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.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
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?
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Keeping Christ in Christmas
Keeping Christ in Christmas
By Dr. Chris King
December 2009
At this yearly time of Christmas
When at my forty years and six
That I by own peculiar “wisdom”
Sought most heartily to fix
This dilemma of the Christmas
This conundrum of great thought
That has bothered me through recent day
So much that I have sought
To relieve myself and this world
Of the pressing, important matter
Of why Christmas invariably comes
With all of its festival clatter
And leaves all those in its wake
Not with promised joy and peace
But with heartache, emptiness and concern
And great debt, to say the least.
“If this Christmas is a time so blessed,
A holy day, by what is said,
Then why have all of this trouble?
Why all the pain?” I sorely pled.
So, my two eyes for this Christmas
Scanned the malls both to and fro
I saw much hustle and bustle of people
And the crowds both come and go
With their bags full of purchases and goodies
For the loved ones they hold dear
And the friends, co-workers and neighbors
What with presents they want to cheer.
Yet in all of this commotion
I saw nothing in the least
To provide for me a reason
To explain needless waste and feast.
There were parties full of toasting
Using drinks, both dry and wet,
With some guests so drunk while leaving
They were clueless as to who they met!
And to family homes I wandered
Curious to see how they would be
Only to find great competition
As to who’s gift was best under the tree.
At last I came upon a different place
A quiet nook yet speaking loud
A living creche placed out in a field
No grand displays, no hustling crowds
No twinkling lights, no blasting horns
Just peaceful bliss in soft firelight
And as the veil of my heart was torn
Does manger’s message shine so bright?
For, lo, my eyes are just now seeing
And my heart knows to be true
Two things are of a surety
As pure as the morning’s dew.
The reason why our Christmas
Doesn’t measure up "to par”
Has not parlayed its glorious essence
Beyond its stead too far
Has nothing to do with Christmas
No, no, quite nothing, nothing at all.
We are the ones who have ceased to invite
King Jesus to His own Christmas Ball!
We have planned all of our parties.
We have bought the tree to trim.
Yet, we rarely have remembered
To center our focus upon Him.
We easily spend big money
In the malls, in stores and thrifts
And overlook the cardinal meaning
Why we even give the gifts!
In the spirit of the Father
As He’s given us the Son
In the spirit of the Magi
Gifts in three, hearts as one.
Without the Christ, there is no Savior
Christmas is but a passing day.
Even Saint Nick has no basis
Without Jesus in the hay.
Yet, when we put Him in the midst
Of all our celebration
Christmas is truly a “holy-day”
As becomes the long tradition.
So, the moral of this Christmas poem
To ones with hearts needing cheer
Is to keep the Christ in Christmas
And His joy throughout the year!
By Dr. Chris King
December 2009
At this yearly time of Christmas
When at my forty years and six
That I by own peculiar “wisdom”
Sought most heartily to fix
This dilemma of the Christmas
This conundrum of great thought
That has bothered me through recent day
So much that I have sought
To relieve myself and this world
Of the pressing, important matter
Of why Christmas invariably comes
With all of its festival clatter
And leaves all those in its wake
Not with promised joy and peace
But with heartache, emptiness and concern
And great debt, to say the least.
“If this Christmas is a time so blessed,
A holy day, by what is said,
Then why have all of this trouble?
Why all the pain?” I sorely pled.
So, my two eyes for this Christmas
Scanned the malls both to and fro
I saw much hustle and bustle of people
And the crowds both come and go
With their bags full of purchases and goodies
For the loved ones they hold dear
And the friends, co-workers and neighbors
What with presents they want to cheer.
Yet in all of this commotion
I saw nothing in the least
To provide for me a reason
To explain needless waste and feast.
There were parties full of toasting
Using drinks, both dry and wet,
With some guests so drunk while leaving
They were clueless as to who they met!
And to family homes I wandered
Curious to see how they would be
Only to find great competition
As to who’s gift was best under the tree.
At last I came upon a different place
A quiet nook yet speaking loud
A living creche placed out in a field
No grand displays, no hustling crowds
No twinkling lights, no blasting horns
Just peaceful bliss in soft firelight
And as the veil of my heart was torn
Does manger’s message shine so bright?
