1 Corinthians 13:13, "And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love."
This is one of the most well known, beloved verses in the bible. How many couples have had their wedding vows sealed with this verse? How many sermons preached? How many Christians discipled? It is a verse that speaks of our existence here on earth, and also in eternity with God. But does it speak of our nation?
God has truly pressed upon my heart the emergence of Glenn Beck as our nations most visible spokesman on behalf of God. Beck, who made his name as a political commentator for conservative issues has now moved into the realm of religion with his self proclaimed rally in the name of God on August 28. He has gathered together various faiths who espouse vastly contradictory views of God, in fact different gods, to call America back to God. And this past Saturday half a million people rallied to this cry. I believe it shows that America, maybe for the first time in my life, is actually open to a true revival occurring. Their is a sense of desperation in our nation where people are actually seeking spiritual answers. This is a good thing! But can true revival occur calling upon the names of many gods, or must we show people the One True God? Let's look at this verse for our answer.
Beck has used the mantra, "Faith, Hope and Charity(Love)" as his shows theme since the beginning of the year. He has used it as a call for our nation to return to our Judeo-Christian roots. On his show daily we see this message with the words prominently displayed with pictures of our founding fathers underneath the words. But is this proper use of this scripture?
Let's look at them one-by-one. First faith: The bible teaches us that our faith is to be in the God of the bible alone. Not in another god. Not in a political or social movement. Not in mankind. Our faith is demonstrated by our trusting Jesus Christ, the Jesus of the bible, the only Jesus that is real, as our Lord and Savior. We trust Him as Savior believing from our heart that His blood is our only avenue to God's grace to experience His forgiveness. That through Jesus's sacrifice on the cross, we are cleansed from all unrighteousness and viewed through Him as righteous in God's eyes. If He is our Lord it means that we will fully surrender to Him, denying ourselves, and follow Him and His word in obedience.
It does not mean we place our faith in the founding fathers. I do not intend to minimize the profound effect these men had on our nation. But as beautiful and important as the U.S. Constitution is, it is not the inspired word of God. Only the Holy Bible meets that criteria. We are not to place our faith in our constitution, and a return to it's biblically based values, over the actual word of God.
Next is hope: Our hope, according to the bible, is not a return for our nation to the roots it was founded upon. According to scripture, our hope is Jesus Christ. Once again, only the Jesus of the bible, not "another Jesus" who has the same name but when compared side-by-side is totally different. Titus 2:13 tells us that we are to be "looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ." We are not to look with hope to men, as they will always disappoint. We are not to look with hope to political leaders, as they are men. Their is no hope in the things of this earth, only in Jesus.
Finally Love: Why is love the greatest? Well, when we get to heaven, we'll have no need for faith, as we will be with God, our faith will have been verified. We'll have no need for hope, our hope will have been granted. But forever and ever we will bathe in the love(agape) of God, and "being changed and like Him," able to actually give God that type of love we could not fully muster on earth.
The bible teaches love(agape) is the Greatest Commandment. To love God "with all" our heart, mind, soul and strength. And then to "love" others as ourselves. Love is evidenced by our obedience to Christ and His word. Jesus told us the world would know "us(Christians)," by our "love" for one another. He said we should "love" each other as He loved us. Sacrificially, totally focused upon the Fathers will instead of ours.
Is it permissible to love our nation. Absolutely, but not above God and His commands. We can love many things, but their is nothing, not even our families, which should come above our love for God. Jesus stated that if our love for our families did not appear as hate compared to our love for Him, we are not worthy to follow Him. The fate of our nation is nothing in God's eyes compared to our obedience in loving Him above all things.
What we have here in preacher talk, is a case of Beck using isegesis in applying scripture. This means, we formulate an idea, and then apply scripture to that idea. It is a dangerous practice for it does not truly communicate what God is trying to say, but rather what we want to say. The proper method is known as exegesis. This is where we take the scripture and attempt to communicate exactly what God is trying to say to us. Can we apply scripture to modern events? Absolutely. But we cannot do so in changing the meaning of what God is trying to communicate.
So, is God trying to communicate through Beck? Possibly, but I believe it's a warning, not the signal for revival. The warning is, God's church is the one who should be sending out the cry for a return to God, not a member of a false religion. The fact that the American church is so dead that no Christian could come close to gathering the support of Beck, a Mormon, should be a wake up call to us all. "Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand!" Will we turn to God, or man?
The most famous revival verse in the bible is 2 Chronicles 7:14. It reads, "If My people who are called by My name(not Allah, or the Mormon Jesus, or Buddah, or Krishna) will humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then, I will hear their prayer in heaven, and I will forgive their sins, and heal their land." If our land, our nation, is to be healed, it will be a work of the One True and Living God. It will not be the work of any man or governmental system. In regards to Beck, where are we placing our faith? In the True and Living God as he commands, or a political movement in the name of many gods? Where are we placing our hope? In our nations ability to get things straight, or the return of Jesus, the only One who can accomplish this? Who are we loving more? Political allegiance or God Almighty?
Is Barack Obama's view of government good for our nation. I don't think so. But the bible tells us that God "raises up kings, and removes kings." He has allowed Obama to come to power for a reason. Could it be to turn us in repentance back to God? I believe it could be. Will that return come when we join together with other religions and gods in God's name? I fear not. Galatians 6:7 reads, "God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that also he shall reap." Unless we are gathered together in Jesus Christ's name, not some generic god, how will God honor that?
