"Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who do such things. Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who do such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed." (Romans 2:1-5)
Except for God's sovereign grace, we are all capable of indulging in anything known to fallen mankind.
The first verse states that those who judge others condemn themselves because they practice the very same thing. The reason a person is able to accuse another, is because the human depravity they recognize and judge is potentially present within themselves.
Should we fully comprehend that we have been saved from ourselves by God's grace alone, we would not perceive another's behavior as something to judge, rather something to forgive and afford grace toward... that same grace and forgiveness we freely received. However, as we find ourselves inclined to judge others, it is because we have not yet been enlightened to the magnitude of what Jesus accomplished on the cross for us. (Romans 5:8)
So it is, with a passion to establish a self-righteousness apart from Christ that we judge others; and that to our own condemnation. If we are to see others through the eyes of God, we must be more than just knowledgeable of Jesus. We must be knowledgeable in Him. (Romans 8:1)
"Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?"
(James 4:11-12)
When we pronounce judgment upon someone, we are in essence:
-denying grace. This type of judgment is reserved for God against the unrighteous; those who are not the elect of God, and decrees a verdict of condemnation by Him alone. (Matthew 22:13)
-dispensing the law for the sake of bearing witness against the actions and attitudes of others. This runs contrary to the biblical mandate for Christians in dealing with transgressors. (Matthew 18:15-17)
-mocking God's creation, as though they were not made in His image. (Matthew 5:22)
When we judge, we are declaring that others are unworthy of God's grace.
We have essentially turned the law upon our neighbor to be declared guilty under it. Yet ourselves, having been freed from being judged by the law because of the gift of grace, now judge that the law should be used against our neighbor while embracing that it doesn't apply to us.
(Matthew 18:27-28)
We are denying our neighbor this same grace. We are denying the command to forgive others. (Mark 11:25)
"One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, 'Of all the commandments, which is the most important?' 'The most important one,' answered Jesus, 'is this: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these."(Mark12:28-31)
To judge someone is to defy the two greatest commandments of God.
"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. (Matthew 5:17)
To judge by the law is to deny Jesus.
Now, to judge according to grace is freedom from judgment by the law. It provides opportunity for others to confess their sins and for the Holy Spirit to work repentance into the heart. This is exactly why Jesus came into the world.
But we can't just dwell on the subject of judgment without introducing the matter of accountability which plays such a vital role in the church.
Recognizing and confronting evil should not be mistaken as judging a person. Human judgment is a partial knowledge assumption presumed upon another person's motives and position with God, based simply on the evident circumstances that are perceived by the one judging. The motives behind this type of judgment are numerous and its source is demonic.
Discernment, however, is the ability to correctly identify the true spirit of attitudes and behaviors of others.
"For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12)
Practical discernment comes by being immersed in God's character and precepts, but spiritual discernment comes by the power of the Holy Spirit, working through those whom God has bestowed the gift to. They will stand as an illuminating light against all forms of rebellion and dark authorities that set themselves up to deceive God's creation. In spite of the enemy's commanding presence, their true motivations will be exposed and their hypocrisy revealed.
In regards to the carnal behavior of believers, confrontation is the required business of every child of God for the sake of accountability within the body of Christ. Yet none of this is to anyone's advantage if love for our fellow man is not the ultimate passion. Confrontation without the accompaniment of the Holy Spirit through prayer will always be perceived as judgmental.
Below are several Biblical examples of appropriate judgments on those whose actions were clearly contrary to the Spirit of God.
"Jesus answered them, 'I did one work, and you all marvel at it. Moses gave you circumcision (not that it is from Moses, but from the fathers), and you circumcise a man on the Sabbath. If on the Sabbath a man receives circumcision, so that the law of Moses may not be broken, are you angry with me because on the Sabbath I made a man’s whole body well? Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.'" (John 7:21-24)
"But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? God judges those outside. 'Purge the evil person from among you.'" (1 Corinthians 5:11-13)
"One of the Cretans, a prophet of their own, said, 'Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.' This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, not devoting themselves to Jewish myths and the commands of people who turn away from the truth."
(Titus 1:12-14)
The following is an extreme example of how seriously God regards integrity, honesty and accountability in the church, even after Jesus' resurrection.
