"Let's Think About Our Stance"

Let me be brief but to the point in this writing. I received an email questioning my teaching, which is fine and I take no offense. I need to expound a little, so please bear with me. In all the talk of marriage/divorce I hear today, too many are speaking for God in things God did not say or they try to twist them into something He did not mean. Some are so hard nosed and unkind in their stance they do more harm than good. I have heard just about every argument and been railed on because of the marriage/divorce issue. Here's the deal...many in the Lord's church teach that when one is divorced/remarried and contact has been made with them to hear the good news, the gospel, they refuse to see it to the end until they follow what they call the Lord's command by leaving their existing marriage and being reconciled to their former mate. In other words, some refuse baptism until this part has been dealt with. (Completely overlooking I Cor. 7:17-20.)

Under the Law, when there was a certificate of divorce, the man was not allowed by God to go back to his former wife (Deut. 24:1-4). If God demanded that under the Law, why are we demanding the opposite under Christ? When Paul speaks in I Cor. 7 about two married divorcing, they must remain single or be reconciled. Paul was addressing two people in Christ and not the world.

In the first century, Paul recognized there were three groups of people in the world and they weren't all accountable on the same level. There was: (1) Jews, under the Law. (2) Gentiles who are without law. (3) Those under the law of Christ. (See I Cor. 9:20-22). Paul reminded the Ephesian Gentile Christian that before they came into Christ, they were: (1) Separated from Christ. (2) They were strangers to the covenants of promise. (3) Had no hope. (4) Without God in this world. (Eph. 2:12) Paul wasn't putting their former lives under the commands of the Lord! They had no part of Israel's citizenship and God's relationship. There have been debates, books written, arguments established, lengthy papers and articles on all this trying to argue points. Let's just be simple and honest with Scripture. Let's keep things in context in which they are spoken, to whom is being addressed and above all not be on a head hunt toward someone. I realize there is false teaching and misapplications. I know there are things misunderstood. I know I was hard nosed and ready to debate years gone by but thankful I realized I could learn how to deal with contexts. When we are talking about making a stance to keep someone from hearing and responding to the gospel because they come from a broken marriage, we better take a step back and be careful in our application. We are dealing with eternity and their souls. We are dealing with God!! Some act like the ONLY sin that the blood of Jesus cannot cleanse is divorce so we make our demands and sometimes use silly displays of illustrations. I realize there are marriages that are wrong and some people give no regard for the teachings of the Lord but I am speaking about those who are in Christ.

Well, I've put my armor back on and as for being brief, well...my apologizes. I just want us to think brethren...THINK! (and be honest with Scripture). Trust the Lord! Accept His word for what it says without running all over trying to make 'arguments' fit our belief. I know I don't want to go back to my earlier years when I knew everything!!!

"Divorce Misusings"

I'm stepping out a little further today. Some might wince and others might question me but that's okay. I am not trying to create controversy. That's not me. To those who know me well and personally know how I try with the best of my ability to keep things in context and the way they were intended. Sometimes I miss something but I do try to keep it honest.

The church is being battered over the marriage/divorce issue. One says this, another that. Congregations are dividing over the issue. Preachers are being marked. Members are being withdrawn from. For something to create such a fuss that tells us there is some difficulty in it but only because some try to put every thing in a little box to fit in their pocket and if it doesn't, it is rejected. Sometimes it is rejected with hate.

Malachi 2:16 says that God hates divorce. I know that if sin was not present in our world there would be no marriages in shambles, no treachery and no divorces. Each divorce says something sinister is in the world to lead to something so devastating. But what did Malachi mean? One has to look at the book as a whole, the context in which God says this through Malachi. The nation of God's people have chosen not to honor God any longer. They are going through the motions, offering to God their daily sacrifices that are less than whole and it has made God reject the priest and the nation. Malachi is offering the last words of God before God goes silent for the next 400 years.

This text isn't dealing with a woman dealing with a decadent and perverse husband. It's not about a mate being a hard-drinker and physically and emotionally abusing them. No, that's not what Malachi is addressing. God is about to divorce His people! That is what is happening. God hates doing it but He will. Be careful and read carefully. They are approaching God in their abominations with their offerings and God has had enough! He uses the divorce to send a message of what is about to happen to them! I know that might not set well but sometimes it is hard to look at things when our minds have been set so hard another way.

The Pharisees who came to Jesus in Matthew 19 came with a specific issue in mind, with specific Scriptures to throw out in front of Him with a specific heart and mindset. They didn't want teaching on marriage/divorce. They were trying to trap Him. They wanted to know if what they were doing was lawful by putting away their wives for any cause. They weren't just asking Him to explain Deuteronomy 24:1-4! Their entire approach to Scripture was wrong and this particular group wanted to justify their teachings. What did Jesus think of that? He called their whole reasoning and using of Scripture adulterous!! Jesus was speaking to God's chosen people at that time and exposing these 'preachers' ugly hearts. Many do not keep this in mind when studying Scripture.

