Don't Tread On Me!

 NOTE HOW GOD ALONE IS ABLE TO MEDIATE OUR CASES BECAUSE HE ALONE KNOWS US INTIMATELY:  
Pertinent verses:  
"... Who shall bring any charge against God's elect?.." (Romans 8:33, ESV).  
"... If God is for us, who can be against us?"  (Rom. 8:31, ESV). 
 "Put Me in remembrance, let us argue our case together; state your cause, that you may be proved right"  (Isaiah 43:26, NASB).
"Consult together,  argue your case.  Get together and decide what to say..." (Isaiah 45:21, NLT). 
"I have refined you, but not as silver is refined.  Rather, I have refined you in the furnace of suffering" (Isaiah 48:10, NLT).   
"... [T]hrough many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God"  (Acts 14:22, ESV).
"We hear that some of you are living an undisciplined life.  They aren't working, but they are meddling in other people's business"  (2 Thess. 3:11, CEV).  
"The spirit of man is the lamp of the LORD, searching all his innermost parts"  (Prov. 20:27, ESV).   "The LORD's light penetrates the human spirit, exposing every hidden motive" (Ibid., NLT).  
"Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life"  (Prov. 4:23, NKJV). 
"... [F]or the LORD searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought..." (1 Chronicles 28:9, ESV).  
"O LORD, you have searched me and known me! . . . and are acquainted with all my ways"  (Psalm 139:1,3, ESV). 

Scripture teaches us to mind our own business and not to get on each other's case or become busybodies, "meddling in other people's business" (cf. 2 Thess. 3:11, CEV).   Just as Paul admonishes the saints at the Thessalonian church:  "Aim to live quietly, mind your own business, and earn your own living, just as I told you"  (1 Thess. 4:11, CEV).  In other words, get off your brother's case!  We all have unique situations and cannot judge by the outward appearance, for God looks on the heart (cf. 1 Sam. 16:7) and sees the motives:  "All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the spirit [motive]"  (Proverbs 16:2, ESV; cf. Prov. 21:2); Jesus also commanded us not to judge by appearance but with righteous judgment in John 7:24.  We are fruit inspectors, for we shall know them by their fruits (cf. Matt. 7:20):  "....for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh"  (Matt. 12:34, KJV).

We don't have the wisdom to label people and labeling is wrong, as an amateur diagnosis or prognosis--what's more, it's judging!   What would you take a man for who constantly psychoanalyzed you and tried to peg you or label you?  We shouldn't put our friends and neighbors into boxes and think we have them figured out, for only God sees the heart.  We cannot judge simply because we don't have access to all the facts and we are inherently biased.

But there comes a time to intercede for someone and to come to his aid by taking up his case and giving him all the aid we can accommodate.  'You have taken up my cause, O Lord; you have redeemed my life.  You have seen the wrong done to me, O LORD;  judge my cause"  (Lam. 3:58-59, ESV).  God is in the position and has all the authority to come to our aid in our time of need. We are likewise to become a Good Samaritan and see the needs of others in their time of crisis and do all we can muster of our God-given resources.

Job thought he had a case against God and relied on his own righteousness; the flaw of his character was self-righteousness, though. Keep the faith!  "[F]or he does not willingly afflict or grieve the children of men" (Lamentations 3:33, ESV).  They say:  God is too wise to make a mistake, too kind to be cruel, and too deep to explain Himself--so we never have a case against God, and He doesn't owe us an explanation for anything He allows to happen by His sovereignty in our lives.  "No one can tell him what to do, or say to him, 'You have done wrong'"  (Job 36:23, NLT).

God is all ears if we want to come to him in sincerity and seek truth and an honest dialogue:   "Let us review the situation together, and you can present your case to prove your innocence"  (Isaiah 43:26, NLT).  Let me end with one more verse:  "For we must all appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil'  (2 Cor. 5:10, ESV).
Soli Deo Gloria!

Judge No Man

It's not our prerogative to judge someone's soul status because we don't have all the facts, and only God sees the invisible heart and motives.  Scripture says to judge nothing before the time (cf. 1 Cor. 4:5), and that means that we are not to condemn each other's ministries because they don't suit our fancy or understanding of doctrine.  Jesus, himself, is the sole authority on the quality of each man's work and will test it whether it stands the test of fire (cf. 1 Cor. 3:12-15), and should be rewarded at the Judgment Seat of Christ. We are to minister as God calls us and let no man judge us but Christ himself.

Someone may say that Christians shouldn't be involved in politics or express worldview, but they are making presumptions that they hold the standard in their hands.  Every Christian is designed to reach out to a different group or category of people, and we are not to look down on someone's ministry because it doesn't have the outreach we think it should have.  For example, take the Christian Motorcyclists Association, an evangelical organization that seeks unity through reaching out to a certain ilk of individuals often looked down upon or misunderstood as rebels.  We are not to say, "Jesus wouldn't drive a Harley!" because we are biased against them.  On the other hand, we should not say, "Jesus wouldn't write an editorial to the paper on politics!"

We have to realize that we are not Jesus, we are only working for Him in the capacity for which the door has been opened.  Jesus wouldn't do this (like smoke, drink, dance, party, watch TV, go to movies, go on vacation--you name it, some people insist they alone know what Jesus is like and they fit the mold!    Everyone is at a different stage and we are not to judge them, for they are the servant of another man as Paul says in Romans 2.  Soli Deo Gloria!

The Blame Game Extraordinaire

"Put away the pointing of the finger!" or, as Isaiah 58:9, ESV says it:  "... If you take away the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness." When I was a child, psychiatry was really into the blame game, there were no bad children, only bad parents. Every one of our problems was conveniently someone else's fault!  When there is estrangement in a relationship it is not our place to condemn the other party as being the recipient of the blame and to pinpoint blame on them.  In our relationship with God, on the other hand, our estrangement is completely our fault, we are the ones who moved and disobeyed God--He stayed the same and didn't move.

