“…all things to all men…”
To the weak I became weak, to win the weak, I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. - 1 Cor 9:22 (NIV)
Paul did everything humanly possible to win people to Christ. Whether they be Jews or people who didn’t know God’s Law (Gentiles), Paul met them where they were. And yet the Gospel was never compromised. To the Corinthian church, Paul offers his case and is confident that they will agree with the evidence.
I’m wondering what being “all things to all men” means today. Webster’s defines “syncretism” as the attempted reconciliation or union of different or opposing principles, practices, or parties, as in philosophy or religion. Think syncretism might be an issue for the Church today? How can we do as Paul and at the same time not allow the Church to be infiltrated by the world?
Jesus said, You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled by men.” Matt 5:13 (NIV) One of the benefits of salt in the Ancient Near East was preservation. Jesus was speaking of preserving that which is good. It’s when the salt becomes insipid that it’s not doing what it’s intended to do. Scholar Craig Blomberg writes, “Jesus calls his disciples to arrest corruption and prevent moral decay in their world.
What does that look like in our culture? Hasn’t the Church allowed the world to influence her already? If so, what does the Bride of Christ need to do to be found spotless? If not, what is your experience with syncretism between church/world?
How can we say “Amen” to what Paul says to the Corinthian church?
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Should I?
Then Peter came and said to him, “Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times.” - Mt 18:21-22 NRSV
And forgive our debts, as we have also forgiven our debtors. - Mt 6:12 NRSV
These were the verses read for our Bible study this morning. The topic of discussion was forgiveness. The specific question: Can we really ask to be forgiven our sins if we haven’t completely forgiven others?
It’s interesting in the first text the NRSV translators use the phrase “member of the church.” The actual word in the Greek would be translated brother. In other words, this isn’t just a casual acquaintance. Peter is asking about someone whom he has a relationship with – someone who should also be concerned about community/relationship. A brother has your best interests at heart. He would never do anything intentional to hurt you. Jesus says in effect, “Don’t keep score. Forgive much.”
But what about those who don’t have your best interests at heart? What about those people who don’t want a relationship/community? What about people who have proven they could care less about you? What if they have no desire to be a brother or sister? What about those people? Should I forgive? Should I make peace (as much as possible) and then move on with life? Should I continue to get bloody and bruised?
Of course there’s much to ”unpack” in the word forgiveness, which leads to a conversation of grace, which leads to… You get the idea. So what say you? John Bevere says no desire to forgive is The Bait of Satan. Is there a difference if the one to forgive is a member of the Church, a brother, a sister?
Hmmm.
Filed under: Church, Scripture | 5 Comments
God’s Plan
Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
and before you were born I consecrated you;
I appointed you a prophet to the nations. Jeremiah 1:4-5
There are times in my life where I hang out at these two verses. I appreciate God telling Jeremiah about his call to speak to the nations. But what always slows me down is the first two phrases.
Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
God knew Jeremiah before he was known. Before Jeremiah’s mother and father had the chance to hold their son, God KNEW the child – from the inside out. God knew what his favorite toy would be. He knew the favorite color that would be determined years later, and what his likes/dislikes would be with food. God knew everything about Jeremiah before he was formed in the womb.
And if He knew Jeremiah like that, He also knew us like that. Does that make you stop and think? God isn’t surprised by any decision you make. He loves you. He wants the best for you. And although we don’t know what the future holds, God does. WOW!
The second phrase is just as powerful.
and before you were born I consecrated you;
God had a plan for Jeremiah’s life well before Jeremiah took his first breath. And not just any plan. This plan meant Jeremiah would be consecrated. A synonym would be sanctified. In other words, he would be set apart for what God’s plan was. No one else could or should even attempt to do what Jeremiah was called to do. That was God’s plan for Jeremiah.
And we’re no different. Although God gives us free will to choose whether we will or we won’t follow His will, God knows that peace will only come when we walk step in step with what He wants for us. When you and I cave in to the world around us, it grieves God. He has a plan for you. Are you following the plan? What needs to change?
For you, God’s plan might be working at the bank. It might be remaining single. Maybe it’s not as big as speaking to the nations. But it’s God’s plan for your life. And the quicker you understand that, the better off you’ll be.
Don’t allow the world to force you into its mold. Don’t settle for something less than God’s plan.
Filed under: Discipleship, Scripture | 3 Comments
When Jesus came and God’s kingdom in him, not only was there to be a change contradicting the world’s system, but at bottom there was to be no less than a change of heart. It does little to no good to change systems or laws when there is no change of heart corresponding.
That week Jesus was telling his disciples that they would all fall away because of what was about to happen to him.
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Words Mean Something (7)
But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth. Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind and disqualified regarding the faith. But they will not get very far, for their folly will be plain to all, as was that of those two men. 2 Tim 3:1-8 ESV
Are we in the last days?
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Words Mean Something (6)
Here’s another chance to do some thinking and then let me know what you think.