"But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet. But Peter said, 'Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.' When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it. The young men rose and wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him.
"After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. And Peter said to her, 'Tell me whether you sold the land for so much.' And she said, 'Yes, for so much.' But Peter said to her, 'How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.' Immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. When the young men came in they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things."
(Acts 5:1-11)
PJR
"The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one." (1 Corinthians 2:15)
Saturday, March 9, 2013
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Hidden Trouble
A few years back I got a call from my youngest daughter telling me her dishwasher wasn't working. She asked if I could come by and find what the problem was. She mentioned that when there was a power outage, as was the case, the breaker in the electrical panel would have to be reset, solving the issue. This time it didn't work.
When I got there, I did the usual diagnosis of determining the closest point where power was interrupted. It turned out to be the switches on the wall. As I pulled the switches out of the wall, I found one loose wire and one that had come completely out of the terminal. Having reconnected these, the dishwasher still didn't work. Eventually, I discovered that the micro-switch on the dishwasher door would not engage if the door was not completely shut (though it appeared to be).
When I informed her the dishwasher was now working, she asked me what the problem was. I could have pointed out any one of those things, but honestly it was all of them; a compound problem. Two of the wires may have been close enough to make contact if the electricity was able to jump the gap, and the micro-switch may or may not have been engaged. If electricity has to 'jump' to make a connection, there is always a possibility of a fire. If the micro-switch had not been engaging, I would have never gone to the wall switch to discover the other potentially dangerous conditions.
I thought about how, as Christians, our own problems can be very similar. The troubles that are evident on the surface often times consist of other hidden dangers we aren't even aware of. Without the fellowship of others, we may not recognize the underlying spiritual issues beyond the obvious present struggle. Apart from other believers, our vision is severely limited and our focus extremely narrow...and that is by Design.
This is one of the blessings we reap when we fellowship with others in the faith. Hebrews 10:25 tells us, "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." The body of Christ manifests its intimacy with Jesus through Spiritual fellowship (Matthew 18:20). As we confess our hearts and pray for one another, the depth of our struggles will be revealed and the hidden work of the enemy exposed.
So...why isn't your dishwasher working?
PJR
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."
(John 10:10)
When I got there, I did the usual diagnosis of determining the closest point where power was interrupted. It turned out to be the switches on the wall. As I pulled the switches out of the wall, I found one loose wire and one that had come completely out of the terminal. Having reconnected these, the dishwasher still didn't work. Eventually, I discovered that the micro-switch on the dishwasher door would not engage if the door was not completely shut (though it appeared to be).
When I informed her the dishwasher was now working, she asked me what the problem was. I could have pointed out any one of those things, but honestly it was all of them; a compound problem. Two of the wires may have been close enough to make contact if the electricity was able to jump the gap, and the micro-switch may or may not have been engaged. If electricity has to 'jump' to make a connection, there is always a possibility of a fire. If the micro-switch had not been engaging, I would have never gone to the wall switch to discover the other potentially dangerous conditions.
I thought about how, as Christians, our own problems can be very similar. The troubles that are evident on the surface often times consist of other hidden dangers we aren't even aware of. Without the fellowship of others, we may not recognize the underlying spiritual issues beyond the obvious present struggle. Apart from other believers, our vision is severely limited and our focus extremely narrow...and that is by Design.
This is one of the blessings we reap when we fellowship with others in the faith. Hebrews 10:25 tells us, "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." The body of Christ manifests its intimacy with Jesus through Spiritual fellowship (Matthew 18:20). As we confess our hearts and pray for one another, the depth of our struggles will be revealed and the hidden work of the enemy exposed.
So...why isn't your dishwasher working?
PJR
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."
(John 10:10)
Saturday, March 2, 2013
The Truth About Knowledge
Knowledge alone is not truth. At its best, knowledge alone is puffed up. At worst, it destroys. It was knowledge alone that deceived Eve. It was by knowledge alone that the affections of God's chosen nation continually turned back to the world. It is only when we walk in the light of knowledge that truth is intimately known. (1 John 1:6,7; John 3:21)
Today, the masses of church attenders are eager to embrace a fellowship claimed by mere association with others who regard not truth, but a commanding knowledge of their religious environment; a knowledge lacking the life of the Spirit, evidenced by their conformity to the system of the world. Their confidence is supported by one another, similar to patrons of a bar. They build up and encourage a community of companionship nourished by mutual acceptance. These common communities become either tolerant or legalistic, for the purpose of comforting the astute and controlling the ignorant. They are full of toil and void of the truth because knowledge alone is their master, refusing to allow the Holy Spirit to turn that knowledge into abundant life. (1 Timothy 4:1; 2 Timothy 3:7; 1 Corinthians 11:19)
PJR
"They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error."