We have multiple personal relationships that are complicated and involve more than any one person could get a grip on and manipulate. Both parties are to blame for any domestic dispute, brotherly rivalry, family feud, or even unfriendly business competition or venture. When you blame someone and point the finger, three fingers are pointing back at you. You are saying that you are a victim and totally innocent and had nothing to do with instigating the misunderstanding and breach of relationship or alienation of affection, and you are alone in the position of holiness and innocence whereby you can impartially judge the motives of the other person involved in the misunderstanding (for most disagreements are simply a failure to communicate).

God alone is objective and impartial and able to make a judgment of culpability.  We are responsible for starting something that spiraled out of control and all the consequences, forgiven or not. Unless you are perfect, you share the blame and there is plenty to go around. There is a good reason not to get involved in a domestic because they are so complicated and not so readily resolved, as to blame--both deserve their fair share of culpability. When you are in the habit of blaming people for problems it shows a lack of responsibility and insight into the real nature of the issues, people, and problems.

An example of politicos playing the blame game is saying that things have gotten worse under Obama, a Democrat, and this is a reason to put Republicans in charge; the truth is that every bill proposed by the president has gotten nowhere in a gridlocked Congress, held captive by Republicans, who have stymied him from Day One, and have made it their mission statement to obstruct and discredit him and his legacy.  There is always another side to the story that they don't want you to know and are merely putting a spin on the news.  Soli Deo Gloria!

Get Off My Case!

The closer we walk with God the more conscious we become of failure and sin within. Pray for a lively sense of sin, says Samuel Rutherford, the more sense of sin, the less sin.  The court that throws the book at a convicted felon will do it because he doesn't seem redeemable and is beyond hope, and the only chance at reformation is to make him very sorry for his crime.  Normally, there is leniency for the first time in court and it gets progressively worse and more strict.  Some people tend to throw the book at people because they have a false sense of their own personal righteousness; however, God says that He will show mercy to the merciful.  We all should say with Paul:  "I am what I am by the grace of God" (1 Cor. 15:10).

The way we see things reveals more about us, what about the things we observe-it's all subjective interpretation. We see reality as we are not as it is.  The Golden Rule says to treat others the way you want to be treated; therefore, do not ever throw the book at someone, unless he is a hardened recidivist and you seek to make him an example. The good judge always tempers his justice with mercy and metes out justice without bias and only after hearing carefully the arguments of both sides--he doesn't pervert justice or take bribes.

None of us really has his act together so well that we could escape death, if God were to decree suddenly to stop all evil in the world--no one would be left.  It's all relative, the standard of goodness is God, not man and God doesn't grade on a curve.  We are to judge nothing before the time according to 1 Cor. 4:6 and Jesus said that when you judge, judge righteous judgment (John 7:24, ESV):  "Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment."

The admonition not to judge in Matthew 7:1 is not to judge harshly nor rashly, and considering what standards you want to be judged by--it doesn't make an absolute prohibition on judging.  In 1 Cor. 5:12 (ESV):  "...Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge?" God judges those outside the church! We must purge the evil ones from the fellowship because allowing sin in the camp (cf. Aachan's sin in Joshua) infects the whole camp and having sin in the family brings down the whole family; if one part suffers, they all suffer.  Church discipline is a sign of a living and obedient church, and not out of control concerning its membership.

We are not to have a critical spirit of a brother because we don't have all the facts, and when we judge another it only shows what kind of person we are, or what offends us personally (usually the sin that we hate in ourselves). We don't know the details of our brother's case and are not to pry into his business like busybodies--live and let live and leave room for the judgment of God.  It is not our job to stop sin, because only God can convict of it and bring one to repentance and faith.  We must not habitually judge another brother because he stands or falls to his own master.   Soli Deo Gloria!

To A Higher Standard

Many believers strive to obey the letter of the law and are derelict of the spirit of it just like the Pharisees.  We are guilty of flaunting our liberty and thereby hurting our brother who has a weaker faith and doesn't approve of our behavior.  Romans 14:22 says that the faith we have we should keep to ourselves.  If we eat and offend our brother we are destroying the kingdom of God for the sake of a meal and wounding him spiritually.  How can this be?  We are held to a higher standard than just obeying the law, either civil, biblical, moral, or ecclesiastical.

In God's economy, the way up is down and we are all in this together--we must bear one another's burdens.  We all need each other--no one is a rock or an island to himself like Hindu and Buddhist karma teaches. No one in the body should be in need.  Karma disregards Samaritan acts and lets a person suffer his own karma without anyone's interference.  When we just go through the motions without our heart being involved or any real motivation we are obeying the letter of the law, like Saul performing the illegal sacrifice and Samuel telling him that to obey is better than sacrifice (doing it the right way and in the right spirit).

Just because something is legal doesn't make it moral, ethical, nor spiritually correct.  There's the politically correct thing to do and there's the spiritually correct thing to do.  Too many believers are guilty of complying on the outside while disobeying on the inside--they obey outwardly, while their face says no.  We must never be remiss of doing everything in the right spirit and being filled with the Spirit in our activities. "Whatsoever you do, do to the glory of God"  (cf. 1 Cor. 10:31).  The law we are subject to is the law of love and I mean agape love, which is eternal and unconditional.

You can get technical and say that you aren't sinning, but inside you can know that you are evading the Spirit and doing your own thing, which is what sin is (man's declaration of independence from God).  "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way..." (cf. Isaiah 53:6, ESV).

Sometimes Christians think that if others do something it is okay, too. We rationalize and say: "Everyone's doing it," or "We always have done it that way and gotten away with it," or "It sounds responsible," or "It sounds like the rational thing to do."  We must follow the law of love, as I said, and obey in the right spirit, too, not just our outward duty--we go beyond the call of duty!  They may just be partners in crime or in cahoots and will bring judgments on themselves for their wrongdoing.

We are to look to the Bible for our standards of right and wrong and not human opinion or worse yet, popular opinion.  Christians are to stand out and stick up for Jesus and be counted, not defend the worldview or devil's world and all he stands for--it's an angelic conflict we're engaged in and the battle is the Lord's if we have faith.  We must not become casualties because we are ignorant of the devil's schemes and wiles.