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Of God and Country
In the last few days I've been engaged in numerous conversations regarding the Glenn Beck event that took place this past Saturday. These conversations have been with beloved brothers and sisters in Christ. Beck has long irked the political left because of his views which greatly differ from theirs. But Beck is now dividing the political right, not because of his political views, which most agree with at least in part. He is dividing the political right over God. More succinctly, Beck, a professing Mormon, is gathering together different faiths; Christianity, Mormonism, Judaism and Islam, in a call for our nation to return to God.
The question we must ask, on a spiritual, not a political level, is: Are these faiths calling our nation to the same God? I agree with Beck in his generic premise that what our nation needs is a return to God in order for this mess that the United States is today to be rectified. But when examining these different faiths, one cannot in intellectual honesty say that they represent the same God. The god of Islam as represented in the Koran is vastly different than the God of the bible. The god of Mormanism, as represented through the book of Mormon, other texts and the words of their leaders whom they consider prophets having authority over God's written word, is vastly different from the God of the bible. Even Judaism is not following the God of the bible who sent Jesus, Messiah, only to have "His own," Jews, "receive Him not."
It is a concern to me, and many others, that in the name of political agreement, we as Christians find it acceptable to join together with other gods to further a political viewpoint. As I look at scripture I feel we may be making politics a false god, placing those core beliefs over the teachings of the bible.
I am reminded of the children of Israel, who always professed Jehovah God, yet found themselves drifting in to idolatry on a regular basis. They would continue to appear to follow the Lord as they attended the feasts and offered their sacrifices in the tabernacle and temple. But at the same time they would go to the "high places" and also offer sacrifices to the baals. Has the political arena become our "high place" as Christians? Do we believe that political change apart from a true movement of the True and Living God of the bible will impact the kingdom of God? The command of scripture is to "Seek first the kingdom of God," not political change. When we yolk together with other faiths in the name of God, do we try to serve both God and baals for the perceived betterment of our nation?
I ask these questions not to condemn my dear brothers and sisters in Christ. I love and respect them. But I do believe this type of conversation is necessary in Christian circles in order for us to see true revival in our nation. Beck states he believes our nation would be better off if we return to the Judeo-Christian values we were founded upon. I agree with him. But as Christians we must ask a deeper question. Will the kingdom of God be better off if we return to those values but do so apart from Jesus Christ, the Jesus of the bible?
The bible teaches us that we cannot have it both ways. We are either focused upon the kingdom of God, or the things of this world. In fact, the bible teaches us if we compromise and try to serve both we serve neither, we cannot "love both God and mammon." The bible teaches us we provoke God when we do this. Psalm 78:58 states, "For they provoked Him to anger with their high places, and moved Him to jealousy with their carved images." When for the sake of political expediency, we join together with other faiths in the name of God, have we not erected an altar to a political baal while still claiming the mantle of the Living God?
Is what is best for our nation automatically best for God's kingdom? "What good does it do for a man to gain the whole world, but lose his soul?" We could see a return to the values that made our country great, but if we embolden and condone false gods and religions in doing so, what have we truly gained? Beck has become the most bold and visible proclaimer of God in our nation today. His movement may indeed be good for our nation. But is his Mormon church affiliation an asset for the kingdom of God?
Many Christians proclaim that from his testimony they believe Beck is indeed saved, "born again." But the questions that need to be asked of Beck, in Christian love, are do you believe the things the Mormon church teaches of Jesus? Do you believe Jesus and Satan are brothers? Do you believe God the Father begat Jesus not through the Holy Spirit, but rather through physical intercourse with Mary? Do you believe the words of Joseph Smith or Brigham Young supersede that of scripture? Do you believe that God was once man who through living a godly life, attained Godhood? Do you believe as the Mormon church teaches that all men can also attain Godhood?
Beck has done a wonderful job of expressing what the bible teaches about Jesus. But the faith he claims as his own teaches "another Jesus." Satan, who the bible teaches, will appear as "an angel of light," knows scripture inside and out. His method is not to ignore scripture, but rather, subtly twist it so it appears authentic, yet deviates from the truth. This is what the doctrine of the Mormons does. They teach the Jesus of the bible, but add to it. That is against the commands of God's word to neither "add too" nor "take away" from His word.
Beck is a political powerhouse who is now calling our nation to a return to God and revival. But unless he espouses the God of the bible, and nothing in addition, this is a hollow call. As Christians we must determine where true change will come from. Will it come from political reformation, or will it come from a true return to Jesus Christ? For my Christian brothers and sisters I make this plea: we can all agree with Beck or anyone else concerning political issues, but we cannot join together with him in God's name until we first know which God he serves. I pray that Beck would be open to sitting down with someone and fully discussing his beliefs and answering the tough questions regarding the faith he has chosen. Their is no part of the bible I am afraid or ashamed to proclaim. Does Glenn Beck have the same convictions regarding Mormon teachings? His answers could determine whether we are in the "high places," or truly acting on God's behalf.
Beck has stated regarding "liberation theology," that if you find yourself in a church preaching a social gospel, you should leave that church. I agree. He has stated if you find yourself in a church telling you which political candidate to vote for you should leave that church. I agree. Is he willing to state that as the bible teaches if you find yourself in a church that preaches "another Jesus," you should leave that church? And is he willing to act on that? I applaud Beck's sincere love for our country. But if we are to join together in the name of God, we must worship the same God.
The question we must ask, on a spiritual, not a political level, is: Are these faiths calling our nation to the same God? I agree with Beck in his generic premise that what our nation needs is a return to God in order for this mess that the United States is today to be rectified. But when examining these different faiths, one cannot in intellectual honesty say that they represent the same God. The god of Islam as represented in the Koran is vastly different than the God of the bible. The god of Mormanism, as represented through the book of Mormon, other texts and the words of their leaders whom they consider prophets having authority over God's written word, is vastly different from the God of the bible. Even Judaism is not following the God of the bible who sent Jesus, Messiah, only to have "His own," Jews, "receive Him not."
