I have to admit, I am a little concerned with this new trend going around in the Christian book community. Some of the hot new books being sold are calling us to remember God as a righteous judge. They claim that the church has focused too much on God's love, but ignored his justice. And there is some superiority around these "real" Christians, that have read the books, and know God's full character.
While I agree that Health and Wealth sermons are not biblical. I agree that Jesus does not call us to a life of comfort. I agree that Jesus calls us to surrender everything to Him. I do not agree with diminishing the importance of love in God's character just to prove a point.
Believe me. I get it. It is easy to attack the mega churches out there. They are a mile wide and an inch deep. They are doing it all wrong. Where's the growth? These are all valid points.
But at least they are doing something. No church is perfect. I've been in both scenarios, the mega church, seeker friendly, looking for people who don't know about God. And I've been to small churches, with spiritual people, moved by the Holy Spirit, and focused on growing deeper in the Word. If you are waiting for me to jump on one, I'm not going to.
Both are great. But neither are perfect.
They both serve a unique purpose. Both types of church provide something to people in different stages of their walk with God.
It is also popular for well intentioned ministers and deep thinkers to attack those in the church who provide a "salvation prayer." A "magical prayer" that gets people in to heaven.
Yes! We all agree that trusting Christ is more than a prayer. It is surrendering your life. But isn't praying to God, and telling him that you are putting your faith in him, part of the whole believe in your heart, confess with your mouth passage in the Bible? At least a prayer is a start. It may not be the perfect tiny package of Christianity all in one small prayer, but it is leading people down a road to Christ.
I don't want to come across as favoring one side or the other. Nothing makes me angrier than watching a pastor of a huge church on TV preach and seemingly shrink away from mentioning the existence of sin or sacrifice. And I get mad when I see small churches that haven't grown for years, sitting in their pews, tithing, but not getting their hands dirty, doing the work of God in the world.
I'm sorry if this angered you. But in some ways, I hope it got you thinking. There is no one right way to do church. Quit thinking your way is superior. You do church your way because that is how you feel comfortable, or that is how God called you to do it. That is great! But that doesn't mean it is the way everyone is supposed to do church. Christ is for everyone. But there are different churches for different people.
Let's try and find the middle road between the Health and Wealth Gospel, and Hell Fire and Brimstone Preaching.
God is love. God is righteous. But let's not diminish one to exalt the other.
The Way I See It
This may not be theologically perfect, there may be holes in my logic. But this is just the simple way I understand the story of redemption, the way I understand our relationship with God and his son Jesus Christ.
God made Adam and Eve in His own image, and they lived with God in the Garden of Eden.
Then, in an act of rebellion against God, they ate the forbidden fruit and Sin entered the world.
This sin has become known as “human nature.” It is original sin. Meaning we are all born into sin, simply because we are human. Furthermore, we sin on a daily basis due to our flawed human ways.
But God still loves us. He wants to be with us. He created us.
However, God is also completely holy, which means he is without sin. And God is just, meaning that all of our sins must be paid for. And the price of sin is death.
In the Old Testament, the way that people asked God for forgiveness was through sacrifices of livestock or grain.
We as a people needed an acceptable sacrifice, to reconcile with God.
God knew that no person was perfect and holy enough to be an acceptable sacrifice for the sins of the world, so He sent His own Son to Earth.
Jesus Christ walked the Earth, fully human and fully God, and lived a perfect and blameless life.
When He died on the cross, He had done nothing that demanded judgement. God took all the punishment for the sins that we as humans have committed and poured out His righteous wrath on His blameless Son.
In that way, our sins were paid for.
Christ rose again, and ascended to heaven.
He paid the price for our sins as humans.
Because our sins were paid for, God in His infinite Holiness and Righteousness is able to live with us once again.
If we put our faith in what Christ did on the cross. If we believe in our hearts and confess with our mouths that Christ died for our sins, paid our price so that we could be with God, after our lives have ended, and we are being judged for our sin, God won’t see our faults and imperfections.
Instead, when He looks at us, He will see Jesus, and His perfect sacrifice.
So, because of Christ’s death on the cross, we can spend eternity with God.
God made Adam and Eve in His own image, and they lived with God in the Garden of Eden.
Then, in an act of rebellion against God, they ate the forbidden fruit and Sin entered the world.
This sin has become known as “human nature.” It is original sin. Meaning we are all born into sin, simply because we are human. Furthermore, we sin on a daily basis due to our flawed human ways.
But God still loves us. He wants to be with us. He created us.
However, God is also completely holy, which means he is without sin. And God is just, meaning that all of our sins must be paid for. And the price of sin is death.
In the Old Testament, the way that people asked God for forgiveness was through sacrifices of livestock or grain.
We as a people needed an acceptable sacrifice, to reconcile with God.
God knew that no person was perfect and holy enough to be an acceptable sacrifice for the sins of the world, so He sent His own Son to Earth.
Jesus Christ walked the Earth, fully human and fully God, and lived a perfect and blameless life.