For us to yank Malachi 2 and Matthew 19 out of its historical and theological context and make it apply to all people around the world and under all circumstances is to dabble with that text and it blinds many to the bigger picture from God's holy word. No wonder the church can't accept I Corinthians 7 where the inspired apostle shared with them God's teaching on marriage/divorce. By the way, Paul said that the two married (two in Christ), they did have a clause if they wanted to divorce (I Cor. 7:10-11). The word 'but' tells us the Lord allows. The divorce was not the problem, it was remaining unmarried or being reconciled. I just threw that in to help us see that there are allowances under the teachings of Scriptures! Let's be careful and deal with context. Let's not 'jam' things together, trying to make them fit while leaving other Scripture just hanging around as if they have no relevance. Context is the most important issue. Now that I have written the above, I will put on my coat of armor!!!

"Love Is Not Self Seeking"

Recently I was sent an article for someone what a leading psychologist in this country wrote. It was about how we have become a people that consumes and his reasoning was stated as such: "The problem with America is we have never learned to love ourselves and it creates within us a need to fill our lives with something. Self love is the door to loving others and the lessening of the need to want things." Over the years I have heard preachers teach basically the same thing telling others that we can't love unless we love ourselves first.

God teaches us in I Cor. 13 that love does not seek it's own! Paul warned Timothy in the church that difficult times will come because people will be lovers of self and pleasures (II Tim. 3:1-5). Jesus was never a self lover! Jesus gave up His rights for us. John expresses to us that "we know love by this, that He laid down His life for us." (I John 3:16) Love is sacrificing on behalf of another. It is not about rights, demanding rights and self seeking. Jesus showed us that. How many are being taken in by "professionals"? The reason self love seems to be the answer is because it is what we naturally do!!

In Jam. 4 we are pointed to the source of all conflicts and quarrels. What is it? Our personal pleasures! It's all about loving us. The source of all our problems is not getting what we want when we want, what makes us feel good and wanting our rights.

In Jam. 3:14-18 we are supplied with the source of our wisdom. One source is God, the other is from the world. How do you know which you are using? The wisdom of the world is about jealousy and selfish ambition. In fact, God informs us that the worlds wisdom is (1) "Earthly" meaning it measures things by mans standards. (2) "Natural" meaning it comes from mans natural nature. (3) "Demonic" meaning it proceeds from demons and they are behind it. That alone should open our eyes.

In order to love with God's love, self must go. Jesus said if anyone was going to follow Him, self was the first thing that must be denied (Matt. 16:24). Self must be the first thing to go. Self has to be buried with Jesus in order to be raised to newness of life (Rom. 6:3-4) If self doesn't, we only get more ingrained into our wants, our rights and what makes us feel good. When anything is withheld from us or we are told 'no' it makes us upset and seethe. What if Jesus ever loved us one time like that?

"Faith"

My posting is late today. For some reason, the blog site had maintenance to do and would not allow any writing. I guess I could wait until tomorrow, but I am already here. Let me leave you with a few encouraging words.

Too many recite Heb. 11:1 in their defining faith. That's the problem, it is just a Biblical way we define something we have a difficult time understanding but we speak as though we have it on! Upon careful reading faith, real, genuine saving faith is the foundation of trust and confidence of hope. Saving faith is being convicted God will do as He says without seeing or understanding how. Faith is not about being given the answers but lives without answers because one trusts God at His word! Let me apply this to a few verses...

Heb. 11:8 - Faith allows one to follow even when they don't know where!

Heb. 11:11 - Faith is the channel to receive power outside yourself! Faith draws off the resources of God!

Heb. 11:13 - All these died in faith without receiving the promise but by faith they saw, greeted and confessed they knew it was coming!

Heb. 11:14 - Faith allows you to live differently than others no matter what!

Heb. 11;15 - Faith keeps one from returning to what was before!

Heb. 11:17-19 - Faith allows you to see God in a greater way under stress!

Heb. 11:21 - Faith lasts to the last days and always worships God!

Heb. 11:24-26 - Faith allows one to say 'no'!

Heb. 11;28 - Faith enables you to follow God's word and find salvation in time of judgment!

True saving faith is not something stirred on emotional occasions but lives within us assured and convicted on God's word. It is saving faith that will lead one to preparing for salvation, not only for yourself but for your household (Heb. 11:7).

"I'm Not Ashamed"

I have failed and will fail again! That's just me, trying hard to be pleasing to the Lord and end up failing. Sometimes we in the church fail miserably. Some try to act so high and mighty while others take an attitude toward the church it is a failure. Let's listen carefully to Jesus: "For both He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one Father; for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren." (Heb. 2:11) Did we hear that? He is not ashamed to call them (us) brethren. Those in Christ with all our failures, our weaknesses, our impulses, our horrible reactions from time to time, our ignorance, our childish displays, our lack of understanding, our arrogance, our selfishness, our lack of love for one another, our bad attitudes, our condescending mind set, our uncaring displays and we see the Lord's attitude toward us.

