Hate the sin, love the sinner?
“Hate the sin, love the sinner” has long been a popular phrase thrown around in the church of Jesus Christ. But lately, (as with most sayings thrown around nonchalantly and tritely) this phrase has been misused, misinterpreted, and misunderstood. For some, “love the sinner, hate the sin” eventually turns into “accept the sinner AND the sin – don’t judge anyone.” For others, the misinterpretation of this saying has caused them to abandon the idea completely, saying one cannot simultaneously claim to love someone while condemning their actions. In short “who I am = what I do.”(I am indebted to Josh McDowell for this observation, from his book “The New Tolerance.”) However, if understood in the right context, loving the sinner and hating the sin is EXACTLY what the Christian is called to do.
First of all, it is important to define one's terms. Most importantly here, one needs to consider: “What does ‘love’ mean?” Is it loving to tell someone what they are doing is wrong? Consider this scenario: if a child is caught stealing, what is a parent to do? By the “no judgment” definition, would the “loving” thing be to just let the child steal and just “love” the child? NO WAY! No one would attribute the label of “good parent” to someone allowing their child to continue to steal. No, this situation calls for what is sometimes called “tough love.” The child who errs must be punished for what he or she did wrong, but this does not mean his/her mother or father hates the child. Rather, the parent shows he/she loves the child enough to stop him/her from doing wrong and teaching him/her to choose to do right. Furthermore, in many instances, the young child does not realize he or she is doing something wrong, and needs the careful, loving direction of the parent for correction. This is, in essence, part of the God-given role of the parent. Therefore, love sometimes means facing difficult truths and navigating difficult courses of action.
In Ephesians 4, Paul writes to the Ephesian church: “So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.” Paul recognizes a very important fact: what those who do not know the Lord engage in IS wrong, and an abomination before the Lord, but, because they are still under the sinful nature, they are in bondage to that nature. Those who do not know Christ are ignorant of the life that is in Him because their hearts are hard, and because they have lost sensitivity to right and wrong. These verses highlight two very important principles: while Christians are to hate sinfulness and refuse to engage in sinful activity, we are also to have compassion and pity for those living under the sin nature, for they are in bondage to that nature – they don’t understand (partially because they don’t want to) how it is God wants them to live! In this case, it is the God-given role of the church to proclaim the truth, unashamedly, but in a compassionate way – declaring that yes, the sin the world lives in is an abomination to the Lord; yes, in sin the unbeliever is separated from God, but that there is hope, healing, and LIFE in the Spirit.
Yes, beloved. We MUST live differently than the world; we MUST abhor sin the way that God does. But remember, God sent His Son into the world to “condemn sin in sinful man,” (Romans 8:3) and “not to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.”(John 3:17) We must not shy away from calling sin what it is, but we must leave room for God to judge, for God to change the person. Changing the heart is God’s territory. WE are called to “speak the truth in love.” In love. So, before you condemn the sinfulness of sin in someone’s life, before you get to “hating the sin” ask yourself, “why do I want to speak the truth to this person?” What is your motivation? Is it to prove that you are holier-than-thou? Is it to make the other person feel inadequate and unlovable? Is it to somehow make a distinction between yourself and them? If so, then that is not speaking the truth in love. The pursuit of holiness is good thing, but with the wrong motivation, it is dangerous – remember, the Pharisees spoke out about sin to people, and “pursued holiness,” but with pride, arrogance, and hypocrisy. So I ask again: What is your motivation? Is it to make yourself look better, or are you speaking the truth out of a sincere desire to see Christ work in that person’s heart, to change their life from the inside out; are you speaking in humility, knowing and acknowledging that without Christ, you are no better?
Be bold. Be love. Hate the sin, but love the sinner. Speak the truth in love.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Someone Worth Dying For
"Show me that I'm someone worth dying for."
So goes the main lyric of a new song. And I understand the point the songwriter is trying to make - he is talking about people who believe they have no value, that God could never love them, begging for someone to give them worth. However, all the value and intrinsic worth humans possess as beings created in the image of God is not what makes us worth dying for. The simple truth is that, though we are made in God's image, our sin has so separated us from God that we have nothing to offer, nothing of ourselves that makes us worthy of Christ's ultimate sacrifice. Depressing, right?
But, that is precisely what makes the Gospel so wonderful, what makes the precious blood of Jesus, the priceless love of God, so awe-inspiring. God loves us, despite the fact that we are His enemies because of our evil behavior (Colossians 1:21), despite the fact that we nailed Him to the cross with our iniquity. He, for some inexplicable reason, desired to draw us back unto Himself, to restore us, to heal us, to make us holy. "But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8). This was not because of anything we have done, will do, or any "value" we think we have. ("Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy, He saved us." Titus 3:5).