(1 John 4:5,6)
Today, the masses of church attenders are eager to embrace a fellowship claimed by mere association with others who regard not truth, but a commanding knowledge of their religious environment; a knowledge lacking the life of the Spirit, evidenced by their conformity to the system of the world. Their confidence is supported by one another, similar to patrons of a bar. They build up and encourage a community of companionship nourished by mutual acceptance. These common communities become either tolerant or legalistic, for the purpose of comforting the astute and controlling the ignorant. They are full of toil and void of the truth because knowledge alone is their master, refusing to allow the Holy Spirit to turn that knowledge into abundant life. (1 Timothy 4:1; 2 Timothy 3:7; 1 Corinthians 11:19)
PJR
"They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error."
(1 John 4:5,6)
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Lip Service
"For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." (Luke 12:34)
That which we feed upon in our daily lives becomes the treasure of our hearts, and we will quite naturally divulge the true spirit within our humanity to those around us.
We should not think we can cleverly disguise, by way of lip service, the spirit of the world we indulge in. Upon the tasting of the waters, the spring is well known.
"Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water." (James 3:11,12)
Children of God will stumble and backslide. If a fellow believer sins, admonish them in the word of God. It is important to recognize the true spirit of those around us and treat them as such; for by their spirit we will know whether to treat them as sinners and tax collectors (Luke 5:32), or to gently restore our brothers and sisters. (Galatians 6:1) But be certain of one thing: it is not possible for holiness to flow from an unbeliever. However, we should allow the Holy Spirit to work through us so that those who are not truly born from above will be exposed to everyone else for who they really are, in hopes of bringing Godly conviction upon them.
"But if an unbeliever or someone who does not understand comes in while everybody is prophesying, he will be convinced by all that he is a sinner and will be judged by all, and the secrets of his heart will be laid bare. So he will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, 'God is really among you!'" (1 Corinthians 14:24,25)
PJR
"Like the glaze covering an earthen vessel
are fervent lips with an evil heart.
Whoever hates, disguises himself with his lips
and harbors deceit in his heart;
when he speaks graciously, believe him not,
for there are seven abominations in his heart;
though his hatred be covered with deception,
his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly."
(Prov.26:23-26)
That which we feed upon in our daily lives becomes the treasure of our hearts, and we will quite naturally divulge the true spirit within our humanity to those around us.
We should not think we can cleverly disguise, by way of lip service, the spirit of the world we indulge in. Upon the tasting of the waters, the spring is well known.
"Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water." (James 3:11,12)
Children of God will stumble and backslide. If a fellow believer sins, admonish them in the word of God. It is important to recognize the true spirit of those around us and treat them as such; for by their spirit we will know whether to treat them as sinners and tax collectors (Luke 5:32), or to gently restore our brothers and sisters. (Galatians 6:1) But be certain of one thing: it is not possible for holiness to flow from an unbeliever. However, we should allow the Holy Spirit to work through us so that those who are not truly born from above will be exposed to everyone else for who they really are, in hopes of bringing Godly conviction upon them.
"But if an unbeliever or someone who does not understand comes in while everybody is prophesying, he will be convinced by all that he is a sinner and will be judged by all, and the secrets of his heart will be laid bare. So he will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, 'God is really among you!'" (1 Corinthians 14:24,25)
PJR
are fervent lips with an evil heart.
Whoever hates, disguises himself with his lips
and harbors deceit in his heart;
when he speaks graciously, believe him not,
for there are seven abominations in his heart;
though his hatred be covered with deception,
his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly."
(Prov.26:23-26)
Saturday, February 23, 2013
Fake Speech And False Spirits
Have you ever witnessed a conversation or circumstance, involving someone you felt to be a believer, that left you confused and in a state of bewilderment? If you find yourself in a quandary like this, it is because you have just witnessed a false spirit or the nature of sin having its way through someone who is deeply troubled by it.
