It is an interesting thing, pride. It seems to be blend into its surroundings. So often we do not even know that it is there. This elusive pride thing is everywhere! Though in experience I have noticed that it is easier to spot it in the life of someone else, but rather difficult to discover in my own life. As I read the Word of God and come upon the excerpt from the life of Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel chapter four, I find that God notices pride more quickly than anyone. Nebuchadnezzar was walking around on his balcony and thought that he had built himself quite a kingdom. Not only that, he had built quite a kingdom on his own, for his own greatness. No sooner did the words leave his mouth, God brought judgment on him. Nebuchadnezzar the great king, was acting like a cow.
Is this kind of experience necessary for us at times? Do Christians become proud? Do Christians begin to think that they have enjoyed success on their own? Do Christians think that they have enjoyed success for their own greatness? Yes, I think we are guilty. We attempt frequently to do things (in the name of God) in our own strength, and take the credit for it when we are done. I pray that God will reveal to me the pride that is actually a part of my life, that I might hate it like He does, and repent of it. Lord, help me. Lord, help us.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Christians are too Political
Politics in the United States is a never ending issue. There is always something going on where a politician is jockeying for position in some social arena and people always seem to be there to either support or oppose the movement. The form of government in the United States encourages input (ugh, probably a bad a idea - depending on who shares the input). Enough of the political explanation and on to the point.
Christians have decided that it is their responsibility to try to sway the opinions of politicians through their voting, money, etc... Is it really the mission of the Church to make the United States "moral"? I know this will not make some Christians happy to read this, but I think that Christians are chasing the wrong goal. The Bible speaks more to the point of non-involvement, than it talks about the politicking that most Christians are doing today. Paul instructs Timothy to pray for those in authority (1 Tim 2:1-4), so that Christians may live a peaceful life. So it seems that the Bible is insinuating that Christians are to live their lives in obedience to God, praying for politicians, in the hope that the government will leave Christians alone. Basically, let the government do its thing, and let the Church do its thing. Paul speaks in Romans 13:1-7, saying that God puts politicians into place for there to be accountability for those who do wrong.
None of these things talk about attempting to manipulate politicians into making Christian decisions, when they are not Christians (granted there are some politicians that may very well be Christians)! So in closing, quit trying to make the secular government do the Church's job. Christians around this world are called to be controlled by the Holy Spirit, obeying the Word of God, and sharing the message of Jesus Christ with all of those who they come into contact with. This is the mission of the Church, not politics. Here is a call to biblical politics (I hate putting those 2 words together)
pray for those in political authority (even those you don't like) - 1 Timothy 2:1-4
pay your taxes, obey the civil laws, and obey God - Romans 14:1-7
leave politics to the politicians, vote for who you feel God wants you to vote for, and pray for those in authority, be Jesus to those around you so that God might save their soul - that is your purpose, not politics!
Christians have decided that it is their responsibility to try to sway the opinions of politicians through their voting, money, etc... Is it really the mission of the Church to make the United States "moral"? I know this will not make some Christians happy to read this, but I think that Christians are chasing the wrong goal. The Bible speaks more to the point of non-involvement, than it talks about the politicking that most Christians are doing today. Paul instructs Timothy to pray for those in authority (1 Tim 2:1-4), so that Christians may live a peaceful life. So it seems that the Bible is insinuating that Christians are to live their lives in obedience to God, praying for politicians, in the hope that the government will leave Christians alone. Basically, let the government do its thing, and let the Church do its thing. Paul speaks in Romans 13:1-7, saying that God puts politicians into place for there to be accountability for those who do wrong.
None of these things talk about attempting to manipulate politicians into making Christian decisions, when they are not Christians (granted there are some politicians that may very well be Christians)! So in closing, quit trying to make the secular government do the Church's job. Christians around this world are called to be controlled by the Holy Spirit, obeying the Word of God, and sharing the message of Jesus Christ with all of those who they come into contact with. This is the mission of the Church, not politics. Here is a call to biblical politics (I hate putting those 2 words together)
pray for those in political authority (even those you don't like) - 1 Timothy 2:1-4
pay your taxes, obey the civil laws, and obey God - Romans 14:1-7
leave politics to the politicians, vote for who you feel God wants you to vote for, and pray for those in authority, be Jesus to those around you so that God might save their soul - that is your purpose, not politics!
Chasing the Approval of People - Ruining the Church
I have had a relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ for almost 10 years now. I have graduated from Bible College, and am now in process of finishing my Masters degree at a Seminary. I have been serving as the senior pastor of a church for almost 3 years. One thing that I have encountered in local church ministry is the way that people try with incredible strain to avoid making other people mad (I am not talking about a believer being a stumbling block or truly being offensive - which happens). What I am referring to is the lack of biblical confrontation (with a spirit of love, grace, and humility). There is so much carnality that exists in local churches that is ignored by those who are walking with God, just to keep the peace. The Bible instructs us to "be diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." But, it does not instruct us to ignore sinful behavior for the purpose of keeping people happy! This practice of ignoring sinful behavior has in reality not preserved the unity of the Spirit! It has allowed sin to be in the camp, and also for us to be pleasers of men instead of pleasers of God!