His great love for us. That is the only way we are made worthy to be in His presence, to be part of His family. We are never nearer to His grace than when we realize our own unworthiness. In Luke 18, it was not the Pharisee who returned home forgiven, but rather the tax collector who cried out, "Have mercy on me, O God, a sinner!" It was not the one who had done the most works, or acquired the most value in the world's eyes, but the one who realized he was completely hopeless apart from God's mercy.
So, you are someone worth dying for - but not because of any status you have attained or anything you have done, but because Jesus loves you. That is why Christ laid down His life for you - no more, no less. Recognize this, and let neither pride nor self-pity keep you from the cross. When you see you are a sinner, in need of a Savior, and that Jesus is that Savior, who is mighty to save, then cry out, "Have mercy on me, O God, a sinner!" Then, experience the glorious joy of being called a child of God.
So goes the main lyric of a new song. And I understand the point the songwriter is trying to make - he is talking about people who believe they have no value, that God could never love them, begging for someone to give them worth. However, all the value and intrinsic worth humans possess as beings created in the image of God is not what makes us worth dying for. The simple truth is that, though we are made in God's image, our sin has so separated us from God that we have nothing to offer, nothing of ourselves that makes us worthy of Christ's ultimate sacrifice. Depressing, right?
But, that is precisely what makes the Gospel so wonderful, what makes the precious blood of Jesus, the priceless love of God, so awe-inspiring. God loves us, despite the fact that we are His enemies because of our evil behavior (Colossians 1:21), despite the fact that we nailed Him to the cross with our iniquity. He, for some inexplicable reason, desired to draw us back unto Himself, to restore us, to heal us, to make us holy. "But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8). This was not because of anything we have done, will do, or any "value" we think we have. ("Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy, He saved us." Titus 3:5).
His great love for us. That is the only way we are made worthy to be in His presence, to be part of His family. We are never nearer to His grace than when we realize our own unworthiness. In Luke 18, it was not the Pharisee who returned home forgiven, but rather the tax collector who cried out, "Have mercy on me, O God, a sinner!" It was not the one who had done the most works, or acquired the most value in the world's eyes, but the one who realized he was completely hopeless apart from God's mercy.
So, you are someone worth dying for - but not because of any status you have attained or anything you have done, but because Jesus loves you. That is why Christ laid down His life for you - no more, no less. Recognize this, and let neither pride nor self-pity keep you from the cross. When you see you are a sinner, in need of a Savior, and that Jesus is that Savior, who is mighty to save, then cry out, "Have mercy on me, O God, a sinner!" Then, experience the glorious joy of being called a child of God.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Jesus, Jesus, Precious Jesus
Over the past few decades, we have been slowly experiencing a cultural shift - a shift that has permeated every aspect of culture in America, and most of Western civilization. This shift, which I do not have time to explore further here, consists mainly of a change in how we define and identify truth. Absolutes are out, and "tolerance" is in (I am indebted to both Francis Shaeffer and Josh McDowell for these observations). Because we have redefined truth, significant changes have been foisted upon the moral landscape. We have replaced absolutes with relativism, replaced "sin" with "mental illness" or "addiction."
The effects of this new mindset on evangelism cannot be overestimated. The gospel message, same as it has been for the last two millenia, is that Jesus Christ died for our sins, was buried, and was raised again on the third day (I Corinthians 15). In the current cultural climate, people predominatly believe they are basically good, and if not, then it is the result of some "mental illness." Therefore, to tell someone "Jesus died for your sins" means absolutely nothing. The Good news is not good news until one understands the bad news: apart from Christ's intervening work on the cross, we are sinners, and stand before God condemned for breaking His laws.
The solution seems simple: first help people understand they are sinners, help them see their need for a Savior, and then move on to the gospel message. But instead, it seems the majority of churches either tried other tactics to spread the gospel, or eventually went along with the cultural trend in one form or another, essentially preaching a gospel "which is really no gospel at all" (Gal 1). This is where we get the prosperity gospel, the "Jesus loves you just the way you are, so you don't have to change," "you can keep on sinning and its okay, because Jesus will forgive you (cheap grace)," and other forms of the Gospel that completely miss the point. This is why the church is dying - all we have offered, with this way of thinking, is another feel-good, spiritualized worldview. From this vantage point, how is Christianity any different from Buddhism, Hinduism, New Age, etc? When looked at closely, this form of Christianity ISN'T any different!
So what is the church to do? Because while it is true that we can't give people the true Gospel if we water it down, it is equally true that if people don't understand they are sinners, then they see no need for a savior, making the Gospel wholly irrelevant and useless to them.
