Life in Christ and Filled with the Spirit
In my post “Life in Christ is Life in the Spirit,” I suggested that to be in Christ (i.e., to be a disciple of Christ, or a believer, or born again, or any of the other terms used to describe God’s children) is the same as having received the Holy Spirit (to be indwelled with the Spirit, to be baptized by the Spirit). I came to this conclusion beginning with Paul’s focus on receiving the Holy Spirit in Acts 19:1-6, then by comparing this to Paul’s statements in Romans 8, especially Romans 8:9.
However, being indwelled by the Holy Spirit is not the end of the story. In fact, receiving the Spirit or being baptized by the Spirit is the initial point in the life of a follower of Jesus Christ. This does not mean, though, that being indwelled by the Spirit is an unimportant or less important aspect of our life in Christ. In fact, everything else that follows in our life in Christ must flow from the life of the Spirit (of Christ) who lives within us.
In fact, at several points, our life as followers of Jesus Christ is defined or described as fruit produced by the Holy Spirit (i.e. “fruit of the Spirit”). This means that the “fruit” such as love, joy, peace, patience, etc. is being created in and through the disciple of Christ by the presence, power, and work of the Holy Spirit who is indwelling that person.
When a person is operating (living, working, serving, whatever) according to the work of the Spirit within, that person is “filled with the Spirit.” It is interesting that Paul contrasts being “filled with the Spirit” with being “drunk with wine.” Just as a person is influenced and even controlled by drinking much wine (more influence/control with more win), a person can be influenced / controlled more and more by the life of the Spirit living in them.
But, that “filling” is not automatic. The Spirit (as with the Father and the Son) does not force himself on any person, even a person that he indwells. He is always there, always instructing, always exhorting, always comforting, always directing. But, we are not always listening or responding.
In fact, we are told by the authors of Scripture that we can quench the work of the Holy Spirit within us. (1 Thessalonians 5:19) It is extremely interesting that this command (“Do not quench the Spirit”) is in the context of encouraging, respecting, admonishing, helping, being patient, rejoicing, praying, and giving thanks. While there are certainly other activities of the Spirit in and through a follower of Jesus Christ, these represent a good example of the kinds of things that the Spirit does through those he indwells.
Also, we are told that it is possible to grieve the Holy Spirit within us. (Ephesians 4:30) Again, this command of setting ourselves against the work of the Spirit (“Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God”) is given in the context of transformation (from lying to speaking the truth, from holding on to anger to releasing anger, from stealing to sharing with others, from tearing others down to building others up) as well as putting away things like wrath, anger, and malice and replacing them with kindness, a tender heart, and forgiveness.
These two groups of activities / attitudes (as well as the fruit mentioned above and other similar passages) can help us determine if we are allowing the Spirit of God to fill our lives or if we are quenching or grieving the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
The indwelling of the Holy Spirit marks the beginning of our walk with Christ. As the Spirit fills us – and we do not grieve him or quench his work within us – we continue to mature in Jesus Christ.
Did God really say that?
In Genesis 3, the crafty serpent famously asks Eve, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden?'” (Genesis 3:1 ESV) Eve responded that God had told them they could eat of any tree in the garden except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. After this response, the serpent convinced Eve (and Adam) to eat from the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil anyway.
Now, there are volumes and volumes written about this chapter at the beginning of the book of Genesis, the beginning of the Torah (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible), the beginning of the Old Testament, and in fact the beginning of the Christian Bible. There are many questions raised by this passage – and, apparently, more answers than there are questions.
But, for this post, I’d like for us to consider only one thing: the serpent’s question, “Did God really say…?”
It’s clear from the dialog that follows this question that the serpent was not interesting in clarifying what God had told Adam and Eve. He was not actually interested in what God really said. Instead, he was interested in tempting the woman and man to disobey God.
The serpent isn’t the last creature to ask the question, “Did God really say…” with the purpose of convincing someone to disobey God. Obviously, this line of questioning is used often by those who wish to twist what God did say.