For, lo, my eyes are just now seeing
And my heart knows to be true
Two things are of a surety
As pure as the morning’s dew.
The reason why our Christmas
Doesn’t measure up "to par”
Has not parlayed its glorious essence
Beyond its stead too far
Has nothing to do with Christmas
No, no, quite nothing, nothing at all.
We are the ones who have ceased to invite
King Jesus to His own Christmas Ball!
We have planned all of our parties.
We have bought the tree to trim.
Yet, we rarely have remembered
To center our focus upon Him.
We easily spend big money
In the malls, in stores and thrifts
And overlook the cardinal meaning
Why we even give the gifts!
In the spirit of the Father
As He’s given us the Son
In the spirit of the Magi
Gifts in three, hearts as one.
Without the Christ, there is no Savior
Christmas is but a passing day.
Even Saint Nick has no basis
Without Jesus in the hay.
Yet, when we put Him in the midst
Of all our celebration
Christmas is truly a “holy-day”
As becomes the long tradition.
So, the moral of this Christmas poem
To ones with hearts needing cheer
Is to keep the Christ in Christmas
And His joy throughout the year!
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Give and Serve at Christmas
This month we will do something different, something more interactive. See if you can determine the train of thought from the following Scripture passages:
But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:20-21)
After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. (Matthew 2:11)
“It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:26-28)
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life...” (John 3:16)
If your conclusions were the two words “giving” and “service” as the threads that connected the above passages together, you were correct. All that God the Father and God the Son accomplished throughout the Christmas story (which, by the way, did not end at Bethlehem) centered around the wondrous gift of salvation which Christ came to share with us. Throughout His time on earth, He never became wealthy or materially prosperous, but sought always to serve others, literally pouring out Himself so that those around Him might know the fulness of true life.
What a contrast to that which we now celebrate as Christmas! God’s gift of Christ was God-centered, other-focused. All around us today the Christmas season promotes a “what’s in it for me” mentality with very little thought of service to the “least of these My brethren”. It’s time for a change and that change must come by God’s people displaying this authenticity of the true spirit of Christmas.
Here are some constructive thoughts for us to consider. (1) Take some time this Christmas to volunteer at a local soup kitchen, homeless shelter, food bank or clothing exchange. If you have children, be sure to take them with you so they can see firsthand that there are a number of people and families not nearly as materially blessed as you are. It might even prompt your children to donate some of their own treasured items so that others can be blessed in their use. (Note: Remember we as believers in Christ never want to be accused of donating our junk just to make room for the new “good stuff” we plan to purchase for ourselves. How hypocritical that would be in the world’s eyes!)
A second idea (2) is to take some of the funds you would use on yourself and order much needed items for folks in other areas of the world through organizations like Samaritan’s Purse, World Vision, etc. These groups usually publish catalogs with a number of selections and price lists that a family can use to make such a Christmas gift decision. These options could also possibly be found on the websites of the organizations.
The basic thing we want to do as Christians is to teach our children and our communities that the focus of Christmas is not the materialism we are so used to seeing around us. The blessing of Christmas is in the giving and service to others as based on the reason why Christ came in the first place. After all, regardless of what the secular world would have us to believe and how hard they may fight to have it otherwise, there will never be Christmas without Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior and Lord of all! Amen.
But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:20-21)
After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. (Matthew 2:11)
“It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:26-28)
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life...” (John 3:16)
If your conclusions were the two words “giving” and “service” as the threads that connected the above passages together, you were correct. All that God the Father and God the Son accomplished throughout the Christmas story (which, by the way, did not end at Bethlehem) centered around the wondrous gift of salvation which Christ came to share with us. Throughout His time on earth, He never became wealthy or materially prosperous, but sought always to serve others, literally pouring out Himself so that those around Him might know the fulness of true life.
What a contrast to that which we now celebrate as Christmas! God’s gift of Christ was God-centered, other-focused. All around us today the Christmas season promotes a “what’s in it for me” mentality with very little thought of service to the “least of these My brethren”. It’s time for a change and that change must come by God’s people displaying this authenticity of the true spirit of Christmas.