It is a concern to me, and many others, that in the name of political agreement, we as Christians find it acceptable to join together with other gods to further a political viewpoint. As I look at scripture I feel we may be making politics a false god, placing those core beliefs over the teachings of the bible.
I am reminded of the children of Israel, who always professed Jehovah God, yet found themselves drifting in to idolatry on a regular basis. They would continue to appear to follow the Lord as they attended the feasts and offered their sacrifices in the tabernacle and temple. But at the same time they would go to the "high places" and also offer sacrifices to the baals. Has the political arena become our "high place" as Christians? Do we believe that political change apart from a true movement of the True and Living God of the bible will impact the kingdom of God? The command of scripture is to "Seek first the kingdom of God," not political change. When we yolk together with other faiths in the name of God, do we try to serve both God and baals for the perceived betterment of our nation?
I ask these questions not to condemn my dear brothers and sisters in Christ. I love and respect them. But I do believe this type of conversation is necessary in Christian circles in order for us to see true revival in our nation. Beck states he believes our nation would be better off if we return to the Judeo-Christian values we were founded upon. I agree with him. But as Christians we must ask a deeper question. Will the kingdom of God be better off if we return to those values but do so apart from Jesus Christ, the Jesus of the bible?
The bible teaches us that we cannot have it both ways. We are either focused upon the kingdom of God, or the things of this world. In fact, the bible teaches us if we compromise and try to serve both we serve neither, we cannot "love both God and mammon." The bible teaches us we provoke God when we do this. Psalm 78:58 states, "For they provoked Him to anger with their high places, and moved Him to jealousy with their carved images." When for the sake of political expediency, we join together with other faiths in the name of God, have we not erected an altar to a political baal while still claiming the mantle of the Living God?
Is what is best for our nation automatically best for God's kingdom? "What good does it do for a man to gain the whole world, but lose his soul?" We could see a return to the values that made our country great, but if we embolden and condone false gods and religions in doing so, what have we truly gained? Beck has become the most bold and visible proclaimer of God in our nation today. His movement may indeed be good for our nation. But is his Mormon church affiliation an asset for the kingdom of God?
Many Christians proclaim that from his testimony they believe Beck is indeed saved, "born again." But the questions that need to be asked of Beck, in Christian love, are do you believe the things the Mormon church teaches of Jesus? Do you believe Jesus and Satan are brothers? Do you believe God the Father begat Jesus not through the Holy Spirit, but rather through physical intercourse with Mary? Do you believe the words of Joseph Smith or Brigham Young supersede that of scripture? Do you believe that God was once man who through living a godly life, attained Godhood? Do you believe as the Mormon church teaches that all men can also attain Godhood?
Beck has done a wonderful job of expressing what the bible teaches about Jesus. But the faith he claims as his own teaches "another Jesus." Satan, who the bible teaches, will appear as "an angel of light," knows scripture inside and out. His method is not to ignore scripture, but rather, subtly twist it so it appears authentic, yet deviates from the truth. This is what the doctrine of the Mormons does. They teach the Jesus of the bible, but add to it. That is against the commands of God's word to neither "add too" nor "take away" from His word.
Beck is a political powerhouse who is now calling our nation to a return to God and revival. But unless he espouses the God of the bible, and nothing in addition, this is a hollow call. As Christians we must determine where true change will come from. Will it come from political reformation, or will it come from a true return to Jesus Christ? For my Christian brothers and sisters I make this plea: we can all agree with Beck or anyone else concerning political issues, but we cannot join together with him in God's name until we first know which God he serves. I pray that Beck would be open to sitting down with someone and fully discussing his beliefs and answering the tough questions regarding the faith he has chosen. Their is no part of the bible I am afraid or ashamed to proclaim. Does Glenn Beck have the same convictions regarding Mormon teachings? His answers could determine whether we are in the "high places," or truly acting on God's behalf.
Beck has stated regarding "liberation theology," that if you find yourself in a church preaching a social gospel, you should leave that church. I agree. He has stated if you find yourself in a church telling you which political candidate to vote for you should leave that church. I agree. Is he willing to state that as the bible teaches if you find yourself in a church that preaches "another Jesus," you should leave that church? And is he willing to act on that? I applaud Beck's sincere love for our country. But if we are to join together in the name of God, we must worship the same God.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Another Jesus
2 Corinthians 11:3-4, "But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted-you may well put up with it!"
Paul's admonition here to the church at Corinth seems to have a special importance to us today. Paul warns sternly of us as the church accepting "another Jesus," one not revealed by the bible, and then states that unfortunately, for many reasons, many in the faith will put up with this heresy. Why?
The Greatest Commandment tells us that unless we love God first and foremost, and then our neighbor as ourselves, we cannot be right with God. Today, maybe more than at any time in history, we seem willing to set aside the Jesus of the bible for the sake of unity regarding issues we hold dear. These may political issues, moral issues, personal issues; but when we do this we set up idols in our lives, as our opinions and personal desires have taken the place of God being first and foremost in our lives.
Who is this other Jesus, and what is this other gospel? Well, as Paul says, it's any Jesus or any gospel that is not revealed to us through scripture. The Jesus of the bible was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, died for the sins of all mankind and will save any who have faith in Him and His atoning sacrifice. He was buried and rose from the dead on the third day an His presence was witnessed by hundreds. He ascended into heaven where He is now seated at the right hand of the Father and one day He will return to this earth the judge the wicked and establish His kingdom. Any other Jesus is another Jesus!
