As I type out this article closing out one year moving into the next, the snow falls steadily outside the window disclosing in God’s uncanny way how uncertain, yet exciting are the paths of life. As the Apostle James rightly puts it in 4:13-15: “Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.’ Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. Instead, you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.’” When we set out on a journey, we never really know what the Lord has in store for us. We tend to forget that it is He who truly has control over our lives and not us. We fight against that fact constantly in our sinful humanity but much to our own frustration. Regardless of our efforts to the contrary, the Lord shows us in ways both great and small that even though “the mind of man plans his way...the Lord directs his steps.” (rf. Proverbs 16:9)
So, why bring this up? Why stress these things at this time? It should be quite obvious. At this time of year, the world around us makes a very big deal about making plans, reprioritizing one’s life, setting up new resolutions to follow as the new year begins. If we heed this wisdom, we will start out with good intentions and, then, in just a short while, the intentions will fall by the wayside as we allow the cares of life to dictate the decisions we make, overriding the good intentions of yore.
However, if we heeded the wisdom of James and the author of the proverb (probably Solomon) we would realize a different end. Notice that in both cases, there is a clear submission of one’s life to the Lord on a daily basis. This produces humility in attitude and spirit as well as an understanding that none of us ultimate control our own destiny. When we affirm the Lordship of Christ in our lives, we see Him as He is Biblically portrayed, “Lord of all”. That designation is not limited to all things outside of ourselves, but it includes ourselves as well. This does not relegate us to mindless robots, but to beings within the scope of His will, fully responsible for our own decisions yet even those decisions are under the jurisdiction of His plan. Joseph understood this principle perfectly as he explained it to his brothers when they bowed before him as governor over all of Egypt: “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive.” (rf. Genesis 50:20)
The truth that we need to see clearly as we proceed into this new year is this: seek and submit. Seek the Lord and His wisdom in everything that we do. If we claim His Name and to be His followers/servants, then it only follows that we need to be attentive to where He leads and what He says to do. He has already given us His Word; therefore, we have only to read it and do what it says... which lead us to the second part of the truth. Not only in attitude but in action, we need to be submissive in our hearts. We should be humble before Him and our fellow man, readily recognizing that His way is much better than our own, His plans far exceeding ours in wisdom and authority. Then after seeking and being submissive, we should follow through with what we believe we are being led to do, regardless if conventional wisdom or popularity tries to convince us otherwise, always verifying our leadings by the clear teachings of His Word. God does not operate by worldly ways, mind you. As His Word testifies, His ways are not ours...but much higher than our own (paraphrase of Isaiah 55:9).
This new year lies before us all with great possibilities and opportunities. Let us then pursue the course that the Lord has set out for us to follow and not the one that we have developed on our own, now understanding that His way and will for us is always best.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Monday, November 29, 2010
God Will Supply All Our Needs...Not Our Wants
Have you ever pondered at length (or depth) the subject of need vs. want? Take, for instance, a scene at the dinner table. Junior "wants" something sweet to caress his tastebuds. In fact, if it were up to him, he would opt for dessert as his first course for the meal. However, since mother-dear is the chairlady of the dinner, she is the one who decides what is served for the courses to those at the table, including Junior. Mother has determined that all at the repast are in "need" of a good dose of vegetables for the betterment of their bodies. She knows what is required for strong bones and muscles and, therefore, serves the food necessary for such nourishment. Thus, mother addresses best the "need" for Junior instead of accommodating his "wants". It may be that if Junior eats his vegetables ("needs"), he may be eligible to get dessert ("wants"), though it is not a guarantee!
Let's move this analogy to the present Christmas marketplace, shall we? Retail establishments have reformulated their policies in recent years to make it absolutely sure that the customer acquire whatever he/she "wants" for Christmas. By lower prices through initial markdowns and offering tremendous discounts, the customer is enticed to get the item that Junior or other loved one totally desires. Then, on Christmas morning (or Christmas Eve), when the presents are opened, the person in question will be completely satisfied with said gift. However, if the unforeseen and unexpected disappointment should take place, the retailer is ready with the backup plan. The customer can happily return said un"want"-ed gift for refund or exchange so that the customer can find what is truly "want"-ed and purchase it. God forbid, the customer or the one for whom the gift is given should ever receive something they should "need" and not "want".
...yet there was a time not too very long ago when it wasn't that way at all.
Some who read this remember of days when Christmas gifts were items such as socks, shoes, coats, underwear and, maybe, some fruit and candy canes, not to say all of the above. You were blessed to get any of the above. The fruit and candy were treats, not even classified as "wants". The socks, shoes, etc. were definitely "needs" which were you pleased to get because they replaced items of the same kind that were completely worn out by that time of the year. As you opened your gifts and saw these things, you were very thankful that whoever gave the gift was looking out for you, had correctly understood that you needed them. In other words, there was a time when Christmas was more about "need" than "want". Why was that? Was it just because of the times and the economy of the day?
No. It was because we had a better understanding of the meaning of Christmas. God sent His Son to address the greatest "need" of all. Our sin separated us from Him. In order for His sheep to be able to drawn into His fold, the Father had to send His Son, the Shepherd, to die for them, to take away their sin, to break down the barrier of separation. Once accomplished, the Shepherd was raised from the dead to lead His Sheep into the fold by His Spirit so that they would be one forever, experiencing the love that He has for them that is beyond measure.
Christmas, then, is God taking care of our "need" in the grandest way. That little One in the manger is the Shepherd of Salvation, the One "who will save His people from their sins". Had He left us to our "wants", our desires, our lusts, we would be enjoying ourselves as we went along merrily into Hell. However, the Lord took the initiative and addressed our "need", overriding our "wants", calling us unto a salvation and a life that is far better than anything that we could ever desire or imagine.
So, this Christmas, don't let your "wants" outstrip your "needs". Indeed, let Christmas be a special time to meet the "needs" of others more so than your own "wants" in the spirit of Christ. In this way, we can show the world what Christmas was truly intended to be and to mean.
Let's move this analogy to the present Christmas marketplace, shall we? Retail establishments have reformulated their policies in recent years to make it absolutely sure that the customer acquire whatever he/she "wants" for Christmas. By lower prices through initial markdowns and offering tremendous discounts, the customer is enticed to get the item that Junior or other loved one totally desires. Then, on Christmas morning (or Christmas Eve), when the presents are opened, the person in question will be completely satisfied with said gift. However, if the unforeseen and unexpected disappointment should take place, the retailer is ready with the backup plan. The customer can happily return said un"want"-ed gift for refund or exchange so that the customer can find what is truly "want"-ed and purchase it. God forbid, the customer or the one for whom the gift is given should ever receive something they should "need" and not "want".
...yet there was a time not too very long ago when it wasn't that way at all.
Some who read this remember of days when Christmas gifts were items such as socks, shoes, coats, underwear and, maybe, some fruit and candy canes, not to say all of the above. You were blessed to get any of the above. The fruit and candy were treats, not even classified as "wants". The socks, shoes, etc. were definitely "needs" which were you pleased to get because they replaced items of the same kind that were completely worn out by that time of the year. As you opened your gifts and saw these things, you were very thankful that whoever gave the gift was looking out for you, had correctly understood that you needed them. In other words, there was a time when Christmas was more about "need" than "want". Why was that? Was it just because of the times and the economy of the day?
No. It was because we had a better understanding of the meaning of Christmas. God sent His Son to address the greatest "need" of all. Our sin separated us from Him. In order for His sheep to be able to drawn into His fold, the Father had to send His Son, the Shepherd, to die for them, to take away their sin, to break down the barrier of separation. Once accomplished, the Shepherd was raised from the dead to lead His Sheep into the fold by His Spirit so that they would be one forever, experiencing the love that He has for them that is beyond measure.
Christmas, then, is God taking care of our "need" in the grandest way. That little One in the manger is the Shepherd of Salvation, the One "who will save His people from their sins". Had He left us to our "wants", our desires, our lusts, we would be enjoying ourselves as we went along merrily into Hell. However, the Lord took the initiative and addressed our "need", overriding our "wants", calling us unto a salvation and a life that is far better than anything that we could ever desire or imagine.
So, this Christmas, don't let your "wants" outstrip your "needs". Indeed, let Christmas be a special time to meet the "needs" of others more so than your own "wants" in the spirit of Christ. In this way, we can show the world what Christmas was truly intended to be and to mean.
The Dangerous Life of a Disciple of Jesus
When we review the Gospel accounts of the life of Christ, we tend rightfully to focus on Jesus and His ministry, His works and His teachings. However, the Gospels also give us another perspective. They show us the reality of what it meant to be one of His disciples. They provide us the nitty gritty details of the life of faith and trust in Christ.
Take, for instance, the time that Jesus came walking on the water to the disciples. The waves were lashing the boat as well as the feet of Christ. Jesus paid them no mind. He paced on the surface of the briny sea as if he were on the plains somewhere in Judea. As He approached the vessel filled with His frightened followers, He called out to them. Peter responded that he wished to join his Master on the water. Peter's was a response of faith that led him out of a comfortable place to an adventure that he could share only with Christ. Even though his faith faltered when faced with difficult and perceived overwhelming circumstances, Peter was still accompanied by Jesus back to the safety of the ship. He still grew in His trust in Jesus.
This is the way of Biblical faith. It doesn't grow in the safe places. The qualities of false contentment, laziness and fearfulness thrive in the shade of the great oak where no wind or rain ever falls. However, because of these very things present in one's life, nothing of eternal value is ever accomplished. Biblical faith, on the other hand, is vibrant, full of life and adventure. It must be energized by friction and challenge. It grows by having to face the elements. Like the mighty tree lashed by wind and blinding rain, whose roots seem on the very edge of being torn from the ground at times by the storm, so is the one whose faith is tested by the Lord for the purpose of enhancement and greater use in His kingdom. He intends by the pruning for that person to be a source of blessing to the lives of so many others as an example of what His grace can do in the life of one willing to trust Him implicitly.