Peter may have been referring to something like this when he wrote:
There are some things in them [Paul’s letters] that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures. You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability. (2 Peter 3:16b-17)
In this passage, Peter warns against those who would twist the meaning of Scripture, which he says leads to “their own destruction.” Thus, there is certainly a danger of phrases such as “Did God really say…” being used for evil, to tempt or convince someone to think or act in a way contrary to God’s desire.
However, there may be times when it is not only valid but good to ask, “Did God really say that?”
There are times when someone claims to speak on behalf of God or to interpret something that is (supposedly) in Scripture, but in fact, whether the person intends to do so or not, the person is not actually stating something that is from God. In these cases, it is good to ask, “Did God really says that?”
What’s the difference? In the first case, the person asking the question wants people to live in a manner contrary to God’s desire. In the second case, the person asking the question wants the exact opposite – the person wants to help people living according to God’s desire, not contrary to God’s desire.
While Jesus doesn’t use that exact question (as in the case of Peter’s letter above), the same idea is expressed in Mark 7:
And he [Jesus] said to them, “You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to establish your tradition! For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.’ But you say, ‘If a man tells his father or his mother, “Whatever you would have gained from me is Corban”‘ (that is, given to God) — then you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or mother, thus making void the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And many such things you do.” (Mark 7:9-13 ESV)
In other words, Jesus is asking the question, “Did God actually say that you could set aside something as ‘Corban’ and thereby not have to care for your father or mother?” Of course, God never said anything like that.
So, when we hear someone ask, “Did God really say that?” we need to stop and consider why that person is asking that question. Is the person attempting to convince us to do something that is contrary to God’s desire, or is the person attempting to convince us to live according to God’s desire?
Of course, determining that motivation is not always easy.
What are some ways to help us determine why someone is asking the question, “Did God really say that?”
And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved
The title of this post is the ESV translation of Acts 2:47. As we’ve continued to study through the Book of Acts together as a church (and we’re up to chapter 19 this week), we’ve noticed this kind of statement.
It seems that the Lord was continually adding those who were being saved, or the word of the Lord was increasing, or the church was growing, or something like that was continuing to happen throughout the Book of Acts.
Today… not so much?
So, what do you think? Was the growth of the church by conversion (I’m only talking about conversion growth in this post) not as dramatic as it appears? Was that kind of conversion growth limited to the initial days of the church? Is there something we are lacking or not doing that is precipitating a lack of conversion growth? Is there some other reason that we don’t typically see that same kind of “conversion growth” today?
I’d really love to hear your thoughts on this. By the way, when I say “conversion growth,” I’m not talking about just people saying a prayer or even just people getting baptized. I’m talking about people going from not being a disciple of Jesus Christ to being a disciple of Jesus Christ and following him. (Believe me, I have plenty of stories of the say a prayer / get baptized kind of “conversion growth,” and I’m not interested in that at all.)
But are we maturing in Christ?
At the end of my previous post (“A spinning cog in the Rube Goldberg machinery“), I added a link to an article (on “Internet Monk”) about Shaun King called “Hooray for Shaun King!”
Now, if you are like me, you have never heard of Shaun King until you read that article, or another article about his recent decision. What decision is that?
Well, for the last three years, Shaun King has been the pastor of a hip, growing church in the Atlanta area. A few weeks ago, he resigned. Why? Well, this is what he said (as I quoted at the end of my previous article):
What I am saying is that church attendance, Sunday morning services, sermon-listening (or even sermon preaching), song-singing, hand-clapping, amen-saying and all of the things that “Christ-ians” have lifted up so high look so little like Christ himself that I am utterly convinced that we are completely off base with what discipleship means.
You can read this and more in Shaun’s post “3 Extremely Hard-Earned (Trust Me) Lessons on Starting Something New, Change, and Discipleship.”
Now, I know that some of my readers do not agree with Shaun about the value of “church attendance, Sunday morning services, sermon-listening (or even sermon preaching), song-singing, hand-clapping, amen-saying,” and other things that churches normally do and encourage. However, please don’t get lost in those details.
The main problem for Shaun was that they were not discipling people. People were not maturing in Jesus Christ. They were doing alot of things, but those things were not beneficial in helping one another follow Jesus.
(By the way, if I remember correctly, Willow Creek’s leadership came to a similar conclusion a few years ago.)