This is the Jesus of God's inspired word. He is a Jesus that said of His work upon the cross regarding our forgiveness of sin, "It is finished." Nothing but the blood of Jesus is needed for our sins to be forgiven. Any Jesus that says we need works, is another Jesus. Any gospel that says we need sacraments, is another gospel. Any belief that does not declare Jesus is fully God and fully man, is a false belief.
Paul writes in Galatians 1:8-9, "But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed." Yet as Paul warned, we seem more willing than ever to put up with another Jesus and another gospel than ever before to further personal ambitions.
The question we must ask ourselves, is which Jesus is being proclaimed? Is it the Jesus of the bible, or another Jesus? Jesus warned that many would come in His name saying; "There He is." Paul warned us again in 2 Corinthians 11:13-14, "For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles for Christ. And no wonder, For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light." For the Christian, the first question we must ask when the discussion centers upon God is; are we speaking of the Jesus of the bible? Or, is this another Jesus?
The only Jesus who can save is the Jesus of the bible. The only Jesus who can forgive our sins is the Jesus of the bible. The only Jesus who will return is the Jesus of the bible. So what of those who accept and follow another Jesus? Well, Jesus Himself tells us of their fate. In Matthew 7:23 Jesus says, "And I will declare to them, "I never knew you, depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness." Is the Jesus you know the Jesus of the bible?
Paul's admonition here to the church at Corinth seems to have a special importance to us today. Paul warns sternly of us as the church accepting "another Jesus," one not revealed by the bible, and then states that unfortunately, for many reasons, many in the faith will put up with this heresy. Why?
The Greatest Commandment tells us that unless we love God first and foremost, and then our neighbor as ourselves, we cannot be right with God. Today, maybe more than at any time in history, we seem willing to set aside the Jesus of the bible for the sake of unity regarding issues we hold dear. These may political issues, moral issues, personal issues; but when we do this we set up idols in our lives, as our opinions and personal desires have taken the place of God being first and foremost in our lives.
Who is this other Jesus, and what is this other gospel? Well, as Paul says, it's any Jesus or any gospel that is not revealed to us through scripture. The Jesus of the bible was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, died for the sins of all mankind and will save any who have faith in Him and His atoning sacrifice. He was buried and rose from the dead on the third day an His presence was witnessed by hundreds. He ascended into heaven where He is now seated at the right hand of the Father and one day He will return to this earth the judge the wicked and establish His kingdom. Any other Jesus is another Jesus!
This is the Jesus of God's inspired word. He is a Jesus that said of His work upon the cross regarding our forgiveness of sin, "It is finished." Nothing but the blood of Jesus is needed for our sins to be forgiven. Any Jesus that says we need works, is another Jesus. Any gospel that says we need sacraments, is another gospel. Any belief that does not declare Jesus is fully God and fully man, is a false belief.
Paul writes in Galatians 1:8-9, "But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed." Yet as Paul warned, we seem more willing than ever to put up with another Jesus and another gospel than ever before to further personal ambitions.
The question we must ask ourselves, is which Jesus is being proclaimed? Is it the Jesus of the bible, or another Jesus? Jesus warned that many would come in His name saying; "There He is." Paul warned us again in 2 Corinthians 11:13-14, "For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles for Christ. And no wonder, For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light." For the Christian, the first question we must ask when the discussion centers upon God is; are we speaking of the Jesus of the bible? Or, is this another Jesus?
The only Jesus who can save is the Jesus of the bible. The only Jesus who can forgive our sins is the Jesus of the bible. The only Jesus who will return is the Jesus of the bible. So what of those who accept and follow another Jesus? Well, Jesus Himself tells us of their fate. In Matthew 7:23 Jesus says, "And I will declare to them, "I never knew you, depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness." Is the Jesus you know the Jesus of the bible?
Friday, August 27, 2010
Glenn Beck's 8/28 Event
On Saturday, August 28, Glenn Beck will be heading an event at the Lincoln Memorial in our nations capital he says is not a political event, not a Christian event, but a God event. Beck is the highly influential and popular Fox News host who has rightly been railing on the socialistic tendencies of our government of late and has done a wonderful job showing some neglected facts regarding our history. But now Beck, a self professed Mormon, is moving in the religious realm. For Beck's event, since he is a Mormon, we must ask: What God is this event really about?
Ephesians 5:11-13 tells us, "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of those things done by them in secret. But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light." Beck is billing this event as one that will restore America's road to honor and America's divine destiny. While it is true that God is the only one who can do this for our nation, it is only the God of Christianity that is real, and able.
I've been amazed as I have watched Christian ministers yolk themselves with Beck. While it may be acceptable to join forces with unbelievers regarding a political issue, how can one in good conscience and sound doctrine link themselves to a self proclaimed "God" event with someone who believes in another God? Beck himself asked on his TV show on 8/27 whether this was permissible, and without hesitation, all the ministers nodded in agreement. Beck asked whether Christians, and Mormons, and Jews, and Muslims could join together to try to bring our nation back to God. Every minister present said yes. Simply astounding.
How can people who call upon a different god join together to call upon the One God of the Christian bible? The answer is, they cannot. Beck though has effectively tapped into an ecumenical lurch by Christianity that we can put aside doctrinal differences to join together for the common moral good. While we can have doctrinal differences regarding some things that are not absolutely spelled out in the bible, how can we yolk together with those who do not believe that Jesus is God, the Savior, the only way to the Father? How can we join forces with those who worship another god and expect God to move?
Beck proclaims we will be seeing miracles in our nation. Let me remind everyone, Satan is capable of great miracles. Friends, I tell you, I love my country. But I fear in my heart we are putting the welfare of our nation above the Greatest Commandment. Is Beck right on many political issues? Yes, I believe he is. Does that mean we should overlook his following a false god in a false religion and join forces with him in the name of God for our nation? God forbid!