So, if you are being battered and torn by life's stresses, and, yet, you are still holding on to your faith in Christ, be thankful. Know that the Lord who has called you into the midst of this adventure is walking with you through it as well, hand in hand. Never will He let you go until the both of you safely reach the shore!
Take, for instance, the time that Jesus came walking on the water to the disciples. The waves were lashing the boat as well as the feet of Christ. Jesus paid them no mind. He paced on the surface of the briny sea as if he were on the plains somewhere in Judea. As He approached the vessel filled with His frightened followers, He called out to them. Peter responded that he wished to join his Master on the water. Peter's was a response of faith that led him out of a comfortable place to an adventure that he could share only with Christ. Even though his faith faltered when faced with difficult and perceived overwhelming circumstances, Peter was still accompanied by Jesus back to the safety of the ship. He still grew in His trust in Jesus.
This is the way of Biblical faith. It doesn't grow in the safe places. The qualities of false contentment, laziness and fearfulness thrive in the shade of the great oak where no wind or rain ever falls. However, because of these very things present in one's life, nothing of eternal value is ever accomplished. Biblical faith, on the other hand, is vibrant, full of life and adventure. It must be energized by friction and challenge. It grows by having to face the elements. Like the mighty tree lashed by wind and blinding rain, whose roots seem on the very edge of being torn from the ground at times by the storm, so is the one whose faith is tested by the Lord for the purpose of enhancement and greater use in His kingdom. He intends by the pruning for that person to be a source of blessing to the lives of so many others as an example of what His grace can do in the life of one willing to trust Him implicitly.
So, if you are being battered and torn by life's stresses, and, yet, you are still holding on to your faith in Christ, be thankful. Know that the Lord who has called you into the midst of this adventure is walking with you through it as well, hand in hand. Never will He let you go until the both of you safely reach the shore!
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
The Abominations of Rebellion and Sorcery
Food for thought. Remember when you were young and your mom told you to clean your room? You listened to her voice, heard her words and then went about your way, totally ignoring what she had told you to do. Now if she were one of the “oblivious moms” so prevalent in today’s world, she would have responded to your behavior with by saying, “I thought I told you to clean your room...At least, I thought I did. Maybe I didn’t after all...Never mind, be a good boy/girl and be sure to clean your room. If you do, there will be something good for you.” Of course, you left the room unkempt, knowing that your mom would not only forget that she told you to clean it, but also there would be no consequences to your disobedient actions. Besides you would eventually get the treats promised even without doing what she had asked you to do. The shame is that so many have parents who treat them this way, allowing disobedience to continue without punishment and so many adults believe this is the norm of parenthood and childrearing. It is no wonder that self-centeredness is the prevailing attitude of the day! Ah, but here I am digressing.
Whether or not our moms or dads were “oblivious” in their parenting skills, how many of us fell prey to the same attitude of disobedience when we were young? I wonder if we realized that such a reckless heart motivation was what the Bible calls “rebellion”, especially if the disobedience is not just a one-time occurrence but a systemic problem. When we think of rebellion, it usually is in terms of overthrowing a government, a dire solution to a political dilemma. However, the Lord looks at rebellion differently. He sees it in terms of a negative reation to an established authority, specifically authority He has put in place, whether it relates in terms of people, such as parents, ministers, or governmental officials, or in reference to His Word. So, in either case, God views continuous disobedience to the authorities that He has set up in our lives, not as mere mistakes but as the serious sin of rebellion, equating it with the abomination of witchcraft (rf. I Samuel 15:23).
Therefore, as we pursue this subject further, are there precepts in the Scripture that we consistently violate because we simply don’t like and refuse to follow? For example, even though we know that we are not to take our anger against someone to bed with us according to Ephesians 4:26, we do it time and time again, nursing internal bitterness toward that someone against the very witness that Christ would have us to exhibit! Not only is this disobedience, it has become rebellion because of the repetition involved. When we have taught better and we do worse, knowing all the while what we do is in violation, we sin by rebellion.
A second example is in the area of priorities of life. Genesis 1 and 2 states everything we need to know in reference to how God wants us to set up the way we should live. He should be first (1:1–“In the beginning, God...”) and foremost. This first place is in regards to our relationship with Him, not having to do with our service to or worship of Him. That comes later. Secondly, He wants our family to hold precedence over everything else, with spouse first (1:27) then the children (1:28a). In third place God calls us to support said family for the six days of the week as the equivalent that He “worked” to bring about the creation of the universe (1:28b-30). Fourth and finally, He makes provision for us to worship and serve (2:2-3). Some would immediately criticize this set-up of priorities, stating that work is higher than worship, thus giving people an excuse to pursue their career goals rather than worship the Lord on Sundays. Actually, this is not true if one’s priorities are in this correct order. If one has a right relationship with God, one will have an intense desire to worship Him, thus making provision to worship and serve Him, carving out the necessary time in the work week for the Sabbath rest, time with one’s family and for spending quality time with the Lord. No, the priorities as arranged by God are very correct. When we fail to measure ourselves and abide by them, we are the ones in rebellion and disobedience.
Finally, if the Bible speaks in the harshest terms of those who practice witchcraft, those who cast spells, those who divine magic and practice sorcery or necromancy, calling all of the above an abomination (rf. Deuteronomy 18:9-14), where does the Christian community find the license to participate in the sacred occultic holiday of Halloween? One would have to be completely blind as to not see the imagery of evil associated with this perceived “holy day” that is dedicated to the celebration of all that is dark and wicked in the hearts of men. Yet, year after year, Christians of every stripe continue to involve themselves in this pagan ritual with no thought of how such action violates the mandate of Scripture for us to “come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” (rf. II Corinthians 6:17-18) Indeed, the greatest evangelistic impact we could ever make in this case would be by our absence not by our presence even as we chose obedience over rebellion in reference to His Word.
God calls us to hear and obey. To do so will make us inevitably different and distinct from the world around us. This is what He showed us in His Son, Jesus. This is what it means to be one of His disciples. Let us commit to the path of obedience today.
Whether or not our moms or dads were “oblivious” in their parenting skills, how many of us fell prey to the same attitude of disobedience when we were young? I wonder if we realized that such a reckless heart motivation was what the Bible calls “rebellion”, especially if the disobedience is not just a one-time occurrence but a systemic problem. When we think of rebellion, it usually is in terms of overthrowing a government, a dire solution to a political dilemma. However, the Lord looks at rebellion differently. He sees it in terms of a negative reation to an established authority, specifically authority He has put in place, whether it relates in terms of people, such as parents, ministers, or governmental officials, or in reference to His Word. So, in either case, God views continuous disobedience to the authorities that He has set up in our lives, not as mere mistakes but as the serious sin of rebellion, equating it with the abomination of witchcraft (rf. I Samuel 15:23).
Therefore, as we pursue this subject further, are there precepts in the Scripture that we consistently violate because we simply don’t like and refuse to follow? For example, even though we know that we are not to take our anger against someone to bed with us according to Ephesians 4:26, we do it time and time again, nursing internal bitterness toward that someone against the very witness that Christ would have us to exhibit! Not only is this disobedience, it has become rebellion because of the repetition involved. When we have taught better and we do worse, knowing all the while what we do is in violation, we sin by rebellion.
A second example is in the area of priorities of life. Genesis 1 and 2 states everything we need to know in reference to how God wants us to set up the way we should live. He should be first (1:1–“In the beginning, God...”) and foremost. This first place is in regards to our relationship with Him, not having to do with our service to or worship of Him. That comes later. Secondly, He wants our family to hold precedence over everything else, with spouse first (1:27) then the children (1:28a). In third place God calls us to support said family for the six days of the week as the equivalent that He “worked” to bring about the creation of the universe (1:28b-30). Fourth and finally, He makes provision for us to worship and serve (2:2-3). Some would immediately criticize this set-up of priorities, stating that work is higher than worship, thus giving people an excuse to pursue their career goals rather than worship the Lord on Sundays. Actually, this is not true if one’s priorities are in this correct order. If one has a right relationship with God, one will have an intense desire to worship Him, thus making provision to worship and serve Him, carving out the necessary time in the work week for the Sabbath rest, time with one’s family and for spending quality time with the Lord. No, the priorities as arranged by God are very correct. When we fail to measure ourselves and abide by them, we are the ones in rebellion and disobedience.
Finally, if the Bible speaks in the harshest terms of those who practice witchcraft, those who cast spells, those who divine magic and practice sorcery or necromancy, calling all of the above an abomination (rf. Deuteronomy 18:9-14), where does the Christian community find the license to participate in the sacred occultic holiday of Halloween? One would have to be completely blind as to not see the imagery of evil associated with this perceived “holy day” that is dedicated to the celebration of all that is dark and wicked in the hearts of men. Yet, year after year, Christians of every stripe continue to involve themselves in this pagan ritual with no thought of how such action violates the mandate of Scripture for us to “come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” (rf. II Corinthians 6:17-18) Indeed, the greatest evangelistic impact we could ever make in this case would be by our absence not by our presence even as we chose obedience over rebellion in reference to His Word.
God calls us to hear and obey. To do so will make us inevitably different and distinct from the world around us. This is what He showed us in His Son, Jesus. This is what it means to be one of His disciples. Let us commit to the path of obedience today.