When confronted about their behavior, those who confess their transgression, and acknowledge their struggle with it, must be dealt with patiently and with much grace and prayer, (forgiving them seventy times seven); for it is by God's Spirit they confess.
Others, however, refuse to even acknowledge their bizarre behavior, yet in an to attempt to appease your obvious disheveled state (while hoping to justify their actions), they will excuse their actions and redirect your focus from it in one, or a combination of two, different ways.
1. Being aggressive, twisting truth and speaking with exasperation, they defend themselves adamantly so that it causes you to cower, leaving you to doubt that you judged correctly. You come away feeling guilty for even addressing them for what you witnessed.
2. Being passive, by false explanations and rationalizations, they desire you to compromise your own holiness, striving to win your affections by befriending you.
There are a myriad of reasons for the presence of such a spirit, but the root of it is fear; that is, the lack of perfect love. (1 John 4:18)
The church should never disregard such a person. Maintaining peace without Biblical accountability, for the sake of avoiding confrontation accomplishes nothing more than our own human comfort. It affords the troublemakers the freedom to continue disrupting the peace because they have experienced previous confrontations that were never brought to a point of consequence, though it is this very thing they themselves ultimately pursue. Their actions are immature and rebellious, displaying no evidence of the Holy Spirit within.
However, after being given corrections and opportunities to recognize, confess, and repent of the spirit of rebellion, yet remaining defiant, the final act must be enforced:
"Reject a divisive person after one or two warnings. You know that such a person is twisted by sin and is conscious of it himself." (Titus 3:10,11 The Net Bible)
PJR
When confronted about their behavior, those who confess their transgression, and acknowledge their struggle with it, must be dealt with patiently and with much grace and prayer, (forgiving them seventy times seven); for it is by God's Spirit they confess.
Others, however, refuse to even acknowledge their bizarre behavior, yet in an to attempt to appease your obvious disheveled state (while hoping to justify their actions), they will excuse their actions and redirect your focus from it in one, or a combination of two, different ways.
1. Being aggressive, twisting truth and speaking with exasperation, they defend themselves adamantly so that it causes you to cower, leaving you to doubt that you judged correctly. You come away feeling guilty for even addressing them for what you witnessed.
2. Being passive, by false explanations and rationalizations, they desire you to compromise your own holiness, striving to win your affections by befriending you.
There are a myriad of reasons for the presence of such a spirit, but the root of it is fear; that is, the lack of perfect love. (1 John 4:18)
The church should never disregard such a person. Maintaining peace without Biblical accountability, for the sake of avoiding confrontation accomplishes nothing more than our own human comfort. It affords the troublemakers the freedom to continue disrupting the peace because they have experienced previous confrontations that were never brought to a point of consequence, though it is this very thing they themselves ultimately pursue. Their actions are immature and rebellious, displaying no evidence of the Holy Spirit within.
However, after being given corrections and opportunities to recognize, confess, and repent of the spirit of rebellion, yet remaining defiant, the final act must be enforced:
"Reject a divisive person after one or two warnings. You know that such a person is twisted by sin and is conscious of it himself." (Titus 3:10,11 The Net Bible)
PJR
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Deceit
Deceit is the attempt to rewrite God's word into something man is able to grasp with his own understanding, thereby diminishing the need for faith. It's presence in the church disturbs the peace of those whom the Holy Spirit is intimate with, though the exact cause may not be immediately discerned. The spirit of deceit always disguises itself as common sense and its effort is to thwart the life and work of the Holy Spirit in the body of Christ. Its main goal is to appeal to the human senses, causing the desires of the mind to become lord of the assembly.
Seasons will arise that will expose the enemy at work, but Satan will fight back in an attempt to discredit any who challenge him. As we confront the worldliness that sets itself up within and against the church, we must remove ourselves from the emotional battle, and concentrate on the spiritual, which is the driving force behind the minds of those who incessantly disregard the Holy Spirit. While God's word is the ultimate victory over the enemy, during the heat of the battle it is faith, held as a shield, that we persevere. The 'worthy adversary' will continually bring subtle conflicts of interest that challenge one thing; God's word...and it is our faith in His word that becomes our shelter.
