 Popular
I think that I have lived through three cycles of country or western style being popular. When I was child in the eighties, Barbara Mandrell had a popular song called “I Was Country When Country Wasn’t Cool” which I guess pointed at a boost in popularity at that time. But, the first time that I recognized this phenomenon was in the early 1990’s. I call this the 8 seconds of the pure country era. Rodeo, and especially professional bull riding, was becoming more popular with the Bull Riders Only tour then later the PBR. Musical artists such as Garth Brooks, George Strait, and Reba McEntire were among the largest celebrities in the world. Hollywood was producing blockbuster movies such as 8 Seconds, Pure Country, and Tombstone. All of this was because even people who were not themselves residents of rural areas or involved in farming and ranching lifestyles were attracted to the form and the fashion. The second period that I will point to is the middle to late 2000’s. This was less broad and impactful but in this timeframe country and western styles became even more mainstream. Many artists from popular shows such as American Idol chose to go into country music rather than the pop genre. RFD TV and other media outlets were catering to the market. This could probably be called the millennial era of popularity. The latest era that I have noticed is actually happening right now. I called this the Yellowstone Era. It is not just the popularity of the show but the accessibility of social media. Figures like Dale Brisby, and thousands of other accounts, are making the everyday exploits and shenanigans of the rural and ranching lifestyle entertaining and publicized. My point is that this is not just true with regard to Country as a genre of music or style of apparel. Rather this is true of many other things in our lives. There is an ebb and flow to the seasons of our lives and to the interests and focus of our society. Yet, we are what remains genuine throughout these seasons. Remember Barbara Mandrell’s song from earlier? Those who can look back and see that during these periods they bought a pair of boots or a straw hat but only for those periods of popularity aren’t really country people. Just like someone might buy some JNCO jeans and go to Ska or heavy metal concerts in college but they don’t continue in that lifestyle. What is really true is how the person lives their life over time, not just caught up in a style for a season. This can also happen spiritually. Many people cycle through different spiritual beliefs without establishing bedrock principles and a source from which to anchor their soul. In this condition, they become easily swayed about by every new teaching. In this text (Ephesians 4:11-14), the Apostle Paul is calling on believers to grow up into maturity. I don’t want to sound like the cranky old man blaming everything on youth, but we can see that often these culture swings are closely associated with youth culture. So often, these movements among larger populations in terms of spiritual beliefs also happen among younger demographics. But as people who have come to trust in Christ we do have an anchor for the soul which is our hope in Christ (Hebrews 6:19-20)! Also, we do have a source for truth and reality which is the word of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Paul also dealt with something like this phenomenon when he proclaimed the gospel to the pagan culture of Athens. They, much like our modern culture, had an insatiable appetite for that which is novel and alternative (Acts 17:21). So what did Paul do in this environment? He proclaimed who God is, as Creator, Ruler, Judge, and Savior! So many styles, fashions, and cycles may come and go but eternity is founded on the rock and the rock is Christ (1 Corinthians 10:1-4)! So today, if you are separated from God by the guilty of your sin, don’t remain there because of unbelief but rather trust in Jesus and be secured in your soul!