When He died on the cross, He had done nothing that demanded judgement. God took all the punishment for the sins that we as humans have committed and poured out His righteous wrath on His blameless Son.
In that way, our sins were paid for.
Christ rose again, and ascended to heaven.
He paid the price for our sins as humans.
Because our sins were paid for, God in His infinite Holiness and Righteousness is able to live with us once again.
If we put our faith in what Christ did on the cross. If we believe in our hearts and confess with our mouths that Christ died for our sins, paid our price so that we could be with God, after our lives have ended, and we are being judged for our sin, God won’t see our faults and imperfections.
Instead, when He looks at us, He will see Jesus, and His perfect sacrifice.
So, because of Christ’s death on the cross, we can spend eternity with God.
Seasons of Life
My mom always hated that saying: "Seasons of Life." She always thought that life didn't have seasons, it was just life. The older I get the more I understand that saying.
Being home for the summer, I'm beginning to realize that I'm moving on to a new "season." People that I used to be very close to have moved away, or we've simply grown apart. I used to be naive in thinking that I would always keep in touch with my close friends from high school, or all of my close friends at church, or the mentors or teachers that I knew.
I still try. But its a losing battle. People go on with their lives with or without you. There are no malicious reasons for the ending of those relationships, just life. We've drifted away.
Its pretty sad. I've learned that some of the people I thought I would always be close to, I haven't kept in touch with. Sure, we might meet up for lunch over summer once or twice, go back to school and that will be it. The cool thing is, I'm beginning to accept it.
My perspective has changed. Instead of mourning over the past, I'm embracing the present. I'm enjoying the good times I'm having now, with the people in my life, and knowing that it won't last forever. I remember hearing someone say once that the temporal nature of things, is what makes them beautiful. I'm finally understanding that.
These moments now will become memories. Sure, that sounds like a Kenny Chesney song, but there's some truth to it. I appreciate the people close to me right now. I remember my past friendships and good times I had very fondly. And I am accepting that we'll never get those times back again.
But you know what? There's no gap in my memories. At one time I was doing the things I am remembering now, and while those were happening, I had fond memories of a previous time.
I guess the point is to enjoy what is happening right now in your life. Don't get so caught up in what happened, or what is yet to happen. Enjoy your loved ones now. The people in your life who are here with you right now. People will always move, get involved in other things, drift away. Don't fight it. You can't stop it. It is bigger than you. Enjoy the people you are with now, and accept that they won't be here forever. Don't be sad. If they never left, these times would never be remembered.
Being home for the summer, I'm beginning to realize that I'm moving on to a new "season." People that I used to be very close to have moved away, or we've simply grown apart. I used to be naive in thinking that I would always keep in touch with my close friends from high school, or all of my close friends at church, or the mentors or teachers that I knew.
I still try. But its a losing battle. People go on with their lives with or without you. There are no malicious reasons for the ending of those relationships, just life. We've drifted away.
Its pretty sad. I've learned that some of the people I thought I would always be close to, I haven't kept in touch with. Sure, we might meet up for lunch over summer once or twice, go back to school and that will be it. The cool thing is, I'm beginning to accept it.
My perspective has changed. Instead of mourning over the past, I'm embracing the present. I'm enjoying the good times I'm having now, with the people in my life, and knowing that it won't last forever. I remember hearing someone say once that the temporal nature of things, is what makes them beautiful. I'm finally understanding that.
These moments now will become memories. Sure, that sounds like a Kenny Chesney song, but there's some truth to it. I appreciate the people close to me right now. I remember my past friendships and good times I had very fondly. And I am accepting that we'll never get those times back again.
But you know what? There's no gap in my memories. At one time I was doing the things I am remembering now, and while those were happening, I had fond memories of a previous time.
I guess the point is to enjoy what is happening right now in your life. Don't get so caught up in what happened, or what is yet to happen. Enjoy your loved ones now. The people in your life who are here with you right now. People will always move, get involved in other things, drift away. Don't fight it. You can't stop it. It is bigger than you. Enjoy the people you are with now, and accept that they won't be here forever. Don't be sad. If they never left, these times would never be remembered.
In Weakness, There is Strength
Whenever I bump into someone on the street, or try to get a waiter’s attention at a restaurant, I normally start with “sorry.”
It’s a small word, but it causes a lot of controversy. Numerous times in my life I have had complete strangers tell me I shouldn’t say sorry, because people will think I did something wrong, people will blame me for things, and it is a sign of weakness.
What?
All because I said, “Sorry to interrupt, could I get a glass of water?”
To me, it’s the same thing as “excuse me” or “pardon.” But I choose to say "sorry."
There are people who live their life never saying sorry. They are consumed with being right, being without blame, and oozing strength.
While there is nothing inherently wrong with those things, they are dangerous ways to act. They can lead to inflated sense of self, and conceal low self-esteems and bruised egos.
Usually, the people who can’t say sorry are the weakest.
We all have weaknesses, and we have all heard the saying nobody’s perfect. However, for some reason, a lot of us are afraid to show other people that we’re not perfect. We cover up our shortcomings and hide our insecurities, hoping everyone will think we are strong, we are perfect.