We may think we can get away with something (Numbers 32:23 says, "Be sure your sin will find you out.") or that it is right in our eyes (God sets the ultimate standards, not us), but God wants us to be sensitive to the weaker brother and our liberty is limited by our brother's conscience--we must not stand up for our rights in the name of Christian liberty (this is liberty gone amok).

Yes, we must realize that the world obeys only the letter of the law, and we are held to a higher standard to do everything in love and to prove it by our deeds, not just in our words (1 John 3:18).   "But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?"  (1 John 3:17, ESV). We are to be known by our compassion, just like Bertrand Russell knew when he quipped:  "What the world needs is more Christian love [he was a famous atheist himself!]."   What we want to demonstrate is that Christians go beyond the call of duty and think of someone other than themselves.  As Jesus said, "Go the extra mile!" In sum, Jesus raised the bar in ethics and told us to be good Samaritans, love our neighbors as ourselves, and love our enemies.    Soli Deo Gloria!

The Limit Of Freedom

"... For why is my liberty judged by another man's conscience? (1 Cor. 10:29, NKJV).


It is for freedom that Christ set us free, and we are not to be entangled again with a yoke of bondage (i.e., the Law, which was unbearable to the Jews).  The yoke we bear is that of following Christ and doing His will, which He does reveal to us:  "... The God of our fathers appointed you to know his will..." (Acts 22:14, ESV).  "'All things are lawful for me,' but not all things are helpful.'   All things are lawful for me, but I will not be enslaved by anything" (1 Cor. 6:12, ESV).  Even though we have liberty in Christ, we are to be restrained by our brother's conscience, not flaunting our freedom so as to offend him.

It is a dangerous thing to flirt with evil and see what we can get away with, and savor of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil again, ruining our innocence--which is always deliberate.  Jesus said to be wise as serpents and as innocent as doves.  Even though we have the right to do something, doesn't mean we should do it--we must show restraint for our brother's sake.  In 1 Cor. 8:12 says: "When you sin against your brothers in this way and wound their conscience, you sin against Christ." We can make someone fall from the faith by approving of things that he considers wrong if his faith is weak.  We are to be sensitive to the weaker brother. There are certain churches that teach taboos and forbid things not even mentioned in Scripture, but we are not to "go beyond that which is written." (Cf. 1 Cor. 4:6).

Things that are not mentioned as a sin in the Bible nor implied as an application are not sin.  This is why it's hard to make an anti-gambling, or abstinence from alcohol or teetotaler case from the Bible. Though forbidding "free love" is a clear violation, regardless of what modern man and society say. What was wrong in the time of Moses, is still wrong; right and wrong do not evolve with the times but are absolute and eternal.  The freedom we have is from the Law, not from sin--we are free to obey Christ and given the power to do it in Christ.  We are not free to sin, but free from the power of sin--we don't have to sin anymore.  What you may approve of is not necessarily the right thing to do in public, but "the faith that you have to keep between yourself and God."  And remember: "... and be sure your sin will find you out" (Numbers 32:23, NASB).

Everyone has a dark side that no one sees but God, just like the moon.  Someone has said we have four personas:  One the world sees; our friends see, we see, and God sees.  Hypocrisy is when these don't align with purpose and we pretend to walk the talk when we only talk the talk.  We don't want others to praise us as a great Christian or give that impression when we know inside we are only hypocrites.  Remember, your sin doesn't show your freedom but demonstrates your slavery.    Soli Deo Gloria!

Do You Really Love God?...

"Jesus answered, ... AND YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH"  (Mark 12:29-30, NASB).

You don't have to do this to get saved, it is just a template of your agenda for life and to see what direction you are going.  In other words, as Jesus commanded us to be perfect as our Heavenly Father is perfect, the test is the direction we are going, not the measure of our achievement.  Faith is never static (staying in one place) or stagnant (not growing or wasting away) either, you are either losing ground and backsliding or you are growing in the faith by an obedient life and moving ahead in becoming more Christlike and increasing in reflecting His glory and partaking of the divine essence (cf. 2 Pet. 1:4; 2 Cor. 3:18).  We can't stand still in our relationship and just be complacent to be saved and nonchalant about what rewards we get; you are either a first-class and world-class Christian or a worldly and carnal Christian losing ground spiritually--no one treads water!

What does this command mean when it says to love God?  Everyone has a strong suit or forte that they feel they can trump others on and compare themselves with themselves (2 Cor. 12:12 says this is unwise) and feel a cut above others in this category or department. You can say:  "I can see why you like to sing, you're so good at it."  And to answer:  "I can see why you like to write, you're so good at it."  We are all different!  One brother may say:  "I think you need to show more feeling."  In reply, the other says:  "I think you need to use your mind more and get your thinking straightened out!" It is vain to judge one another because we are all works in progress and under the auspices of God. All love is sacrificial as the supreme example of God so loving the world that He gave His only Son: You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving.  We give of our minds, hearts, wills, and strength as we have the opportunity and responsibility for the same.  Bear in mind:  We are all merely stewards of the blessings of God and will be held accountable for what we did in the body.

For instance, loving with all your mind means to learn how to think and to think with discernment and wisdom and devote it to God's will, and not be foolish like the Proverbs warn against; we are not to go by feeling but to think before we speak and act.  We should also do our best to achieve whatever intellectual capacity we are called to fulfill or to complete our calling (apathy and ignorance are taboo).  To think with a divine rather than human viewpoint and worldview is part of this mindset. Focus your mind on Christ: "You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you" (Isaiah 26:3, ESV); "Let this mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus."   Do you just settle for a job halfway and being "good enough" to your low standards?

Feelings, affections, or the heart come after obedience and faith and is not the engine but the caboose of the metaphorical train. They used to say in the '60's that if it feels good, do it!  This is a recipe for disaster. Don't go by feelings, but the facts of the Word of God, because they come and go and are like a see-saw with its ups and downs--you must keep the faith!  Christians on fire for the Lord are contagious--get to know some!  We love God with our affections or heart by going with our feelings and not inhibiting them but feeling what God feels about tragedy and evil in the world.  You must seek God with all your heart to find Him, and believe with your heart to be saved (in other words, you will fall in love with Jesus).