My last few posts have focused on this question: “Are we helping one another follow Jesus and mature in him?”
If we are, then great. If not, then are we willing to change? (You should definitely read Shaun’s post about, because he talks alot about willingness to change.)
Are you maturing in Christ? How can you tell? Are the people around you that you interact with maturing in Christ? How can you tell?
A spinning cog in the Rube Goldberg machinery
You’ve heard of a “Rube Goldberg Machine,” right? You know, one of those contraptions with complex wheels and slides and pulleys and levels and the occasional animal which is designed to carry out a simple function. (A good example is the 1960’s board game “Mouse Trap.”)
In a Rube Goldberg machine, each piece may be turning or sliding or rolling or falling and expending tremendous amounts of energy to do that work. But, in the big scheme of theme, the piece may be doing very little to accomplish the purpose of the machine.
It is possible (and perhaps probably in some cases) that our lives can be caught up being a spinning cog in a Rube Goldberg Machine, even as Christian among the church. It’s possible (and sometimes probable) that we are expending alot of energy doing alot of stuff but actually getting very little accomplished.
In fact, sometimes Christians are taught and encouraged that their purpose is in being that spinning cog.
By the way, don’t think that I’m only talking about large, institutional, or traditional churches. I’m not. The same thing can happen small, simple, or organic churches.
Anytime we forget our purpose as a follower of Jesus Christ and as a brother and sister to those around us, we can get caught up in activities and programs while actually doing little or nothing toward our purpose. Busy… working hard… even successfully… but at what?
Sometimes, the best thing we can do for the church (although not necessarily for the machine) is to stop spinning. Stop being a cog and start living out your purpose in Christ.
What is that purpose? Well, you may need to stop being a cog and start listening to God to figure that one out. But, I know that it would include abiding in Christ and discipling others. What that looks like and how that will happen, I can’t tell you. And, in fact, while others may help you hear what God is directing you to do, no one else can actually tell you what God is calling you to do either.
So, what is going to be? Continue being a spinning cog? Or stop spinning and start living in and demonstrating Christ’s love.
(By the way, after writing this, I saw this post called “Hooray for Shaun King!” Also, check the links at the bottom of that post. In one of them, Shaun makes the following statement:
What I am saying is that church attendance, Sunday morning services, sermon-listening (or even sermon preaching), song-singing, hand-clapping, amen-saying and all of the things that “Christ-ians” have lifted up so high look so little like Christ himself that I am utterly convinced that we are completely off base with what discipleship means.
Whether you agree with his conclusions or not – and I do – it is clear that Shaun is tired of being a cog in a Rube Goldberg Machine – even tired of being the head cog.)
Helping others follow Jesus
After Jesus was raised and just before he ascended into heaven, he told his followers, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” (Matthew 18:19-20) This is the passage that is usually called “the Great Commission,” and something like it is included in each of the Gospels as well as the Book of Acts.
The idea of helping others to follow Jesus is also expressed in Scripture by terms like “edify,” “strengthen,” “encourage,” “imitate,” “grow,” and “mature.” I think we see this taking place especially in the “one anothers” that we find scattered throughout the pages of the New Testament.
When I talk with people about this concept, there is often a disconnect between recognizing this goal (of helping people follow Jesus) and actually helping them. In other words, we know that we should be helping people, but we don’t necessarily know HOW to help them.
So, would you be willing to help my readers with this? How do you help others follow Jesus? How has God used you in the lives of other people to help them be disciples of Jesus Christ and to grow in maturity in him?
(I would expect that there would be as many different answers as there are people reading and commenting on this post…)
Paul, Athens, and Culture
As we continue to study through the Book of Acts with the church, we’ve come to chapter 17. After Paul, Silas, and Timothy (and perhaps others) left Philippi, they traveled through several other cities in Macedonia until they reached Thessalonica. (Acts 17:1) As was their habit, they spent several weeks proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ among the Jews in Thessalonica. (Acts 17:2-3) When the Jews began persecuting them, they moved on to Berea. (Acts 17:10)
In Berea, Paul and the team again began proclaiming the gospel among the Jews. According to Luke, the Jews in Berea checked what they were being told by studying the Hebrew Scriptures (i.e., the Old Testament – probably the Greek version known as the Septuagint or LXX). (Acts 17:10-11) Eventually, Jews from Thessalonica followed Paul, Silas, and Timothy and caused them trouble again. (Acts 17:13)
Some of the believers from Berea (brand new believers, by the way), then helped Paul travel to the coast and then sail to Athens. (Acts 17:14) Contrary to his normal pattern, Paul remained in Athens alone and proclaimed the gospel by himself.
