.  In some matters, of course the pastor is to be consulted, but in many other matters a wise and experienced elder can provide wisdom even the pastor cannot offer.

Simple things such as listing the “pros and cons” or “good and bad” on a sheet of paper are nice for some matters, but never to be used in major decisions.  Just because one column is longer than another does not automatically mean it is right.

The ultimate way to finally make a decision is to await the answer of peace promised by God.  When Elijah was in the cave and needed an answer from the Lord, there were earthquakes and lightnings and thunders but the Lord was in none of them.  Too many times we wait for the “writing on the wall” or for some horseman to arrive and blow the trumpet announcing the proper choice to make.  It doesn’t work that way in real life usually.  People who wait for the dramatic answer usually wait a lifetime to find it.

Wait for the answer of peace.  Wait for Almighty God to deposit an answer that is undeniable and 100%  as peaceful as He is.  “Be anxious for nothing…And the peace of God which passes all understanding shall guard your heart…” Philippians 4 tells us.  God is Faithful and His Word is Faithful.  God will never let us down if we trust in Him with all our hearts, and lean not to our own understanding.  If we will acknowledge Him in all our ways, He will direct our paths.

Following the answer of peace is the Godly version of “listening to your gut” or “follow your heart”.  If your “gut” instincts are based on God’s answer of peace, then follow them.  If they are based on experience or emotions they are no more to be trusted than Oprah or Dr. Phil.  God will deposit His answer of peace in our hearts, so if we have peace in our hearts, then we DO “follow our heart”.  But, if the heart is being emotional, then its advice is not trustworthy.

Take the matter to the Lord.  Lay it out before Him.  Work out all your worries, fears and misgivings with Him.  Allow Him to lead you to His Word or to an elder where you can receive your answer of Peace.  The answer of PEACE confirms that the answer came from God of PEACE.  Once you receive your answer, never look back.   Refuse to allow the “what ifs” to slip in to your mind.  Squash doubts and refute fears.  Resolve to do what your answer of peace told you was right.  Then you can walk with the assurance of knowing you are doing the best you can do, and that is all God ever asks of us.

Religion Vs. Christianity

A common misconception among believers is that once born again, there are no more trials and tribulations in life.  Over the years, I have talked to countless people who turned away from the faith because they were led to believe salvation was a magic carpet ride to eternal bliss.  Of course these people found out very quickly there are no magic carpets when it comes to the true Christian faith.

Where and how the troubling concept that one becomes a Christian to enjoy prosperity, live a life of worldly bliss, never have to deal with problems, have ten thousand friends and enjoy a “Leave it to Beaver” family is beyond me.  Christianity is not a self-help psychological program.  Christianity is not the stairway to financial success.  Christianity is not a dating service or a social club.  Christianity is not an automatic “get out of jail free” card that allows its holders to live in the lap of luxury and sit around swimming pools all day drinking martinis.

The outrageous claims made by many who profess to be Christians cause me great consternation.  I am a Christian.  I know what it means to be a Christian.  I know what many people mistakenly call Christianity is nothing but a convenient religion that promotes selfishness and error.  This “pseudo-Christianity” is not limited to any particular denomination.  It is a malicious cancer that afflicts people throughout the Christian faith.

The term Christian originally was used by unbelievers in reference to those who spoke of having “Christ in them”.  Christians are supposed to be those people who manifest Christ within.  Christians are supposed to be representative of how and what Christ would be if he were on this earth today.  To be a Christian has nothing to do with going to church, singing in the choir, paying tithes, wearing nice clothes on Sunday, serving on various boards, volunteering to paint the church or fixing the church van.

Religion runs rampant in this world.  Religion has nothing to do with Christianity.  To call Christianity a religion is an insult to true Christians.  Religion and tradition are twin brothers.  Traditions form the very backbone of most religions.  Religion never saved anyone, and just because a person is religious, does not mean they are going to heaven.  People brush their teeth religiously.  Does that mean every “religious” tooth brusher is heaven bound?

