Chronic Inaction

You don’t, can’t, choose to hide or remain mute. If you are born again, saved, you are an Ambassador (2 Corinthians 5:17-21) with certain responsibilities. If all that you do/have done is to accept the gift of salvation and not grown, how do you define 'Christian'?

   “But in your hearts set Christ apart [as holy—acknowledging Him, giving Him first place in your lives] as Lord. Always be ready to give a [logical] defense to anyone who asks you to account for the hope and confident assurance [elicited by faith] that is within you, yet [do it] with gentleness and respect." [1 Peter 3:15]

Don’t live in the rear view mirror (remember Lot’s wife) she was remembering the good, the familiar, the comfortable of yesterday, not just bad, they were fleeing. A pillar of salt with prewarning is not a good place to be if you decide to follow through against and go opposite. Even though we know the right path and the results of going the wrong way - we do it. Why? Lack of understanding? 

Sometimes I think that Christians are terrible at providing definitions of words used - more of a 'we all believe, define words the same way'. I don't think so. But without knowing what you are saying - we could be saying the same thing... just using different words. Then again - we may be spot on in understanding and it really is diametrically different. So we know better than what the Lord has taught and is telling us through His Word?

One of the best examples in the defining and application of the phrase is the 'turn to him your other cheek'. I don't think it means what Christians are told it means. Look again at 1 Peter - the 'gentleness and respect' is often interpreted as allowing the other person to continue to be wrong (this presupposes that the understanding you have is based in scripture). Allowing error makes no sense, it also enables the other person's misunderstanding.  Do a deep dive on correction. Some scriptures that are relevant are:  Proverbs 12:1, 15:32, 29:15 - Hebrews 12: 5,11 - Galatians 6:1 - James 5:19 - and these only represent a few scriptures that speak to correction (which tends to be the overriding emotion governing gentleness and respect)... the - 'I don't want to do or say the wrong thing so I'll just keep quiet' excuse. If a car was bearing down on the person wouldn't you at least warn them?

For too long the church has not entered (influenced?) the lives of people because of a strange definition of being inclusive. Sin is sin and Error is error. Support this? And what is the health of the church today? Would you stay away from the church because there doesn't seem to be a connect with public behavior and scripture? Or maybe there is and you don't want to be associated with it?

I would argue that for too long the church has been silent. It has adopted the wishy washy mindset of loving the sinner and hating the sin. When the loving part enables and accepts the hated sin but does not correct the action - what message is the church providing? Are we following the standards indicated in scripture or are we adding to and removing the 'uncomfortable' parts. 

   "I testify and warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book [its predictions, consolations, and admonitions]: if anyone adds [anything] to them, God will add to him the plagues (afflictions, calamities) which are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from or distorts the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away [from that one] his share from the tree of life and from the holy city (new Jerusalem), which are written in this book." [Revelation 22: 18-19]

So when scripture says 'do' and 'don't do', does the church follow the standard or default to chronic inaction because it doesn't want to offend people who don't follow the standard? What price is being paid for our chronic inaction? And this question is applied to believers, individually, and the church. 

If you Know... you can't Unknow

I know I've mentioned this before but it is soooo very relevant in a variety of ways. Recently I was faced with a difficult relational problem. Frustrated and a bit irritated, I decided I would just walk away. Good plan... yes? Partially. My reality is that I was also walking away with unresolved 'forgiveness' - though at that point I didn't see this also being present.

When I realized what I was feeling I tried to mitigate the impact. Have you ever tried to mitigate your unforgiveness? It does not work. I was justified in my feelings? Doesn't matter. There is the scripture that says:

   "For if you forgive others their trespasses [their reckless and willful sins], your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others [nurturing your hurt and anger with the result that it interferes with your relationship with God], then your Father will not forgive your trespasses." [Matthew 6:14-15] 

Ouch. Ouch. Ouch. How can I justify my feelings (which always get translated into behaviors) so that my Father can continue to forgive me? Simple - it doesn't work that way. I know that there are teachings that tell us that ALL our sins, now and in the future are forgiven in advance when we become born again. Interesting. Accurate? Or misapplied? Matthew is quite specific. Will not is will not.

Now look at this dilemma from a Soul's point of view. Our emotions are part of our soul along with our mind and will. Hmmm... will. Let's get honest with ourselves. If we've been hurt (intentional or not) don't we always want some form of punishment (revenge) for the perpetrator? 