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 Bendability
I didn’t really watch the Olympics this year. I must admit that this is not some kind of boycott or moral protest on my part, but simply the fact that I do not have much interest in it. But in years past, when I have watched some of the events that I wouldn’t usually be watching such as the gymnastics, diving, or skating competitions, I have been amazed at the flexibility exhibited by these athletes. Many of their postures and maneuvers would seem to be almost inconceivable that the body could be manipulated and contourted in such a way. These types of impressive displays of flexibility are the result of countless hours of exercise and stretching to build this level of movement without damage to the bones and tissues of the body. In today’s post, I would like to ponder the limits of intellectual, spiritual, and relational flexibility without sacrificing Biblical faithfulness and spiritual fidelity. Humility I think we must begin by pointing out the foundation of humility that is the bedrock of the applied Christian ethic. While God has revealed Himself clearly in the Scriptures we must always acknowledge the limitations of our own frailty. We must stand boldly for the truth revealed in the Bible but be careful not to turn our every conclusion into an untouchable dogma. If our understanding is accurate then our interpretation can withstand serious study and examination. We must be on guard against a particular kind of hubris that would make us think that because we have the benefit of so much accumulated information and theological commentary over the last two millennia, that we are somehow more advanced than those who have come before us. Theological and intellectual flexibility requires that we be able to distinguish between those truths that are the core of our faith and the center of the revelation concerning God and His gospel and those areas of study that are less clear. One danger is that we would go beyond what is written in the Bible (1 Corinthians 4:6) and begin to speculate about things that God has not revealed to us (Deuteronomy 29:29). This means that we must have the humility to admit what we do not know and what we cannot know. Clarity We also must be bold enough to state clearly and courageously what we do know and believe. We must be afraid to confront evil or error when we know the truth. When we encounter sin we must not be afraid to call evil by its name (Isaiah 5:20). I will give just one example. I also must admit that this example is one where I have failed to speak up for the truth at times. It has become popular in our day to see anxiety as an ailment or mental illness. But the Bible clearly commands us to not be anxious (Philippians 4:6). Faith is the opposite of fear and anxiety. So we must be willing to call on those struggling with fear and anxiety to acknowledge that it is sin and repent of it. I believe that there are many people, even Christians struggling to battle this sin because they don’t even realize that it is a sin. Charity Finally, if we are going to be able to enjoy the freedom of flexibility without compromising our integrity, then we must bathe everything in charity. The Bible tells us that love covers a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8). One of the reasons that Jesus was able to deal so perfectly and skillfully with the hypocrisy of His enemies (Pharisees, Sadducees, scribes, etc) was because He truly loved His enemies (Matthew 5:43-48). It is easy to assume the worst motives or meanings from other people, but as believers love would mean that we must hope all things and believe all things and endure all things (1 Corinthians 13:4-7). Since this is the case let me leave you with this popular statement from church history “in essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity.”  Medals
The Olympics recently ended. I’m not really sure who won in almost any of the events. But I do know that the goal of the athletes was to win the gold. These competitors have worked hard for years to prepare their bodies and hone their skills so that they could win the gold metal. If not the gold then they would hope to win the silver or the bronze. But why? Couldn’t they just buy that weight in gold or silver or bronze and have it cast like an Olympic medal? We all know that the answer is no. The reason is because the medal would not signify the accomplishment. It is not actually the medal that these athletes want but rather the recognition that they won the competition. They want everyone to know that they are the best at their particular event. For most of these men and women the sport that they are competing in is not just a random event but the center of their lives. They love it. They pursue excellence in this activity not just to win, but because they love the game. Whether they run on a track, swim in a pool, or play on a court, these people love to do this sport, and that is why they have chosen to dedicate the hours of training necessary to become the most elite players in the world. Pleasure In Psalm 147:10, we are told that God does not delight in the strength of the horse or the legs of a man. It is interesting that often the things that we think should be so impressive, and are impressive to the carnal man, are not esteemed by God at all. I don’t think the Psalmist’s point is that God doesn’t enjoy seeing His people created in His image using the skills and abilities that he has given us. Rather, the next verse makes it clear that what brings God pleasure is something deeper and less superficial. In verse 11, the Scripture says that Yahweh takes pleasure in those who fear Him and hope in His steadfast love. I think, the point is that God cares far more about the disposition of our soul than the strength of our body. This may be why God is willing to allow His people to endure very hard physical trials for the sake of their sanctification. God never spoils His children but instead He disciplines (Hebrews 