Showing more honor
In describing “unhypocrital love” (or sincere love) (Romans 12:9), Paul says, “Outdo one another in showing honor.” (Romans 12:10)
The command is actually a participial phrase that describes the love mentioned in the previous verse: “Love is unhypocritical (sincere)… esteeming one another more highly with honor.”
How do we show more honor to one another?
How is God working in your life?
According to Scripture, God continually works in the lives of his children. So, a valid question to consider at all times is this: How is God working in your life?
To be honest, I don’t want to answer that question… which a good reason to ask it of myself.
You see, I’ve been very frustrated and discouraged about several things that are going on in my life. In other words, I have not been content with God through the circumstances and situations of my life recently. While it is always difficult to know exactly what God is doing in the midst of the situation, it seems that God is, at least, leading me more toward finding contentment in him.
I thank God that my wife and several friends are willing to talk with me and walk with me through this time.
But, what about you? How is God working in your life?
Something is different since Pentecost
According to Luke, something happened on the Pentecost following Jesus’ death, resurrection, ascension. He records Peter and the other followers of Jesus telling everyone who would listen that the Holy Spirit had come, just as God has promised. Peter said that the same promise was available to all who repented and were baptized in the name of Jesus.
Needless to say… this was something different… something new.
Today, the promised Holy Spirit is still given to God’s children. Being indwelled by the Spirit makes us different, both individually and when we’re together. Our lives (personally and corporately) should demonstrate this difference.
We should be different than we were before we were indwelled by the Spirit, and we should be different than the people and groups around us who are not indwelled by the Spirit.
Building the church
The church starts with Jesus Christ. He said that he would build his church (Matthew 16:18). Paul said that he laid the foundation of Jesus Christ and that others were building on that foundation (1 Corinthians 3:9-11). He also says that his readers (and us?) should continue building (Ephesians 4:16; 1 Corinthians 14:1-5).
So, Jesus is still building his church, primarily through us. As God works through us by his Holy Spirit, Jesus builds his church.
But, how can we ensure that Jesus is doing the building and not us? We have good ideas and good plans and good motives and good hopes, but is Jesus building the church or are we building the church? Is there a difference? Should we be concerned?
Jesus is not ashamed to call us his brothers and sisters
Lately, I’ve been thinking alot about this passage from Hebrews:
But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one origin. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers… (Hebrews 2:9-11 ESV)
While there is much to consider in this passage, I’ve been trying to wrap my mind around that last statement. Jesus is not ashamed to us his brothers and sisters.
Why is it so hard for me to accept this statement? Because I’ve done so much to cause Jesus to be ashamed. It’s true. Beyond my actions, my thoughts and intentions similarly would drive away anyone. But, Jesus is not ashamed…
For all of us who are children of God, Jesus is not ashamed to call us his brothers and sisters.
When we struggle with sin, when we give in to temptation, when we try to do better on our own, when we sin again… Jesus is not ashamed to call us his brothers and sisters.
For those in organic churches, missional churches, traditional churches, megachurches, liturgical churches, free churches… Jesus is not ashamed to call us his brothers and sisters.
The ones who think they don’t look good enough, aren’t smart enough, are too emotional, aren’t emotional enough… Jesus is not ashamed to call us his brothers and sisters.
The Calvinists or Reformed, the non-Calvinists, the Aminians… Jesus is not ashamed to call us his brothers and sisters.
Can you begin to understand how awesome that is! Jesus is not ashamed to call us his brothers and sisters. Maybe, just maybe, God will bring someone across our path today… someone that we can remind that Jesus is not ashamed to call him his brother, or that Jesus is not ashamed to call her his sister.
Leading with Vulnerability
I like the post from Jason at “Deep Church” called “Vulnerability: the most attractive leadership attribute.” He says “vulnerable leaders” are known for doubts, apologizing, and brokenness. I like what he says about doubts:
Doubts: Leaders don’t have all the answers, and don’t act like they do. Leaders are learners, and learning takes questions and doubts.
The part about brokenness is really good too:
Brokenness: How on earth did we equate leadership with success?
I think the church needs more “vulnerable leaders”… what do you think?
Can she be a man of God?
Eric at “A Pilgrim’s Progress” brings up an interesting question in his post “A Man of God.” Well, actually, Eric doesn’t specifically bring up the question, but his post brought the question to my mind. Eric didn’t like that the phrase “man of God” applied to him because he is an elder/pastor. Instead, he suggests that it is proper to apply the phrase “man of God” to any Christian.
This is where the phrase appears in the New Testament:
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV)
(You can see the same phrase in 1 Timothy 6:11.) Now, the Greek term translated “man” in this passage (ἄνθÏωπος) is not that word that is specifically male (ἀνήÏ). Instead, it could mean “person.” So, here’s my question:
Who is the “man of God” in this passage? Elders/pastors/other leaders only? Men (males) only? Any Christian (male or female)? Or, is there another option?
Jesus is the Foundation
As my readers know, I write about the church. Duh. The name of my blog is “The Assembling of the Church.” I am very interested in the church. But, the church is not my primary interest. My primary interest is Jesus Christ.
When Paul, or Peter, or John, etc. wrote about the church, they wrote from the perspective of Jesus Christ being the foundation. Not only was he the foundation of right belief, but he was also the foundation of right practice – a right way of life. What we think about God, the world, and ourselves is forever changed by the person of Jesus Christ. Similarly, the way we treat and interact with others is forever changed by the person and continued work of Jesus Christ.
The church is important because Jesus is important. But, Jesus remains primary.
Get out of the tree… and away from the keyboard
Dave Black (Friday, May 7, 2010 at 9:15 pm) issued this challenge to students. I think it would be helpful for more to read:
Jesus is not looking for spectators but participants. Don’t be an onlooker when it comes to the Great Commission. Don’t be up a tree when you could be down in the crowds serving Jesus. Frankly, I’m tired of bloggers and others who do nothing but criticize and pontificate. Secure in the cyber-trees, they never come down and do anything for the Cause of Christ. Their job is to look, observe, criticize, and do everything they can to maintain their status as bibliobloggers. They are onlookers, period. What a waste. As long as Jesus’ work is unfinished, ours is too. He said to His disciples, “You must be My witnesses.” It was that truth that changed the life of Hudson Taylor. It was that truth that changed my life. There is an unfinished work of Christ. Blogging can assist that work but it can never replace it. It is a scandal for us to talk about the battle when we refuse to enlist in the army.
When God calls us, we had better come down from the tree.
By the way, if you are a child of God, then he has called you. Who are you serving today? Who are you discipling today? To whom are you being a witness today? (These are rhetorical questions, meaning I don’t expect anyone to answer them hear. But, I think we should all answer them for ourselves.)
Are you a disciple of Jesus Christ?
In my previous post “Using Words,” Aussie John commented that a good question to ask people would be this one: “Are you a disciple of Jesus Christ?”
So, I thought it would be interesting to ask that question – and a few others – here on my blog:
1) Are you a disciple of Jesus Christ, and if so, what does that mean to you?
2) Do you disciple others? How?
3) Are you being discipled? How?
4) Tell us about the other disciples that you meet with regularly.