   "Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave the way open for God’s wrath [and His judicial righteousness]; for it is written [in Scripture], “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. But if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for by doing this you will heap [a]burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome and conquered by evil, but overcome evil with good." [Romans 12:19-21]

A simple question can also be applied at this moment - is the other person really your enemy? Is the other person a brother or sister in the Lord - if so, they can't be an enemy. Are they in the wrong? Did you attempt to speak the truth in love? Questions abound! However, the final point is: Vengeance is Mine, I will repay. And to emphasize this - have you ever been the person on the other end - the one causing the hurt? 

More musings later...

You and Your Gift

 In considering you and your gift, to get to that, we have to start with the Holy Spirit - the dispenser of gifts. When Jesus ascended after spending time with His disciples (and other followers), after rising from the dead, the Holy Spirit was sent to the believers to help them. Example: Jesus said that the Holy Spirit:

   " But the Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will help you remember everything that I have told you." [John 14:26] 

Part of the 'help' was giving gifts. It is when we come together in one accord and share what the Lord has placed in us that the body is equipped and can act confidently - read the entire 12th chapter in 1 Corinthians.

[If you want to study more about this, I've written on it several times, there are others who have written extensively, but more important - there are scriptures that teach this.]

I'd like to share my gift with you. In my case it is the gift of teaching. I love to teach and typically do so by asking questions so that the student(s) discover and KNOW their answers. I know what I believe and do present it as a counterpoint, but the point is not to hear myself speak but to allow, encourage them to discover. There are a few requirements a teacher must possess (in my world of definitions). 

1. A teacher must be teachable - the continual quest to know and understand is crucial. No one knows it all. Rarely have I found anything related to the spiritual that is one and done. Actually, I consider this primary because if you learn as you teach, you become a better teacher.

2. A teacher must study. I discovered early on that if the student(s) know more about the content of what I'm teaching - then they should be the teacher. I NEED to know what is also contrary to what I present so that I have 'proof' about the content of what I teach.

3. A teacher must not be threatened by contrary views. These differences can be a new way at looking at (fill in the blank) or expanding understanding - not just denying differences. I've always loved the verse in Proverbs (27:17) that says:

"As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens [and influences] another [through discussion]." None of us knows everything, so if there is scriptural foundation - we need to consider it.

4. A teacher must know how to ask questions. Actually, knowing how to ask questions, even building on the discussion and last statement, a well placed question can be a wonderful trigger to discover and understand more.

5. A teacher must be an encourager. Affirmation of a question or an answer or a direction to follow to discover an answer lets the student understand that the teacher is open to differences of opinion. Validating thought, regardless of the expression, helps the learner to seek answers and not just regurgitate the teacher's beliefs. 

There are other 'traits' to consider, but these are my top 5 qualities that define a good teacher. Seriously, if you love hearing  your own voice you need to take another look at teaching and you as teacher. Harsh? Not according to my standards. I would like you to think about challenging yourself, when you look at your gifting, because I also believe that some of what I use to judge myself as a teacher [teachable, study, not threatened, questions, encourager] can also be applied to other gifts.

Lastly, remember - knowing and acting on our gifting is a continual process of growing... when it comes to our spiritual life - it's never one and done and it's a continual process of becoming good workmen (Ephesians 2) able to accomplish the Lord's goals and plans.

 

Gifts... Offices

    "And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love." [Ephesians 4:11-16]

1. The 'He Himself' refers to Jesus. Look back a couple of verses and this is confirmed. 

2. Purpose:
      a. 'equipping of the saints for the work of ministry'

      b. 'edifying of the body of Christ'

      c. 'unity of the faith'  

      d. 'the knowledge of the Son of God,'

      e. 'no longer be children'

      f. 'speaking the truth in love'

     g. 'grow up in all things into Him'

     h. 'every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of

          itself in love'

Need I say more? That really does says it all. And yet...

Starting from the beginning. "And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers..." and from verse 12 through 14 tells us why. Verse 15 and 16 tells us what the goal is and how we can identify it. 

In some churches all the 'gifts/offices' were relegated for the time of the Apostles. Some decide some of the offices still remain... but only a handful believe that all the offices are still in existence. Why? Is the church without spot or wrinkle? Is the church displaying maturity and unity? Does the church need these Offices?

I suspect one question may be... does this mean that I have a gift but may not have an office? I think the answer is 'yes'. But remember the parable. The servant who was given the most talents invested them and brought in a great harvest and the one who hid his talent was severely rebuked. The point being that those who are faithful in the little things will be given more important roles in the future. How does this relate to the question. I'm not sure but it seems that when we 'prove' ourselves faithful, we are given greater responsibilities and authority. Will this mean an office. No idea. But this is not something I or anyone but the Triune God has this understanding and ability.