First, we must bring back and reemphasize the holiness of God as well as His love and mercy. God is loving and merciful, yes, but we would do well to remember He is just and holy - justice cannot stand for sin, holiness cannot allow sin in its presence. God hates sin, and because He is holy He must punish sin - if He didn't, He would cease to be good. We must understand: God is holy; we are not. We deserve nothing from God but what we have rightfully earned: condemnation. We have broken His laws; the penalty must be paid, and the penalty is death. ("Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness.")
Once we understand that on our own this is where we stand, how much more wonderful is it to learn that this Almighty God, who is holy and just, is also full of mercy and love! Yes, someone had to die for sin, and Someone did. Praise be to God - who sent His own Son, Jesus Christ, God incarnate, to bear the blame for my sin, for your sin, for the sin of the whole world! (John 2, Romans 5). Jesus came and took the punishment for sin so that, accepting this free gift of love, we can stand before God, clean and holy, dressed in Christ's righteousness. He set us free from sin! Yes, Jesus will accept you just the way you are, but he loves you far too much to leave you that way (I am indebted to Max Lucado for this insight). The reason He died to take away your sin was not merely to give you lisence to live any way you want, but to free you from sin so you can be conformed to His image. To obey His commands is to pursue holiness, a righteous life overflowing with thanfulness for His indescribable gift of love.
Yes, beloved, we as Christians must stay true to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, for only Jesus can save mankind from eternal condemnation. Only Jesus is the remedy for sin. We must call sin sin, stand up for absolute truth, and be ready, once people understand the bad news, to share the good news. We must not let the Gospel get lost in all our attempts at "relevance," for the Gospel is what sets Christianity apart - every other religion is about what you must do to please God, and Christianity is about what Jesus has already done to take away sin and present you holy before God. Every other religion is about working for salvation, in Christianity, works are what overflows from a life of thankfulness and devotion and a passion to tell others about that same gift. As Casting Crowns wrote, "What this world needs is for us to stop hiding behind our 'relevance,' blending in so well that people can't see the difference - because its the difference that sets the world free!"
You can keep your "relevance," you can keep your formulas; you can keep your cultural trends. Just give me Jesus - He alone is what stands between me and the righteous wrath of a holy God - my mediator, my savior, my redeemer and friend.
"For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures." I Corinthians 15:3-4
The effects of this new mindset on evangelism cannot be overestimated. The gospel message, same as it has been for the last two millenia, is that Jesus Christ died for our sins, was buried, and was raised again on the third day (I Corinthians 15). In the current cultural climate, people predominatly believe they are basically good, and if not, then it is the result of some "mental illness." Therefore, to tell someone "Jesus died for your sins" means absolutely nothing. The Good news is not good news until one understands the bad news: apart from Christ's intervening work on the cross, we are sinners, and stand before God condemned for breaking His laws.
The solution seems simple: first help people understand they are sinners, help them see their need for a Savior, and then move on to the gospel message. But instead, it seems the majority of churches either tried other tactics to spread the gospel, or eventually went along with the cultural trend in one form or another, essentially preaching a gospel "which is really no gospel at all" (Gal 1). This is where we get the prosperity gospel, the "Jesus loves you just the way you are, so you don't have to change," "you can keep on sinning and its okay, because Jesus will forgive you (cheap grace)," and other forms of the Gospel that completely miss the point. This is why the church is dying - all we have offered, with this way of thinking, is another feel-good, spiritualized worldview. From this vantage point, how is Christianity any different from Buddhism, Hinduism, New Age, etc? When looked at closely, this form of Christianity ISN'T any different!
So what is the church to do? Because while it is true that we can't give people the true Gospel if we water it down, it is equally true that if people don't understand they are sinners, then they see no need for a savior, making the Gospel wholly irrelevant and useless to them.
First, we must bring back and reemphasize the holiness of God as well as His love and mercy. God is loving and merciful, yes, but we would do well to remember He is just and holy - justice cannot stand for sin, holiness cannot allow sin in its presence. God hates sin, and because He is holy He must punish sin - if He didn't, He would cease to be good. We must understand: God is holy; we are not. We deserve nothing from God but what we have rightfully earned: condemnation. We have broken His laws; the penalty must be paid, and the penalty is death. ("Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness.")