As many, many, many (almost everyone) who study this passage point out, Paul interacted with Greek culture while he is in Athens. When Paul was among Jews (as in the synagogues in Thessalonica and Berea, and probably in the synagogues of Athens – Acts 17:17), he begins his proclamation of the good news of Jesus Christ from Scripture. But, in the marketplace and the Areopagus (Mars Hill) in Athens, Paul does not begin with Scripture. He begins with culture.
Now, Luke tells us that Paul is distressed or troubled by what he sees among the Athenian society, particularly the idols. (Acts 17:16) That means that Paul did not agree with what he saw going on. He did not agree with the many idols, gods, and temples that attracted the worship of the Greek populace.
But, when Paul interacted with the Greeks, he did not begin with his disagreements. He did not begin by telling them they were wrong, and pointing out their errors. (Although, like I said, he certainly believed they were wrong and that they were in error.)
Instead, Paul took a cultural aspect (an idol to an unknown god) and used it in a positive manner. Obviously, the Greeks did not understand the “idol to an unknown god” in the same way that Paul used it. But, Paul was able to take that aspect of culture and proceed in a positive direction to help the Athenians begin to understand his “new teaching.” (Acts 17:19)
Further, while Paul certainly used scriptural allusions and imagery in his speech to the Areopagus, he did not make an argument from Scripture. He even quoted some (two?) Greek poets in Acts 17:28. Once again, Paul did not quote these poets to point out where the culture was wrong. Instead, he used them in a positive sense. Certainly, Paul did not mean the same thing that those poets meant, but he was able to build on their words instead of beginning by tearing them apart.
Paul’s presentation was not a complete proclamation of the good news of Jesus Christ. He did end with the resurrection of Jesus, which caused quite a commotion (and division), as it almost always does. How could Paul be happy with such a cultural-based and simple presentation of the good news among people who were accustomed to very rational, logical, and philosophical arguments?
While we don’t know the answer to the question, the results of Paul’s speech may help us. You see, some were interested in hearing more from Paul. And, of those who wanted to hear more, some became believers. (Acts 17:32-34)
When we interact with culture – and we must – do we try to start with Scripture when the people we’re talking with do not trust Scripture or have little understanding of Scripture? When we interact with culture, do we begin by tearing it apart, or do we look for positive ways to use culture (song lyrics, books, art, etc.)? Do we think we fail if we don’t completely proclaim the gospel, or are we satisfied offering a glimpse at the good news and then continuing with those who show interest?
What else can we learn from Paul’s visit to Athens?
Guest Blogger: Leadership by the laity in traditional churches – Part 2
I’ve invited several people to write “guest blog posts” for this blog. There are several reasons for this: 1) To offer different perspectives. 2) To generate even more discussion and conversation between blogs. 3) To introduce other bloggers to my readers.
(If you are interested in writing a guest blog post, please contact me at aknox[at]sebts[dot]com.)
Today’s post is part 2 of a 2 part series and was written by Art. Art lives in the Raleigh area, and we’ve met in person several times. You can follow Art on Twitter (@Art_n_Deb) and Facebook.
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When we last left off, our question had become (See Part 1):
In the church, how can I lead without exercising authority, under inappropriately granted and exercised authority?
May I change our question once more? Now that we have examined our hearts around the issue of “leading,” the question might be more enlightening if we ask,
In the church, how can I love without exercising authority, under inappropriately granted and exercised authority?
Better question? But love costs, “For God so loved, that He gave His only Son…” It pays, too, in surprising, freeing ways, “…for the joy that was set before Him.”