Truths Regarding Tithing
For the last three months we have been reviewing the subject of our finances in the light of God and His Word. Whenever the Scriptures touch our wallets inevitably questions arise because we either do not understand the application of the Scriptures to our present circumstances or because, if they are so applied, it would make us accountable for our lack of obedience to them. In either case, however, we will endeavor to take the most asked question and lay this issue to rest so we can follow through with what God has called His people to do with regards to their finances.
Out of the gate, so to speak, is the question of “net vs. gross” in reference to the tithe. Are we to give to God our 10% on the basis of the total amount of what we make (gross) or just the amount that comes to us in our paychecks (net)? At the outset, we realize a fact that should be very apparent to the most astute Bible student. There was no such tax structure in the Scriptures as what we have in the United States and in most modern Western countries. That is to say, in the time of the Old and New Testaments, there was no such thing as “withholding of taxes” from one’s paycheck. When you engaged in trade of any sort, you took your product to a person or to the market and there sold it. Whatever your product gained for you as a price was your income. The same was true for your work for another individual or business. Thus, from your income which was in your power at the time you were paid, you then paid your taxes. You were also expected at that time to pay your tithes. Earlier we stated that in the Old Testament Law the total percentage of the tithes and taxes was 23 1/3% for the average Israelite. It would have been out of the their income that they would have been expected to have paid these required funds to the Lord (e.g. Leviticus 27:30; Deuteronomy 14:22) since in the Old Testament the government was a Theocracy, God-governed.
Moving forward in time to the present to apply this same principle, we now have a government that is not a Theocracy, but a democratic-republic which requires by law that taxes be withheld from one’s pay and then one is paid the remainder. Therefore, in our system, we only have power over the amount we get in our paycheck. This is the parallel to the income of the olden days of the product sold and the money gained as a result. It is then on the basis of this amount that is within our power to control that we base our tithe.
In the U.S., the average tax rate in 2006 was 20.6% according to The New York Times Business Section, June 1, 2010. As a matter of comparison (from Wikipedia) of European countries and their respective tax rates, it is apparent we in America are very blessed indeed:
Austria (43.4%), Belgium (46.8%), Bulgaria (34.4%), Czeck Republic (36.3%), Denmark (50.0%), France (46.1%), Germany (40.6%), Greece (33.5%), Hungary (37.3%), Italy (42.6%), the Netherlands (39.5%), Sweden (49.7%), Switzerland (30.1%), and the United Kingdom (39.0%).
Or you could live in Kiribati which has an astounding tax rate of 91.6%. Just as a sideline, the reason why our tax rate is lower than the European nations is because we rely on the free enterprise system to run our economy. The lower the taxes, the greater the ability of the people to generate the income necessary to fuel new jobs and creativity for future economic growth. The higher taxes of the European nations support their extensive social programs as part of their overall network and philosophy of general socialism that has been in effect for generations. Each nation requires more funds from its citizens to keep these social programs going, thus the taxes as well as the costs for the programs continue to increase.
In each of these countries, a believer in Christ is required to tithe according to Scripture. However, look at the difference there would be if you applied the gross vs. net argument to, say, a believer in America and one in Kiribati, while keeping in mind the requirement of Scripture to supply the needs of ones family as well (rf. I Timothy 5:8). If both believers made the equivalent of $100 total income, the American would have $20.60 taken out in taxes, thus leaving him with $79.40 in spendable income. If he applied the gross tithe theory, he would give $10.00 to his church, leaving him with $69.40 to supply the remaining needs of his family. If he used the net tithe theory, he would give $7.94, leaving with a remainder of $71.46 to fulfill his other obligations. For the American it doesn’t seem like a big deal.
However, what then does the believer in Kiribati do? His after tax income on a $100 basis would be a mere $8.40. If he used the gross tithe theory, he would be owing God a $1.60 with no ability to provide for his family in reference to the necessities of life. He would have no money at all to fulfill his Biblical obligations. If he applies the net tithe principle, he can faithfully give to the Lord $0.84 and still have a meager $7.56 with which he and his family can subsist. Kind of reminds us of the Widow’s Mite story, doesn’t it?
When we put this comparison in terms of $100 and its applications, it doesn’t appear to make much of a difference. However, when it becomes thousands of dollars a year in income as well as taxes, it then takes on tremendous significance. You see, the tithe as begun originally in Abraham’s day was a matter of giving 10% of what was in his power to give and doing so out of a heart that longed to glorify the Lord. These truths have not changed about the tithe. Though the government may have changed the way that our income is given to us, what comes to us in our paychecks is that which is within our power to give. With that amount, we then determine the 10% as a the starting point of our giving to Him, the tithe. Remember: anything above that amount that we feel compelled to give as a matter of love and adoration to Him is truly a gift.
Just because tithing is a requirement, doesn’t mean it is designed to be a burden. God means for it to be a blessing both to the giver and to His Church. It is the chief means that He has designed to fund the operations of the one vehicle He has ordained to share His love and truth with the world. He wants us to participate in His work in this concrete, visible way so that He can show us in the same way the effects and results of what He is up to when we give obediently. So, never give with a stingy heart, saying “I tithe because I have to”. Rather, have a cheerful, grateful attitude when you tithe, thanking God through your giving as an act of worship. He knows the difference and He blesses/chastises accordingly.
Out of the gate, so to speak, is the question of “net vs. gross” in reference to the tithe. Are we to give to God our 10% on the basis of the total amount of what we make (gross) or just the amount that comes to us in our paychecks (net)? At the outset, we realize a fact that should be very apparent to the most astute Bible student. There was no such tax structure in the Scriptures as what we have in the United States and in most modern Western countries. That is to say, in the time of the Old and New Testaments, there was no such thing as “withholding of taxes” from one’s paycheck. When you engaged in trade of any sort, you took your product to a person or to the market and there sold it. Whatever your product gained for you as a price was your income. The same was true for your work for another individual or business. Thus, from your income which was in your power at the time you were paid, you then paid your taxes. You were also expected at that time to pay your tithes. Earlier we stated that in the Old Testament Law the total percentage of the tithes and taxes was 23 1/3% for the average Israelite. It would have been out of the their income that they would have been expected to have paid these required funds to the Lord (e.g. Leviticus 27:30; Deuteronomy 14:22) since in the Old Testament the government was a Theocracy, God-governed.
Moving forward in time to the present to apply this same principle, we now have a government that is not a Theocracy, but a democratic-republic which requires by law that taxes be withheld from one’s pay and then one is paid the remainder. Therefore, in our system, we only have power over the amount we get in our paycheck. This is the parallel to the income of the olden days of the product sold and the money gained as a result. It is then on the basis of this amount that is within our power to control that we base our tithe.
In the U.S., the average tax rate in 2006 was 20.6% according to The New York Times Business Section, June 1, 2010. As a matter of comparison (from Wikipedia) of European countries and their respective tax rates, it is apparent we in America are very blessed indeed:
Austria (43.4%), Belgium (46.8%), Bulgaria (34.4%), Czeck Republic (36.3%), Denmark (50.0%), France (46.1%), Germany (40.6%), Greece (33.5%), Hungary (37.3%), Italy (42.6%), the Netherlands (39.5%), Sweden (49.7%), Switzerland (30.1%), and the United Kingdom (39.0%).
Or you could live in Kiribati which has an astounding tax rate of 91.6%. Just as a sideline, the reason why our tax rate is lower than the European nations is because we rely on the free enterprise system to run our economy. The lower the taxes, the greater the ability of the people to generate the income necessary to fuel new jobs and creativity for future economic growth. The higher taxes of the European nations support their extensive social programs as part of their overall network and philosophy of general socialism that has been in effect for generations. Each nation requires more funds from its citizens to keep these social programs going, thus the taxes as well as the costs for the programs continue to increase.
In each of these countries, a believer in Christ is required to tithe according to Scripture. However, look at the difference there would be if you applied the gross vs. net argument to, say, a believer in America and one in Kiribati, while keeping in mind the requirement of Scripture to supply the needs of ones family as well (rf. I Timothy 5:8). If both believers made the equivalent of $100 total income, the American would have $20.60 taken out in taxes, thus leaving him with $79.40 in spendable income. If he applied the gross tithe theory, he would give $10.00 to his church, leaving him with $69.40 to supply the remaining needs of his family. If he used the net tithe theory, he would give $7.94, leaving with a remainder of $71.46 to fulfill his other obligations. For the American it doesn’t seem like a big deal.
However, what then does the believer in Kiribati do? His after tax income on a $100 basis would be a mere $8.40. If he used the gross tithe theory, he would be owing God a $1.60 with no ability to provide for his family in reference to the necessities of life. He would have no money at all to fulfill his Biblical obligations. If he applies the net tithe principle, he can faithfully give to the Lord $0.84 and still have a meager $7.56 with which he and his family can subsist. Kind of reminds us of the Widow’s Mite story, doesn’t it?
When we put this comparison in terms of $100 and its applications, it doesn’t appear to make much of a difference. However, when it becomes thousands of dollars a year in income as well as taxes, it then takes on tremendous significance. You see, the tithe as begun originally in Abraham’s day was a matter of giving 10% of what was in his power to give and doing so out of a heart that longed to glorify the Lord. These truths have not changed about the tithe. Though the government may have changed the way that our income is given to us, what comes to us in our paychecks is that which is within our power to give. With that amount, we then determine the 10% as a the starting point of our giving to Him, the tithe. Remember: anything above that amount that we feel compelled to give as a matter of love and adoration to Him is truly a gift.