Once we understand that on our own this is where we stand, how much more wonderful is it to learn that this Almighty God, who is holy and just, is also full of mercy and love! Yes, someone had to die for sin, and Someone did. Praise be to God - who sent His own Son, Jesus Christ, God incarnate, to bear the blame for my sin, for your sin, for the sin of the whole world! (John 2, Romans 5). Jesus came and took the punishment for sin so that, accepting this free gift of love, we can stand before God, clean and holy, dressed in Christ's righteousness. He set us free from sin! Yes, Jesus will accept you just the way you are, but he loves you far too much to leave you that way (I am indebted to Max Lucado for this insight). The reason He died to take away your sin was not merely to give you lisence to live any way you want, but to free you from sin so you can be conformed to His image. To obey His commands is to pursue holiness, a righteous life overflowing with thanfulness for His indescribable gift of love.
Yes, beloved, we as Christians must stay true to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, for only Jesus can save mankind from eternal condemnation. Only Jesus is the remedy for sin. We must call sin sin, stand up for absolute truth, and be ready, once people understand the bad news, to share the good news. We must not let the Gospel get lost in all our attempts at "relevance," for the Gospel is what sets Christianity apart - every other religion is about what you must do to please God, and Christianity is about what Jesus has already done to take away sin and present you holy before God. Every other religion is about working for salvation, in Christianity, works are what overflows from a life of thankfulness and devotion and a passion to tell others about that same gift. As Casting Crowns wrote, "What this world needs is for us to stop hiding behind our 'relevance,' blending in so well that people can't see the difference - because its the difference that sets the world free!"
You can keep your "relevance," you can keep your formulas; you can keep your cultural trends. Just give me Jesus - He alone is what stands between me and the righteous wrath of a holy God - my mediator, my savior, my redeemer and friend.
"For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures." I Corinthians 15:3-4
Monday, March 28, 2011
Overcoming Anxiety
I don’t know about anyone else, but I’m sick and tired of living in fear, of giving into anxiety and paralysis. I’m so sick of being so overwhelmed at what I can’t do that I despair and fail to do what I can do. I’m tired of living in the land of “what if…?” and being stopped by fears of something that may or may not happen.
The Bible, in multiple places, exhorts us to “Fear not.” Jesus commands us not to worry about tomorrow, and Paul exhorts Christians to “be anxious for nothing.” All through Scripture, God's people are told to rest on God's promises instead of worrying about circumstances or the future.
However, we also see that worry and fear and anxious thoughts are a part of human life. The Psalmist says “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.” From the number of times God says “Fear not,” it is probably safe to assume that fear is a common element of human life.
So, the question becomes: What in the world can one do about this discrepancy between how it is and how it ought to be?
A wise man once said, “Living in fear and anxiety is like paying interest in advance on something that you may never own.” Jesus perhaps said it best: “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?...Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has sufficient trouble of its own.” (Matt 6). I have spent too much time worrying about tomorrow, fretting over maybes, and allowing my soul to be tossed in the sea of anxiety. As a Christian, I was never meant to live in fear, never meant to wallow in anxiety. Paul writes in Philippians:
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” (Phil 4:6-8).
You see, brothers and sisters, God not only commands us not to be afraid or anxious, but He, in His great love, tells us how to deal with anxious thoughts that threaten to swallow us whole. We are, instead of wallowing in anxiety, to pray – to present our worries and requests to God, and to replace the anxious thoughts with thoughts of what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy. And God will give us peace – even in the darkest or most uncertain of circumstances – this is peace that causes the world to marvel, to wonder where we get such hope and calm of spirit.
Rest assured, I am not “super Christian.” I am just a young woman tired of living in fear, tired of being overwhelmed with anxiety, done living under the exhaustion of constant worry. I am done, when presented with the opportunity to respond in steadfast faith or fear, of giving way to fear – again, and again, and again. Living in fear takes your focus off Christ and places it onto the waves, and, much like Peter, when we take our eyes off Christ, it is only then that the storm looks overwhelming, and we begin to sink. I marvel at Almighty God, Who, when I cry out “ Lord, save me!” He reaches out His hand and catches me. However, I don’t want Him to continually have to say to me, “You of little faith. Why did you doubt?” For, when I consider all that the Lord has done, in history, in those around me, and in my own life, when I consider His faithfulness, provision, and ability to do what He has promised, I see His question is legitimate. Why do I doubt? Where is my faith? And then I see: faith and fear cannot grow in the heart simultaneously. For if one is being fed, the other is starving to death.
Anxiety-producing situations are a part of our world. Being a Christian doesn’t make those situations go away. The answer to getting out of the “pit of despair” is to take hold of Christ’s promises, cling to God’s faithfulness and refuse to be controlled by those anxious thoughts. When anxiety threatens to overtake you – pray. Petition the Lord in your situation, thanking Him for all He has done and for all that He has yet to do. Leave those worries at the foot of the cross – where they belong – and replace those thoughts of fear with that which is true, noble, and right. Let God be God – allow Him to work in your life, leaving “what ifs” aside, and trusting that He will fulfill what He has promised. He will not lead you into a situation, or promise you something, and then leave you alone, or take you on a path where He cannot provide. He is faithful, even when we are not, so how much more is He able to be faithful when we choose to walk trusting that He is able to do all He has promised?