Instead of embracing Beck here, we should be presenting the clear gospel to him. These Christian leaders who have compromised the faith instead of "earnestly contending" for it should be pulling Beck aside to try to show him the error of his beliefs, not appearing beside him in the name of God. Brothers and sisters, if we do not agree upon Jesus, we have no agreement about God.
Mormons believe that Jesus and Satan were brothers. They believe they are of the so-called lost tribe of Israel. They believe America is the "Promised Land" and that the New Jerusalem will be in Missouri. They believe that by living the "Mormon" life that each man will one day be God(as they believe God was once man and attained Godhood) and will have many goddesses and their own planet to be God of one day. I ask you, does this sound like the God of the bible? For further understanding please read 2 Corinthians 6:14-18.
Christian ministers are telling Beck and America that God is using him. Now many times in the past God worked through the ungodly, but do they believe the Holy Spirit will work through a person who espouses the god of Mormonism? Have they been deceived to believe that Mormonism and fundamental Christianity follow the same God? Where is our discernment? Where is our backbone to stand for the fundamental teachings of the bible over the good of our nation? Where is Christianity heading when we cannot see these things for what they are?
Darkness and light have no place together. Like at twilight when the two are intermingling, we do not see well, nor clearly. It appears more and more as though God's light is setting over the horizon, and darkness is enveloping our world. And sadly, we are helping extinguish the light due to and ungodly desire for our nation to be right, apart from Him. Different faiths means different gods. For this event tomorrow, which God will be exalted?
Ephesians 5:11-13 tells us, "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of those things done by them in secret. But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light." Beck is billing this event as one that will restore America's road to honor and America's divine destiny. While it is true that God is the only one who can do this for our nation, it is only the God of Christianity that is real, and able.
I've been amazed as I have watched Christian ministers yolk themselves with Beck. While it may be acceptable to join forces with unbelievers regarding a political issue, how can one in good conscience and sound doctrine link themselves to a self proclaimed "God" event with someone who believes in another God? Beck himself asked on his TV show on 8/27 whether this was permissible, and without hesitation, all the ministers nodded in agreement. Beck asked whether Christians, and Mormons, and Jews, and Muslims could join together to try to bring our nation back to God. Every minister present said yes. Simply astounding.
How can people who call upon a different god join together to call upon the One God of the Christian bible? The answer is, they cannot. Beck though has effectively tapped into an ecumenical lurch by Christianity that we can put aside doctrinal differences to join together for the common moral good. While we can have doctrinal differences regarding some things that are not absolutely spelled out in the bible, how can we yolk together with those who do not believe that Jesus is God, the Savior, the only way to the Father? How can we join forces with those who worship another god and expect God to move?
Beck proclaims we will be seeing miracles in our nation. Let me remind everyone, Satan is capable of great miracles. Friends, I tell you, I love my country. But I fear in my heart we are putting the welfare of our nation above the Greatest Commandment. Is Beck right on many political issues? Yes, I believe he is. Does that mean we should overlook his following a false god in a false religion and join forces with him in the name of God for our nation? God forbid!
Instead of embracing Beck here, we should be presenting the clear gospel to him. These Christian leaders who have compromised the faith instead of "earnestly contending" for it should be pulling Beck aside to try to show him the error of his beliefs, not appearing beside him in the name of God. Brothers and sisters, if we do not agree upon Jesus, we have no agreement about God.
Mormons believe that Jesus and Satan were brothers. They believe they are of the so-called lost tribe of Israel. They believe America is the "Promised Land" and that the New Jerusalem will be in Missouri. They believe that by living the "Mormon" life that each man will one day be God(as they believe God was once man and attained Godhood) and will have many goddesses and their own planet to be God of one day. I ask you, does this sound like the God of the bible? For further understanding please read 2 Corinthians 6:14-18.
Christian ministers are telling Beck and America that God is using him. Now many times in the past God worked through the ungodly, but do they believe the Holy Spirit will work through a person who espouses the god of Mormonism? Have they been deceived to believe that Mormonism and fundamental Christianity follow the same God? Where is our discernment? Where is our backbone to stand for the fundamental teachings of the bible over the good of our nation? Where is Christianity heading when we cannot see these things for what they are?
Darkness and light have no place together. Like at twilight when the two are intermingling, we do not see well, nor clearly. It appears more and more as though God's light is setting over the horizon, and darkness is enveloping our world. And sadly, we are helping extinguish the light due to and ungodly desire for our nation to be right, apart from Him. Different faiths means different gods. For this event tomorrow, which God will be exalted?
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Revisiting Gossip
On Facebook today a friend of mine made the observation; "Even if I don't know what I'm doing someone else will." Now we live in a very small town, and this woman being a native here, was swamped with "likes" and comments supporting the unfortunate fact that some unsubstantiated and untrue tidbit was being passed along about her. Such is the case with gossip.
I must admit I have never lived in a town like Chesterfield. I honestly hope no one takes offense at this remark, but in many ways it's like a "bizarro" Mayberry. I've never lived anyplace where a town's own enjoy talking about those they claim as friends and family and to love as some people do here. Now don't get me wrong, I've had the opportunity to befriend many fine people here and value the friendships that I've made. That said, their is something about such an intimate environment where most people know each other or are related in some way that seems to bring out the worst in otherwise good folks when it comes to gossip.
I could commiserate with my friend and her frustration today on Facebook, as I myself had to deal with 2 separate incidences today where someone claimed I said something I did not. Both were resolved, but still, it makes me wonder when people will ever learn that nothing good can come by spreading hearsay or rumors. By taking as fact something someone says but who won't let you know the source.