12:4-14) and disciples (Matthew 28:19-20) us to real godliness and maturity (2 Peter 3:11-13). Yahweh is more concerned with the state of our hearts than the awards on our shelves. Prosperity rarely teaches us faith and hope, but hard times and difficult seasons do help us to discern where our trust is truly focused. If we never walk through the valley of the shadow of death, how will we learn the comfort of His rod and staff? God loves us enough to use even very hard things to reveal the depths of His love for us! Prize The Apostle Paul when writing to the church in Corinth reminds us that we should run in such a way as to win the prize (1 Corinthians 9:24-27). As we look around we probably see many people, even those professing Christ as Savior, walking aimlessly along the race of this mortal life. But Paul would have us to expend ourselves in an all out effort to know God and bring Him glory. We must not be those meandering along the track but those pressing forward to the high call of God (Philippians 3:12-16). There really is a heavenly prize and even though it has been won for us by the Lord Jesus Christ, we should still strive to reach it with all our strength.  A Eulogy
The term “eulogy” is taken from the Greek language and it literally means a “good word.” We use it to refer most often to the complimentary address given at a funeral or memorial service. If we are honest some of these speeches are embellished out of respect for the loved ones of the deceased person. Today’s post is going to be a little different than usual. I am writing this article on Wednesday August 7th. Today, I found out that a dear saint had passed away and I would like to express some thoughts about this dear brother and praise to our glorious God. This brother who has gone to be with the Lord is David Miller. That is a fairly common name. I know of at least a couple of other David Millers, but no one is like this man. He was not at all common. Through many hardships and amazing blessings he had learned the peaceful contentment taught by the Apostle Paul (Philippians 4:4-13), the unspeakable joy expressed by the Apostle Peter (1 Peter 1:8-9), the abiding love recorded for us by the Apostle John (1 John 4:7-21), and most of all, the glorious salvation given to us by the Lord Jesus Christ (John 3:16)! So, I just want to share some of the things that come to my mind when I think about Brother David. Masculinity It is amazing that a man with the physical limitations that afflicted his body would exude such a quality of manhood. But you see, Bro. David’s masculinity was not the shallow show attained in the gym but rather that which is gained from much time spent with man’s maker and in submission to the God/man Jesus Christ (1 Timothy 2:5-6). While he did not have the strength in his joints and muscles that most other men possess, he had far more boldness and strength in his convictions than most other men. When I speak of Bro. David’s boldness, it is not only his courage to speak a fitting and appropriate word of correction, rebuke, or just obvious truth, but also the fact that people would receive it. Something about the way that God had formed his character, and that the Holy Spirit had gifted his presence, seemed to make people more willing to listen. His bold preaching was a thing of beauty and a blessing to all who heard him. Endurance Bro. David was committed to the ministry given to him by Christ. In worldly terms it would have made sense for him to quit his work long ago because of the physical hardship and pain that he endured for decades. However, he did not quit, but endeavored to be used according to the Lord’s will. He did not take the easy way or the popular road (Matthew 7:13-14). Common Sense I started to title this paragraph “intelligence,” but I know the country preacher at large would prefer common sense. Bro. David was a diligent student of the scriptures with a great ability to communicate the truth. He would not dumb down the text but he would bring even the simplest of listeners up to the text to help them see and understand the truths of Scripture. He was willing to use what he referred to as those “trisyllabic words” but he was also able to help everyone in the congregation grasp the meaning and importance of those words. Faithful Bro. David was faithful. During one of the hardest times in my life when I was learning and growing a great deal but with difficulty, I went to an associational meeting at Immanuel Baptist church in Clinton, AR. That night Bro. David preached the greatest message I have ever heard on the doctrine of justification. It confirmed many of the things that the Lord was teaching me and truly changed my life and my ministry forever. I will forever be grateful to the Lord for the gracious and godly impact that Bro. David had on my life. If you never heard Bro. David expound the Scripture you can hear a message here.  Balance
It has become a very common thing for problems and struggle in our lives to be attributed to a lack of balance. While this may sound logical, it is really the product of a dualistic mindset. Dualism is the idea that good and evil are equal and opposite forces that must be kept in a kind of optimum balance so that things can go well. You can see this kind of thinking in many of the ancient eastern religions and modern new age spiritual practices. Examples are ideas such as ‘karma’ which refers to the idea that what goes around comes around. But this is easily disproved by the many times when people received exactly what they did not deserve. Every time an innocent person is the victim of a crime or a guilty person escapes the justice system, karma has failed to maintain the balance. Another example would be the idea of the yin and yang. This is the ancient Chinese concept of two opposing forces that are interconnected and counterbalancing. This should lead to peace, harmony, and tranquility. Something like this is also seen in pop culture references such as the pantheistic “force” referred