In conclusion, all I have to offer is the hope and peace found in the words of this old hymn:
“Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace.”
The Bible, in multiple places, exhorts us to “Fear not.” Jesus commands us not to worry about tomorrow, and Paul exhorts Christians to “be anxious for nothing.” All through Scripture, God's people are told to rest on God's promises instead of worrying about circumstances or the future.
However, we also see that worry and fear and anxious thoughts are a part of human life. The Psalmist says “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.” From the number of times God says “Fear not,” it is probably safe to assume that fear is a common element of human life.
So, the question becomes: What in the world can one do about this discrepancy between how it is and how it ought to be?
A wise man once said, “Living in fear and anxiety is like paying interest in advance on something that you may never own.” Jesus perhaps said it best: “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?...Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has sufficient trouble of its own.” (Matt 6). I have spent too much time worrying about tomorrow, fretting over maybes, and allowing my soul to be tossed in the sea of anxiety. As a Christian, I was never meant to live in fear, never meant to wallow in anxiety. Paul writes in Philippians:
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” (Phil 4:6-8).
You see, brothers and sisters, God not only commands us not to be afraid or anxious, but He, in His great love, tells us how to deal with anxious thoughts that threaten to swallow us whole. We are, instead of wallowing in anxiety, to pray – to present our worries and requests to God, and to replace the anxious thoughts with thoughts of what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy. And God will give us peace – even in the darkest or most uncertain of circumstances – this is peace that causes the world to marvel, to wonder where we get such hope and calm of spirit.
Rest assured, I am not “super Christian.” I am just a young woman tired of living in fear, tired of being overwhelmed with anxiety, done living under the exhaustion of constant worry. I am done, when presented with the opportunity to respond in steadfast faith or fear, of giving way to fear – again, and again, and again. Living in fear takes your focus off Christ and places it onto the waves, and, much like Peter, when we take our eyes off Christ, it is only then that the storm looks overwhelming, and we begin to sink. I marvel at Almighty God, Who, when I cry out “ Lord, save me!” He reaches out His hand and catches me. However, I don’t want Him to continually have to say to me, “You of little faith. Why did you doubt?” For, when I consider all that the Lord has done, in history, in those around me, and in my own life, when I consider His faithfulness, provision, and ability to do what He has promised, I see His question is legitimate. Why do I doubt? Where is my faith? And then I see: faith and fear cannot grow in the heart simultaneously. For if one is being fed, the other is starving to death.
Anxiety-producing situations are a part of our world. Being a Christian doesn’t make those situations go away. The answer to getting out of the “pit of despair” is to take hold of Christ’s promises, cling to God’s faithfulness and refuse to be controlled by those anxious thoughts. When anxiety threatens to overtake you – pray. Petition the Lord in your situation, thanking Him for all He has done and for all that He has yet to do. Leave those worries at the foot of the cross – where they belong – and replace those thoughts of fear with that which is true, noble, and right. Let God be God – allow Him to work in your life, leaving “what ifs” aside, and trusting that He will fulfill what He has promised. He will not lead you into a situation, or promise you something, and then leave you alone, or take you on a path where He cannot provide. He is faithful, even when we are not, so how much more is He able to be faithful when we choose to walk trusting that He is able to do all He has promised?
In conclusion, all I have to offer is the hope and peace found in the words of this old hymn:
“Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace.”
Monday, February 7, 2011
Discipleship
Why do we need discipleship training?
Why do Christians need training in discipleship? Why bother teaching them Theology and all the particulars of Christianity? Is it really necessary?
Think about this: Imagine a young man who signs up for military service during war. Will the military simply give him a uniform and a gun and then send him off to the front lines the very next day? NO! To send a brand new soldier up against an enemy without proper training in battle technique, the enemy’s tactics, and training in endurance and strength would be foolish and almost certainly lead to the soldier’s demise on the battlefield. Sure, there are a few who could survive, learning along the way and taking the initiative to train themselves. But by and large, such inadequate training would lead only to destruction.
So then, why do we, as Christians, assume that kids/new Christians are ready to face the temptations of this world and stand against the wiles of the devil simply because they have made a confession of faith? Merely accepting Christ does not spell successful Christian living. The Christian life is a spiritual battle. If we would not send a new soldier onto the front lines without basic training, why would we do so to the Christian soldier? Christians need discipleship training to acquire the skills and endurance necessary to defeat the enemy and properly execute his or her duty as a soldier of the cross.