Do you have compassion for the things of God and feel what God feels and love the things God loves, as well as hate the things God hates?  Do you enjoy the emotional lift of worship as the Holy Spirit stirs your spirit and delight in heavenly things (some people would not like heaven because that's what will happen there!)?  Psalm 16:11 comes to mind: "You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore."  Nehemiah 8:10 says that the "joy of the LORD is your strength."  Don't ever lose that joy--Jesus says no man can take it from you (cf. Phil. 4:4).   Don't be discouraged that you aren't as excited, ecstatic, or euphoric as other more mature believers who have fallen in love with Jesus, because they don't have more of the Spirit, the Spirit just has more of them!

We must also surrender all of our soul or all of our being (intellect, affection, and will) to be saved. This equates obedience with faith (Dietrich Bonhoeffer said that only he who believes is obedient, and only he who is obedient believes--they are correlated and the flip side of each other and cannot be separated, though we do distinguish them--they go hand in hand.  "Do not be foolish, but understand the will of the Lord"  (Ephesians 5:7).  We must be willing to pick up our cross and follow Him to the death, if need be, and make His will our will in a constant prayer of relinquishment ("Thy will be done," which is the greatest of prayers, that even Jesus prayed). Being ignorant of the will of God is a sign you are not willing to do it, because God will reveal it to you as you are ready for it and can handle it, but never more than we need to know--no one knows the will of God for their whole life as a laid-out plan, because we don't know what God is going to end up doing with us.

The problem most believers have is that they know the right thing to do and God's will, but don't have the will power or discipline to do it, (Ovid said, "I see the better things, and I approve them, but I follow the worse").  Paul realized in Romans 7:24 that he couldn't please God in his own power ("Who will deliver me from the body of this death?"), but thanked Christ for giving him the power--we cannot complete the yoke of the Law of Moses as the Jews couldn't either, but the yoke of the will of God is what we have in the New Covenant and Jesus said, "My yoke is easy, and my burden is light."  God gives us tasks according to our ability and the place we are at and the level of maturity and we prove to have--we must grow up and take on the task given us and not remain infants in Christ forever living a carnal life and not as spiritual.

Finally, we must also surrender our strength to God and love with all our natural ability and physical stamina and athletic or coordinated prowess.  We are not to exalt our body, thinking it is the most important thing to center our life around and become fitness or health freaks living an unbalanced life at the expense of other areas and faculties.  On the other hand, we are not to despise our body and misuse it, but see it as a temple of the Holy Spirit and a trust or responsibility to maintain.  Ignoring health issues is a bad sign and a violation of our responsibility and duty to God as His creatures and children.  We are endowed by God and should be faithful to fulfill our individual gift or gifts.  Some are stronger and better endowed as they say by nature, and just like other talents or gifts, are more responsible to complete that calling.

Let me clear up something: No one can say they have obeyed this command! We aren't saved by loving Jesus, but by faith in Christ:  We are saved solely by grace (no merit of our own) through the gift of faith that is God's gift, but our act, and we must do something with it and take the leap of faith, and it must be directed in Christ alone as the object (it is the object of faith that saves, not the amount of faith or just faith per se, which would be faith in faith). We can be sincerely wrong, (sincerity is necessary, but not sufficient) sincerity is vital but it only opens the door to an opportunity to respond and answer the call of God and believe in our hearts.  The whole person must be involved to be saved: Intellect with the right knowledge or doctrine, emotions or affections of our heart, and the will as we endeavor and resolve to obey God and follow on to know the Lord and to be a disciple or learner of Christ.  No one has ever followed the Greatest Commandment to love God with their whole personhood and being; we must accept the gift of salvation by faith and realize our utter bankruptcy before God that we aren't good enough to be saved, but that we are bad enough to need salvation.

In summation, no one can brag before God that he has complied with this commandment but must rely on the grace of God for salvation, and strive to complete as loving children who want to do God's will as our duty as creatures and children.  Just because you are good at one aspect of loving God doesn't mean you can pull rank and start forcing compliance to your standards or rules and be in your image--Christ is the only image of God and we are all works in progress and none of us can say that the have "arrived" or is perfect or God is finished with them.  "I do not claim to have laid a hold of it yet," as Paul said to the Philippians 3:12-13.  But rest assured:  God finishes what He starts as Philippians 1:6 (ESV) proclaims:  "And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."  Soli Deo Gloria!

Should We Accept Criticism?

 "Wilt thou also disannul my judgment?  wilt thou condemn me, that thou mayest be righteous?" (Job 40:8).

We should accept each other because Christ has accepted us.  "Make allowance for one another person's faults" (Eph. 4:2).  Accepting a person doesn't mean that we think they are perfect, for a friend sees your faults and still accepts you the way you are, not the way you think you are.  "A friend loves at all times and a brother is born for adversity [time of trial or adversity]"  (Proverbs 17:17).  It is good to have equals as friends because Prov. 27:17 says that "iron sharpens iron."  We shouldn't expect our feelings never to get hurt nor wear them on our sleeve because the truth often hurts and Proverbs also says that "faithful are the wounds of a friend."

We all have four faces:  the one we see; the one our friends see; the one our enemies see; and the one God sees.  God sees through the veneer and there is no fooling him;  we all have feet of clay and have weaknesses not readily apparent to the observer--sometimes only those closest to us really know us and we are putting up a facade to others, which is really hypocrisy.

Friendship involves give and take and is not co-dependent where both parties can't get along without each other so much that they idolize each other to the point of near perfection--no one is perfect as married couples find out when the honeymoon is over.  If you are looking for someone to see you as perfect you can give up because you aren't even if you think so.

Everyone is a hypocrite to a degree, it's just a matter of degree and transparency.  We need to learn to be frank with others and not be afraid to let the real person be revealed in all its reality--some people don't face reality and don't even reckon themselves as sinners and this is the delusion some have, even to the point of grandeur and we are superior to others.  Criticism is helpful and is the only creatures that have the ability to be self-critical as well.  Constructive criticism is needed whether we like it or not.  If you are too timid to criticize when you do have discernment, you may lose what discernment you have.