Just because tithing is a requirement, doesn’t mean it is designed to be a burden. God means for it to be a blessing both to the giver and to His Church. It is the chief means that He has designed to fund the operations of the one vehicle He has ordained to share His love and truth with the world. He wants us to participate in His work in this concrete, visible way so that He can show us in the same way the effects and results of what He is up to when we give obediently. So, never give with a stingy heart, saying “I tithe because I have to”. Rather, have a cheerful, grateful attitude when you tithe, thanking God through your giving as an act of worship. He knows the difference and He blesses/chastises accordingly.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Giving Cheerfully Unto the Lord
“Moses spoke to all the congregation of the sons of Israel, saying, “This is the thing which the Lord has commanded, saying, ‘Take from among you a contribution to the Lord; whoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it as the Lord’s contribution'...” (rf. Exodus 35:4-5a)
As stated above, this is an example of the “freewill offering”. Indeed, it is actually the establishment of the practice. In context, the Lord is making preparation for the construction of the Tabernacle, the place of His worship for His people. Not only has He given specific instructions on how it is to be built, He is also providing the materials necessary through the gifts given by His people. They will be the resources by means of how they each respond in their hearts to the goodness each has received from the hand of God. This is a way each can show to God his/her gratitude by a tangible action.
Note that this “freewill offering” is separate from, over and above, the required tithe, as seen by no mention of the tithe. The absence of the “tithe” signifies that God has already addressed that subject. This offering is a unique action, different from that already commanded before. This offering is based solely on the need of the moment and is to be an opportunity to reveal one’s heart toward the Lord. Therefore, only as one is moved within does one give. It is as Paul states in II Corinthians 9:7, “Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” When one is presented a need and is offered the opportunity to give to that need, the Lord is also providing a chance to disclose the degree of gratitude one feels toward Him for the blessings that the one has experienced. If one then gives “grudgingly” or “sparingly”, then it shows a great lack of appreciation for the goodness of God in one’s life. If, on the other hand, that person cheerfully gives in abundance toward the need, that person will be blessed immeasurably in return because he/she has revealed a heart full of wonder and awe at God’s grace and mercy.
Therefore, as we have learned throughout these summer months, the Lord has shown us in His Word how we are to use our funds in worship and praise to Him. We are to give of the income that passes into our hands, that which is within our power to control, the tithe, the full 10%, which belongs to the Lord. We are to never use any of that amount for our own purposes. To do such is to steal from God, an action for which we will pay dearly (no pun intended). Secondly, anytime we feel under compulsion to give any amount to the Lord above and beyond, it is considered a gift to Him, paralleling the vows of the Old Testament. Finally, if a need is presented to us, it is an opportunity to show our gratitude to the Lord by giving an amount that we deem is worthy, thus it is a “freewill offering” or in our day, a “love offering”.
In all of these truths, we must remember that no matter how much we give to God, God always gives to us more. He has promised to provide for all of our needs. He has also stated that He has given to His people “abundant life”. So, we need never to fear that we will run out of funds in order to live. As David clearly states in Psalm 37:25-26:
“I have been young and now I am old,
Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken
Or his descendants begging bread.
All day long he is gracious and lends,
And his descendants are a blessing.”
Remember: God never made a promise that He does not intend to keep!
As stated above, this is an example of the “freewill offering”. Indeed, it is actually the establishment of the practice. In context, the Lord is making preparation for the construction of the Tabernacle, the place of His worship for His people. Not only has He given specific instructions on how it is to be built, He is also providing the materials necessary through the gifts given by His people. They will be the resources by means of how they each respond in their hearts to the goodness each has received from the hand of God. This is a way each can show to God his/her gratitude by a tangible action.
Note that this “freewill offering” is separate from, over and above, the required tithe, as seen by no mention of the tithe. The absence of the “tithe” signifies that God has already addressed that subject. This offering is a unique action, different from that already commanded before. This offering is based solely on the need of the moment and is to be an opportunity to reveal one’s heart toward the Lord. Therefore, only as one is moved within does one give. It is as Paul states in II Corinthians 9:7, “Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” When one is presented a need and is offered the opportunity to give to that need, the Lord is also providing a chance to disclose the degree of gratitude one feels toward Him for the blessings that the one has experienced. If one then gives “grudgingly” or “sparingly”, then it shows a great lack of appreciation for the goodness of God in one’s life. If, on the other hand, that person cheerfully gives in abundance toward the need, that person will be blessed immeasurably in return because he/she has revealed a heart full of wonder and awe at God’s grace and mercy.
Therefore, as we have learned throughout these summer months, the Lord has shown us in His Word how we are to use our funds in worship and praise to Him. We are to give of the income that passes into our hands, that which is within our power to control, the tithe, the full 10%, which belongs to the Lord. We are to never use any of that amount for our own purposes. To do such is to steal from God, an action for which we will pay dearly (no pun intended). Secondly, anytime we feel under compulsion to give any amount to the Lord above and beyond, it is considered a gift to Him, paralleling the vows of the Old Testament. Finally, if a need is presented to us, it is an opportunity to show our gratitude to the Lord by giving an amount that we deem is worthy, thus it is a “freewill offering” or in our day, a “love offering”.
In all of these truths, we must remember that no matter how much we give to God, God always gives to us more. He has promised to provide for all of our needs. He has also stated that He has given to His people “abundant life”. So, we need never to fear that we will run out of funds in order to live. As David clearly states in Psalm 37:25-26:
“I have been young and now I am old,
Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken
Or his descendants begging bread.
All day long he is gracious and lends,
And his descendants are a blessing.”
Remember: God never made a promise that He does not intend to keep!
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Tithing as a Matter of the Heart
Last month we delved into the subject of tithing and saw how important, how serious God views the command He has given to His people. The first tenth of our income belongs to Him even as the taxes belong to the government (much as we don’t like the amount they take nor they way they spend it sometimes). In any case, Jesus made it very clear the perspective that God places on our giving with His “Render unto...” speech. Remember?
In this segment, we move from tithing, the required giving, to the area of giving that is over and above the tithe. This type of giving is actually divided into two forms: vows or gifts and “freewill” offerings. The first is motivated by inward compulsion, the second by outward display of need. For this month, we will deal with vows or gifts. Next month, we will tackle the “freewill” offerings.
The Old Testament is replete with examples of vows taken by people earnest in their desire to do something special for God. Some of these vows were prescribed in the Law of Moses (e.g. the Nazarite vow under which Samson was placed wherein he could not cut his hair nor touch anything dead nor taste alcoholic beverages all the days of his life.) Others were inward decisions of an action , more often than not of a monetary value, that would show to God one’s devotion to Him. Eliphaz refers to vows that Job must fulfill in Job 22:27. David throughout the Psalms made vows unto the Lord and encouraged others to do the same, though, never without the necessity of following through with them (rf. 22:25; 50:14; 56:12 just to name a few instances). Indeed, here in Psalm 76:11, note that the Psalmist, Asaph, equates the vow and the gift as being a necessary and beautiful tribute unto the Lord as a sign of one’s respect and adoration of Him:
Make vows to the Lord your God and fulfill them;
Let all who are around Him bring gifts to Him who is to be feared.
We tend to forget in our day of “democratic rule” (though we actually live under a Republican form of government—doublecheck the old Civics books before 1985!) that we serve the King of Kings who rules the universe without any threats to His Throne. We did not elect Him to His seat. In fact, our ability to approach His Throne is by His mercy not by any merits or goodness inherent within us. Therefore, to bring Him gifts is a privilege as it would be anyone who desired to rightfully come into the august presence of so great a King!
With such a blessing upon us, we should then rightfully consider the concept of gifts and vows that the Old Testament teaches us. Have we ever been compelled to bring before God something of value to us simply because we wanted to show our everlasting gratitude to Him? If so, this is an example of a vow/gift given to God. It is over and above the tithe, something we are inwardly compelled to do out of love, respect and adoration for Him.
So often, I believe that we think we are doing God a favor by dropping a few dollars in the offering plate, alleviating our consciences, telling ourselves that we have done our duty in “giving to the church”. In fact, we have done nothing but drop “a few dollars in the offering plate”. We have not tithed. We have not given him a gift because it was not above and beyond the tithe. Therefore, whatever we had hoped to achieve in somehow pleasing God by our “giving”failed and failed miserably.
If we are to give rightly and Biblically, we must first tithe our income, for, as we stated in the last article, the first 10% belongs to God already. That portion is His by right. Then, if we feel that God has been good to us and we want to show Him in a special way our appreciation for His goodness, we decide to give a specific amount above the 10% already set aside for Him. This specific amount then would truly be a gift unto the Lord, a parallel to the vows that were so important to the Old Testament saints. We would be in agreement with them in their understanding of just how great God is to His people and how much they desired to show in some small way their gratitude for the blessings He bestowed upon them.
After all, why do we hold so tenaciously to our money? Is it not because it is the closest thing to a god that we can worship? This is why Jesus said in Matthew 6:24, “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.” Therefore, we must very careful not to set our funds before our loyalty to Christ. He must be first in all areas of our lives, including our pocketbooks and wallets. This is why it is imperative we must learn these truths, especially in terms of our giving: tithing first, gifts after tithes. When we put these into practice, then and only then will be showing the Lord through our finances just how devoted we truly are to Him.
In this segment, we move from tithing, the required giving, to the area of giving that is over and above the tithe. This type of giving is actually divided into two forms: vows or gifts and “freewill” offerings. The first is motivated by inward compulsion, the second by outward display of need. For this month, we will deal with vows or gifts. Next month, we will tackle the “freewill” offerings.