In Peter’s second letter, he states
“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. Through these He has given us His very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness;
and to goodness, knowledge;
and to knowledge,
self control; and to self control, perseverance;
and to perseverance, godliness;
and to godliness, brotherly kindness;
and to brotherly kindness, love.
For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Peter talks about adding these Christian character qualities in addition to faith. Make no mistake: it is by grace through faith that we are saved. Salvation comes by grace alone, faith in the blood of Christ that cleanses us. But, Peter makes it clear that if we are to live productive and effective lives in our knowledge of Christ, that is, if we are to live lives as effective Christians in this world, we need to “possess these qualities in increasing measure.” How do we do this – add goodness, knowledge, self control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness and love to our faith? Through “training.” Through discipleship. To be discipled is to be shown and taught what it is to live as a believer in Christ. Most Christians with exemplary lives will tell you they had one or more Christian mentor(s), someone who came alongside them and taught them in the faith – someone who prayed for them, encouraged them, challenged them, taught them, loved them, and – most importantly – led them by example.
I think today especially of the youth – those young in their faith, as they enter junior high and high school and the formative nature of those years – as they come up against the evil desires in this world and the temptations they face. I think of those going off to college – away from the protective environment of the family home – where they will face many more temptations out in the world on their own. I have no doubt that many of these teens and young adults are believers, washed in the blood. But there is nothing Satan loves more than to take a Christian and render their life and witness useless and ineffective, to keep them from “shining like stars… in a crooked and depraved generation.” When the world sees Christians acting in precisely the same vain and fruitless ways of the rest of the culture, what witness do we have for Christ? How are we showing anyone that we are set apart from the rest of the world? We will become salt that has lost its saltiness, or a lamp under a bowl. Brothers and sisters, this should not be.
So then, what CAN we do? Simply: we ought to both seek opportunities to be discipled, and also take the opportunities to disciple others as they are given by the Lord. However, in the second category, we must approach those opportunities in a spirit of humility, and to an extent, fear and trembling. “Brothers, let not many of us aspire to be teachers, knowing that we shall receive the stricter judgment.” Being in a position of responsibility for another’s spiritual development is something that must be taken seriously and considered soberly and with much prayer.
In conclusion, if you are a new Christian, seek discipleship training, either at a local church or with someone whose spiritual counsel you trust. Also, look not only at this person’s teaching, but also their life: is what they do consistent with what they teach? (You will know them by their fruit….). If you know someone who has recently accepted Christ, encourage them to seek discipleship. And finally, if you yourself have a passion for truth, for taking the Word of God to the “front lines” and equipping God’s people for battle, prayerfully consider whether God has called you to humbly disciple His young sheep. If so, look for those opportunities, always being wary of pride and conceit. Discipleship is not only important to church growth and personal strength and effectiveness in Christ, it is ESSENTIAL and VITAL! Onward, Christian soldiers!
Why do Christians need training in discipleship? Why bother teaching them Theology and all the particulars of Christianity? Is it really necessary?
Think about this: Imagine a young man who signs up for military service during war. Will the military simply give him a uniform and a gun and then send him off to the front lines the very next day? NO! To send a brand new soldier up against an enemy without proper training in battle technique, the enemy’s tactics, and training in endurance and strength would be foolish and almost certainly lead to the soldier’s demise on the battlefield. Sure, there are a few who could survive, learning along the way and taking the initiative to train themselves. But by and large, such inadequate training would lead only to destruction.
So then, why do we, as Christians, assume that kids/new Christians are ready to face the temptations of this world and stand against the wiles of the devil simply because they have made a confession of faith? Merely accepting Christ does not spell successful Christian living. The Christian life is a spiritual battle. If we would not send a new soldier onto the front lines without basic training, why would we do so to the Christian soldier? Christians need discipleship training to acquire the skills and endurance necessary to defeat the enemy and properly execute his or her duty as a soldier of the cross.
In Peter’s second letter, he states
“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. Through these He has given us His very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness;
and to goodness, knowledge;
and to knowledge,
self control; and to self control, perseverance;
and to perseverance, godliness;
and to godliness, brotherly kindness;
and to brotherly kindness, love.