What is the Gospel? I know the easy answer is “good news.” But what does that mean?
Do we believe portions of the Gospel ie. grace and not believe the rest ie. personal responsibility? Is one the Gospel while the other is just secondary?
I’d be interested in what you think the good news is and how has the definition changed over the last few decades.
Filed under: Words | 3 Comments
Freedom
Have we redefined freedom? As Americans, we appreciate our freedom – especially during the month of July or when reminded of the sacrifice soldiers have made on our behalf. But I ask again, have we redefined freedom?
Once outside the patriotic theme, freedom is defined subjectively. Freedom has come to mean one is free to do whatever they want. Postmodern thought tells us “If it feels good, do it. You’re free to make your own choices. Don’t be hemmed in by what society tells you is right or wrong.”
But is that freedom? Civilized societies believe (no time/space for debate here) that if one uses his/her freedom to the detriment of others, they forego their right to freedom. They’re kept away from society and their freedom is greatly limited. In the worst cases, the chance for freedom is taken away for the balance of their physical life.
Paul wrote to the Galatians, For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. (5:13)
If freedom is about me and only me, it’s not freedom at all. It’s self-serving and leads to what Paul calls to consuming one another. Freedom is about sacrifice – sacrifice for others.
I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. – Jesus
Filed under: Community, Discipleship, Jesus | 6 Comments
Words Mean Something (5)
With the Lord’s authority let me say this: Live no longer as the ungodly do, for they are hopelessly confused. Their closed minds are full of darkness; they are far away from the life of God because they have shut their minds and hardened their hearts against him. They don’t care anymore about right and wrong, and they have given themselves over to immoral ways…
The Apostle Paul (Eph 4:17-19 NLT)
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KISS(ing) In The Church
It’s interesting how God works. That may be the most elementary statement that you read for a long time. After all, God is extremely interesting. But sometimes, we need to be reminded. Over the last few days, I’ve had some things happen that remind me of how God works. Let me share. And then feel free to tell me your experiences and/or thoughts (including agreement or disagreement).
We’re all aware of the KISS method. Keep It Simple Stupid. It’s something we’re introduced to early in life and comes up again and again throughout life. In fact, I remember sitting in a preaching class and the professor lecturing for what seemed like too long on the KISS method. Obviously, he thought it important enough to spend the entire class on something we had known. But again, we need to be reminded.
The professor’s goal was to teach preachers first and foremost to know the audience. When a speaker knows the audience, whatever is shared should be simple enough for most to understand and challenging enough that half (or most) should have to think at length about what is being said.
But after pastoring for a decade, I sense that some/most in the Church want everything to remain simple. Please understand: I realize the Gospel is simple in some respects. I’m a sinner in need of a savior. The only thing that can save me is a relationship with Jesus Christ. Jesus came and died for me and wants me to live forever. That’s a pretty simple way to understand the Gospel.
On the other hand, maturity means that simplicity cannot continue to be simple. Paul uses the analogy of a baby growing to the point that milk is no longer sufficient. Milk no longer satisfies. It’s time to move to solid food. Discipleship – news flash! it’s what we’re called to – means growing. What once satisfied me no longer does so.
In John 6, Jesus speaks of eating his flesh and drinking his blood. Up to that point, the crowds were growing larger by the day and maybe even the hour. But when He began to speak that way, the Bible says they began to complain, “This is no longer simple. I can’t understand. This is no longer the milk. What’s He doing? Doesn’t He know we’re simple people?” Of course Jesus knew them. And He knew what they needed! And He wasn’t satisfied leaving them simple.
It’s time to rediscover discipleship! It’s time to not settle for the simple stuff. I’m not arguing for intellectualism. But I am arguing for a hunger and thirst for more. And we’re told when we get hungry and thirsty spiritually, God shows up in new ways. So what are we waiting for?!?
Filed under: Discipleship | 6 Comments
The Fourth Gospel
Beginning January 1, our church began looking at The Gospel of John. A former professor suggested that preaching through a gospel from January – Easter not only set the tone for the rest of the year, it also provided a great foundation for those who studied the gospel at length. In recent years, I’ve preached through Matthew, Mark, and Luke in this way. The synoptic gospels have been appreciated on a greater level, often times allowing for a greater appreciation of Old Testament texts. However, this was my first attempt through John.
God willing, it won’t be my last. I’m really enjoying studying the fourth gospel and have heard many favorable comments. Those putting in the work have really been blessed.
Everything leads to 20:31. But these things are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.
The way John writes, the importance placed on evidence rather than chronology, and the addition of a fourth witness is priceless. I pray those who’ve studied with me have been blessed as much as I have. Let me suggest you take the time to not just read John’s gospel; study it in detail. You’ll leave with a greater appreciation of 1) Who Jesus is; 2) The Fourth Gospel; 3) God’s Word in general; and 4) the miracles that John includes in his “evidence”. Happy reading!
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