PJR
"Every word of God proves true;
he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
Do not add to his words,
lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar."
(Proverbs 30:5,6)
Seasons will arise that will expose the enemy at work, but Satan will fight back in an attempt to discredit any who challenge him. As we confront the worldliness that sets itself up within and against the church, we must remove ourselves from the emotional battle, and concentrate on the spiritual, which is the driving force behind the minds of those who incessantly disregard the Holy Spirit. While God's word is the ultimate victory over the enemy, during the heat of the battle it is faith, held as a shield, that we persevere. The 'worthy adversary' will continually bring subtle conflicts of interest that challenge one thing; God's word...and it is our faith in His word that becomes our shelter.
PJR
"Every word of God proves true;
he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
Do not add to his words,
lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar."
(Proverbs 30:5,6)
Saturday, February 16, 2013
Philosophical Hypocrisy
Human reasoning alone may appear to answer Biblical issues in close context, but broadly, its theology will be found inconsistent in satisfying the questions yet to be considered. Even if we may be confident in one dynamic of our Christian walk, the blinders on our spiritual understanding prompts the Holy Spirit to challenge the sufficiency of that single wisdom regarding other areas we have yet to be enlightened to.
If we fail to embrace this challenge, our growth will remain stunted and are therefore unable to establish a sound theological foundation that is purely sanctified and intimately relational with God. We are then left to rationalize God's truths through the lens of our humanity, burdening ourselves and others with an inconsistent mixture of theology and philosophy. Our wisdom thus remains hypocritical.
It may be asked, why wouldn't anyone who has been enlightened by the Spirit continue to press in for the greater understanding that comes from God alone? The answer is this: it comes with the realization of having to surrender our mind's covetous desire to understand and plan its own way. This is the stumbling block set before all.
PJR
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
Be not wise in your own eyes;
fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.
It will be healing to your flesh
and refreshment to your bones."
(Proverbs 3:5-8)
If we fail to embrace this challenge, our growth will remain stunted and are therefore unable to establish a sound theological foundation that is purely sanctified and intimately relational with God. We are then left to rationalize God's truths through the lens of our humanity, burdening ourselves and others with an inconsistent mixture of theology and philosophy. Our wisdom thus remains hypocritical.
It may be asked, why wouldn't anyone who has been enlightened by the Spirit continue to press in for the greater understanding that comes from God alone? The answer is this: it comes with the realization of having to surrender our mind's covetous desire to understand and plan its own way. This is the stumbling block set before all.
PJR
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
Be not wise in your own eyes;
fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.
It will be healing to your flesh
and refreshment to your bones."
(Proverbs 3:5-8)
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Idle Words
"I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak,"
(Matthew 12:36)
Every word we speak is drawn from the heart within, revealing its true spiritual condition. As Christians, our idle words express those incessant realms of our own heart's desires that certainly reveal the unsanctified areas of our lives. If the devotion of our efforts, which should be asking God for His Spirit, instead professses more of an allegiance to the world, then our conversations will become as tasteless salt, a seasoning to no one. (Matthew 5:13) We should be bearing the life of the Holy Spirit that dwells within, not quenching it with idle talk.
PJR
"Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit." (Matthew 12:33)
(Matthew 12:36)
Every word we speak is drawn from the heart within, revealing its true spiritual condition. As Christians, our idle words express those incessant realms of our own heart's desires that certainly reveal the unsanctified areas of our lives. If the devotion of our efforts, which should be asking God for His Spirit, instead professses more of an allegiance to the world, then our conversations will become as tasteless salt, a seasoning to no one. (Matthew 5:13) We should be bearing the life of the Holy Spirit that dwells within, not quenching it with idle talk.
PJR
"Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit." (Matthew 12:33)
Saturday, February 9, 2013
Avoiding Secularism In The Church
Jesus stated, with regards to the shrewd accountant, that the world is more clever in making lifetime friends than are the children of the light. (Luke 16:8)
Jesus sent out his disciples as sheep in the midst of wolves, telling them to be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves. (Mathew 10:16)
The Apostle Paul became all things to all men that by all means he might save some. (1 Corinthians 9:22)
The message in these verses admonishes us to become proactive and creative in spreading the good news with the world, yet always being conscientious of keeping our religion pure and undefiled. (James 1:27)
The sources below give us insight into the physical world we live in.