The Old Testament is replete with examples of vows taken by people earnest in their desire to do something special for God. Some of these vows were prescribed in the Law of Moses (e.g. the Nazarite vow under which Samson was placed wherein he could not cut his hair nor touch anything dead nor taste alcoholic beverages all the days of his life.) Others were inward decisions of an action , more often than not of a monetary value, that would show to God one’s devotion to Him. Eliphaz refers to vows that Job must fulfill in Job 22:27. David throughout the Psalms made vows unto the Lord and encouraged others to do the same, though, never without the necessity of following through with them (rf. 22:25; 50:14; 56:12 just to name a few instances). Indeed, here in Psalm 76:11, note that the Psalmist, Asaph, equates the vow and the gift as being a necessary and beautiful tribute unto the Lord as a sign of one’s respect and adoration of Him:
Make vows to the Lord your God and fulfill them;
Let all who are around Him bring gifts to Him who is to be feared.
We tend to forget in our day of “democratic rule” (though we actually live under a Republican form of government—doublecheck the old Civics books before 1985!) that we serve the King of Kings who rules the universe without any threats to His Throne. We did not elect Him to His seat. In fact, our ability to approach His Throne is by His mercy not by any merits or goodness inherent within us. Therefore, to bring Him gifts is a privilege as it would be anyone who desired to rightfully come into the august presence of so great a King!
With such a blessing upon us, we should then rightfully consider the concept of gifts and vows that the Old Testament teaches us. Have we ever been compelled to bring before God something of value to us simply because we wanted to show our everlasting gratitude to Him? If so, this is an example of a vow/gift given to God. It is over and above the tithe, something we are inwardly compelled to do out of love, respect and adoration for Him.
So often, I believe that we think we are doing God a favor by dropping a few dollars in the offering plate, alleviating our consciences, telling ourselves that we have done our duty in “giving to the church”. In fact, we have done nothing but drop “a few dollars in the offering plate”. We have not tithed. We have not given him a gift because it was not above and beyond the tithe. Therefore, whatever we had hoped to achieve in somehow pleasing God by our “giving”failed and failed miserably.
If we are to give rightly and Biblically, we must first tithe our income, for, as we stated in the last article, the first 10% belongs to God already. That portion is His by right. Then, if we feel that God has been good to us and we want to show Him in a special way our appreciation for His goodness, we decide to give a specific amount above the 10% already set aside for Him. This specific amount then would truly be a gift unto the Lord, a parallel to the vows that were so important to the Old Testament saints. We would be in agreement with them in their understanding of just how great God is to His people and how much they desired to show in some small way their gratitude for the blessings He bestowed upon them.
After all, why do we hold so tenaciously to our money? Is it not because it is the closest thing to a god that we can worship? This is why Jesus said in Matthew 6:24, “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.” Therefore, we must very careful not to set our funds before our loyalty to Christ. He must be first in all areas of our lives, including our pocketbooks and wallets. This is why it is imperative we must learn these truths, especially in terms of our giving: tithing first, gifts after tithes. When we put these into practice, then and only then will be showing the Lord through our finances just how devoted we truly are to Him.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Biblical Basis for Tithing
Tithing. The word will provoke many comments like “That’s Biblical. We’re supposed to be doing it.” Or “Isn’t that the same as giving in general?” Better yet, “I’ve never heard of that!” These are things you might expect to hear if you were doing a Man On the Street Interview in a city in the Deep South (Bible Belt). However, sad to say, you would be more likely to hear these responses in the typical American church on any given Sunday. The truth is that American Christians are virtually clueless as to what the Scriptures teach in regards to how we are supposed to give our finances in worship to God. For the next three months through these articles, it is my intent to correct this gap in instruction at least for the readership within the range of this blog. Since our giving according to Scripture falls into three categories (i.e. tithing, gifts/vows, and offerings), we will begin with tithing, when it began, how it progressed and how it is applied to today.
The tithe, or 10% of one’s personal gain or income, began as a measure of gratitude given unto God, a least token from the recipient of benefits and blessings from God. It was an act of worship unto the Lord, a concrete effort borne out of a heart overwhelmed by God’s goodness. This is what was experienced by Abraham (rf. Genesis 14:18-20, Hebrews 7:4-10) and Jacob (rf. Genesis 28:20-22).
Later, in the Old Testament, when the children of Israel became a nation and God’s law became the glue that bound them together into a distinct people-group, the tithe became to them a requirement. It served both as a means of sustenance to the Levitical tribe as the priests for the nation. You see, the Levites were not given land by which they could sustain themselves when the Promised Land was divided, but were made the keepers of the worship of God and dependent upon the other eleven tribes for their physical support via the tithes and the sacrifices. The tithe was also one of the chosen means by which God gauged the hearts of His people in terms of their obedience and real desire to worship Him. He made it very clear that the tithe was His and was to designed to sustain His continuous worship(rf. Leviticus 27:30-33). Because Israel was a Theocracy, there were two separate tithes taken for other efforts on behalf of God's people. The first was to establish and continue the feasts that were celebrated in His Name (rf. Deuteronomy 14:22-27). The second was taken every three years for the provision of the poor (rf. Deuteronomy 14:28-29). The total yearly tithe then was 23 1/3% for the typical Israelite with 10% of that amount going specifically toward the worship of God. All of this amount was required by God. Any attempt to use it for one’s own purposes and not for His worship was stealing from Him (rf. Malachi 3:8-10), thus making oneself subject to His wrath.
There are some within the Christian community who believe that when Jesus arrived on the scene, He did away with the Old Testament commitment to tithing, that it was an outdated part of the Old Testament Law. However, this could not be further from the truth. At no point in His ministry did Jesus speak against the tithe. Indeed, He was adamant about being diligent in one’s finances. When asked about Roman taxation, which was very unpopular with the Jews of His day, Jesus’ response was very enlightening, “Render to Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s.” (rf. Matthew 22:21) In that one statement, Jesus not only shared with His followers the principle of paying your taxes as good citizens of whatever country God places you in providentially, but also viewing giving the tithe (the 10% of our personal gain or income that belongs to God) as seriously as we would paying our taxes to the government!
Wow! With this kind of understanding of tithing, we would never even consider using God’s money to fund another summer vacation or paying off a bill or buying an appliance, etc., now would we? Indeed, for many of us who are now reading this information, we are realizing for the first time that we have been systematically sinning because we have not been tithing at all for many years. We actually have been using God’s money for our own purposes and wondering why the money that we’ve been making hasn’t been covering all of the bills that we’ve been getting. God has promised that, if we would trust Him with the 10% that belongs to Him, He would bless and make the other 90% to cover all of our needs (not necessarily all our wants, though). Tithing is, after all, an act of worship as well as an act of faith. This is why it is something He requires of His people, not of the rest of the world. It is a spiritual duty. The unbelieving world has not a clue nor comprehension of what God is up to when He commands His people to tithe, nor the blessings that He showers down upon them when they are obedient to do so.
So, my challenge to you is this. If you haven’t been tithing, start now. Whatever your income is as within your power when your paycheck comes to you, take 10% off the top, designate that as your tithe, and give that to your local church where you attend. Do this as a commitment and do not fail to uphold it no matter what arises. You will be tested to see if you will be obedient. Then watch God work in your life. He will not fail to meet your needs as He will not fail to keep His Word and His promises to His people. Remember Malachi 3:10: “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this,” says the Lord of hosts, “if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows.”
As it was true then, so it is true today. God never changes!
The tithe, or 10% of one’s personal gain or income, began as a measure of gratitude given unto God, a least token from the recipient of benefits and blessings from God. It was an act of worship unto the Lord, a concrete effort borne out of a heart overwhelmed by God’s goodness. This is what was experienced by Abraham (rf. Genesis 14:18-20, Hebrews 7:4-10) and Jacob (rf. Genesis 28:20-22).
Later, in the Old Testament, when the children of Israel became a nation and God’s law became the glue that bound them together into a distinct people-group, the tithe became to them a requirement. It served both as a means of sustenance to the Levitical tribe as the priests for the nation. You see, the Levites were not given land by which they could sustain themselves when the Promised Land was divided, but were made the keepers of the worship of God and dependent upon the other eleven tribes for their physical support via the tithes and the sacrifices. The tithe was also one of the chosen means by which God gauged the hearts of His people in terms of their obedience and real desire to worship Him. He made it very clear that the tithe was His and was to designed to sustain His continuous worship(rf. Leviticus 27:30-33). Because Israel was a Theocracy, there were two separate tithes taken for other efforts on behalf of God's people. The first was to establish and continue the feasts that were celebrated in His Name (rf. Deuteronomy 14:22-27). The second was taken every three years for the provision of the poor (rf. Deuteronomy 14:28-29). The total yearly tithe then was 23 1/3% for the typical Israelite with 10% of that amount going specifically toward the worship of God. All of this amount was required by God. Any attempt to use it for one’s own purposes and not for His worship was stealing from Him (rf. Malachi 3:8-10), thus making oneself subject to His wrath.
There are some within the Christian community who believe that when Jesus arrived on the scene, He did away with the Old Testament commitment to tithing, that it was an outdated part of the Old Testament Law. However, this could not be further from the truth. At no point in His ministry did Jesus speak against the tithe. Indeed, He was adamant about being diligent in one’s finances. When asked about Roman taxation, which was very unpopular with the Jews of His day, Jesus’ response was very enlightening, “Render to Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s.” (rf. Matthew 22:21) In that one statement, Jesus not only shared with His followers the principle of paying your taxes as good citizens of whatever country God places you in providentially, but also viewing giving the tithe (the 10% of our personal gain or income that belongs to God) as seriously as we would paying our taxes to the government!