to in the Stars Wars universe. But is this concept true? Is this kind of symbiosis the reality that we see taught in the Bible? And is our struggle one of balance or faithfulness? Bible The Bible is the source of true wisdom. Since this is the case we must consider what the Bible says about these and all other philosophies. In the conclusion of one of the most philosophical books of the Bible the Preacher of Ecclesiastes says that the whole duty of man is to fear God and keep His commandments (Ecclesiastes 12:13). Solomon seems unconcerned with keeping the balance and instead points his readers to a radical and zealous focus on reverent obedience to God. A second portion of scripture that we should consider is the Law of God given to His covenant people Israel. At the very root of the law was the instruction that you should love God with ALL your heart, ALL your soul and ALL you might (Deuteronomy 6:4). The LORD does not seem to be concerned that we might over-emphasize loving Him. The Lord Jesus even referred to this when He was asked what is the greatest and first commandment (Matthew 22:34-40). Jesus also showed that we didn’t balance between our love for God and other things but total devotion and affection for God alone. One final text to help us know where the Bible would have us to be on this issue of philosophical balance. In Jesus' most famous extended teaching, which we usually call the Sermon on the Mount, He gives us a lesson about how to live by faith using the example of the birds and the flowers (Matthew 6:25-34). In this text, Jesus is calling out the sin of anxiety, which is something that we commonly attribute to being an illness rather than an issue of faith and obedience. But Jesus points out that the birds and the flowers need not worry for God to provide for them as they go about being the buds and birds that God made them to be. Jesus sums up this teaching with the instruction for us to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness for that is what God made us to do (Matthew 6:33). When we do that everything else will be taken care of. The point is that we must be fully committed to our citizenship in His kingdom (Philippians 3:20) and unsatisfied by anything but His righteousness (Matthew 5:6). My point is simple. If we would like to live for our highest purpose and to fulfill what we were created for, then we should not be focused on balance, but rather on all out devotion to the Lord. Whatever our hand finds to do in service to the Lord we should do with all our might (Ecclesiastes 9:10)!  Traveling
At the time of the writing of this blog, we are preparing to leave for the mission trip to Utah that our association has been participating in for the last few years. When you read this post we will be on the last leg of our journey home from the trip. Of course, I don’t know the future so I can’t tell you how it has gone, but I can give some insight on what we hope for the trip. When it comes to traveling there is a wide spectrum of attitudes that people have. I know some people who never travel. They are content to stay home and enjoy their familiar surroundings. I also know many people who want to go places but who usually have some complaints about the actual travel. Then there are people like me. I like to travel. I like not only the destination but the journey. It is exciting to see new places and experience something outside the daily rhythm. I must admit that I especially love the western United States. I love the weather, culture, and people. However, I think it is important to point out that this trip is not a vacation or a tourist adventure but a mission to be an aid and encouragement to our brothers and sisters from Sojourn Church in West Haven, Utah. The Purpose The plan is to conduct basketball camps in the mornings where we will also be able to give instruction about the gospel from the Scripture through Bible stories and examples of real life applications through personal testimonies. We have found that these basketball camps also give us opportunities to engage with the parents and families, helping to build connections with the church. We are also going to be doing evangelism on some college campuses. Lord willing, this will provide for us to have many gospel conversions which the Lord will use for the advancement of His kingdom and the saving of many souls. I must admit that I am excited about this part of the trip. In years past, we have also had many opportunities to share Christ that have arisen providentially with our planning. The Partnership I mentioned earlier that we are partnering with Sojourn Church. One of the important aspects necessary for the flourishing of gospel work is the enduring presence in the community. Paul writes his letter to Titus so that churches can be established and ordered rightly (Titus 1:3-4). Short term trips must and should serve for the encouragement and strengthening of churches in places for the long term advance of the gospel work. Most of the New Testament is the Apostles communicating with local churches for their betterment and gospel advancement. The heart of all biblical missions is the birth and building of healthy and vibrant local churches. The Passion As believers, the Lord places within us a passion to serve God and others. Often, believers want to know what their spiritual gift is. I think that this desire to know exactly what our gift is stems from a notion that if we are using our spiritual gift then it will be enjoyable and successful. However, that is certainly not true. Even the Apostles, while doing exactly what they were prepared and gifted to do, suffered many trials and hardships. I think that we would be better served to focus on what God has given us a desire to do (1 Timothy 3:1). What is it that we love and enjoy? That is the thing that we ought to be doing. Also what need is something that is continually on your mind and heart? That is probably where you should be focusing your energy for the kingdom of Christ. I say all of this about desire because while I have been on other missions trips and served the Lord in a variety of ways over the years, it is this work not just in Utah but with the western people and the Mormon people that I have a desire to do. It is a passion, and I am excited to do it. The Lord has also used this to encourage my passion for my local church at home. It is amazing how the Lord will fill us with joy unspeakable and full of glory (1 Peter 1:8) when the focus becomes Christ and His kingdom and not ourselves (Matthew 5:33).  End Stage