Love costs time
Giving other people time is an incredible gift to you both. You are free to invite others over to your home, or out to a restaurant, or to accept their invitations to their homes for dinners and breakfasts and lunches. We often think of episodic things to do. Things like going over after work to help someone repair a stuck window, or helping them clean their sick neighbor’s yard, or comforting a family whose son is in the hospital, or sharing with a husband who is struggling with loving his wife. It doesn’t have to be so dramatic. Simple time shared together apart from some purposeful ministry can be the most selfless gift. Just play cards. Play Scrabble. Parchesi. Sorry (the game, I love it by the way). Just hang out and talk (especially, listen). It is the relationships and encouragements shared over a long period of time that are very important and effective, but not very strenuous. Consistently give others your selfless attention and you will find joy and peace as you discover fascinating people all around you. But loving others costs our time, and their needs come at inconvenient times. Even when unable to be with another, you will spend time in prayer on their behalf. The more we understand ourselves as a servant to Christ and to all, the more we realize we have no time, or possessions or rights of our own, and the more we find that when we are slaves we are the most happily free.
Love costs possessions
Loving others will impact your finances. (II Cor 8:2-5; Gal 4:14-15; Col 4:12-13; Phil 1:7-8). You will always be losing your stuff by giving it away. You become aware that all the things in your life are temporarily in your care and that He expects you to pass them along. Doing so breaks the exhausting and pointless cycle of accumulating and protecting things (often at the expense of time with family and friends). The day comes when you see another struggling without a car, and you look at the two you have and figure out how to make do with one. It all becomes such a wonderful privilege to share, and it starts with little things, and it grows until you are free.
Love costs rights
You lend things without expecting (or requiring) them to be returned. When someone says something bad about you, rather than defend yourself, you can consider how you might have contributed to their thinking, and go and humble yourself as you confess wherever you find fault. Especially with “leaders.” Could you have been more open? Could you have informed the Pastor, and even asked for his permission and advice? In the traditional setting, the Pastor may very well be threatened by your actions. What are you doing to minimize his concerns? Does the pastor feel safe with you, or does he fear you are undermining him and that as you get to know him, you will use the personal knowledge gained to wound him some day? Have you found ways to love him and his family? Of course, this goes for every person in the church, but the Pastor is the one whose position and power will be most threatened.
But, to really check our hearts on the ego and pride thing, does the tightly controlled, formal meeting times of your church put into practice the examples we see in the scriptures when the saints gathered? No. Do you have a right to speak or bring a song when the saints gather? Say it: No. We have NO rights. If it will cause so many to stumble where you gather, among those you love, you will give up your right to the “right” way. But you won’t feel oppressed. You’ll feel privileged.
When we see these traits and actions working out in the lives of others, esteem them very highly. Look up to them and follow them. If you look closely, you are likely to see these traits developing in the Pastor.
If these things are working their way into your life, you can do some good in an imperfect system. That is, until that system asks you to leave, which it will do in many cases. However nicely and kindly you serve others, you are breaking rules by your activities, and your kindness and care will naturally develop alliances among those you serve and these will look like cliques and power grabs to many and threaten the equilibrium. Just be sure the tensions that erupt in division aren’t triggered by your own heart’s pride and desire to lead (and to have the benefits of power and position), I Pet 2:19-23
Love does no harm
For others, you will have to leave because you can’t sit by while the system is so badly broken (and the saints so under developed). You know if you stay doing the “right” things will do more harm than good. On the other hand, real change might take place within the congregation and the pastor in the process. Let’s not be naïve. Then there will be a split, within the church or from the denomination. Families will leave at the least. Pretty much, if the system is broken and you do the right things, the system will hate you and “kill” you. We are not above our Master, but we learn to rejoice in suffering for Him (John 15:17-19; Heb 12:2-3; I Pet 4:1)
When you leave, and whenever you have opportunity, you will only rehearse to others all the good things, all the good people, all the good times. It is more than enough that God knows any slights or wounds, and of course, you will have forgiven those and prayed (and mean) that God will not lay anything against you to their charge. Perhaps wisely, you will also ask God to forgive you for all that you did poorly and for all that you could have done but didn’t.