Here are some constructive thoughts for us to consider. (1) Take some time this Christmas to volunteer at a local soup kitchen, homeless shelter, food bank or clothing exchange. If you have children, be sure to take them with you so they can see firsthand that there are a number of people and families not nearly as materially blessed as you are. It might even prompt your children to donate some of their own treasured items so that others can be blessed in their use. (Note: Remember we as believers in Christ never want to be accused of donating our junk just to make room for the new “good stuff” we plan to purchase for ourselves. How hypocritical that would be in the world’s eyes!)
A second idea (2) is to take some of the funds you would use on yourself and order much needed items for folks in other areas of the world through organizations like Samaritan’s Purse, World Vision, etc. These groups usually publish catalogs with a number of selections and price lists that a family can use to make such a Christmas gift decision. These options could also possibly be found on the websites of the organizations.
The basic thing we want to do as Christians is to teach our children and our communities that the focus of Christmas is not the materialism we are so used to seeing around us. The blessing of Christmas is in the giving and service to others as based on the reason why Christ came in the first place. After all, regardless of what the secular world would have us to believe and how hard they may fight to have it otherwise, there will never be Christmas without Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior and Lord of all! Amen.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Giving Thanks Always
“We give thanks to You, O God, we give thanks, For Your name is near; Men declare Your wondrous works.” (Psalm 75:1)
It’s hard to believe that the year is drawing to a close and now the observance of Thanksgiving is upon us. Soon the smells of the day will be surrounding us. The car doors will closing outside while the cacophony of conversations, children’s laughter and football on television will be filling the house. Just the description calls up a longing second only to the Christmas experience for most of us.
The one dynamic that separates Thanksgiving from all other holidays is the central focus from which its name is derived. This is a time purposefully set aside to give thanks to God for the many blessings He has given to us throughout the preceding year. It is an opportunity to stop from our busyness and take inventory what we have that others less fortunate than ourselves do not and be grateful, not because of the disparity, but, rather, because we have the ability to bless others out of our bounty. This is not a holiday to celebrate self-centeredness. It is a reminder to be selfless in our generosity.
There is an interesting play on words when we insert but the one word “when” into the text above: “For Your name is near (when) men declare Your wondrous works”. To do so makes it a parallel to the text, “O Thou who inhabits the praises of Israel (His people)” (rf. Psalm 22:3 KJV). You see, we never realize how close to God we really are when we authentically and sincerely thank Him for all He is to us and for what He truly has blessed us. He delights in hearing from us how much we appreciate Him and the gifts that He has given to us. We know how much we are blessed when those to whom we have given special items tell us how much those things mean to them. How much more does our gratitude mean to our Heavenly Father? How much more does He just want to hear from our lips how much we really love and adore Him?
Thanking God should never be a chore nor a matter of compulsion. To give God thanks should never become a ritualistic action on our part, said in words but devoid of heart and meaning. Rather, we should be in a constant attitude of thanksgiving, always aware of God’s presence, ever-seeking the blessings He gives to us on a daily basis, never failing to be grateful for littlest things that show His love to us. In this way, celebrating Thanksgiving is but a corporate expression of what we do on a regular basis, knowing that as we thank Him for Who He is and what He has done, He is there awaiting our gifts of thanks and praise, desiring to show us even more acts of love and mercy.
It’s hard to believe that the year is drawing to a close and now the observance of Thanksgiving is upon us. Soon the smells of the day will be surrounding us. The car doors will closing outside while the cacophony of conversations, children’s laughter and football on television will be filling the house. Just the description calls up a longing second only to the Christmas experience for most of us.
The one dynamic that separates Thanksgiving from all other holidays is the central focus from which its name is derived. This is a time purposefully set aside to give thanks to God for the many blessings He has given to us throughout the preceding year. It is an opportunity to stop from our busyness and take inventory what we have that others less fortunate than ourselves do not and be grateful, not because of the disparity, but, rather, because we have the ability to bless others out of our bounty. This is not a holiday to celebrate self-centeredness. It is a reminder to be selfless in our generosity.