Most diseases that are usually classified as a cause of death have what can be referred to as an end stage. This is the final and fatal form of the disease, that leaves the individual with no real expectation of survival. I’m sure that we have all experienced someone close to us going through this process of decline and death. It is hard to watch and often hard to admit that the end is truly near. However, this sequence of decline and destruction is not only true of our physical health. We also see something of this kind of change and transformation taking place in societies as well. Great kingdoms and empires do not simply disappear overnight. In most cases there is a slow decline that weakens the foundation of the society to the point that it then rapidly collapses. I am not a prophet nor the son of a prophet (Amos 7:14), neither am I a doomsday prepper, but I do believe that we should recognize the symptoms of decay and decline happening in our society and understand that we could be very near the end stage. I am not predicting a full scale societal collapse such as what may be portrayed in a dystopian movie or novel, but I am saying that the current state of cultural division is unsustainable and must give way to something new at some point. Sin I know this is not a profound revelation, but all the problems in the world are the result of the curse of sin. Without sin there would be no contention, no war, no poverty, no selfishness, no death, you get the point. It is also true that sin is a constant present reality ever since the fall of humanity in the garden of Eden (Genesis 3). Sin is destructive to human friendship, human flourishing, and human fulfillment. First, sin destroys our relationships with other people. Not only our friends but even family relationships will be harmed when sin is not dealt with appropriately and forgiveness is not extended graciously. The strength and sweetness of our relationships are greatly blessed when through Christ’s work on the cross and the Holy Spirit’s work in our hearts, we become people who can deal with sin patiently and passionately. Sin is also destructive to human flourishing because it not only destroys our needed relationships but also the environment of trust and consistency necessary for growth at every level of human connection. Just as there is a necessary level of health in the soil, water, air, and sunshine for plants to thrive, it is also necessary to have that kind of health emotionally and spiritually for humans to flourish and sin desmates that health when not dealt with Biblically. Finally, mankind has been created in the very image of God (Genesis 1:26-28). This means that we were designed with our purpose in mind. That purpose was to display to the physical world the glory and beauty of the invisible God. The reality is that we still exist as a whole creation because God is proclaiming His own glory and greatness in this universe. So we can only truly find fulfillment when we are glorifying God by reflecting His greatness. But sin mars this reflection and seeks to rob His glory. So when sin is not dealt with rightly we are left with even worse feelings of defeat and depression because our purpose has not been met. Sin Progression All along the way in this post I have spoken in terms of how we are dealing with sin. The point is that till the return of Christ sin will be in the world. So, the question is not how to build a sinless existence or a sinless community, but rather how to deal with sin when it happens. I would argue that as bad off as we are as a culture here in America, the issue is as much because of how we have wrongly dealt with sin as much as it is the presence of sin itself. Isaiah pronounced a warning from the Lord against those who call good evil and evil good (Isaiah 5:20). What we see happening now is that we have not dealt with our sin in a biblical manner by turning to Christ in faith and calling on God for merciful forgiveness. Without that kind of humble confession and repentance the sin just continues to grow till it brings about death (James 1:13-15). This is true in an individual life but it is also true when this is reflected in the majority of a population that has turned against the Lord. My point is simply this: all of the laws, rules, instructions, and even deterrents given to try to stop sin from happening will never be effective till we as individuals and as a people learn to deal with sin God’s way by humbly repenting and relying on Christ for His righteousness given to us (2 Corinthians 5:17-21).  Independence
