So, when I left off I was talking about the Yin and Yang struggle between the "Holiness" camp and the "Liberty" camp that has had me fluctuating back and forth.
I have friends who are seeing lives changed and hearts renewed, baptisms and Holy Ghost outpourings who don't teach anything but modesty. And I have been a part and have witnessed incredible moves of God in some of the strictest and rigid churches that are hard core pulpit pounders and won't even let their dogs wear studded collars. The point being, God doesn't look at the outward appearance in order to determine His relationship with someone. HE looks at the inward parts of a person. But it is impossible for us to know what someone's soul and spiritual status is. And that has been the greatest part of my journey toward revelation on this subject.
Outward sanctity has been a hot-button issue as long as it has been an issue. And it has at times been sold as a means to becoming righteous. "Wear this and it will seep into your insides all that separation you are exhibiting." You know, stop wearing pants, ladies, and you will start to become more submissive to your husbands. This kind of thinking is harmful at best and leads to Pharisee-type religion at worst. No one ever got closer to God by doing an outward act. This is legalism and it is wrong.
However, the topic turns on one particular hinge: faith without works is dead. We are justified by our faith according to Paul's writings. But if we only talk about it, we are dead and cold according to James'. The entire concept of an outward holiness has been misconstrued and poorly communicated by the majority of folks I have heard talk about the subject. It is not about being rejected by God if we don't hold fast to certain ideals. It is about the salt losing its savor. We are to be lights in this dark world. But if we do not adhere to God's principles, then how are we to convince others that those principles are worthy of their acceptance?
It really has more to do with the buzz word "submission" than it does anything else. See, our faith causes us to submit to God's design. We trust God's Word and identify with its instructions. This causes us to become Righteous by imputed Grace. That Righteous standing then empowers us to become Holy through imparted authority. So, Righteousness is right standing with God, and Holiness is an expression of that position.
Okay, some of you are reading this saying to yourself "what does this have to do with salvation?" To which I say, "Plenty". Ananias and Sapphira were knocked down dead at Peter's feet because they lied to the Holy Ghost. Lots of folks lie to God every day. They cheat Him and steal from Him. But God was angry at those two in particular because they had a revelation that we don't have today. They had been around the upper room. They were first generation disciples. They were judged more harshly than we are today because they had more understanding of God's nature and power than we do. And that is another turning point: do we really want to know Jesus? If we want to know Him like we say we do, then we need to be ready to live by the revelation He gives us. I am convinced that some people stop searching for God in earnest because they find a revelation that they are afraid to live by and then stay where they are at spiritually. They have an outward relationship with God, but internally they know that God is struggling with them about a certain area. this is a miserable existence encapsulated in Scripture by Romans 7. Ultimately, God is transforming us into the image of His Son, the God -man. His flesh was COMPLETELY submitted to the Spirit of God.
"What you talkin' 'bout, Jesus?"..........................To Be continued................................
Monday, January 31, 2011
Saturday, January 29, 2011
What a Difference a Line Makes - part 1
"Because you're mine, I walk the line." - Johnny Cash
There is an old saying among country folks when referring to a young man and his beloved: "that boy better walk the line if he wants to marry her!" or "she'll be good for him. she'll make him walk the line."
It is always meant to convey that the young man had some growing up to do, and that he was courting a young lady that wouldn't go for just any old joker who tried to make nice with her. She had a self worth and respect that demanded a potential husband meet a higher level of maturity than boyhood dalliances and emotional interests. He was gonna have to be respectable and responsible if she was going to take on his name. So the potential beau had a choice to make: move on to maturity, or stay infantile and find another gal with less of a cache. Usually, the woman in the position of demanding such change was being pursued by multiple gentlemen. Thus, the beau must show the object of his affections his desire to become her heart's delight by changing his actions. Sometimes, that meant changing his appearance as well. Whatever the requirements, they were all well worth it because the man realized two very important things were happening. 1) He was becoming more attractive to her; and 2) she was helping him become the man he needed to be all along.
In our society, we have generally lost the perception of maturity. We are told from our youth that the ones who love us will accept us just the way we are. There is no need to change because if someone really loves you they will endorse you regardless of its consequences. Pee wee athletic teams no longer give trophies to the champions alone, now everybody gets a plaque that says "Good Job!", even if the team went 0-9. Honestly, how good of a job could they have done? What message are we sending with that type of action? "It's okay to be a loser as long as you get the same rewards as the ones who worked harder or had more talent"? Our kids are being taught that hard work is only for a few and that it is acceptable to be stagnant and useless, as long as someone else picks up the slack.