You just can't say someone is getting ad hominem  [arguing to the man rather than to the argument] with you just because they get personal--when they know you and are able to make; there is a place for honest criticism. Note that the Bible says nothing about this, it is strictly man's wisdom of arguing--there is always a place for discernment.   It is not ad hominem unless you are trying to win an argument with the insult. Above all else, a word to the wise:  Don't retaliate and return insult for insult or criticism for criticism (it may escalate out of control and do irreparable damage); the Bible says it is gracious to overlook an insult.  Soli Deo Gloria!

Justified Anger

"God is a righteous judge, and a God who feels indignation every day" (Psa

lm 7:11, ESV).

"The LORD is slow to anger..." (Num. 14:18, ESV).

"...Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger" (James 1:19, ESV).

"But now you must put them all away:  anger, malice, wrath, slander..." (Col. 3:8, ESV).

"Now the works of the flesh are evident:  ...fits of anger..." (Gal. 5:19-20, ESV)

Anger is an emotion that we all have and there is nothing wrong with it in its proper place.  What I'm primarily concerned with is anger among believers, not unbelievers.

We've all heard of "righteous indignation" (not a biblical term), and believe we have it when we get angry, no matter what, as a "defense mechanism."  God is angry with the wicked every day (cf. Psalm 7:11--through a better translation in the NIV says, "God is a God who expresses His anger every day"). "Like the rest, we were by nature the objects of wrath" (Eph. 2:3, NIV).  He never got angry at Adam when he sinned because Adam was His son.  God's wrath is averted by the blood of Christ--"...When I see the blood, I will pass over you" (Ex. 12:13, KJV).  Jesus had something to say about what anger is equated with, in case we justify ourselves when angry at someone.

We never have the right to play God and express wrath directly at a brother:  Jesus said in Matthew 5:22 (NIV) "But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment..."--anger is on a level with murder and Jesus didn't justify, since He internalized sin .  He had displayed the right to get angry in the temple, for instance,  and this is "righteous indignation."  He urged us to pray for and love our enemies, lest they are judged for said behavior.  "Cease from anger, forsake wrath," says Psalms 37:8. Paul says in Galatians 5:19 that "fits of anger" are a work of the flesh.

What then is "righteous indignation?"  Well, what gets God angry? Getting angry at things and circumstances that are inherently unfair or unjustified, e.g., poverty, racism, terrorism, discrimination, etc.  Jonathan Edwards sermon, Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God, shows that unbelievers are on dangerous territory.  God never gets angry at us, but about us, what we do, and prunes us in love, He doesn't punish us in anger.  Loving parents don't lose their cool and express outrage directly at a child, though he is in the wrong and needs the rod of correction--they shouldn't discipline till they have got control of themselves.

We are never justified in getting angry at a brother and must strive to always keep the peace and be peacemakers.  "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone" (Rom. 12:18, NIV).  We must do everything in our power to restore fellowship when a chasm or cleavage occurs and to take the initiative even when it's not our fault.  "But I tell you that anyone [no exceptions] who is angry with a brother or sister, will be subject to judgment..." (Matt. 5:22, NIV).  N.B. I checked out all the translations:  CEB, NASB, NIV, ESV,  and the NLT all agree that there is no excuse, though the KJV and NKJV say one can get angry if he has "cause."  Searching the Scriptures I cannot find one legitimate person having "righteous anger" except possibly Moses when he came down from Mt. Sinai--he was in authority as the priest over the people.

When we become believers we are "delivered from the wrath to come" (2 Thess. 1:10), and the sign of the unbeliever is that "the wrath of God abides on him" (John 3:36).  To conclude the matter: being angry at your brother only demonstrates that you are only a man, and one who has not learned to be controlled by the Spirit--possibly even a fool ("A fool gives full vent to his anger").   Soli Deo Gloria!

Taking Our Stand And Making Judgments

We must realize when we became Christians that it might cost us something; salvation is free but not cheap.  We will have to take stands when the truth or testimony of Jesus is at stake; it is the coward who stands by and stays neutral. Remember, Christians are on Satan's hit list and can even use believers for evil by inspiration or enticement.  Christ calls us to be advocates and come to the aid of each other. God can deal with someone willing to take a stand, even if wrong, but not cowards who are really weak-willed and wishy-washy.  ("Stand up, stand up for Jesus!")  Recall Pontius Pilate washing his hands of the affair.   Jesus rebukes the Laodiceans in Rev. 3:19 because He doesn't know where they stand.  We cannot be on both sides of an issue. Christians must defend each other and come to their aid when an adversary comes in aggressive attack mode.

What Satan specializes in is mind-games and psychological warfare--he likes to mess with our minds! He accuses but doesn't convict--the Holy Spirit will perform an open-and-shut case without a doubt of a sin, not just try to make you feel bad or guilty.  Does Scripture have a basis in the judgment or not?  Our judgments are not to get personal and not related to the Word by way of criticism.

Sometimes we can be right but say it in the wrong way.  Methodology is important to God ("Quench not the Spirit"), and He looks at the heart and not at the appearance as man sees--is the heart in the right place, not whether he made a mistake or did something in error.  One of the worst sins is betrayal or squealing on someone or to get personal revenge or get even--fight your own battles and if you hold something against someone, keep it between you and the person in question.  If someone is not part of the problem or of the solution it can become gossip.  If we don't stand up and defend the truth, our friends, and even what we believe in, what makes us think we will stand up for Jesus.

When we do judge we are to make sure we are right and do it in the Spirit of love ("Speak the truth in love" according to Ephesians 4:15--what is our motive?).  Remember also that Jesus also said, "When you judge, judge righteous judgment" (John 7:24). When we are called to show a brother his fault or the error of his way we should avoid labeling ("You theologian!") or any insults and name calling--we must resort to Scripture and how it applies.

God will judge those who are outside the church,  but judging per se is impossible to avoid because then we would show no discernment and fall prey to the devil and be under his condemnation. If a man claims to be a Christian and is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness (cf. Gal. 6:1).   If we are too strict or harsh in our judgment (in the measure we use it shall return to us), God may hold us accountable.  Above all, we must practice what we preach and not condemn ourselves by judging someone and doing the same thing in turn as hypocrites.  If you tell someone to repent, for example, you are required to make sure you need no repentance and are righteous in God's eyes (righteousness consists in having a right relationship with God and being at peace with man as far as it is possible with you).