For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Peter talks about adding these Christian character qualities in addition to faith. Make no mistake: it is by grace through faith that we are saved. Salvation comes by grace alone, faith in the blood of Christ that cleanses us. But, Peter makes it clear that if we are to live productive and effective lives in our knowledge of Christ, that is, if we are to live lives as effective Christians in this world, we need to “possess these qualities in increasing measure.” How do we do this – add goodness, knowledge, self control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness and love to our faith? Through “training.” Through discipleship. To be discipled is to be shown and taught what it is to live as a believer in Christ. Most Christians with exemplary lives will tell you they had one or more Christian mentor(s), someone who came alongside them and taught them in the faith – someone who prayed for them, encouraged them, challenged them, taught them, loved them, and – most importantly – led them by example.
I think today especially of the youth – those young in their faith, as they enter junior high and high school and the formative nature of those years – as they come up against the evil desires in this world and the temptations they face. I think of those going off to college – away from the protective environment of the family home – where they will face many more temptations out in the world on their own. I have no doubt that many of these teens and young adults are believers, washed in the blood. But there is nothing Satan loves more than to take a Christian and render their life and witness useless and ineffective, to keep them from “shining like stars… in a crooked and depraved generation.” When the world sees Christians acting in precisely the same vain and fruitless ways of the rest of the culture, what witness do we have for Christ? How are we showing anyone that we are set apart from the rest of the world? We will become salt that has lost its saltiness, or a lamp under a bowl. Brothers and sisters, this should not be.
So then, what CAN we do? Simply: we ought to both seek opportunities to be discipled, and also take the opportunities to disciple others as they are given by the Lord. However, in the second category, we must approach those opportunities in a spirit of humility, and to an extent, fear and trembling. “Brothers, let not many of us aspire to be teachers, knowing that we shall receive the stricter judgment.” Being in a position of responsibility for another’s spiritual development is something that must be taken seriously and considered soberly and with much prayer.
In conclusion, if you are a new Christian, seek discipleship training, either at a local church or with someone whose spiritual counsel you trust. Also, look not only at this person’s teaching, but also their life: is what they do consistent with what they teach? (You will know them by their fruit….). If you know someone who has recently accepted Christ, encourage them to seek discipleship. And finally, if you yourself have a passion for truth, for taking the Word of God to the “front lines” and equipping God’s people for battle, prayerfully consider whether God has called you to humbly disciple His young sheep. If so, look for those opportunities, always being wary of pride and conceit. Discipleship is not only important to church growth and personal strength and effectiveness in Christ, it is ESSENTIAL and VITAL! Onward, Christian soldiers!
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
A Persistent, Pursuing Love
Do you ever have one of those moments, where past and present seem to connect, and you are instantly transported to a defining moment in your personal history - one of those "Aha!" moments, where profound truth became clear to you?
This afternoon, I was listening to Trace Adkins' song, "Every Light in the House is On" on the way to work (regardless of how you feel about country music, work with me here...). The premise of the song is this: the song is about a man whose girl has decided she needs to leave, to find herself, and probably isn't coming back. He tells her he will leave a light on, in case she ever wants to come back home. She responds by saying that she appreciates the gesture, but the tone of the song implies that she doesn't believe she will need it. He concludes by saying that just to show how much he loves her:
"Every light in the house is on
the backyard's bright as the crack of dawn
the front walk looks like runway lights
it's kinda like noon in the dead of night...
Just in case you ever do get tired of being gone,
Every light in the house is on"
This song made me smile, and think about another country song, "Austin." (Same basic premise - girl (named Austin) leaves guy to "clear her mind." About a year later, she calls him, and gets his answering machine message, which ends "..and PS, if this is Austin: I still love you." She marvels at this kind of tenacious love expressed in that message, and ends up going back to this man, who truly loves her). This song holds special, profound meaning to me because of a boy I used to babysit back when he was 9.
Kyle loved "the Austin song," and would beg me to sing it to him at bedtime. One night, I finished singing the song, tucked him in, and turned to leave the room.
"Miss Kcenia?" he called out.
I turned to face him. "Yes, Kyle?" I answered gently
"That song - that's kinda how God loves us, huh? Even if we run away or don't think we want to love Him?"
My heart caught in my throat and tears filled my eyes as I managed to find my voice to answer his beautiful, innocent question. "Yes Kyle, God does love us like that - even more."
"I'm glad. Goodnight Miss Kcenia"
Once again, I was blown away by the beautiful, simple understanding God gives to children - the "inside track" into the mind of God, their special place in His heart (but that is a whole other topic =)
While listening to "Every Light in the House is on," and reflecting on "Austin," I stand in awe once again at the amazing love of our Almighty God. His love is not merely love from a distance, a "oh-well-I-wish-you-would-love-me-back" kind of love. No, the love offered by God is a persistant love, a pursuing love, a love that longs for His own to turn and return. It is a love that reaches out, regardless of how the beloved responds, a love that surpasses time and understanding, a love that trancends reason. This love does more thann leave every light in the house on; this love sends out beacons in every direction - alluring, beckoning, pleading, "Come home, beloved - back into my arms, the source of all life, love, and satisfaction." It is a love that waits - it is patient, kind, not envious, not proud, not rude, not self seeking, not easily angered, keeping no record of wrongs. It does not delight in evil, but rejoices with truth. It always protects, trusts, hopes, perseveres, and never fails. This is agape love - unconditional love - "love for love's sake."