   "But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit [the spiritual illumination and the enabling of the Holy Spirit] for the common good." [1 Corinthians 12:7]

The only and obvious conclusion is that if you have accepted Jesus as Lord will also have a gift. Why? Again, obvious - they are delineated above in point 2 and the subsequent 8 purposes. What everyone needs to realize is that those of us who have accepted the Lord, we have responsibilities, we are given opportunities to be His Ambassadors. We have become trusted to do our part and as we are faithful in the little things, we will be 'promoted' to positions of greater responsibilities (and authority).

Miracle(s)

Those of you who know me realize that I love object lessons because whatever is happening right in front of us is the best example. So, I have a couple of questions for you to think about.

We seem to have little trouble embracing the concept of gifts. However, I wonder if there isn’t a slight hesitancy when it comes to 1 Corinthians 12:4-11. Paul says in verse 1 - “Now about the spiritual gifts [the special endowments given by the Holy Spirit], brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed.”

Obviously, what he is about to teach is important and he wants his listeners to be aware. While I am pointing out verses- 4-11, the entire chapter is crucial for Christians and how they occupy and live in the world. It goes to the fundamental foundations from which we do what we do.

Paul even uses the word - spiritual - to express these gifts though it’s not used again. Which does NOT diminish the other scriptures about gifts - their importance nor make them second class gifts - that’s absurd.

I would like to share something I recently experienced - to me it was a Miracle. Before I share though... some ponderables:

*What do you think and believe about Miracles?
*Do they still happen today?
*Have you experienced a miracle in your life?
*Why do you believe what you do?

A bit about my beliefs: 
1. We all define ‘miracles’ according to our understanding which may differ from the person standing next to you.
2. I suspect we all have experienced them whether or not we realize or defined the experience as a miracle
3. Miracles are happening all the time - some are large and dramatic and some are very subtle and quiet.

Beginning in January and continuing throughout the month, I went through the most health challenging time in my life. However, last Sunday night I went to bed feeling none the better. But waking Monday morning - everything had changed. Now I felt that I had gotten me back. To me, I had just been blessed with a healing miracle in my life.

Some may argue that my experience could be ‘classified’ as a healing but not a miracle. Yes, undoubtedly it is a healing but the manner, almost instantaneously, to me, makes it a miracle. One of the paramount tests is that, for me, when I experience something as dramatic as what had occurred is that it is mandatory to share. Quite honestly it was midway on Monday before I realized I didn’t have a health sword over my head.

Does this mean I'll never get sick again … or if I do get sick that this wasn’t a miracle in the first place? A resounding ‘NO’ to both! I have no doubt about my miracle. However, I will say that the first thing the devil will try and do is to steal your testimony, to cause doubt even for you.

Please… don’t miss your times of miracles by not considering that it could be a miracle. One clue is that if you had nothing to do with the change then how is there a change? Miracles are always individually experienced.

Lie

1. There is no such thing as a ‘little white’ lie. A lie is never meaningless or trivial. And saying that it is 'little' 'white' makes no difference - a lie is a lie.

2. Everyone lies. And if they say they’ve never lied… they’re lying. [1 John 1:8-10]

However, this is also an area that we humans can control. What I find perplexing is that so often we don't recognize a lie? Why is that??? And... why do WE lie?

Actually, lying is mentioned many times in scripture and in the 10 Commandments.
Exodus 20:16

  "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor." 

Plus:

Ephesians 4:25  

  "Therefore, rejecting all falsehood [whether lying, defrauding, telling half-truths, spreading rumors, any such as these], speak truth each one with his neighbor, for we are all parts of one another [and we are all parts of the body of Christ]."

Colossians 3:9

"Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices."

Psalm 101:7

"No one who practices deceit shall dwell in my house; no one who utters lies shall continue before my eyes."

There are over 75 scriptures that talk about lying... I just indicated 4 but the consequences of lying are certainly evident. 

And yet...

The reasons we lie are basically self-preservation (real and imaginary). And when it glibly trips off our tongue, it also indicates that this must be one of our default practices. Still the question... why? Especially since so often we are caught in the lie. I've also discovered that I can control this. When it's an issue of truth - there really isn't any other option.

Psalm 145:18 ESV

  "The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth."

2 Timothy 2:15 ESV

  "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth." 

Proverbs 12:22 ESV

  "Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight." 

1 John 3:18

  "Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth."