We must not justify our own sin (one psalmist said that the people loved their sin too much to detect it). "For he flatters himself in his own eyes that his iniquity cannot be found out and hated" (Psalm 36:2, ESV).   We all have a sin which easily besets us (cf Heb. 12:1), but when we sin we show our slavery and don't demonstrate our freedom.  If you are a slave to sin, how can Jesus be Lord--"For sin shall have no dominion over you, for you are not under the Law but under grace."  "His name shall be called Jesus because He shall save His people from their sins."  Christ has set us free from the law of sin and death (cf. Romans 8:2).  Christ sets us free from our old sin nature at salvation (the old man) and restores us with a new nature in His likeness.

We are all works in progress (cut some slack!) and must realize that God isn't finished with us yet. The goal is to win him over not to alienate him or sever the relationship.  Scripture exhorts us to make allowance for each other's faults and to accept one another even as Christ has accepted us. Most believers should be willing to take any admonishment if done in the Spirit and not resent it or do unto them as they have done unto you (the "iron rule").  We conquer evil with good and refrain from reviling or insulting in return.    Soli Deo Gloria!

Should Christians Argue?

"Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone ..." (2 Tim. 2:24-25).


It's been wisely said that it's better to debate a matter and not settle it than to settle it without debate.

R. C. Sproul says the Bible states we are not to be "divisive, contentious, argumentative, or judgmental;" I might add: As brethren--it is unfruitful and doesn't work to the benefit of the body. We are to seek unity and to be one in the Spirit and in agreement as much as possible (cf. Eph. 4:3).   "Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called children of God"  (Matthew 5:9).  We may be called to restore a fellowship and be mediators or go-betweens.   We don't want the reputation of being troublemakers.

By way of definition, this is the way I see it, for the purpose of this post:  Arguing is when we purposely strive to show that someone is wrong or misinformed.  The word has negative connotations for some and they refuse to have anything to do with them.  We may just be calmly debating back and forth and just asking and answering questions; it doesn't necessarily mean we are raising our voices or getting vociferous.  We should always be tactful and sensitive, all the more when we know someone.  The pitfall is when an innocent argument leads to a quarrel and worse yet a feud or permanent cleavage in a relationship.  Simple inquiries or debates can escalate into full-blown quarrels if we are not vigilant and careful.  Arguments per se are not taboo for the believer--it is one methodology of exposing truth or falsity.

To arrive at the truth you must be willing to admit you may be wrong:  the quickest way to diffuse an argument is to say, "Then, again, I may be wrong!"  That's because there is no such thing as total objectivity apart from God, and neither of the participants may be right.  As part of our image of God, we all have an inner sense of right and wrong and we always end up appealing to some standard and we end up arguing.

Notice it says "foolish and stupid arguments."  John Stott (one of the 100 most influential people in the world one year) wrote the book Christ the Controversialist.  "To avoid controversy is to avoid Christ" according to R. C. Sproul.   Christ was no stranger to controversy and dared to challenge the system with clever logic and even answering a question with a question.  Some controversies are godly and necessary; otherwise, we would not be able to refute heresy and false teaching.  But there is a difference between being contentious, argumentative, and starting arguments, and after the truth in a methodical spiritual manner.  Are we seeking to heal or hurt is the question; are we seeking the truth on a godly issue or are we being argumentative and challenging someone.

 Remember that relationships are the most important thing, not how clever we can be to outwit our win an argument.  You can win an argument and lose a friend.  Some people are familiar with each other may just know how to pull each other's strings.  Christianity is not about how smart we are but our relationship with the living God, largely manifested by our fellowship with fellow believers, especially if they are family.  It is a good thing to avoid unnecessary family tiffs.  But if it is about Christ then God says that Christ will even split a family.  Matthew 10:34 says that He came not to bring peace, but a sword!

Our debate skills (and I was on the debate team and even judged debates, so I am qualified to comment here) are not on the line in our friendships and family ties. We aren't debating our brethren in the Lord on personal matters,  and we should restrict debate to where it belongs:  politics and issues of doctrine that are paramount to the church.   We don't try to one-up our brothers and sisters or get into the habit of comparing or bragging.  "Love doesn't brag," but in a family it is understood (it is more like "news" and we believe they want to know it) that there is a place for sharing things with family members and to brag on each other--this is not the time of bragging it is talking about. What is good is when we took someone else's horn or brag about them and they don't have to do it.  We really shouldn't toot our own horn according to the Bible.

"As far as it is possible, be at peace with all men, "says Romans 12:18.  This means that we keep the peace the best we can,  and not see if we can ruffle some feathers and stir up a lively or contentious conversation that has no positive fruit. Sometimes it is easy for more educated people to see an opportunity to pick apart the brains or conversation of those less in the know or clued in (don't  "wow them with your scholarship" as Chuck Swindoll has written).  Do everything in love and seek harmony and peace, not division!  Sometimes it is tempting to let the steam out of one's balloon or deflate their ego; but Scripture says clearly to "rejoice with those who rejoice," (Rom. 12:15a).

I can remember an example when someone was really excited that our team won, and I commented that it was against a losing team:  I was not rejoicing because he replied that a w is still a w.  What this means is that if someone is happy about something that we should not find reasons for them not to be happy and bum them out and show the negative side.  If one hears good news, we don't seek the bad news somewhere hiding in the shadows.

Case in point:  Suppose brother A says that his town was chosen as the best town in the state to live and he was celebrating the good news and maybe even bragging a bit, but only to close family and friends whom he knew.  And brother B was very skeptical and challenged his "fact" and wanted to know the source of such info. What if he didn't know and interpreted B's skepticism as doubting his "word" and calling him "naive" or "gullible."  What I'm saying is that it is far better and more Christ-like to say something like:  "That's very good for your town and I'll bet you're glad you live there now!"  This sounds far more positive and constructive to a good relationship. People do take a lot of pride in the places they live and could take it as a personal offense to question their belief in it being a good place to live.