Wow! With this kind of understanding of tithing, we would never even consider using God’s money to fund another summer vacation or paying off a bill or buying an appliance, etc., now would we? Indeed, for many of us who are now reading this information, we are realizing for the first time that we have been systematically sinning because we have not been tithing at all for many years. We actually have been using God’s money for our own purposes and wondering why the money that we’ve been making hasn’t been covering all of the bills that we’ve been getting. God has promised that, if we would trust Him with the 10% that belongs to Him, He would bless and make the other 90% to cover all of our needs (not necessarily all our wants, though). Tithing is, after all, an act of worship as well as an act of faith. This is why it is something He requires of His people, not of the rest of the world. It is a spiritual duty. The unbelieving world has not a clue nor comprehension of what God is up to when He commands His people to tithe, nor the blessings that He showers down upon them when they are obedient to do so.
So, my challenge to you is this. If you haven’t been tithing, start now. Whatever your income is as within your power when your paycheck comes to you, take 10% off the top, designate that as your tithe, and give that to your local church where you attend. Do this as a commitment and do not fail to uphold it no matter what arises. You will be tested to see if you will be obedient. Then watch God work in your life. He will not fail to meet your needs as He will not fail to keep His Word and His promises to His people. Remember Malachi 3:10: “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this,” says the Lord of hosts, “if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows.”
As it was true then, so it is true today. God never changes!
Reminisces
Memory is a funny thing. The older you get, the sweeter and more elusive the memories become. We tend to choose not to remember the bad things as readily as the good things. This is the reason why we refer to the past as “The Golden Years” as if it were all a bowl of cherries with no pits.
Such is the case with my first pastorate. I look back and remember with great fondness the wonderful people with whom I was blessed to serve. They loved me for the most part with an unconditional love and acceptance, letting a young minister “cut his teeth” on the ministry without a great deal of complaint regarding his shortcomings. They were and are still a very earthy people, mostly farmers by trade. They taught me much about agriculture and provided my family with a huge amount of various types of vegetables and fruits during our tenure there. In many ways, they showed us the love of Christ and probably didn’t even realize it. To this day, through our continued connections they still do.
I remember how I first candidated for the position there. I had sent my resume to the chairman of deacons at the encouragement of the son of the pastor under whom I was first ordained to the ministry. I had assumed this deacon chairman was also the chair of the church’s search committee since I was told that was the way other churches handled pastoral vacancies. (Unbeknownst to me, the church had no search committee. Or better yet, the deacon chairman was it!) Shortly after he received my information, he contacted me and arranged for me to come and preach at both of that Sunday’s services, bringing my family with me (at that time being Lori and our niece, Amy. The Lord had not yet begun sending our other five blessings.) After the morning service during lunch with the deacon chairman and his wife, I asked him about the candidating process, my resume (scant as it was) and such, to which he replied, “We heard you preach this morning and will hear you again tonight. The deacons will meet with you this afternoon to ask you some questions. If we like what we hear today, we will ask you back to preach next Sunday. Then we will vote on you after the morning service. That’s our process. No need for a resume.”
The rest is history. It was just like it was yesterday, standing outside of his home. The chairman of deacons and his wife, Mr. & Mrs. Beard, Jeff and Margie, became as much a part of our lives as anyone ever could. When Josh was born, he was considered as the Beard’s first grandchild, having none of their own at that point. Each of our children and our niece, Amy, has been treated as such ever since. Jeff has just a few years ago gone into the Lord’s presence where no doubt he is keeping the Lord in stitches with his dry sense of humor. We see Mrs. Margie every time we make a trip to southwest Georgia. She’s still a treasure to us.
Why am I taking you along with me on this trip down memory lane? There are aspects of what I have shared in the above experiences that are necessary keys to be regained if we are to recover the Evangelical branch of the Church from the pit into which she has fallen. By the term, Evangelical branch of the Church, I mean that group that affirms the Bible as the final authority of all matters of faith and life, the deity of Christ, and the need to share the Gospel of Jesus as the only means of salvation to an unbelieving world, just to name a few of its main beliefs. The Southern Baptist Convention is but one of many denominations that are representative of this group. In any case, Evangelicalism has allowed too much of the world, its culture, its business concepts, its politics, its dress, its music, its attitude, etc. into its midst and now what we have is an ill-defined grasp of what the Church really is. We are more divided than united about the very things that should make us one in Christ (see Ephesians 4:4-6) and so our witness is diminished.
The experiences that I referenced are the very things we as believers need to return to if we are to show the world the reality of what Christ meant His Church to be. We need to go back to the place where we view the Church as a ministry not as a business. There are aspects of the organization of the Church that are financial in nature and must be accomplished by good financial practices, such as accounts payable and receivable. However, the remainder of the Church should be operated as a ministry, set up according to the dictates of Scripture, not according to the latest Business News magazine or the foremost leadership guru. The Church should be run by the leading of God’s Spirit through God’s appointed and Scriptural shepherds and servants, not on the basis of the “best laid plans of mice and men.”
Secondly, the foundation of all the Church’s actions and practices should be unconditional love for one another. Jesus Himself stated, “By this all men (the outside world) will know that you are My disciples, if you have love (Jesus’ love) for one another” (rf. John 13:35). This love should not just be an anaemic “I love you in Christ” as so many do today and yet persist in divisiveness and mean-spiritedness toward another. The true love of Christ is a love borne out of self- and mutual understanding that results in true unity within the body of Christ. It is a love that overlooks each other’s faults and really addresses each other’s needs whether they be spiritual or physical.
Apply the above and the Church will not only be the Church that Christ has called us to be, she will be the Church that changes the world once again. Such a Church will be as “counter-cultural” as the hippies were in the 1960s, grasping attention, refusing to be compromised in message or in goal. This would be the Church against such “the gates of hell shall not prevail” as per Christ’s own prediction (rf. Matthew 16:18). May such a Church arise again today and may it begin with us. May the love of Christ, the commitment to His Word, and the necessary power of His Spirit make it so.
Such is the case with my first pastorate. I look back and remember with great fondness the wonderful people with whom I was blessed to serve. They loved me for the most part with an unconditional love and acceptance, letting a young minister “cut his teeth” on the ministry without a great deal of complaint regarding his shortcomings. They were and are still a very earthy people, mostly farmers by trade. They taught me much about agriculture and provided my family with a huge amount of various types of vegetables and fruits during our tenure there. In many ways, they showed us the love of Christ and probably didn’t even realize it. To this day, through our continued connections they still do.
I remember how I first candidated for the position there. I had sent my resume to the chairman of deacons at the encouragement of the son of the pastor under whom I was first ordained to the ministry. I had assumed this deacon chairman was also the chair of the church’s search committee since I was told that was the way other churches handled pastoral vacancies. (Unbeknownst to me, the church had no search committee. Or better yet, the deacon chairman was it!) Shortly after he received my information, he contacted me and arranged for me to come and preach at both of that Sunday’s services, bringing my family with me (at that time being Lori and our niece, Amy. The Lord had not yet begun sending our other five blessings.) After the morning service during lunch with the deacon chairman and his wife, I asked him about the candidating process, my resume (scant as it was) and such, to which he replied, “We heard you preach this morning and will hear you again tonight. The deacons will meet with you this afternoon to ask you some questions. If we like what we hear today, we will ask you back to preach next Sunday. Then we will vote on you after the morning service. That’s our process. No need for a resume.”
The rest is history. It was just like it was yesterday, standing outside of his home. The chairman of deacons and his wife, Mr. & Mrs. Beard, Jeff and Margie, became as much a part of our lives as anyone ever could. When Josh was born, he was considered as the Beard’s first grandchild, having none of their own at that point. Each of our children and our niece, Amy, has been treated as such ever since. Jeff has just a few years ago gone into the Lord’s presence where no doubt he is keeping the Lord in stitches with his dry sense of humor. We see Mrs. Margie every time we make a trip to southwest Georgia. She’s still a treasure to us.
Why am I taking you along with me on this trip down memory lane? There are aspects of what I have shared in the above experiences that are necessary keys to be regained if we are to recover the Evangelical branch of the Church from the pit into which she has fallen. By the term, Evangelical branch of the Church, I mean that group that affirms the Bible as the final authority of all matters of faith and life, the deity of Christ, and the need to share the Gospel of Jesus as the only means of salvation to an unbelieving world, just to name a few of its main beliefs. The Southern Baptist Convention is but one of many denominations that are representative of this group. In any case, Evangelicalism has allowed too much of the world, its culture, its business concepts, its politics, its dress, its music, its attitude, etc. into its midst and now what we have is an ill-defined grasp of what the Church really is. We are more divided than united about the very things that should make us one in Christ (see Ephesians 4:4-6) and so our witness is diminished.
The experiences that I referenced are the very things we as believers need to return to if we are to show the world the reality of what Christ meant His Church to be. We need to go back to the place where we view the Church as a ministry not as a business. There are aspects of the organization of the Church that are financial in nature and must be accomplished by good financial practices, such as accounts payable and receivable. However, the remainder of the Church should be operated as a ministry, set up according to the dictates of Scripture, not according to the latest Business News magazine or the foremost leadership guru. The Church should be run by the leading of God’s Spirit through God’s appointed and Scriptural shepherds and servants, not on the basis of the “best laid plans of mice and men.”
Secondly, the foundation of all the Church’s actions and practices should be unconditional love for one another. Jesus Himself stated, “By this all men (the outside world) will know that you are My disciples, if you have love (Jesus’ love) for one another” (rf. John 13:35). This love should not just be an anaemic “I love you in Christ” as so many do today and yet persist in divisiveness and mean-spiritedness toward another. The true love of Christ is a love borne out of self- and mutual understanding that results in true unity within the body of Christ. It is a love that overlooks each other’s faults and really addresses each other’s needs whether they be spiritual or physical.