So, where are you today? As long as He leads you to remain within the traditional church (and they don’t throw you out), what sorts of things do you find you can do in loving others even within the confines of the clergy/laity structures? Among the saints, what sorts of things get you in trouble and what can you do to avoid or minimize these problems?
Finally, love risks doing good
1. If you have left the traditional church, have you thought much about what defines the local church (say, for example, by locality rather than by incorporation with the US government or by a group of people declaring themselves “independent” of other Christians)? If so, how has that helped you approach this problem differently?
2. Have you thought about the impact that seeing examples of another way for the church to function and for leaders to serve might have on the local church? How are you (or could you) act on that?
3. Have you thought about ways for the disconnected church to build mutual relationships and efforts? How and where is He leading you in these things today? For example, “parachurch” organizations often connect churches for specific tasks where they would otherwise remain at odds with each other. How can this working together and getting to know one another be used to bring about change?
Guest Blogger: Leadership by the laity in traditional churches – Part 1
I’ve invited several people to write “guest blog posts” for this blog. There are several reasons for this: 1) To offer different perspectives. 2) To generate even more discussion and conversation between blogs. 3) To introduce other bloggers to my readers.
(If you are interested in writing a guest blog post, please contact me at aknox[at]sebts[dot]com.)
Today’s post is part 1 of a 2 part series and was written by Art. Art lives in the Raleigh area, and we’ve met in person several times. You can follow Art on Twitter (@Art_n_Deb) and Facebook.
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Recently, Alan posed the question:
In the church, how does someone lead without exercising authority?
For me, this question assumes an environment where it will be OK for you to lead without exercising authority because in your congregation no one is exercising authority (thus, no-one’s position or value is threatened by you serving others). Everyone is expected to function and interact, and most do.
But within the typical church tradition where authoritarian leadership is the norm, the answers to the above question speak best to only about 1 in 85 Christians, to those who are “Pastors” and who can choose to set aside their authority and seek to lead by example. This has danger for the church because in doing so, most Pastors will ultimately lose their job or leave it. The laity has bargained for and expects the Pastor to take on positional authority (and therefore, their responsibility). If you as a lay person begin functioning outside the expectations of the pastor and the congregation (i.e., “leading without exercising authority”), in time you will frequently create a perceived danger to the church that will result in power struggles and divisions.
Therefore, let’s reframe the question to consider this issue from the perspective of the typical Christian (the “laity” if you like) sitting under the authority of a Pastor or Pastors with the explicit acceptance of the rest of the church members—in other words, everyone in “this church” accepts the clergy/laity power arrangement as normal, good, and right. Let’s also make the question personal as we include the setting by now asking,
In the church, how can I lead without exercising authority, under inappropriately granted and exercised authority?
Here is the first step: some of us most exercised about this issue don’t realize it isn’t our pursuit of Truth that energizes our passions on the clergy-laity issues, but our own ego and pride. Deep in the recess of our heart we want to lead more than to serve; to be esteemed, more than to esteem others better; to be loved by others, more than to love others. Of course, we know better than to say this out loud, or even to think it, but for some of us (and for far too long), this drive motivates our actions and distorts our thinking. Just as the traditional church is blind to its error, we, too, are likely to be blind to this fault. But God isn’t. Maybe if we can feel safe enough in His arms we can ask Him to help us examine our heart?
Imagine with me that you are sitting in the pew on a Sunday morning. Tilt your head and listen. Hear the sounds of people talking, feet shuffling, their laughter carrying across the room. Look around. You see people smiling and nodding in greetings. Others are quiet and alone in the crowd.
1. As you watch the saints, does your heart swell with love for them? Does your breath deepen? Do you look into their faces and feel genuine affection? Most likely, yes.
2. Now look at the pastor as he goes to the podium and says “Good morning,” pausing for the audience to murmur a response. “This morning, please turn in your bibles to…” Everyone else—You—week after week sitting in silence, unable to function. Are your feelings for him (or her) the same as for the saints gathered here? Is your heart swelling with love for this man? Or, did a cloud overshadow the scene as you watched him take the pulpit? Listen to his voice as the sermon begins. How many different thoughts and feelings are going on in your heart at this moment?