Surveys
Marketing
Demographics
Psychology
Scientific Data
Historical Evidence
Research
Media
News Reports
However, the church should not utilize secular resources to:
"I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments." (Colossians 2:4)
Jesus sent out his disciples as sheep in the midst of wolves, telling them to be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves. (Mathew 10:16)
The Apostle Paul became all things to all men that by all means he might save some. (1 Corinthians 9:22)
The message in these verses admonishes us to become proactive and creative in spreading the good news with the world, yet always being conscientious of keeping our religion pure and undefiled. (James 1:27)
The sources below give us insight into the physical world we live in.
Surveys
Marketing
Demographics
Psychology
Scientific Data
Historical Evidence
Research
Media
News Reports
However, the church should not utilize secular resources to:
- increase the numerical value of the church.
- befriend the world at the compromise of the purity of the gospel.
- equip believers with facts at the expense of faith.
- provide social counseling in lieu of Spiritual discernment and wisdom.
- determine its ministry.
- instill fear and fanaticism to maintain member dedication.
- encourage participation in worldly agendas.
- compare ourselves to, in order to achieve a sense of righteousness.
- become any part of its confidence.
"I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments." (Colossians 2:4)
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Theatrical Churches
The architecture of an auditorium or theater immediately commands an instinctive human behavior from every person who enters.The audience knows their part, and those on stage know theirs. While any production is in progress, the audience becomes obedient in behavior to what the performers of the production have previously prepared for them. With the exception of an occasional audience response, the combined spirit within the auditorium is one of absolute self control. Whoever you may be naturally on the inside is called to a state of submission, thus rendering the utmost respect and behavior in order to facilitate an atmosphere conducive to a professional performance. This is the nature of the theater; and unfortunately for many churches as well.
While there is nothing wrong with church buildings that model auditoriums or theaters, there is a lot wrong with the dynamics of the fellowship within. It is constrained. There is a great quenching of the Holy Spirit in the body of Christ that frequents this type of community. Rather than a design that enables the people the freedom to relate authentically and to release their gifts for the edification of others, the people become trained to conform to the protocol of the approximate one hour performance their theater demands. What is produced in the congregation is a spirit of good behavior and a deliberate practice of self composure that inevitably continues on through casual socializing. They are careful not to cause any distraction and have not the slightest desire to consider the things of God that might undermine the atmosphere of the theater they feel responsible for keeping. The elders and patriots come to embrace a conviction that it is their reverent duty and Godly service to come under the established authority of the theater to ensure everyone else respects the social architecture of such a church.
"So I exhort the elders among you ... shepherd the flock of God that is among you ... not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock." (1 Peter 5:2,3)
When the same familiar people inhabit the stage Sunday after Sunday, they are dominating the affairs of the church and have drastically limited the exercise of all gifts that belong to the body of Christ.
PJR
"For the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, yet one body."
(1 Corinthians 12:14-20
While there is nothing wrong with church buildings that model auditoriums or theaters, there is a lot wrong with the dynamics of the fellowship within. It is constrained. There is a great quenching of the Holy Spirit in the body of Christ that frequents this type of community. Rather than a design that enables the people the freedom to relate authentically and to release their gifts for the edification of others, the people become trained to conform to the protocol of the approximate one hour performance their theater demands. What is produced in the congregation is a spirit of good behavior and a deliberate practice of self composure that inevitably continues on through casual socializing. They are careful not to cause any distraction and have not the slightest desire to consider the things of God that might undermine the atmosphere of the theater they feel responsible for keeping. The elders and patriots come to embrace a conviction that it is their reverent duty and Godly service to come under the established authority of the theater to ensure everyone else respects the social architecture of such a church.
"So I exhort the elders among you ... shepherd the flock of God that is among you ... not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock." (1 Peter 5:2,3)
When the same familiar people inhabit the stage Sunday after Sunday, they are dominating the affairs of the church and have drastically limited the exercise of all gifts that belong to the body of Christ.
PJR
"For the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, yet one body."
(1 Corinthians 12:14-20
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