The term “independence” has a literal definition. The dictionary defines it as, “freedom from the control, influence, support, aid, or the like, of others.” As we have so recently celebrated our own festival of independence as a country I would like for us to consider the ramifications of individual independence from a Biblical point of view. Considering our current modern understanding and usage of the term as applied to our individual lives. Control The definition begins with stating that independence is “freedom from the control of others.” Of course, the Bible would support that we should not be coerced or manipulated into certain behaviors against our will by those who simply possess more power or prestige than we have (2 Samuel 12:1-12). So, if we understand freedom as restraint on the governing authority to allow for freedom to self govern under a common moral framework, like we talked about last week, then that would be fine. But if our understanding of freedom from control means that even God through the Holy Spirit should not seek to control us through revelation (scripture), regeneration, and true conversion then we have not understood what the scripture means when it says for us to obey the gospel (2 Thessalonians 1:5-8). As believers in Christ, it should be our goal to grow in the fruit of self control, but that is the fruit of the Spirit, so it really is the product of bringing our will into conformity with God’s will. The self control communicated in scripture is the humble submission to the will and ways of our glorious God. Influence Independence is then defined as “freedom from the influence of others.” But no one is truly free from the influence of others. We are made to be social and communal creatures. Remember that the Lord said that it was not good for man to be alone (Genesis 2:18). This was not only for the point of having a mate, but for the building of culture and society (Genesis 1:26-28). My point is that we were made to have relationships with both God and other people. We were made to have fellowship with God and other people. So it simply is not possible, or wise, to seek to avoid all other influences or to seek to avoid being an influence on others. If we seek to avoid all other influences, all that we will probably accomplish is to deceive ourselves about how we have been influenced. If we attempt to avoid influencing anyone else all that we will probably do is influence them in a negative way (Romans 14:6-8). Support Independence is also defined as “freedom from the support of others.” In all honesty if people really believe that they are fully self made in any area of life one must assume they have a greatly inflated ego. No one truly grows or succeeds without some support from someone along the way. Usually true and lasting success in any area includes the support of a team of people working and investing for a common goal and under a common set of values. This brings us back to the need for a common moral framework which will require a common source of authority and accountability. Without a shared confession and commitment to the Lord this kind of consensus around values and morals will simply not be possible. Help The final point of the definition is that independence is “freedom from the aid or help of others.” Like the previous point about support, all of us find ourselves at some point needing help. It is actually a flaw and not a featured advantage to never be willing to ask for or receive help. If independence means that we can never be helped then it must also mean that we should not help others. If this becomes that underlying principle of a society then the collapse of that society is a sure conclusion. No one can even turn to the Lord if he cannot acknowledge his own need for the help of Christ (Hebrews 2:17-18). So let us take the way of Christ and turn from the arrogant way of the world and in humility look to Jesus who is our only hope in life and in death.  The Fourth of July
Yesterday, we celebrated the fourth of July holiday otherwise known as “Independence Day.” As we all know well, this is to celebrate the signing of the declaration of independence which announced to the world and the King of England that the thirteen American colonies would from then on be independent of the rule of the British crown. This is the marker for the birth of our nation and the founding of our earthly citizenship. But, we must not forget that the importance and impact of this goes far beyond the American citizenry. The impact of the presence and power of the United States of America over the last two and a half centuries cannot be overstated. Nothing today would be the same if those thirteen colonies had not declared that independence. We cannot speculate about what would have happened in the realm of counterfactuals if the revolution had been different, but we can know what did happen and how it has influenced the whole wide world. The sheer reality of this immense application is also a part of the American mindset. It may seem to belong to the generations before us, but it lingers even now in the American experience. What I am referring to is the sense of individual independence that most Americans feel. In its best and truest form it is defined by our concept of personal freedom, but in its more popular and deformed expression it could be called individual autonomy. The distinction in my mind is that in thinking about personal freedom the person is given the responsibility and accountability to govern and regulate themselves under a common moral framework for their own well being without infringing on the well being of other persons. The problem today is that our vast and diverse culture does not have a common moral framework, which strips away the self governing aspects of mutual accountability and responsibility. When these things have been stripped away, all that is left is a wild individual autonomy with no transcendent moral principles. I am not saying that no one has principles any more or even that people who do not share my Biblical worldview do not have principles. What I am saying is that we do not have shared and common principles founded in the same source. This kind of commitment to cultural pluralism is road to confusion and anarchy, and that is ungodly territory (1 Corinthians 14:33). Our Declaration of Dependence Instead of insisting on always grasping at our individual independence, which we will consider in more detail next week, we would instead, both as a society and as individuals and families, do well to recognize and acknowledge our dependence on our community, our Christian fellowship, and most for all on the Lord! Your community means more than just the people that live within the local area where you live. It means those with whom you engage in day to day interactions. Those people you see at work or the gas station or local gatherings such as sporting