People do many things in life religiously.  In this sense of the word, all it means is to do something over and over again.  That is also what tradition means.  When something is religiously done in the same way over and over again; it becomes a tradition and in time a religion.  This is why Jesus railed on those religious leaders steeped in their traditions.  The religion they invented had nothing to do with the truth.  True religion NEVER has anything to do with the truth. 

Almighty God looks on the heart of man and not on his outward appearance.  All God asks of a person is to stay honest in their heart toward Him.  He is not interested in elaborate traditions which supposedly, in and of themselves, absolve a person of sin and bring reconciliation to God.  Offering a sacrifice did not automatically resolve a situation in the Old Testament.  More than once, God says in the Old Testament that He is not interested in the offerings and sacrifices; He is interested in true repentance from the heart.

Jesus Christ did not come to this earth to start a new “religion”.  If anything, he came to tear down the religious traditions that were keeping people from salvation.  Jesus Christ is not a “religious leader”.  He is the Son of God and Head of the Body of Christ.  Buddha was a religious leader.  Mohammad was a religious leader.  Pope John Paul II was a religious leader.  Martin Luther was a religious leader.  There have been innumerable religious leaders who have lived on this earth; Jesus Christ was and is not one of them. 

True Christianity is not a religion it is a Faith.  The book of James speaks of true religion being the service to orphans and widows.  Those who insist on calling Christianity a religion throw open the door to the very things that drove Judaism to the horrific state it was in when Jesus Christ confronted it in Matthew 23.  What started as faith, through the traditions of man, became a religion.  Religion is not able to save anyone.  True Christianity is the only way to eternal life.

There used to be a time when Christians were not ashamed of their faith.  There was a time when Christians were willing to face persecution, harassment and even death as a reward instead of a plague to be avoided at all costs.  There was a time when Christians would rather face a hungry lion than an angry God disappointed in their compromise.   There was a time when Christians were universally hated and hunted as animals because they were considered religious heretics and enemies of the state.  There was a time when Christians were not afraid to be Christians; no matter what it cost them.

There once was a time in this country where those who did evil in the sight of the Lord were relegated to “closets” where they hid their wicked ways.  Now they have all come out of their closets and it is the Christians who practice “closet Christianity”.  Oh my, people say, I cannot afford to let people know I am a Christian, for they might not like me or take their business elsewhere. 

I am not a political activist and I would never “endorse” any candidate; but I am thrilled there is at least one politician running for President who is not afraid to tell the nation he is a Christian and believes Jesus Christ is the answer to this nation’s woes.  Of course he will never get elected, but at least it is refreshing to have a politician talking about good old fashioned conservative Christian themes instead of the progressive junk promulgated by most.

I am appalled at the venom so many “progressives” have for the “religious right” in this country.  Millions upon millions of people absolutely hate Christians.  To them, everyone who says they are a Christian is automatically labeled an “evangelical”.  The degree of that hate was just manifest a few days ago when an “ex” evangelical violently shot and killed numerous Christians.  In his pre-killing internet posts, these murderers vented his extreme hatred toward Christians and desire to kill as many as he could.

What are we, as Christians (not evangelicals or any other designation) to do in response to this hatred?  Are we to ignore it, confront it or hide from it?  What did Jesus do when Judas betrayed him?  Jesus simply said, “That which you do, do quickly”.  If people hate us and want to kill us, so be it.  If someone stands up in a classroom and demands that all Christians step forward to be shot, I would hope and pray the real Christians would boldly step up just as Stephen did in Acts 7.

 Jesus never promised His road would be an easy one to tread.  In fact, time and again He let it be known that any true follower of Him faced untold persecution, tribulation and martyrdom.  Those that followed Him 2000 years ago did, for the most part, pay the ultimate price for their faith and yet they never complained.  They counted it all joy to be able to suffer with him.