Paul teaches us that we are to help people be obedient to the Word of God. "We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone" (1 Thess 5:14). This is what believers should be doing, in a spirit of love and humility. This will help us to be chasing the approval of God, and as a result will lead to His blessing because we have obeyed!
Paul teaches us that we are to help people be obedient to the Word of God. "We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone" (1 Thess 5:14). This is what believers should be doing, in a spirit of love and humility. This will help us to be chasing the approval of God, and as a result will lead to His blessing because we have obeyed!
The Pride of Politicians
What will become of those world leaders who make the same mistake that Nebuchadnezzar made? There are many in this world today who think that they rule by their own power and are filled with pride. Nebuchadnezzar was the same (even more powerful than leaders today) and his fate was humility until he acknowledged that the God of Israel rules all creation. What will become of those world leaders who make the same mistake that Nebuchadnezzar made?
Conservative versus Liberal in Seminary settings
It is so interesting to me that so many Christ followers who are attending Theological institutions (such as, seminaries) are so concerned with not being considered conservative. Why is there a fear of being labeled, "Theologically conservative"? I think it is probably better to err on the side of caution when it comes to such an issue. In a search for "significance", have Christ followers sought approval from those who have questioned the underpinings of the Word of God as the message from God, revealing Himself to humanity? It is such a paradox that Christ followers would shun being considered "conservative" because it implies narrow-mindedness, ignorance, and legalism. No one likes labels, because they are almost always jaded by the person who is doing the labeling. I would voice a word of caution, if I may, don't be so quick to seek the approval of people by jettisoning beliefs in the core doctrines of the faith, as revealed by the Word of God. When we begin picking which parts of Scripture are really true or really from God, and which parts aren't, where do you stop? I am not calling for blind ignorance. I am encouraging caution. I don't think that any of us would desire to be promoters of false teaching/doctrine in our day. Study yes, but be careful what you take in as truth from "critical scholarship." Contend for the faith, as Jude called for.
The Goal of Christianity
We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ. For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me. Colossians 1:28-29
I love how Paul so succinctly summarizes what his goal is in life. He states that he desires to proclaim the truth of God's Word in such a way (by the grace of God), that people will not only put their trust in Christ for forgiveness of sins but that they will become fully mature followers of Christ. Paul says that he works day in and day out, through God's enablement, to see this happens.
What is our goal as Christian leaders? A large crowd of people? A big bank account?
What is our goal as Christians? The appearance of success?
From the statement of Paul mentioned above (and the evidence of his life), we are missing out on what is most important.
1) We should pour ourselves into proclaiming God's message of forgiveness through the death and resurrection of Christ.
2) We should pour ourselves into proclaiming God's message of obedience to His Word, so that the forgiven may actually become like Christ (Rom 8:29).
Not a bad way to spend our lives!
I love how Paul so succinctly summarizes what his goal is in life. He states that he desires to proclaim the truth of God's Word in such a way (by the grace of God), that people will not only put their trust in Christ for forgiveness of sins but that they will become fully mature followers of Christ. Paul says that he works day in and day out, through God's enablement, to see this happens.
What is our goal as Christian leaders? A large crowd of people? A big bank account?
What is our goal as Christians? The appearance of success?
From the statement of Paul mentioned above (and the evidence of his life), we are missing out on what is most important.
1) We should pour ourselves into proclaiming God's message of forgiveness through the death and resurrection of Christ.
2) We should pour ourselves into proclaiming God's message of obedience to His Word, so that the forgiven may actually become like Christ (Rom 8:29).
Not a bad way to spend our lives!
The Peculiarity of Life
I am extremely perplexed about why people who claim to be Christ-followers are so conformed to the society around them. I am not implying that Christians purposely seek to be "strange" or "weird" in their behavior. I am implying that Christians are more in-tune with the "fly by the seat of your pants" method of decision making than they are in-tune with the teachings of the Scriptures. Christians choose colleges based on, "how much money I can make", choose husbands and wives based on, "how cute they are" or "how great they make me feel". Christians also are choosing to use their time to do "what I enjoy most", which has led to a decline in ministry involvement in local churches. Christians are choosing to use their money to "buy what I have always wanted. I cannot live without it." which has led to a decline in tithing in local churches.
Christians have forgotten that they are not their own. If they truly have placed their trust for forgiveness of sins in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, they belong to Him. "For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body." (1 Cor 6:20). "For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself; for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord's." (Rom 14:7-8).
We have forgotten that we are not "masters of our own domain", we are in fact, "servants of Christ". Jesus is the boss, and His Word determines how we are supposed to live in a vibrant, loving relationship with Him. So we are to conform to Christ, not to society.
Christians have forgotten that they are not their own. If they truly have placed their trust for forgiveness of sins in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, they belong to Him. "For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body." (1 Cor 6:20). "For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself; for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord's." (Rom 14:7-8).
We have forgotten that we are not "masters of our own domain", we are in fact, "servants of Christ". Jesus is the boss, and His Word determines how we are supposed to live in a vibrant, loving relationship with Him. So we are to conform to Christ, not to society.
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