The church has taken on this mindset at times. I hear about and have spoken to many of my friends in the ministry on the subject of outward sanctification. Some have seen the hypocrisy of certain people who espouse the standards but either have "selective enforcement" or have character along the same lines of Jerry Springer. They have given up on the principles of outward "holiness" because it does not produce righteousness, as advertised. Others have rejected some and kept other of the afore mentioned standards, recognizing the benefits of certain admonitions but not endorsing the concepts as a whole.
For years I struggled with where I fit in with this cultural dilemma. I have never been one who jumps in with the crowd that screams aloud "without it you can't see God". This seems to be a misapplication of the writer's intended focus. He is speaking about the merits of a godly character, not an outward dress code. At the same time, I whole-heartedly accept the need for outward sanctity and a removal of harmful temptations from our lives. Those friends of mine that have abandoned teaching the need to dress differently as well as act differently are leaving out a very important fact: how we dress is an expression of who we want to be identified with to others. If I don't want to be confused for a gang banger, I shouldn't wear baggy clothes and colored bandannas. If I want to be identified with Scripture's teachings I should tailor my appearance to reflect its instructions on the subject. So I found myself for years pitting one side against the other in my head, wishing for a middle ground or just a ceasing of the war of words between the two factions.
"Can't we all just get along?".................To be Continued..............................
There is an old saying among country folks when referring to a young man and his beloved: "that boy better walk the line if he wants to marry her!" or "she'll be good for him. she'll make him walk the line."
It is always meant to convey that the young man had some growing up to do, and that he was courting a young lady that wouldn't go for just any old joker who tried to make nice with her. She had a self worth and respect that demanded a potential husband meet a higher level of maturity than boyhood dalliances and emotional interests. He was gonna have to be respectable and responsible if she was going to take on his name. So the potential beau had a choice to make: move on to maturity, or stay infantile and find another gal with less of a cache. Usually, the woman in the position of demanding such change was being pursued by multiple gentlemen. Thus, the beau must show the object of his affections his desire to become her heart's delight by changing his actions. Sometimes, that meant changing his appearance as well. Whatever the requirements, they were all well worth it because the man realized two very important things were happening. 1) He was becoming more attractive to her; and 2) she was helping him become the man he needed to be all along.
In our society, we have generally lost the perception of maturity. We are told from our youth that the ones who love us will accept us just the way we are. There is no need to change because if someone really loves you they will endorse you regardless of its consequences. Pee wee athletic teams no longer give trophies to the champions alone, now everybody gets a plaque that says "Good Job!", even if the team went 0-9. Honestly, how good of a job could they have done? What message are we sending with that type of action? "It's okay to be a loser as long as you get the same rewards as the ones who worked harder or had more talent"? Our kids are being taught that hard work is only for a few and that it is acceptable to be stagnant and useless, as long as someone else picks up the slack.
The church has taken on this mindset at times. I hear about and have spoken to many of my friends in the ministry on the subject of outward sanctification. Some have seen the hypocrisy of certain people who espouse the standards but either have "selective enforcement" or have character along the same lines of Jerry Springer. They have given up on the principles of outward "holiness" because it does not produce righteousness, as advertised. Others have rejected some and kept other of the afore mentioned standards, recognizing the benefits of certain admonitions but not endorsing the concepts as a whole.
For years I struggled with where I fit in with this cultural dilemma. I have never been one who jumps in with the crowd that screams aloud "without it you can't see God". This seems to be a misapplication of the writer's intended focus. He is speaking about the merits of a godly character, not an outward dress code. At the same time, I whole-heartedly accept the need for outward sanctity and a removal of harmful temptations from our lives. Those friends of mine that have abandoned teaching the need to dress differently as well as act differently are leaving out a very important fact: how we dress is an expression of who we want to be identified with to others. If I don't want to be confused for a gang banger, I shouldn't wear baggy clothes and colored bandannas. If I want to be identified with Scripture's teachings I should tailor my appearance to reflect its instructions on the subject. So I found myself for years pitting one side against the other in my head, wishing for a middle ground or just a ceasing of the war of words between the two factions.