Apply the above and the Church will not only be the Church that Christ has called us to be, she will be the Church that changes the world once again. Such a Church will be as “counter-cultural” as the hippies were in the 1960s, grasping attention, refusing to be compromised in message or in goal. This would be the Church against such “the gates of hell shall not prevail” as per Christ’s own prediction (rf. Matthew 16:18). May such a Church arise again today and may it begin with us. May the love of Christ, the commitment to His Word, and the necessary power of His Spirit make it so.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Unity of His Church
At the most recent community ministerial gathering, we were discussing how the Church ought to be doing a better job impacting our culture and world. Since we represented different dynamics and traditions of the faith, we provided interesting input into the question at hand. However, as the conversation progressed, we came to a rather unanimous conclusion. The Church as a whole needs to return to its theological, Biblical and moral roots, to her true identity in order to make the necessary inroads into this era of complacency and degradation. She needs to reaffirm her commitment to Christ to be “salt and light” by her actions as well as her devotion to God’s Word and the doctrines of truth.
It was noteworthy to see the unity displayed in our midst over these points. We all agreed that there first must be an emphasis on a real experiential relationship with Jesus Christ at the very heart of all that the Church does, but that we should not forget that salvation was provided in order to bring us into the body of Christ, not to make us “lone rangers” for the cause of Christ. We are not saved to be independent entities unto ourselves. We are called to serve each other, along side each other at the feet of our Lord and Savior.
Secondly, out of this salvation comes a moral obligation to be pure and holy before Him. We not only recognize Christ as Savior, we bow before Him as Lord and King. In so doing, He has given us His Ten Commandments by which we are to show ourselves different from the rest of the world in the living of our lives. He Himself in the Gospels taught us that these Commandments are not just outward acts of obedience, but are inward motivations of the heart. We also know from the writings of Paul that we can never fulfill them by our own strength. Only by the power of the indwelling Presence of the Holy Spirit can obedience to them be accomplished. Christ alone fulfilled them perfectly and in Him our lack is abundantly covered. Yet, the Ten Commandments as the Moral Law still presents to us our standard of living so that, even in our failed attempts to keep it, we will present to the world a witness of distinction as a reflection of the Christ who indwells us.
Thirdly, as believers, even from different traditions, we do have a common basis of belief in doctrine. We trace our backgrounds from the same family tree through Church history. As such, there are particular creeds in the early years of the Church that are reflective of what we as Christians know to be true. Examples of these creeds would be the Athanasian and Nicean Creeds. However, the oldest one and easiest to remember is the Apostles’ Creed. In its simplicity are statements of the profound pillar truths of the faith upon which all orthodox (“right/correct teaching”) believers agree. Therefore, we need to return to these truths and teach them diligently to our congregations so that they clearly understand what the Christian faith is all about and how to defend it accurately and succinctly.
Just imagine what would happen in our country, in our culture, in our world, if such a measure were undertaken. The Church would undoubtedly look and act much differently than she does today. Because of her distinction, the Church would grasp the attention of the world around her in that the truth she would speak and the actions she would take would be reflective of the Savior she has been called to imitate. The Church would then have the moral authority to be heard and respected, if we as believers all followed the above same course in our respective traditions, focusing on the things that we have in common in Christ rather than the things that we perceive divide us and thus weaken our witness before the world.
All it takes a few minutes of viewing the news to see that the culture and the world desperately needs and requires the Church to be the Church that Christ called forth and gave His life to save. Now is the time for His people to come together and go back to the things that make us who were are in Him...
by the power of His Spirit
in accordance with His Word
to the glory of His Name
may it be so.
Amen.
It was noteworthy to see the unity displayed in our midst over these points. We all agreed that there first must be an emphasis on a real experiential relationship with Jesus Christ at the very heart of all that the Church does, but that we should not forget that salvation was provided in order to bring us into the body of Christ, not to make us “lone rangers” for the cause of Christ. We are not saved to be independent entities unto ourselves. We are called to serve each other, along side each other at the feet of our Lord and Savior.
Secondly, out of this salvation comes a moral obligation to be pure and holy before Him. We not only recognize Christ as Savior, we bow before Him as Lord and King. In so doing, He has given us His Ten Commandments by which we are to show ourselves different from the rest of the world in the living of our lives. He Himself in the Gospels taught us that these Commandments are not just outward acts of obedience, but are inward motivations of the heart. We also know from the writings of Paul that we can never fulfill them by our own strength. Only by the power of the indwelling Presence of the Holy Spirit can obedience to them be accomplished. Christ alone fulfilled them perfectly and in Him our lack is abundantly covered. Yet, the Ten Commandments as the Moral Law still presents to us our standard of living so that, even in our failed attempts to keep it, we will present to the world a witness of distinction as a reflection of the Christ who indwells us.
Thirdly, as believers, even from different traditions, we do have a common basis of belief in doctrine. We trace our backgrounds from the same family tree through Church history. As such, there are particular creeds in the early years of the Church that are reflective of what we as Christians know to be true. Examples of these creeds would be the Athanasian and Nicean Creeds. However, the oldest one and easiest to remember is the Apostles’ Creed. In its simplicity are statements of the profound pillar truths of the faith upon which all orthodox (“right/correct teaching”) believers agree. Therefore, we need to return to these truths and teach them diligently to our congregations so that they clearly understand what the Christian faith is all about and how to defend it accurately and succinctly.
Just imagine what would happen in our country, in our culture, in our world, if such a measure were undertaken. The Church would undoubtedly look and act much differently than she does today. Because of her distinction, the Church would grasp the attention of the world around her in that the truth she would speak and the actions she would take would be reflective of the Savior she has been called to imitate. The Church would then have the moral authority to be heard and respected, if we as believers all followed the above same course in our respective traditions, focusing on the things that we have in common in Christ rather than the things that we perceive divide us and thus weaken our witness before the world.
All it takes a few minutes of viewing the news to see that the culture and the world desperately needs and requires the Church to be the Church that Christ called forth and gave His life to save. Now is the time for His people to come together and go back to the things that make us who were are in Him...
by the power of His Spirit
in accordance with His Word
to the glory of His Name
may it be so.
Amen.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
True Love Not Tolerance
By lovingkindness and truth iniquity is atoned for,
And by the fear of the Lord one keeps away from evil.
(Proverbs 16:6)
“Love.” America, indeed, as all of Western civilization in the late 20th, now early 21st century has an interesting view of the word. Notice I didn’t use the word, “definition”. To try to define “love” by this culture would truly be an endeavor akin to nailing Jello to a wall. Since we live in such a relativistic framework, everyone would have there own idea of what “love” would mean and believe their definition to be the most accurate.
However, in reference to a view of “love”, we have been programmed to believe that the word is actually a synonym for “tolerance”. Since Political Correctness has become the dominant religion in our governmental agencies, bureaucracies and educational institutions as well as in the Third Estate (i.e. the media), it is now assumed that if we truly love our fellow man (oops, human being, pardon-moi, since we have to be gender-neutral in our choice of terms), then we will gladly tolerate his/her choice of behaviors. Thus, with the PC mindset in place, we are comfortable with an “anything goes”, “live and let live” lifestyle. As long as what someone else does in their life does not effect me personally or prevents me from fulfilling my dreams, I can live my life peaceably and love them unconditionally...or so it seems.
On the surface the PC perspective sounds harmless enough. It even appears to be have great merit. However, when placed against the standard of God’s Word, it comes up greatly lacking because it fails to deal with the one issue that keeps us from understanding and experiencing the true and unbounded love that God wants for us, the key to which is found in a specific three-letter word—sin.
In the passage provided above, it is apparent that, prior to the atonement of iniquity or sin, there are two things that must be in place: love and truth. Love and truth are joined at the hip. In God’s economy they are never apart from one another. The Apostle Paul in Ephesians 4:15 tells us that we are to speak “the truth in love...”. Only when do so can we hope to share with each other the honesty necessary to keep each other right with God and in our own hearts. As Jeremiah 17:9-10 states:
The heart is more deceitful than all else
And is desperately sick;
Who can understand it?
I, the Lord, search the heart,
I test the mind,
Even to give to each man according to his ways,
According to the results of his deeds.
He gives us both truth and love to keep us on the path of what is right because God alone knows all to well how easily we can fall into sin. He wants us to follow His ways. Only by trusting Him and His Word, lovingly shared, can we ever hope to have our “iniquity atoned for.”
Political Correctness runs from sin even as it denies personal accountability. Those with this view want only the love without the truth. They want to practice their sin without any consequences. Unfortunately such “love” is empty of true meaning, such “tolerance” is short-sighted, proving to be a cover for a deeper self-centered protectionism than can ever be imagined.
May we who know the Lord personally be diligent in our truth-telling. But may we likewise never cease to be as loving as our Lord in our dealing with people. Even as this year begins, Lord, help us to see afresh Your use of us as Your instruments of grace, touching people around us with a healthy balance of truth and love so that their sins, their iniquities, like our own may be atoned for and forgiven. In Christ Jesus, we pray. Amen.
And by the fear of the Lord one keeps away from evil.
(Proverbs 16:6)
“Love.” America, indeed, as all of Western civilization in the late 20th, now early 21st century has an interesting view of the word. Notice I didn’t use the word, “definition”. To try to define “love” by this culture would truly be an endeavor akin to nailing Jello to a wall. Since we live in such a relativistic framework, everyone would have there own idea of what “love” would mean and believe their definition to be the most accurate.
However, in reference to a view of “love”, we have been programmed to believe that the word is actually a synonym for “tolerance”. Since Political Correctness has become the dominant religion in our governmental agencies, bureaucracies and educational institutions as well as in the Third Estate (i.e. the media), it is now assumed that if we truly love our fellow man (oops, human being, pardon-moi, since we have to be gender-neutral in our choice of terms), then we will gladly tolerate his/her choice of behaviors. Thus, with the PC mindset in place, we are comfortable with an “anything goes”, “live and let live” lifestyle. As long as what someone else does in their life does not effect me personally or prevents me from fulfilling my dreams, I can live my life peaceably and love them unconditionally...or so it seems.