Where am I going with this and what's the conclusion of the matter?  Let's say that we must learn to pick our battles: George C. Patton wrote a book Patton's Principles: A Handbook for Managers Who Mean It.  In other words, choose an argument that is worth something and you may have something to lose or gain spiritually by.  It is not worth just arguing just for the sake of arguing just to see who wins!  We must try to stay positive and rejoice with those who rejoice and not always present the pitfalls or negative side which may bum them out!  We may even have the skills of a lawyer, but that doesn't entitle us to use them haphazardly or recklessly on family and friends if we want to stay in fellowship.  Soli Deo Gloria!

Accepting The Riffraff

Some of us are really the utter scum of society, the rejects you might say, and in some religions like Hinduism, we might be labeled "untouchables."  Mother Teresa of Calcutta was so brave in her charitable work with the untouchables that she became a "saint."  The Bible says in Isaiah 51:1 to look to the rock from which you were hewn, the quarry from which you were dug.  This is so we don't get arrogant or look down on our brother:  Deut. 23:7 says, "Do not abhor an Edomite [the despised hybrids, who were descendants of Esau], for he is thy brother." No one for whom Christ died is worthless.  Remember your roots--don't ever forget where you came from!  In other words, don't ever forget what you were saved from!

Jesus was the supreme exemplar in talking to the woman of Samaria at the well, and laying aside all prejudice. Many of us have a stigma to bear that makes us unacceptable to "polite society."  For instance,  mental disability carries this sort of bad connotation that people don't want to accept as "normal (who says what's normal?)." Xenophobia is the fear of strangers:  Jesus certainly didn't have it.  Don't be intimidated by man:   Proverbs 29:25 says, "The fear of man will prove to be a snare."

Are you afraid to associate with the riffraff or scum of society?  Do you think it will rub off on you and you will be affected?  Jesus wasn't afraid to associate with anyone it would seem:  "This man receives [by no means did He participate or condone their sin] sinners, and eats with them" (Luke 15:2).  The so-called friend of tax collectors and sinners.  They say we are known by the company we keep and the Bible does say in 1 Corinthians 15:33 that "bad company corrupts good character."  And Proverbs 12:26 says a wise person "should choose his friends carefully."

How can we reach out to the unsaved if we are afraid of them?   We don't have to befriend them (Christ was the friend of sinners and that is what we were; those whom He called "friends" were those who obeyed Him], but they are not cursed either and we cannot be tainted by them.  Jesus wasn't afraid to get down and dirty with anyone and to associate with the sinners so much that they said, "Doesn't he know this woman is a known sinner [what manner of woman she is]?"  What goes out of a man defiles him, not what goes in--Jesus internalized sin, whereas the Pharisees had externalized and thought cleanliness was just a matter of keeping unspoiled and unpolluted from the sinners-they felt unclean by merely entering a Gentile's abode!  (They had not learned that the essence of religion is thought control, and they thought all that was necessary was a certain behavior.)

How are we to reach out to the world if we are afraid of them?  No Christian brother or sister is beneath us and not good enough for us to fellowship with--for all the body parts are important and no one can say he doesn't need the other seemingly less vital organs.  It is true that God has placed some in unique positions to witness to that certain element and they have a circle of influence that we don't. When you realize that you really are also riffraff, it isn't hard to accept others.  The Scripture says that as Christ has accepted you, so you accept others--I don't mean accept their sin, but love the sinner and hate the sin.  Jesus never condoned wrongdoing and we are to stand up for Jesus and what is right.

Remember, not many mighty, noble, or influential are called, but God calls the weak to do His will and bidding.  Proverbs has a word to the wise:  "Do not envy the wicked [not just sinners, but evil men], nor desire their company" (Prov. 24:1).  That is, we must keep in mind that we are Christ's ambassador's and that only "iron sharpens iron" (Prov. 27:17)--we are the light and salt and should be influencing them, not vice versa.  God never calls us to be aloof and indifferent to our neighbor. There is no place for a "holier than thou" attitude described in Isaiah 65:5--cut some slack!

We are not to get a poor self-image and inferiority complex and think that we are worse than others, but to have a realistic viewpoint and face reality.  Don't get on your case and give yourself a hard time!   Remember, others are probably easier on you than you are!  Soli Deo Gloria!

Speaking Evil

  "...[A]nd casts no slur on others [his fellow man]" (cf. Psalm. 15:3).

Christians should be held to a higher standard and learn to tone done and restrain their rhetoric.

James said that it is impossible for a spring to have both fresh and bitter water.  One cannot speak with a forked tongue, so to speak.  Slander, gossip, lies, and threats are evil and Paul condemns such in Romans 1.  Today many politicians have no remorse or compunction about slandering other fellow politicians or politicos.  Leaders are held to higher standards yet use derogatory remarks and snap judgments to ridicule and made the butt of the common joke du jour.  They are supposed to be in a position of authority and to be examples, yet they poison the public with their words.   They have no right to do so even if it is a constitutional right because the Law of Moses forbade us to speak evil against a ruler of the people (Acts 23:5).

The powers that be are of God according to Romans 13 and we are to respect all in authority and pray for all our leaders:  how can one curse them and pray for them together?  The Scripture says: "show proper respect for everyone...fear God, honor the king."  It is one thing to disagree and quite another to maliciously and in a mean spirit to deride one's reputation and seek to destroy what God has build up.  God put them in office and they are showing contempt for His orchestration of history--don't forget that God is sovereign and rules over the nations (Psalm. 22:28).

One must also put away the "pointing of the finger" (per Isa. 58:9) and stop making someone or some group a scapegoat like Hitler did to the Jews.  We are all to blame and God is giving us the leaders we deserve.  Augustine said that government is not a necessary evil, but necessary because of evil.

 In conclusion let me add:  "Whoever fears God will avoid all extremes" (Eccl. 7:18).  Soli Deo Gloria!

Parameters Of Sin..