Scripture is fairly plain in terms of how the Lord views truth. Remember too that the Holy Spirit is referred to as the Spirit of truth and Jesus says that He will guide us into all truth. Truth and Lies are diametrically opposed. You have to put lies from you... no one else can.

Sooo... if you catch yourself heading to a default (lie) - stop yourself, even in mid sentence. You really don't need to lie in the first place. A 'no' isn't a rejection of the other person (even when you really don't have a good 'reason') - you are saying 'no' to (fill in the blank) at this moment in time. 

However, many times our own antenna isn't on and we fall for the devil's lies. For me, this is the most frustrating since most of the time it's only a revisit by the devil to a former time when it did work. We gave the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16) and as such the devil's work is to present his lies and see if we 'bite'. The only way he knows he is successful is when we act on them. Think about that for a moment. The devil DOES NOT control our minds. Remember too the admonition:

   "Beloved, do not believe every spirit [speaking through a self-proclaimed prophet]; instead test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets and teachers have gone out into the world. By this you know and recognize the Spirit of God: every spirit that acknowledges and confesses [the fact] that Jesus Christ has [actually] come in the flesh [as a man] is from God [God is its source]; and every spirit that does not confess Jesus [acknowledging that He has come in the flesh, but would deny any of the Son’s true nature] is not of God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming, and is now already in the world." [1 John 4:1-3] 

We have our method (test) and our knowledge of truth (question the spirit). We can stop falling for lies with this simple test. We have absolutely all that we need to not buy into lies. And we have the reminder that WE should not lie.

Receive your sight

Remember Paul’s experience on the way to Damascus? Acts 9:

   “1 Now Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord [and relentless in his search for believers], ...

3 As he traveled he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him [displaying the glory and majesty of Christ]; 4 and he fell to the ground and heard a voice [from heaven] saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting and oppressing Me?” ...

8 Saul got up from the ground, but though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 And he was unable to see for three days, and he neither ate nor drank. ...

10 Now in Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias; and the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he answered, “Here I am, Lord.” 11 And the Lord said to him, “Get up and go to the street called Straight, and ask at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul; for he is praying [there], 12 and in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come in and place his hands on him, so that he may regain his sight.” ...

15 But the Lord said to him [Ananias], “Go, for this man is a [deliberately] chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; 16 for I will make clear to him how much he must suffer and endure for My name’s sake.” 17 So Ananias left and entered the house, and he laid his hands on Saul and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came [to Damascus], has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit [in order to proclaim Christ to both Jews and Gentiles].” 18 Immediately something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptized; 19 and he took some food and was strengthened."

Can you put yourself in Paul’s place? Suddenly he has no sight. This proud man has to rely on others for everything! How does he feel? What is he thinking? What can he do? In this instance... he can do nothing and yet he is blessed and Paul received his sight.

How does this apply to us? Don't we get blinded by lies at times? Don't we do/say things we shouldn't (or don't do what we should)? Can you say that every day, in all ways... you see? Probably not. It doesn't mean that truth or understanding is deliberately being kept from us. But we need to recognize the signs and act by asking for sight so we do see.

Having just experienced cataract surgery I appreciate more than I realized or can express just how precious sight is. Without the surgery I could have ended up blind. For a person who was raised reading... this is a frightful possibility. But simultaneously, don't underestimate the word 'sight'. Seeing encompasses so much more than just the physical. It is the spiritual sight that can lead us to understanding. Though it may sound dramatic and even skirting adding to scripture... I tend to think that Ananias brought Paul physical and spiritual healing.

But what about you, me - how and what do we see? Have we received our sight? And how do we respond to spiritual sight?

Know

As I look back in recent postings... 'know' seems to have been motivational for me. I have looked at the word from a variety of perspectives. I think my point is that 'know' is far more important and says far more about us that we realize. Do you understand what you know? Know, in my world, is the foundation, motivation, reason for actions/behaviors. And when we do the opposite... we know this too. Know really isn't difficult to discover and it is always with us - whether or not we apply our knowledge. And, it is totally impossible to unknow. We may 'forget' but we can never unknow. Plus - WE are responsible for what we know. Those are foundations for 'know'.

Do you know, do you understand what you know?  Though I may not have studied sufficiently, most of my knows are rooted in scripture so my know does have a firm foundation and not shifting sand. Let me share some of my 'knows' These tend to be my top 5 knows, though they are far from exhaustive and sometimes they are a theme on a theme. But if I could only have 5 knows, these would be the ones.