There is an interesting play on words when we insert but the one word “when” into the text above: “For Your name is near (when) men declare Your wondrous works”. To do so makes it a parallel to the text, “O Thou who inhabits the praises of Israel (His people)” (rf. Psalm 22:3 KJV). You see, we never realize how close to God we really are when we authentically and sincerely thank Him for all He is to us and for what He truly has blessed us. He delights in hearing from us how much we appreciate Him and the gifts that He has given to us. We know how much we are blessed when those to whom we have given special items tell us how much those things mean to them. How much more does our gratitude mean to our Heavenly Father? How much more does He just want to hear from our lips how much we really love and adore Him?
Thanking God should never be a chore nor a matter of compulsion. To give God thanks should never become a ritualistic action on our part, said in words but devoid of heart and meaning. Rather, we should be in a constant attitude of thanksgiving, always aware of God’s presence, ever-seeking the blessings He gives to us on a daily basis, never failing to be grateful for littlest things that show His love to us. In this way, celebrating Thanksgiving is but a corporate expression of what we do on a regular basis, knowing that as we thank Him for Who He is and what He has done, He is there awaiting our gifts of thanks and praise, desiring to show us even more acts of love and mercy.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
All Hallows' Eve, the Concept of Fear, and Christians
I have been recently wrestling with a specific question. Why are we so fearful as Christians? If we are honest with ourselves, getting past the nice facades of self-righteousness that we like to hide behind, we are driven to do many of things that we do because of fear. We react to things around us due to fear of the unknown, past experiences, perceived evils, etc. We try to accomplish good things for the kingdom of God on the basis of fear, not a “fear” that is in terms of respect or awe of God (which is healthy), but, rather, in absolute dread that God will zap us into oblivion if we fail to do otherwise. Fear in many respects rules more in our hearts and lives than does God, if the truth be known.
What better time to bring up this reality than in October, a month whose major “holiday” is centered around the concept of fear. The origins of All Hallow’s Eve (Halloween), the night when the spirits of the dead arise to torment the land of the living, bespeak of fear and trepidation. These spirits could only be appeased, according to tradition, by leaving gifts of various types (depending on the respective country and culture of celebration) outside of the individual homes of the villagers. If there were no gifts at a particular house, the occupants of the home were tormented in sundry ways by the angry wraiths who left the living far worse off for their disbelief and disobedience. In addition, those of the order of the occult view All Hallow’s Eve as one of their four high holy days of celebration, a day of great power to accomplish great evil.
I find it interesting that not only do those of the Christian faith willingly participate in the celebration of All Hallow’s Eve despite the knowledge of the above but many seek to use the same tactics as the spirits of the dead to evangelize, rather than torment, the living as if the end justifies the means. At every turn, fear is being used as a tool to achieve one’s own agenda, whether for evil or for supposed good. In any case, fear is the basis and the foundation for all things associated with this alleged “holiday”.
This is but one example of how Christians can easily find themselves caught up in this perpetual web of fear-based decision-making. We do not even realize how far off we are from the teachings of Scripture when we fall prey to such a mind-set. Let me show us.
Whenever God visits His people in Scripture, giving them His Word, whether Personally or through His messengers, the angels, knowing such a reception will undoubtedly cause an apprehensive response, He or the angelic representative will more often than not state, “Do not fear...” (Just in Genesis there are four such examples: 15:1; 21:17; 26:24; 35:17). It is plain that God wants to settle the nerves and hearts of His people, understanding that fear is a barrier that must be removed, so that they will be more inclined to hear what He has to share with them. Furthermore, God does not want His people to live their lives on the basis of anxiousness, worry or concern (each word a pseudonym of fear), whether looking to the past or focused on the future. He wants us to trust solely in Him and His character to take care of us (rf. Matthew 6:31-34; Luke 12:22-31; Philippians 4:6-7). Likewise, when we have Him as the true center of our lives, we will not be controlled by any form of fear. Rather, we will have His love and the desire to glorify Him as our sole motivators in all that we say and do (rf. I John 4:18). With this Scriptural perspective, a believer in Christ can live his/her life in peace and joy, regardless of the circumstances, knowing that “all things work together for good, to them that love God to them who are the called according to His purpose” (rf. Romans 8:28). In addition, we do not need to use fear as a tactic, least of all with any visual and dramatically enhanced “bells and whistles” to lead folks “screaming” to Christ. His Word, in terms of God’s actions and character as well as the reality of our own sinfulness which we know only too well, is more than sufficient to accomplish the task of bringing people to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ as it has been now for over two thousand years.