On the surface the PC perspective sounds harmless enough. It even appears to be have great merit. However, when placed against the standard of God’s Word, it comes up greatly lacking because it fails to deal with the one issue that keeps us from understanding and experiencing the true and unbounded love that God wants for us, the key to which is found in a specific three-letter word—sin.
In the passage provided above, it is apparent that, prior to the atonement of iniquity or sin, there are two things that must be in place: love and truth. Love and truth are joined at the hip. In God’s economy they are never apart from one another. The Apostle Paul in Ephesians 4:15 tells us that we are to speak “the truth in love...”. Only when do so can we hope to share with each other the honesty necessary to keep each other right with God and in our own hearts. As Jeremiah 17:9-10 states:
The heart is more deceitful than all else
And is desperately sick;
Who can understand it?
I, the Lord, search the heart,
I test the mind,
Even to give to each man according to his ways,
According to the results of his deeds.
He gives us both truth and love to keep us on the path of what is right because God alone knows all to well how easily we can fall into sin. He wants us to follow His ways. Only by trusting Him and His Word, lovingly shared, can we ever hope to have our “iniquity atoned for.”
Political Correctness runs from sin even as it denies personal accountability. Those with this view want only the love without the truth. They want to practice their sin without any consequences. Unfortunately such “love” is empty of true meaning, such “tolerance” is short-sighted, proving to be a cover for a deeper self-centered protectionism than can ever be imagined.
May we who know the Lord personally be diligent in our truth-telling. But may we likewise never cease to be as loving as our Lord in our dealing with people. Even as this year begins, Lord, help us to see afresh Your use of us as Your instruments of grace, touching people around us with a healthy balance of truth and love so that their sins, their iniquities, like our own may be atoned for and forgiven. In Christ Jesus, we pray. Amen.
Priorities
For those who have not been with us during the month of December, especially earlier in the month, we at EBC made a conscious effort to seek the face of God to determine what His priorities were for us in the coming year of 2010. It was interesting to see how, for some, this was a new and different experience, listening for the Lord to actually speak to His people, giving them instructions as to His will for them to accomplish. Naturally, we would never separate our desire to hear His voice from seeking Him in His Word, for He would not communicate with His people by His Spirit apart from verification by the Scriptures. So, with these parameters in place, we set out to put our spiritual “antennas” in receiving mode while diligently studying God’s Word so that when He began to share His thoughts with us, we would be receptive to His directions.
The amazing thing that transpired in the effort was this: we should not have been amazed at all to have heard His voice in response to the genuine pleas of our hearts. Rather, we should have been as expectant to hear from Him as a servant is of his/her master because the relationship is so normative. Yet, for so many of us, our prayerlives are, in reality, an exercise in ritual. Our view of God is that of a nice concept, at worst, or of a God who is far off in outer space with no genuine attachment to life on earth, at best...even as professed Christians, mind you. So, when this God of the Scriptures actually answered our prayers and spoke to our hearts, it was amazing...only because we did not believe in Him as we should have.
What then did this God of true reality share with us that we should do for 2010? On the surface, the message was so simple...yet as one plumbs it further, one finds the message far deeper and more Biblical than one could ever dream. The message to us was this:
Out of love for Christ and for each other, the Body of Christ should be:
—worshipers
—followers
—disciplers
The foundation of all that we do for Him should be based on our love for Christ and for each other in Him. That is plain and yet it is very difficult because of the degree of self-sacrifice required. One cannot be self-centered and selfish and fulfill this mandate. We must give up self and all its connections, goals, desires and dreams at the outset if we are ever to carry out His commands.
The second thing apparent in His directions to us are the three resulting actions that are expected from our loving Him and each other. We are to focus our energies on worshiping Him. Notice that He does not specify on the “how” in regards to worship, because the “how” isn’t up to us. This is the biggest mistake that we as human beings make in reference to worship, as seen so clearly today in the “worship wars” between those of the traditional and contemporary camps who fight incessantly for their own styles of music and “worship”. Worship was never designed to be what “I” like or what fits “my” desire. Worship has always been God-focused, devised originally by Him for Him because He alone is worthy of the action. Therefore, He calls us to be worshipers, focused totally on coming before Him with hearts engaged, centered on true worship.
In succession, we are to be “followers”. That is, we are to concentrate on becoming examples of Christ to all those around us. Many of those in churches today do not realize that the word “Christian” literally means “follower of Christ”, one who identifies his/her life with Him. The term was possibly intended to be a phrase of vilification, a form of mocking, at Antioch (rf. Acts 11:26). In other words, to be a “Christian” is to be so different, so much like Jesus, that the world around us notices enough as to either make fun of us or to be drawn to Him. That’s what He is desiring for us to be and to do this year.
Finally, He wants us to be “disciplers”. A “discipler” is first a disciple, one who learns at the feet of Christ, one who is disciplined in his/her study of God’s Word. This requires a commitment beyond the showing up periodically for the Sunday morning “preaching service”. He is requiring of us a daily time in the Scriptures so that His people are founded and grounded in His truth. Out of the understanding, knowledge and wisdom gained from Him as well as in the strengthening of His relationship with them there will be a natural overflow of desire to share these truths and His love with others. This is what occurred in the lives of believers in the early Church. This is what the Lord wants to happen once again in the modern Church. He wants outreach and the relay of His gospel to be as natural as breathing, never needing any artificial additives (methodologies) or assistance (clever programs or market strategies). God’s love and truth are sufficient enough for the Lord to add to our “number day by day those who (are) being saved.” (rf. Acts 2:47)
The challenge for us is this: Do we really believe enough in Him that we would accept such a message? If so, do we have the necessary faith and self-sacrifice to follow the directions set out for us by the Lord? One person cannot follow His leading in this matter and accomplish these instructions. The message is plain. It is a Body-challenge. The whole of the church has been given the mandate and, thus, the whole of the church must obey in order for there to be success in the Lord’s sight. What say you? What will your response be to His challenge for 2010?
The amazing thing that transpired in the effort was this: we should not have been amazed at all to have heard His voice in response to the genuine pleas of our hearts. Rather, we should have been as expectant to hear from Him as a servant is of his/her master because the relationship is so normative. Yet, for so many of us, our prayerlives are, in reality, an exercise in ritual. Our view of God is that of a nice concept, at worst, or of a God who is far off in outer space with no genuine attachment to life on earth, at best...even as professed Christians, mind you. So, when this God of the Scriptures actually answered our prayers and spoke to our hearts, it was amazing...only because we did not believe in Him as we should have.
What then did this God of true reality share with us that we should do for 2010? On the surface, the message was so simple...yet as one plumbs it further, one finds the message far deeper and more Biblical than one could ever dream. The message to us was this:
Out of love for Christ and for each other, the Body of Christ should be:
—worshipers
—followers
—disciplers
The foundation of all that we do for Him should be based on our love for Christ and for each other in Him. That is plain and yet it is very difficult because of the degree of self-sacrifice required. One cannot be self-centered and selfish and fulfill this mandate. We must give up self and all its connections, goals, desires and dreams at the outset if we are ever to carry out His commands.
The second thing apparent in His directions to us are the three resulting actions that are expected from our loving Him and each other. We are to focus our energies on worshiping Him. Notice that He does not specify on the “how” in regards to worship, because the “how” isn’t up to us. This is the biggest mistake that we as human beings make in reference to worship, as seen so clearly today in the “worship wars” between those of the traditional and contemporary camps who fight incessantly for their own styles of music and “worship”. Worship was never designed to be what “I” like or what fits “my” desire. Worship has always been God-focused, devised originally by Him for Him because He alone is worthy of the action. Therefore, He calls us to be worshipers, focused totally on coming before Him with hearts engaged, centered on true worship.
In succession, we are to be “followers”. That is, we are to concentrate on becoming examples of Christ to all those around us. Many of those in churches today do not realize that the word “Christian” literally means “follower of Christ”, one who identifies his/her life with Him. The term was possibly intended to be a phrase of vilification, a form of mocking, at Antioch (rf. Acts 11:26). In other words, to be a “Christian” is to be so different, so much like Jesus, that the world around us notices enough as to either make fun of us or to be drawn to Him. That’s what He is desiring for us to be and to do this year.
Finally, He wants us to be “disciplers”. A “discipler” is first a disciple, one who learns at the feet of Christ, one who is disciplined in his/her study of God’s Word. This requires a commitment beyond the showing up periodically for the Sunday morning “preaching service”. He is requiring of us a daily time in the Scriptures so that His people are founded and grounded in His truth. Out of the understanding, knowledge and wisdom gained from Him as well as in the strengthening of His relationship with them there will be a natural overflow of desire to share these truths and His love with others. This is what occurred in the lives of believers in the early Church. This is what the Lord wants to happen once again in the modern Church. He wants outreach and the relay of His gospel to be as natural as breathing, never needing any artificial additives (methodologies) or assistance (clever programs or market strategies). God’s love and truth are sufficient enough for the Lord to add to our “number day by day those who (are) being saved.” (rf. Acts 2:47)
The challenge for us is this: Do we really believe enough in Him that we would accept such a message? If so, do we have the necessary faith and self-sacrifice to follow the directions set out for us by the Lord? One person cannot follow His leading in this matter and accomplish these instructions. The message is plain. It is a Body-challenge. The whole of the church has been given the mandate and, thus, the whole of the church must obey in order for there to be success in the Lord’s sight. What say you? What will your response be to His challenge for 2010?
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