1. I know there is only one way and that is Jesus. 

Without a belief in Him - who He was, who He said He was, what He did: coming in the form of a man, having a purpose for who He was and what He did {Luke 19:10), taking on the sins of the whole world of mankind to save them from their sins when they believed in Him, dying on a cross for us, and rising again into glory. None of those steps were unimportant - they all had to be accomplished in order for Jesus to save everyone who comes to Him  [Acts 4:12, Acts 2:21/38, Romans 10:13-15 are but 4 of the many words and examples of this belief]

2. I know that I am saved, born again.

Undoubtedly the most important scripture that assures this is true:

   "because if you acknowledge and confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord [recognizing His power, authority, and majesty as God], and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart a person believes [in Christ as Savior] resulting in his justification [that is, being made righteous—being freed of the guilt of sin and made acceptable to God]; and with the mouth he acknowledges and confesses [his faith openly], resulting in and confirming [his] salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in Him [whoever adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Him] will not be disappointed [in his expectations].” [Romans 10:9-11]

3. I know God will never leave me or forsake me.

There are many verses that talk about the faithfulness of the Lord and one of the most significant (my view) of an attribute of His faithfulness is this declaration. [Hebrews 13:5-6, Deuteronomy 31:6-8]. I will never be alone I will always have a companion that sticks closer than a brother.

4. I know He has given me a gift for the benefit of the body.

My life has meaning and purpose when I discover my place in the body [1 Corinthians 12]. We were never created to be solo voices, apart from the support of the body. And we all were given a gift - not to horde but to share with the rest of the body so that we do grow and occupy while we're here. Our 'workplace' is in the world and we have multiple opportunities to share by our words, by our actions. This marvelous gift of salvation is the beginning of the journey and we share this with all.

5. I know my ultimate destination is heaven.

This is not my home and I've been on this journey to return home for a long time. And what riches await us there. Family and friends who went before us. Continued growth as the person we were meant to be. Opportunities to listen to the teachings of those wise men and women who are always ready to share with us. And so much more.

Knowing is a great gift. It's part of our foundation and the knowing is our impetus to grow, to learn, to become. Know is not passive. Know is an action word to lead us to further discoveries and explorations. How can we do anything without starting from the basis of ... know.

How Important are You?

Seriously … how important are you? I suppose that I should also ask - who is answering the question? And, with whose eyes are you viewing you? Do you see you through the eyes of disappointment? or failure? Do you look at what you've done? or not done? Do you see you through the eyes of how scripture sees you? Do you see you through the eyes of Jesus? And, do you see, know, understand that Jesus did EVERYTHING - just for you... gave His life for you... regardless? He endured the pain and suffering from the scourging and then endured the cross - for You! Sounds like He gave everything so that you would be free and forgiven.

If you can finally begin to see you as the Lord sees... how have you accepted this? By now you should realize that if you don't accept then it doesn't exist for you. It may be true for others... you are a different case. No one knows you...  what you have said or done... or not said or done. You have no place. Let me ask you a simple question. If this is true what made you unaccepted, unimportant, different from the 'ALL' that Jesus said. Are you saying that Jesus lied when He said:

   "All that My Father gives Me will come to Me; and the one who comes to Me I will most certainly not cast out [I will never, never reject anyone who follows Me]. For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but to do the will of Him who sent Me. This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but that I [give new life and] raise it up at the last day." [John 6: 37-39]

Simply... get over yourself. It's about all of us. We all were lost, aimless, driftless, without hope in the world. We all did/do things we'd rather not acknowledge and yet.. even the great apostle Paul said in Romans 7: 15-25:

   "For I do not understand my own actions [I am baffled and bewildered by them]. I do not practice what I want to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate [and yielding to my human nature, my worldliness—my sinful capacity].  ...

For the good that I want to do, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. ...

Wretched and miserable man that I am! Who will [rescue me and] set me free from this body of death [this corrupt, mortal existence]? Thanks be to God [for my deliverance] through Jesus Christ our Lord!"

Just like we all do. We daily fight the battle. But we do not fight alone. Jesus told us there would be tribulation in the world, but... in John 16:33 He tells us that He has overcome the world. Earlier He told us He would never leave us. Later He told us that because He had to endure what He did that He would ask the Father to send another... the Holy Spirit (John 16:13_ to lead us. Acts 1:8 tells us He, the Holy Spirit will be with us, helping us. 

So what's stopping you? Can't you see how every detail has been answered? Nothing has been overlooked. All is available to us to live the life of abundance. Just don't define 'abundance' in human, secular terms. You are so very precious to the Lord that He did and continues to do just you you... even it if was only for you. You are incredibly important. When you think about it... why would you not see your value?