Take the church at Corinth. They were fighting over which was the best preacher. (Don't we see that in some places today.) They were a divided congregation. The were using the world's wisdom. They were arguing among each other being fleshly. They had immorality among them and tolerating it. They had law suits with each other and misapplied teaching about marriage. They were running over one another in regard to eating. They abused one another in the Lord's Supper. Their assemblies were voicing spiritual gifts, putting some down and lifting others up. What a great big mess! But if we would only pause and listen carefully to the voice of the Lord: "He is not ashamed to call them brethren." Paul heard the voice of Jesus and approached the church at Corinth: "To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling..." (I Cor. 1:2) He saw the church, those baptized into Christ for the forgiveness of sins, as the sanctified and saints because of Jesus Christ. With all their fleshly and weak ways, they were still the sanctified! When are we going to learn? The church, the redeemed under the sanctifying work of Jesus.

Sometimes I have strayed far off and you might never know but my Lord does. There were times I was ashamed of myself that I couldn't stand me! My mind asks, "Who is this One not ashamed of me when I am ashamed of me?" He is the Holy One, the sinless in His holy righteousness. He steps forward and identifies me as one of His and is not ashamed. The Majestic One who sits enthroned above all, who commands all things and they are done and the angels bow down in worship. He calls me His brother! When people are shaking their heads at me in my weakness and failure, He pushes His way through the crowd, puts His arm around me and says we are brothers and He is not ashamed to call me such. THAT'S HIM, MY LORD!

If you only knew how bad I have failed...but I'm not ashamed to call you brother or sister!

If you only knew my repeat offenses in my weakness...but I'm not ashamed to call you brother or sister!

If you only knew how uncaring or cold my heart has been toward others sometimes...but I'm not ashamed to call you my brother or sister!

Maybe we need to taste this for a while to soften our attitudes and heart.

"It's Not About Religion"

Too many believe that possessing religion is what it is all about. "Religion is in!" and more so in our day and time. You see those postings in places that if you love the Lord, reprint this or paste this on your page. Possessing religion means little to the Lord. Paul was stressing that in Rom. 2:17-29. The Jew's were relying on their name, their heritage, their teaching of the Law and they were condemned. Condemning the world around us for their ungodly and sometimes abhorrent behavior while turning around and practicing things that go against the holy character of God is not godliness. To condemn the actions and statements of people and practice things in our own lives that are against God, where does that really put us?

It is easy to confess with the mouth that Jesus is Lord but the Lord Jesus Christ Himself insisted: "Why do you call Me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?" (Luke 6:46) Shouldn't the words of Jesus fall on our ears and enter our heart: "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter." ? (Matt. 7:21) There is way too much confessing and not enough following with a whole heart. Those who have been privileged to hear and come to believe the life giving gospel truths are not permitted to deny or refuse to submit to them.

It seems the popular talk today is the atonement for our sins, the free gift offered through the grace of God and that's all that is talked about. Please don't get me wrong, it is one of the most prominent teachings from heaven but to be reconciled to God through Jesus is not the end of the matter! Character, a heart in us like the heart of the Lord is what Jesus Christ is after. God's purpose is to conform us into the image of His Son, having a heart in us like His Son (Rom. 8:29). The redeeming work of Jesus was not only to forgive us but transform us in heart. We are not realigned with Him in some legal way but in a living relationship. It's not about religion!

"Back To Worship"

I've said it before but maybe it is worth repeating. I heard it again while visiting an assembly of the saints. It's called 'individualism worship.' It is very much common place and making its way deeper and deeper into the heart of the assemblies. It becomes a reckless pursuit of "feeling blessed" and has taken center stage in how worship is structured and conducted. I'm not a prude or someone that is old fashioned. I love my Lord. I love His people. I love His church. I love His word. I realize that 'petrified' worship is just as destructive. What seems to be so disturbing is the idea of flexibility and the cost that comes with it.

Recently I had an email from a friend where they assembled and that some had decided that they would have their assemblies on Saturday evenings. By doing it, he felt so blessed! I am not trying to put words in his mouth but what he was telling me was "because I feel so blessed, I will keep doing it!" No regard for the Lord. No respect of His power and majesty. Just "blessed people" doing their thing no matter if it is acceptable or unacceptable. Let's forget the first day of the week as they did after the resurrected Christ. It is all about individualism.

Let's think here: worship, even bad worship (for lack of better terms) does things to the worshiper. That's what many don't see. Biblical worship is the faithful response of the people of God to God and is intended to edify and bless the worshiper BUT the worship is to and about God, not us!!! Our blessings flow as a result, not the cause. God is worshiped as God wants worship. God is praised as God wants praise. It must be acceptable to be accepted. Okay...I've said enough. May God be glorified through our worship and not us!