The very sad fact is that some folks lives are so regrettable that the only joy they can find is in perpetuating the misery of others. They can say my life is not so bad if your life is worse, so they are willing to listen to and repeat anything that crosses their ears. I'm sure their is plenty of gossip to go around in large cities as well, but the closeness of a small community just seems to accentuate it's impact on people's lives far worse than an area where most don't know you instead of where most do.
For my Facebook friend, I encourage you to do these 3 things to help you deal with gossip. 1) deal with the source and try to get things straight as soon as possible, 2) Be able to have a sense of humor about it, and 3) If a source cannot be identified, just ignore it. It's honestly not worth the trouble. God knows the truth, and ultimately, He is the only One who matters. Is it frustrating and sometimes downright angering, you bet. But it's not worth losing sleep over. Pray for the sorry people whose lives revolve around drama and be thankful you have true friends and family in your life. For more on gossip see my blog from June 29, 2010.
I must admit I have never lived in a town like Chesterfield. I honestly hope no one takes offense at this remark, but in many ways it's like a "bizarro" Mayberry. I've never lived anyplace where a town's own enjoy talking about those they claim as friends and family and to love as some people do here. Now don't get me wrong, I've had the opportunity to befriend many fine people here and value the friendships that I've made. That said, their is something about such an intimate environment where most people know each other or are related in some way that seems to bring out the worst in otherwise good folks when it comes to gossip.
I could commiserate with my friend and her frustration today on Facebook, as I myself had to deal with 2 separate incidences today where someone claimed I said something I did not. Both were resolved, but still, it makes me wonder when people will ever learn that nothing good can come by spreading hearsay or rumors. By taking as fact something someone says but who won't let you know the source.
The very sad fact is that some folks lives are so regrettable that the only joy they can find is in perpetuating the misery of others. They can say my life is not so bad if your life is worse, so they are willing to listen to and repeat anything that crosses their ears. I'm sure their is plenty of gossip to go around in large cities as well, but the closeness of a small community just seems to accentuate it's impact on people's lives far worse than an area where most don't know you instead of where most do.
For my Facebook friend, I encourage you to do these 3 things to help you deal with gossip. 1) deal with the source and try to get things straight as soon as possible, 2) Be able to have a sense of humor about it, and 3) If a source cannot be identified, just ignore it. It's honestly not worth the trouble. God knows the truth, and ultimately, He is the only One who matters. Is it frustrating and sometimes downright angering, you bet. But it's not worth losing sleep over. Pray for the sorry people whose lives revolve around drama and be thankful you have true friends and family in your life. For more on gossip see my blog from June 29, 2010.
Monday, August 23, 2010
No Turning Back
Often during the invitation of a service an old hymn will be played. The lyrics are as follows: "I have decided to follow Jesus, I have decided to follow Jesus, I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back, no turning back." Yet for many who claim the name Christian, they seem to be in full retreat when it comes to following Jesus. As denominations and church leaders struggle to find the answer to this problem, the symptoms are easy to identify. It's the solutions that seem to be avoiding us.
You've seen me cite statistics on this blog regarding my denomination, the Southern Baptist Convention. How of the people we baptized and supposedly led to Christ 10 years ago, we can find exactly 2 of 10, 20%. Another major denomination several years ago baptized 294,000 people. Of those they baptized, they could find 14,000 when they researched their church rolls. Apparently, their has been alot of turning back.
It's often easy to identify a problem, but far more difficult to implement a solution to correct the problem. I honestly don't believe their is a denominational answer to a problem such as this. What we are dealing with, are individual hearts. I believe when we look at this as a group problem we miss the point, and the supposed solutions we come up with will produce little fruit.
I wrote earlier this month how these statistics appear to point out with little ambiguity that many if not most of the people we are baptizing are false converts. They have decided to try Jesus, or they have decided to follow a Jesus that it has been promised them will give them joy and peace. Then, when what the bible promises that the Christian will endure; persecution, suffering, trials, tribulations, hatred from the world occur, they abandon Jesus as just another thing that didn't work out for them. I honestly don't know how else to explain why so many who at one time come forward and profess to decide to follow Jesus, are no longer following Him.
When dealing with someones heart, honesty is a required attribute. My denomination has set an ambitious goal of baptizing 1 million people in the year 2012. Since we baptized a total of 350,000 in 2009 we are speaking of almost a threefold increase. But what good does it do to set such an ambitious goal if between 80-90 percent are simply going to fall away. Doesn't it first make sense to try to address the fall away rate before we focus on baptizing a far larger number of people than we have at any point in our history? Why are we trying to fill the bucket with water before we've patched the hole?
This has to begin with individuals. It has to begin with members of our congregations actually leading someone to Christ in a biblical way, by showing them from the Law their sin and need for a Savior before introducing them to the one who can save them. And then that person must be taken under someones wing to be discipled and supported when the challenges of following Christ will surely come. This must happen on a 1-on-1 level, so in order for this to happen biblically, we as churches need to be sure that when someone does trust Christ and become a blood bought, born again, new creation in Jesus Christ, they will have instruction. We must invest in people 1-on-1 and in very small groups to begin with to insure they are instructed and supported as they need to be. To focus on growth without this infrastructure in place is to be a people simply chasing our tails.
And church members, this means you will have to do this. A pastor cannot and should not be the only person in a church giving instruction or leading someone to Christ. A lost truth of the bible is that it's the pastor's job to equip the saints to do these things, not handle them all himself. The question in so many of our churches is; how many church members actually want to be equipped? If we go by our fruit, the answer is not many.