events, etc. These are the people who constitute your community and they will influence and impact you. As Christians it ought to be our hope and prayer that we could thoughtfully and intentionally impact them as well, especially with the message of the gospel and our Christian testimony. By referring to your Christian fellowship, I am meaning your church but, let's begin by asking, would you refer to your local church as a fellowship with close and meaningful ties that bind you together in a special way? If this is not the case, how could you begin to change your engagement and involvement to build stronger bonds of affection and friendship with your brothers and sisters in Christ? But also remember that we were made for the fellowship and communion of the local church and we must be dependent on it. Without it in some way we will certainly be handicapped by the absence of this kind of fellowship. However, not only will we be affected but the body of the church will also be missing a meaningful and essential function that we were meant to contribute. Finally, we need the Lord. Of course, we need the saving grace of Christ applied to us as believers (Ephesians 2:1-10). But, we also need the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit at work in us throughout our lives (2 Thessalonians 2:13). All of this is most necessary so that we may glorify our God and Father forever (Romans 15:5-7). So let us declare today our dependence on the Lord Jesus Christ and seek to serve and honor with our lives now and forever!  Feedback
We all like to receive affirmation that we are doing a good job or doing the right thing. I am currently teaching horseback classes at a summer camp. Most of my words are giving an instruction or correction to a student followed by several encouragements. When we are learning something new, dangerous, or difficult it can be very helpful to be praised for our progress and advancement in the endeavor. Even when we are veterans at a certain task that is very subjective, such as an artisan or creator, it helps to receive positive feedback. However, the most helpful responses are probably those that point out areas where changes need to be made or where improvement is possible. The problem is that most of us, the present author included, don’t like to have our flaws and failures pointed out. These kinds of criticisms can cause someone to feel incompetent, ill equipped, or just down right worthless. But when they are received with genuine humility they can prove to be a true blessing and benefit. Of course, part of the difference can rest on the person bringing the criticism. If the individual is an enemy or worse an enemy who poses as friend or brother then the criticism may be a form of attack and not an honest assessment of the situation. If the criticism is mean spirited then the person in the bullseye of the attack will no doubt feel vulnerable and defensive. On the other hand, if the criticism is brought with the best interest of the brother being criticized in mind, then this can be a real asset. In this case, the goal is not to harm or to wound but to help and to heal. In the end, both the person receiving the criticism and the relationship should be stronger and better. Wrong Way I would like to share a horrible example from scripture of how we should not receive criticism. In 2 Samuel 17, the usurping son of David, Absalom, received two differing plans for how to deal with his pursuit of his absconding father. I don’t intend to deal with the differing advice only with the fact that when Absalom chose not to follow the advice of Ahithophel, Ahithophel is reported to have went away and committed suicide. I think it is important to note as well that this is no crime of passion where in shock at having his advice unheeded he fell from his horse or out of a window or onto his sword. No, Ahithophel saddled his donkey, rode all the way home, set his affairs in order and hanged himself. This post is not really about suicide that is a deep and grievous issue. But the point here is that Ahithophel did not consider that his life was even worth living in light of his advice being ignored. He did not know how to wisely receive this rebuke. Especially since in less than 24 hours Absalom would be dead and David restored. A Better Way The wisdom of God not only gives us this example of the wrong way that we should avoid but also a better way for Christians to deal with constructive criticism. In Proverbs 27:6, it says “Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.” The point being made is that a true friend, or better yet brother in Christ, will love you enough to tell you hard things. Not in an effort to hurt or humiliate, but from a genuine desire to help and strengthen you for even greater service for God and for His glory. But this wisdom is not only in the proverbs. The Apostle Paul teaches something closely related to this in his letter to the Ephesians(4:15). Here Paul tells believers that a sure sign of Christian maturity is that we speak the truth in love. I think that there are two points to be gleaned from Paul saying “speak the truth in love.” First, we need to speak the truth with the motivation of love. The source of our criticism must be our care and affection for our brother or sister, not any desire to put them in their place. If our motivation isn’t right it really doesn’t matter what we say or how we say it. Secondly, if our motivation is love then we ought to want to speak in a way that also communicates that love. Many things are not communicated well because they are not communicated to be heard but rather to be said. We can all be guilty of saying a thing just to get it off our chest when the motivation and the application was not loving but rather for our own selfish benefit. Remember love is not selfish. The love of God that should be growing in us as Christians is a giving and sacrificing love (1 Corinthians 13). So brothers and sisters, let us love one another and always speak the truth! |