"Can't we all just get along?".................To be Continued..............................
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Too Legit to Quit
"I woke up this morning with my mind, staying on Jesus!"
I am anxiously awaiting a phone call this week to give directions to a family that wants to be baptized! We became acquainted with them through a Craigslist ad for a marquee sign they were trying to sell. They live almost 2 hours away from us and I have only been to their home twice. But they are HUNGRY for God and want nothing less than the biblical Truth. And they are very curious, although apprehensive, about the fact that there is more to the supernatural moving of God's Spirit.
It is hard when someone lives so far away. I am hoping to get them comfortable enough with the Holy Ghost and with the concept of pentecostalism that I can steer them towards a church in their area. I thought about just doing that to begin with, but they are so scared of "crazies" that they wouldn't have been open to attending a church that practices what we do. The other thought was, "I don't have the gas money to be driving four extra hours every other Sunday night." Although that is true (we are not even making enough to pay our church bills, much less put extra towards outreach), I cannot in good conscience stay at home when I know someone wants the Truth. It is what we are all called to do. Win souls and let Jesus take care of the rest. Seek first the Kingdom of God and all these things shall be added unto you.
When there is a legitimate desire for God in a person, our highest calling is to teach them, no matter what the cost is to us. Helping one soul reach the point of Calvary, then leading them on to Resurrection through the Holy Ghost, is worth every penny the Lord has given me. Jesus help me to keep my mind on you and my eyes on the lost!
I am anxiously awaiting a phone call this week to give directions to a family that wants to be baptized! We became acquainted with them through a Craigslist ad for a marquee sign they were trying to sell. They live almost 2 hours away from us and I have only been to their home twice. But they are HUNGRY for God and want nothing less than the biblical Truth. And they are very curious, although apprehensive, about the fact that there is more to the supernatural moving of God's Spirit.
It is hard when someone lives so far away. I am hoping to get them comfortable enough with the Holy Ghost and with the concept of pentecostalism that I can steer them towards a church in their area. I thought about just doing that to begin with, but they are so scared of "crazies" that they wouldn't have been open to attending a church that practices what we do. The other thought was, "I don't have the gas money to be driving four extra hours every other Sunday night." Although that is true (we are not even making enough to pay our church bills, much less put extra towards outreach), I cannot in good conscience stay at home when I know someone wants the Truth. It is what we are all called to do. Win souls and let Jesus take care of the rest. Seek first the Kingdom of God and all these things shall be added unto you.
When there is a legitimate desire for God in a person, our highest calling is to teach them, no matter what the cost is to us. Helping one soul reach the point of Calvary, then leading them on to Resurrection through the Holy Ghost, is worth every penny the Lord has given me. Jesus help me to keep my mind on you and my eyes on the lost!
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Change: Who Needs It?
So, I've been thinkin'.........
- Why is it that most people would rather be comfortable than challenged?
- Isn't the greatness of America founded upon the willingness to go to great lengths to establish truth?
- Isn't the Church supposed to be the main resource for Truth?
- If left to our own devices, don't we always settle for less (unless urged forward by a challenge)?
- When did we lose our concept of God as a loving but strict father and exchange it for a view of Him as a Pothead hippie who just wants everyone to be happy?
- Isn't the great hope of the Gospel that we can become something greater?
- Didn't Jesus promise us suffering and not comfort?
- What's so great about our current condition that we are afraid to give it up?
- Just because Jesus visits His people doesn't mean He approves of us.
- I think sometimes He comes to our churches in an effort to show us what He is, so that we will understand how far from Him we are.
- The Church is supposed to be trying to become more like Jesus, not make Him more like us.
- Feeling the move of God in a church service is all most people want. But moving towards God in our character is what Jesus really wants, don't you think?
- We have turned our aim in our gatherings to "Let's have a move of God", and that has replaced the early church's mindset of "Let's move the people toward God".
- As far as I can tell, God already did what He needed to do to tear down the partition between Him and mankind. Now it's up to us to enter through the veil.
- Emotionalism has turned Pentecostals into a laughingstock. Maybe the unredeemed aren't mocking us because they are evil. Maybe they are mocking us because they recognize that we don't have much wisdom in our practices.