I'm not a young man but I am a young pastor, and I have to tell you I'm already tired of this method or that new latest book that will make us an effective holy army in the world making disciples. In order to do this we must deny ourselves and put Jesus first, not have a denominational or church focus on nickles and noses. And sadly, far to many self professing Christians are self centered, carnal Christians concerned only with what their church can do for and give to them, and not what they should be doing for Jesus. Jesus said of these, they were unworthy to follow Him. I was unworthy of my salvation as I had no right to expect God, Jesus, to die for me. But since I claim to have trusted Christ and pledged to follow Him, because of His sacrifice, He does have a right to expect me to surrender all to Him. Until we have this heart set, the words to that hymn; "no turning back, no turning back," will ring hollow and hypocritically in our churches across this land. And we'll continue to rehash the same issues we have been the last 100 years.
You've seen me cite statistics on this blog regarding my denomination, the Southern Baptist Convention. How of the people we baptized and supposedly led to Christ 10 years ago, we can find exactly 2 of 10, 20%. Another major denomination several years ago baptized 294,000 people. Of those they baptized, they could find 14,000 when they researched their church rolls. Apparently, their has been alot of turning back.
It's often easy to identify a problem, but far more difficult to implement a solution to correct the problem. I honestly don't believe their is a denominational answer to a problem such as this. What we are dealing with, are individual hearts. I believe when we look at this as a group problem we miss the point, and the supposed solutions we come up with will produce little fruit.
I wrote earlier this month how these statistics appear to point out with little ambiguity that many if not most of the people we are baptizing are false converts. They have decided to try Jesus, or they have decided to follow a Jesus that it has been promised them will give them joy and peace. Then, when what the bible promises that the Christian will endure; persecution, suffering, trials, tribulations, hatred from the world occur, they abandon Jesus as just another thing that didn't work out for them. I honestly don't know how else to explain why so many who at one time come forward and profess to decide to follow Jesus, are no longer following Him.
When dealing with someones heart, honesty is a required attribute. My denomination has set an ambitious goal of baptizing 1 million people in the year 2012. Since we baptized a total of 350,000 in 2009 we are speaking of almost a threefold increase. But what good does it do to set such an ambitious goal if between 80-90 percent are simply going to fall away. Doesn't it first make sense to try to address the fall away rate before we focus on baptizing a far larger number of people than we have at any point in our history? Why are we trying to fill the bucket with water before we've patched the hole?
This has to begin with individuals. It has to begin with members of our congregations actually leading someone to Christ in a biblical way, by showing them from the Law their sin and need for a Savior before introducing them to the one who can save them. And then that person must be taken under someones wing to be discipled and supported when the challenges of following Christ will surely come. This must happen on a 1-on-1 level, so in order for this to happen biblically, we as churches need to be sure that when someone does trust Christ and become a blood bought, born again, new creation in Jesus Christ, they will have instruction. We must invest in people 1-on-1 and in very small groups to begin with to insure they are instructed and supported as they need to be. To focus on growth without this infrastructure in place is to be a people simply chasing our tails.
And church members, this means you will have to do this. A pastor cannot and should not be the only person in a church giving instruction or leading someone to Christ. A lost truth of the bible is that it's the pastor's job to equip the saints to do these things, not handle them all himself. The question in so many of our churches is; how many church members actually want to be equipped? If we go by our fruit, the answer is not many.
I'm not a young man but I am a young pastor, and I have to tell you I'm already tired of this method or that new latest book that will make us an effective holy army in the world making disciples. In order to do this we must deny ourselves and put Jesus first, not have a denominational or church focus on nickles and noses. And sadly, far to many self professing Christians are self centered, carnal Christians concerned only with what their church can do for and give to them, and not what they should be doing for Jesus. Jesus said of these, they were unworthy to follow Him. I was unworthy of my salvation as I had no right to expect God, Jesus, to die for me. But since I claim to have trusted Christ and pledged to follow Him, because of His sacrifice, He does have a right to expect me to surrender all to Him. Until we have this heart set, the words to that hymn; "no turning back, no turning back," will ring hollow and hypocritically in our churches across this land. And we'll continue to rehash the same issues we have been the last 100 years.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Observations from an SCBC Listening Session
Earlier today I was part of a South Carolina Baptist Convention listening session hosted by Providence Baptist Church in Pageland, SC. Present was head of our state convention Jim Austin. These sessions are designed to let those interested know what is going on in our state and to hear from us our praises, opinions and concerns. Here are a few observations from today's session:
As a convention we are in serious decline. The latest polling from Ed Stetzer indicates that approximately 86% of SBC churches nationwide are plateaued(not growing numerically) or in decline(shrinking numerically). Of the 14% that are growing numbers wise only a measly 3% are growing due to winning people to Christ. The rest are adding people in the pews, but most are simply leaving one church to join another. This is a recipe for irrelevance within a generation.
There are many suggestions to reverse this serious decline, but very few real solutions. As a convention we will be attempting major structural re-organization to address these trends, but restructuring is not the answer to our issues although it could help in small ways.
It was identified to us that a major issue we face is discipling our flocks. This has long been an issue. The latest data shows that even in churches with an aging congregation base(most churches in Chesterfield county and the entire SBC) those who attend have never moved from being a babe in Christ to a mature believer spiritually. A child wants what he or she wants, not what the authority figure(in our case God) wants. When you have immature believers making important decisions and providing the witness, the fruit will not be plentiful. I've asked the question, how does one make a disciple of someone who has no desire to deny themselves and fully follow Jesus? I'm not sure you can. Until we begin to grow in our faith, we will never grow our churches numerically in a biblical manner. This is one of my issues with the SBC Great Commission Resurgence agenda. No matter how many we claim to win to Christ, if we are bringing them into congregations that are a mile wide and an inch deep, true spiritual growth is being hindered, and thus discipleship. We will never truly grow the kingdom of God until we make disciples instead of padding baptism numbers with many false converts or more spiritual babes with no instruction or desire to grow.