Simply put, Christ wants His people to live in the security of His love and character, freed from fear. He desires His Holy Spirit to be our primary motivator who will never lead us to do anything based on fear, nor minister in His name using fear as a means. We should not be fearful in our living, but confident that the One Who has saved us will keep us, sustain us, protect us and bring us safely to our home in heaven when our purpose on earth is accomplished. With such a God providing such a truth, what reasons do we really have then for being fearful, harboring fears, operating on the basis of fear? The rightful answer is...none.
What better time to bring up this reality than in October, a month whose major “holiday” is centered around the concept of fear. The origins of All Hallow’s Eve (Halloween), the night when the spirits of the dead arise to torment the land of the living, bespeak of fear and trepidation. These spirits could only be appeased, according to tradition, by leaving gifts of various types (depending on the respective country and culture of celebration) outside of the individual homes of the villagers. If there were no gifts at a particular house, the occupants of the home were tormented in sundry ways by the angry wraiths who left the living far worse off for their disbelief and disobedience. In addition, those of the order of the occult view All Hallow’s Eve as one of their four high holy days of celebration, a day of great power to accomplish great evil.
I find it interesting that not only do those of the Christian faith willingly participate in the celebration of All Hallow’s Eve despite the knowledge of the above but many seek to use the same tactics as the spirits of the dead to evangelize, rather than torment, the living as if the end justifies the means. At every turn, fear is being used as a tool to achieve one’s own agenda, whether for evil or for supposed good. In any case, fear is the basis and the foundation for all things associated with this alleged “holiday”.
This is but one example of how Christians can easily find themselves caught up in this perpetual web of fear-based decision-making. We do not even realize how far off we are from the teachings of Scripture when we fall prey to such a mind-set. Let me show us.
Whenever God visits His people in Scripture, giving them His Word, whether Personally or through His messengers, the angels, knowing such a reception will undoubtedly cause an apprehensive response, He or the angelic representative will more often than not state, “Do not fear...” (Just in Genesis there are four such examples: 15:1; 21:17; 26:24; 35:17). It is plain that God wants to settle the nerves and hearts of His people, understanding that fear is a barrier that must be removed, so that they will be more inclined to hear what He has to share with them. Furthermore, God does not want His people to live their lives on the basis of anxiousness, worry or concern (each word a pseudonym of fear), whether looking to the past or focused on the future. He wants us to trust solely in Him and His character to take care of us (rf. Matthew 6:31-34; Luke 12:22-31; Philippians 4:6-7). Likewise, when we have Him as the true center of our lives, we will not be controlled by any form of fear. Rather, we will have His love and the desire to glorify Him as our sole motivators in all that we say and do (rf. I John 4:18). With this Scriptural perspective, a believer in Christ can live his/her life in peace and joy, regardless of the circumstances, knowing that “all things work together for good, to them that love God to them who are the called according to His purpose” (rf. Romans 8:28). In addition, we do not need to use fear as a tactic, least of all with any visual and dramatically enhanced “bells and whistles” to lead folks “screaming” to Christ. His Word, in terms of God’s actions and character as well as the reality of our own sinfulness which we know only too well, is more than sufficient to accomplish the task of bringing people to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ as it has been now for over two thousand years.
Simply put, Christ wants His people to live in the security of His love and character, freed from fear. He desires His Holy Spirit to be our primary motivator who will never lead us to do anything based on fear, nor minister in His name using fear as a means. We should not be fearful in our living, but confident that the One Who has saved us will keep us, sustain us, protect us and bring us safely to our home in heaven when our purpose on earth is accomplished. With such a God providing such a truth, what reasons do we really have then for being fearful, harboring fears, operating on the basis of fear? The rightful answer is...none.
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