3. Now, don’t dismiss this. Do you feel something else mixed in when you think of the Pastor? Something like anger, frustration, envy? I’m not asking you if you can justify these feelings, if you see how much this structure hurts the saints and enfeebles them. I’m not asking if you also feel love and appreciation towards the Pastor. I am asking to consider if in the mixture of your heart you find something dark towards the Pastor that you don’t generally feel towards the rest of the saints.
Where does this come from? Those most gripped by these truths of biblical leadership without authority and who know influence is based on relationships and demonstrated lifestyle that others trust and follow, often have the most animosity towards the clergy. I’m asking you not to hide from letting I Jn 2:9-11 pierce your heart.
Count the Pastor as an enemy if it helps to get on with doing what Jesus told us to do with our enemies (because this Pastor “oppresses” and suffocates us). Love him, and love his family, and every time you feel belittled or hamstrung by the Pastor’s position, count it as joy. God will work with us to bring light and healing to an unresolved root of pride that produces resentment, envy and jealousy and we’ll find His cleansing (Heb12:14-15). Pastors are hurting in many areas, as we all are, but they are also isolated from others helping them bear their burdens. They have public acclaim but few intimate friends in a typical congregation. Forgive the Pastor and accept him. Go all the way and find thankfulness for this man, and for his family. They sacrifice much. Forgive the congregation if you find their complicity frustrating. Even forgive God for allowing such a mess in His house! Yes, I’m serious. God, too. (I certainly had to do all of this.) He …is patient with us. But you have got to get rid of the bitterness and unforgiveness and find contentment and thankfulness in its place.
Listen, it is called by God a “good thing” if you want to serve others (I Tim 3:1). I do not want to discourage you from laboring in His vineyard! There is no higher calling than to be a simple servant (as was Jesus Matt 12:18) and there is no reward (nor fruit) in feeding our ego and pride. Examine your heart in His safety and allow Him to over and over peel away the layers of our deceitful and desperately wicked hearts, each new step bringing forth His new life as rivers of living water.
9/11, American Patriotism, and the Kingdom of God
Today is the tenth anniversary of the date that Muslim terrorists flew airplanes into the World Trade Center twin towers and the Pentagon and attempted to fly another airplane into another target (probably in Washington DC).
The events of that day (and the events that occurred as a result of those events) have changed the United States of America and much of the world. For Americans, we learned that we are not immune to radical religious hatred.
That day, I was working in the Atlanta area. Like most people, I didn’t think much about the report that an airplane had flown into one of the skyscrapers that made up the World Trade Center complex. But, when the media began to report about the second plane flying into the second tower, everyone knew that this was a planned attack.
That realization brought with it a flood of emotions: fear, concern, compassion, hatred, sadness. You name it, and I felt it in those first few minutes. I prayed. Within a few moments, a peace and calmness overcame me.
I had been meeting with other Christians who worked in our building for several months. I sent out an email to request that we pray together at lunch. I was not surprised when many, many more people than normal met in the common conference room to pray. However, I was surprised that many who did not claim to be Christians joined us, even a few who were Hindu.
While several people shared about what they were thinking and feeling, I decided to read from Matthew 24, focusing on Matthew 24:6-8:
And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains. (Matthew 24:6-8 ESV)
I encouraged them to remember that wars, rumors of wars, even natural disasters were not to cause anxiety and concern for God’s children. Instead, we have a mission that does not depend on national defense, economic situations, or personal security. Jesus referred to this mission in the passage in Matthew 24: “And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations…” (Matthew 24:14a ESV)
This is not the good news of the United States of America. Instead, it is the good news of the kingdom of God. Our citizenship is in God’s kingdom; we simply live within the United States of America.
As we prayed, I asked God to give us his peace whatever happened in the coming days, and I asked for him to keep us focused on the good news of the kingdom of God.
Later, after lunch when we had all returned to our jobs, one of my coworkers came into my cubicle and sat down. I knew that he was born in India and that he was a Hindu. We had had several very good conversations about our beliefs. I actually learned alot about Hinduism from him.
We talked about a project at work for a while, then, just as he was about to leave, he turned back to me and said, “I am so scared. My family is scared. I do not know what we should do. But, you do not seem scared at all. Why do you have so much peace?”