- When we stop trying to get God's attention and start letting Him get ours, I think we might do some things differently.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Staying Sane is Crazy Hard!
"I don't know karate, but I know karazy!" - James Brown
Sometimes, we just have to make a way for our own minds to be released from the burdens of an insane life. So, here goes nothing! I've wanted to try to start a blog for a while, but I just never pulled that trigger. Now, I feel like I gotta get what's in my head out in the open. If for no other reason than my own mental well being.
Thanks to Philip Helms (http://commonsenseinanonsensicalworld.blogspot.com/) for beating me to the punch and making me feel like I need to do this thing! I hope you enjoy/relate/don't think I'm an absolute wacko.
It seems that many people are feeling a certain positive vibe in the air about 2011. Last year was apparently challenging for many. I know that for my part there were unforeseen hurdles and at times an utterly shocking feeling of abandonment. There were times that I thought I understood how Urriah felt when David commanded Joab to have his men withdraw from him in the thick of the battle. Thanks be to God that by His Grace and Mercy we were able to make it this far. In my limited experience, it occurs to me that many of the most prominent and outstanding people I know went through something like a purging prior to their ultimate breakthrough of "success". We can only hope that pattern stays true in our lives. 2011 is marked as a year of new beginnings, more so than any other in my life.
I kind of needed the awful year that I just had, in order to finally be moved into a place of alteration and repentance. My wife and I have determined to take stock of every practice and habit and to do our best to remedy the inconsistencies that we let hang on for too long. It is a time to purge ourselves of unhealthy friends (I use the term loosely) and relationships. Some of this has been done for us. But yet others still need to be axed from the social interaction database. I find myself coming to the conclusion of a philosophical journey that has taken several years to accomplish, as well (more on that in later posts).
All in all, I am more optimistic and focused than I have been in previous times. My faith is reinforced by experiences now. And I know that whoever the Lord calls, He will equip. I was missing some faith, so I had to need some miracles in order to get some answers. That has provided me with a renewed passion to see the Church become what it can be (both locally and generally). I am also less fearful of rejection. If people rejected me when I was holding back and trying to play nice, then as Jack Nicholson once famously stated: "Wait'll they get a load of me!"
Stay tuned and buckle your seat belts, we may be headed for turbulent skies!!
Sometimes, we just have to make a way for our own minds to be released from the burdens of an insane life. So, here goes nothing! I've wanted to try to start a blog for a while, but I just never pulled that trigger. Now, I feel like I gotta get what's in my head out in the open. If for no other reason than my own mental well being.
Thanks to Philip Helms (http://commonsenseinanonsensicalworld.blogspot.com/) for beating me to the punch and making me feel like I need to do this thing! I hope you enjoy/relate/don't think I'm an absolute wacko.
It seems that many people are feeling a certain positive vibe in the air about 2011. Last year was apparently challenging for many. I know that for my part there were unforeseen hurdles and at times an utterly shocking feeling of abandonment. There were times that I thought I understood how Urriah felt when David commanded Joab to have his men withdraw from him in the thick of the battle. Thanks be to God that by His Grace and Mercy we were able to make it this far. In my limited experience, it occurs to me that many of the most prominent and outstanding people I know went through something like a purging prior to their ultimate breakthrough of "success". We can only hope that pattern stays true in our lives. 2011 is marked as a year of new beginnings, more so than any other in my life.
I kind of needed the awful year that I just had, in order to finally be moved into a place of alteration and repentance. My wife and I have determined to take stock of every practice and habit and to do our best to remedy the inconsistencies that we let hang on for too long. It is a time to purge ourselves of unhealthy friends (I use the term loosely) and relationships. Some of this has been done for us. But yet others still need to be axed from the social interaction database. I find myself coming to the conclusion of a philosophical journey that has taken several years to accomplish, as well (more on that in later posts).
All in all, I am more optimistic and focused than I have been in previous times. My faith is reinforced by experiences now. And I know that whoever the Lord calls, He will equip. I was missing some faith, so I had to need some miracles in order to get some answers. That has provided me with a renewed passion to see the Church become what it can be (both locally and generally). I am also less fearful of rejection. If people rejected me when I was holding back and trying to play nice, then as Jack Nicholson once famously stated: "Wait'll they get a load of me!"
Stay tuned and buckle your seat belts, we may be headed for turbulent skies!!
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