Many local pastors feel as though the small rural church is no longer a part of the SBC plan. I can understand their feelings, seeing as much money will be shifted from areas like South Carolina where their is a very strong SBC presence to areas where we have few churches. The SBC emphasis for the foreseeable future will be planting churches in largely unchurched metropolitan areas. While this may mean hardship for some state and local ministries, I ask this question; do we really need any more churches in our area? In Chesterfield county we now have 62 Southern Baptist churches, and countless other denominations and non-denominational churches serving a county of around 45,000 people. We don't need any more buildings, what we need is for the people who are the church in those current buildings to begin living and being a witness as the bible instructs. The sad truth is we have many in church who claim the name Christian, but few who look like the bible says a Christian should look like.
God is moving in mighty ways in pockets across our state. But it's only in pockets, not a wide movement that is obvious to all. This has been the case for over 150 years in our state and nation since the last "great awakening" in the late 1800's. It's always encouraging to hear the testimonies of these places where God is blessing.
At the end of the session my opinion on things had not really changed. In my heart I know that no true change is going to occur because of denominational restructuring, planting more churches, changing our strategy, or funding one area over another. The only way the SBC, and Christendom as a whole changes is if we repent from our disobedient ways and begin doing things God's way instead of our way. In Luke 18:27 Jesus says, "The things which are impossible with men are possible with God." Until we are "with" the ways of God and running as far as we can from the things that are "with" man, Christ's body on earth will continue to die. Until we confess we are what is standing in the way of God truly moving, and desire in our hearts to follow Him and see Him work, we will continue to produce little fruit. Until we are willing to get out of our comfort zone, and show the true love of Christ to the lost, we will see no revival. Until we die to self, are crucified with Christ, and surrender to His authority, we will work in our own power, and not His. Is the church that surrounds us and that most of us are a part of on this earth not enough evidence that our ways will not work? God, do whatever it takes to truly draw your church to You and Your ways! You are our only hope!
As a convention we are in serious decline. The latest polling from Ed Stetzer indicates that approximately 86% of SBC churches nationwide are plateaued(not growing numerically) or in decline(shrinking numerically). Of the 14% that are growing numbers wise only a measly 3% are growing due to winning people to Christ. The rest are adding people in the pews, but most are simply leaving one church to join another. This is a recipe for irrelevance within a generation.
There are many suggestions to reverse this serious decline, but very few real solutions. As a convention we will be attempting major structural re-organization to address these trends, but restructuring is not the answer to our issues although it could help in small ways.
It was identified to us that a major issue we face is discipling our flocks. This has long been an issue. The latest data shows that even in churches with an aging congregation base(most churches in Chesterfield county and the entire SBC) those who attend have never moved from being a babe in Christ to a mature believer spiritually. A child wants what he or she wants, not what the authority figure(in our case God) wants. When you have immature believers making important decisions and providing the witness, the fruit will not be plentiful. I've asked the question, how does one make a disciple of someone who has no desire to deny themselves and fully follow Jesus? I'm not sure you can. Until we begin to grow in our faith, we will never grow our churches numerically in a biblical manner. This is one of my issues with the SBC Great Commission Resurgence agenda. No matter how many we claim to win to Christ, if we are bringing them into congregations that are a mile wide and an inch deep, true spiritual growth is being hindered, and thus discipleship. We will never truly grow the kingdom of God until we make disciples instead of padding baptism numbers with many false converts or more spiritual babes with no instruction or desire to grow.
Many local pastors feel as though the small rural church is no longer a part of the SBC plan. I can understand their feelings, seeing as much money will be shifted from areas like South Carolina where their is a very strong SBC presence to areas where we have few churches. The SBC emphasis for the foreseeable future will be planting churches in largely unchurched metropolitan areas. While this may mean hardship for some state and local ministries, I ask this question; do we really need any more churches in our area? In Chesterfield county we now have 62 Southern Baptist churches, and countless other denominations and non-denominational churches serving a county of around 45,000 people. We don't need any more buildings, what we need is for the people who are the church in those current buildings to begin living and being a witness as the bible instructs. The sad truth is we have many in church who claim the name Christian, but few who look like the bible says a Christian should look like.
God is moving in mighty ways in pockets across our state. But it's only in pockets, not a wide movement that is obvious to all. This has been the case for over 150 years in our state and nation since the last "great awakening" in the late 1800's. It's always encouraging to hear the testimonies of these places where God is blessing.
At the end of the session my opinion on things had not really changed. In my heart I know that no true change is going to occur because of denominational restructuring, planting more churches, changing our strategy, or funding one area over another. The only way the SBC, and Christendom as a whole changes is if we repent from our disobedient ways and begin doing things God's way instead of our way. In Luke 18:27 Jesus says, "The things which are impossible with men are possible with God." Until we are "with" the ways of God and running as far as we can from the things that are "with" man, Christ's body on earth will continue to die. Until we confess we are what is standing in the way of God truly moving, and desire in our hearts to follow Him and see Him work, we will continue to produce little fruit. Until we are willing to get out of our comfort zone, and show the true love of Christ to the lost, we will see no revival. Until we die to self, are crucified with Christ, and surrender to His authority, we will work in our own power, and not His. Is the church that surrounds us and that most of us are a part of on this earth not enough evidence that our ways will not work? God, do whatever it takes to truly draw your church to You and Your ways! You are our only hope!
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