The truly profound thing about this love is this: God has every right, in His holiness, to refuse to plead for our love. He has every right to be wrathful and proud, to keep a record of every time we have hurt Him. He has every right to refuse to reach out and let us follow the paths we have chosen. He is the Almighty, Holy God, after all. Yet, He chooses to be loving, because He is good. Now, there will come a day when He is done pleading, when He must, in accordance with His holiness, pour out His just wrath on those who willfully reject his offer of unconditional love. Seek the Lord while He may be found - while "every light in the house is on," and while He whispers, "PS - I still love you." Taste and see the amazing implications and benefits of being part of this persistent, purusing love!
(For a taste of what this pursuing love looks like, take a look at the book of Hosea, possibly one of the best examples of God's persistant, pursuing love)
This afternoon, I was listening to Trace Adkins' song, "Every Light in the House is On" on the way to work (regardless of how you feel about country music, work with me here...). The premise of the song is this: the song is about a man whose girl has decided she needs to leave, to find herself, and probably isn't coming back. He tells her he will leave a light on, in case she ever wants to come back home. She responds by saying that she appreciates the gesture, but the tone of the song implies that she doesn't believe she will need it. He concludes by saying that just to show how much he loves her:
"Every light in the house is on
the backyard's bright as the crack of dawn
the front walk looks like runway lights
it's kinda like noon in the dead of night...
Just in case you ever do get tired of being gone,
Every light in the house is on"
This song made me smile, and think about another country song, "Austin." (Same basic premise - girl (named Austin) leaves guy to "clear her mind." About a year later, she calls him, and gets his answering machine message, which ends "..and PS, if this is Austin: I still love you." She marvels at this kind of tenacious love expressed in that message, and ends up going back to this man, who truly loves her). This song holds special, profound meaning to me because of a boy I used to babysit back when he was 9.
Kyle loved "the Austin song," and would beg me to sing it to him at bedtime. One night, I finished singing the song, tucked him in, and turned to leave the room.
"Miss Kcenia?" he called out.
I turned to face him. "Yes, Kyle?" I answered gently
"That song - that's kinda how God loves us, huh? Even if we run away or don't think we want to love Him?"
My heart caught in my throat and tears filled my eyes as I managed to find my voice to answer his beautiful, innocent question. "Yes Kyle, God does love us like that - even more."
"I'm glad. Goodnight Miss Kcenia"
Once again, I was blown away by the beautiful, simple understanding God gives to children - the "inside track" into the mind of God, their special place in His heart (but that is a whole other topic =)
While listening to "Every Light in the House is on," and reflecting on "Austin," I stand in awe once again at the amazing love of our Almighty God. His love is not merely love from a distance, a "oh-well-I-wish-you-would-love-me-back" kind of love. No, the love offered by God is a persistant love, a pursuing love, a love that longs for His own to turn and return. It is a love that reaches out, regardless of how the beloved responds, a love that surpasses time and understanding, a love that trancends reason. This love does more thann leave every light in the house on; this love sends out beacons in every direction - alluring, beckoning, pleading, "Come home, beloved - back into my arms, the source of all life, love, and satisfaction." It is a love that waits - it is patient, kind, not envious, not proud, not rude, not self seeking, not easily angered, keeping no record of wrongs. It does not delight in evil, but rejoices with truth. It always protects, trusts, hopes, perseveres, and never fails. This is agape love - unconditional love - "love for love's sake."
The truly profound thing about this love is this: God has every right, in His holiness, to refuse to plead for our love. He has every right to be wrathful and proud, to keep a record of every time we have hurt Him. He has every right to refuse to reach out and let us follow the paths we have chosen. He is the Almighty, Holy God, after all. Yet, He chooses to be loving, because He is good. Now, there will come a day when He is done pleading, when He must, in accordance with His holiness, pour out His just wrath on those who willfully reject his offer of unconditional love. Seek the Lord while He may be found - while "every light in the house is on," and while He whispers, "PS - I still love you." Taste and see the amazing implications and benefits of being part of this persistent, purusing love!
(For a taste of what this pursuing love looks like, take a look at the book of Hosea, possibly one of the best examples of God's persistant, pursuing love)
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