Everyone knows you are not perfect. Weakness is not something to be ashamed of. In fact, the Bible talks a lot about the weak.
“I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, and the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them in justice.” -Ezekiel 34:16 (NLT)
“We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute.” -1 Corinthians 4:10
The Bible doesn’t talk about weakness as a bad thing; instead, the Bible states that there is something to gain in weakness. It is something everyone experiences.
When we are weak, Christ is strong. It is in our weakness that we can recognize Christ’s strength. Moreover, because of our weakness will Christ strengthen us.
We shouldn’t hide our weakness and insecurities with clothes, or cars, or muscle milk. We should unveil our weakness, so that Christ will strengthen us. Then we can actually do something. Instead of being weak, and talking about how strong we are, we should show our weakness, garner the true strength of Christ, and use that strength to help people.
“We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.” –Romans 15:1-2 (NLT)
“To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak.” -1 Corinthians 9:22
As I said, we are all weak. So what do we do when Christ strengthens us? We don’t flaunt our strength to make us feel good and feed our egos; we use that strength to build up our neighbors. We use our newfound strength to help the people around us.
When we puff out our chests and talk about how strong we are, we can’t connect with the weak. Paul said he became weak to win the weak. We should share our weakness; let people know that we have been there. That’s how you help people, you get on their level. You don’t rub it in their face that they’re weak and that you are strong. You share your similar story, you connect with them. You get down and help them up.
Our weakness helps us understand our problems, God’s strength, and other people. When we’ve hit rock bottom, we have to rely on the strength of God to bring us up. After that experience, we can turn and help others who are at rock bottom.
It’s like what Rocky said when describing why he loves Adrian, “I got gaps. She’s got gaps. We fill each other’s gaps.”
So just like Rocky and Adrian, God will fill our gaps.
Don’t be afraid to show your weaknesses. Let people know, that’s the only way they can help you. They have probably been there too. And when Christ strengthens you, you can turn around and help others who are right where you were.
So don’t be afraid of someone thinking you’re weak for saying “sorry.” That person is probably just afraid you will find out how weak they are.
It’s a small word, but it causes a lot of controversy. Numerous times in my life I have had complete strangers tell me I shouldn’t say sorry, because people will think I did something wrong, people will blame me for things, and it is a sign of weakness.
What?
All because I said, “Sorry to interrupt, could I get a glass of water?”
To me, it’s the same thing as “excuse me” or “pardon.” But I choose to say "sorry."
There are people who live their life never saying sorry. They are consumed with being right, being without blame, and oozing strength.
While there is nothing inherently wrong with those things, they are dangerous ways to act. They can lead to inflated sense of self, and conceal low self-esteems and bruised egos.
Usually, the people who can’t say sorry are the weakest.
We all have weaknesses, and we have all heard the saying nobody’s perfect. However, for some reason, a lot of us are afraid to show other people that we’re not perfect. We cover up our shortcomings and hide our insecurities, hoping everyone will think we are strong, we are perfect.
Everyone knows you are not perfect. Weakness is not something to be ashamed of. In fact, the Bible talks a lot about the weak.
“I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, and the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them in justice.” -Ezekiel 34:16 (NLT)
“We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute.” -1 Corinthians 4:10
The Bible doesn’t talk about weakness as a bad thing; instead, the Bible states that there is something to gain in weakness. It is something everyone experiences.
When we are weak, Christ is strong. It is in our weakness that we can recognize Christ’s strength. Moreover, because of our weakness will Christ strengthen us.
We shouldn’t hide our weakness and insecurities with clothes, or cars, or muscle milk. We should unveil our weakness, so that Christ will strengthen us. Then we can actually do something. Instead of being weak, and talking about how strong we are, we should show our weakness, garner the true strength of Christ, and use that strength to help people.
“We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.” –Romans 15:1-2 (NLT)
“To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak.” -1 Corinthians 9:22
As I said, we are all weak. So what do we do when Christ strengthens us? We don’t flaunt our strength to make us feel good and feed our egos; we use that strength to build up our neighbors. We use our newfound strength to help the people around us.
When we puff out our chests and talk about how strong we are, we can’t connect with the weak. Paul said he became weak to win the weak. We should share our weakness; let people know that we have been there. That’s how you help people, you get on their level. You don’t rub it in their face that they’re weak and that you are strong. You share your similar story, you connect with them. You get down and help them up.
Our weakness helps us understand our problems, God’s strength, and other people. When we’ve hit rock bottom, we have to rely on the strength of God to bring us up. After that experience, we can turn and help others who are at rock bottom.
It’s like what Rocky said when describing why he loves Adrian, “I got gaps. She’s got gaps. We fill each other’s gaps.”
So just like Rocky and Adrian, God will fill our gaps.
Don’t be afraid to show your weaknesses. Let people know, that’s the only way they can help you. They have probably been there too. And when Christ strengthens you, you can turn around and help others who are right where you were.
So don’t be afraid of someone thinking you’re weak for saying “sorry.” That person is probably just afraid you will find out how weak they are.