You can't always determine whether some habit or activity is a sin per se, but anything not mentioned specifically or implied in Scripture is not sin and we shouldn't get a guilt complex--Satan likes to accuse and condemn, but the Holy Spirit demonstrates an open-and-shut case without a doubt and there "is no condemnation for those who in Christ Jesus" according to Romans 8:1.  What is the nature of sin, but to be a violation of the nature of God--sin cannot coexist with the divine nature of God in His holiness, just like matter and antimatter.

Sin estranges us from God (one need only read Isa. 59:2 says, "But your iniquities have separated between you and your God...."  Alienation of affection or a broken relationship is the idea--we can't get along or agree with others about it and make enemies.  We are God's enemies as sinners!  Sin also enslaves us because we are the servant and slave of sin before we get set free in Christ (cf. Rom. 6:14, "For sin shall have no dominion over you..., and "If the Son shall set you free, you shall be free indeed," says John 8:36).

We are dead to sin as believers and under the Law of Moses (any thought, word, action, omission, or desire contrary to the Law is a sin).  The Law has lost power to condemn and judge us as believers--we are no longer "under the Law" according to Romans 6:14. Does this activity enslave us, do we control it or does it control us?  Moderation is the key, anything in excess might be a sin or going overboard (C. H. Spurgeon was asked when he'd give up smoking:  He replied, "When it becomes a problem!").  Idolatry is one of the essences of sin and putting anything in the place of God or making a god out of it is sinful--the key is to keep God in His rightful place in our lives and always first and foremost in priority--not just important, but first place.

It is not our job to convict our brother of his sins, but it is the sole role of the Holy Spirit.  The preacher is not to get personal or use someone as an example without their permission if he is a member of the church.  Some people may say that smoking is not a sin, but it certainly estranges us and enslaves us just like a vice or sinful habit would, but I am not on a crusade against smokers, who may be trying to quit and are aware of their shortcomings and failures.  Something may be sin to one person and not to another: "For whatever is not of faith is sin," says Rom. 14:23 and James 4:17l says, "If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn't do it., it is sin for them."   These verses imply a conscience, though not explicitly stated.

The only sin against the body is adultery according to Paul in 1 Cor. 6:18. Therefore to say that smoking is a sin because it's bad for you is fallacious reasoning, and one could go on to say that meat is a sin because it causes heart problems due to its cholesterol, or being out of shape and not exercising is a sin because we should glorify God in our bodies.   Soli Deo Gloria!

Lessons From A Family Tiff

Disclaimer:  I do not claim "infallibility" like the popes in Rome do, even though they contradict each other.  We all have feet of clay and have weaknesses not readily apparent. There is an upside to a hard lesson:  We learn something the difficult way.  Everyone sooner or later "plays the fool."   There is a downside to being dogmatic or ideologically oriented:  There will be disagreements. I deplore the family quibble I have found myself involved in and am writing this to ameliorate it the best I can.  (Let us never forget that we are in the body and members one of another; we all need each other, as Barbra Streisand sang, "People who need people are the happiest people.")     Nevertheless, this is my point of view; I am not trying to pontificate or speak ex-cathedra like the pope.

NB:  I am not totally innocent, am not trying to point the finger, but I believe that in any quarrel both sides are culpable to some degree, whether they admit it or not--"The Lord's servant must not strive," says the Word. Satan's strategy is to divide and conquer!  I have to agree with the psychologist that said it was good to feel so bad--because I have learned from this ordeal.   We must always remember to show mercy because Jesus said, "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy." "Love covers a multitude of sins" (Prov. 10:`12).  "A man's wisdom gives him patience, but it is his glory to overlook an offense'  (Prov. 19:11).    I can't  forget the Disciple's Prayer that says to "forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us."

I bemoan the fact that we become too subjective, relying on emotion and personal opinion, rather than objective, and seeing things from God's point of view--though only God is perfectly objective!  We must also refrain from striving about the meaning of words:  sometimes it is just better policy to find out what they meant and not what they said, what is their definition and not necessarily what the dictionary says, unless it's not a word you're familiar with--so don't jump to the conclusion that someone said something that he may not have, and resolve it.    Remember,  we should avoid foolish and godless controversies, but ones that are real issues are important to resolve and settle.  Soli Deo Gloria!

Family disharmony can have unintended consequences:  Especially when religion or politics is involved.  We must learn not to get confrontational, aggressive, or condescending, and turn it into an ad hominem argument.  It is natural to be defensive and feels we are on the hot seat like Jesus with the legal experts when put on the defensive, but one shouldn't go into attack mode consequently.  Many times there ensues a "failure to communicate."  Sometimes we are cynical and "don't get mad, we get even."  Both parties can feel compelled to want to say the last word and cut the other off, closing the door, but I do not believe in doing that, but in resolving the issue and only ending the discussion when both sides have said their peace.

Sometimes when we argue we try to get the advantage over the opponent by citing some ace in the hole, or are tempted to brag about that we think will give us an advantage (this is a fulcrum to throw the other one off balance).  How do I know we shouldn't give up?  Let them quit, but don't give up:  God doesn't give up on us according to Phil. 1:6 and we are all works in progress--no one has "arrived."  Too often our arguments (any attempt to prove the other person wrong) end up in a face-off where we get emotional and lose our cool. Patience by definition is the endurance that goes to the breaking point and doesn't break.    Remember to take insults like a man:  Even Jesus endured insults and this is part of the cross we all must bear.

We should not assume an air of superiority or monopoly on wisdom, or that we have cornered the market on truth, even if we are wiser (even Solomon made mistakes ) and realize that God can speak even through the voice of a child.  (I only cite Augustine, who claimed God spoke to him via a child's voice.)   I have a Pentecostal background, though I do not adhere to all their dogma, and you have a right to dissent, disagree, or protest.  But I say any believer, filled with the Spirit, can utter a word of wisdom (a word to the wise is sufficient) and we shouldn't despise prophesying, no matter who it comes from.  Sometimes we wonder:  Where's your patience?   Our patience can be tried to the extreme; we must recall that God is longsuffering toward us and we should be likewise.

One can be wise in the ways of the world, have business sense, or be well-educated, but not have spiritual mojo or know the Lord. Look at Donald Trump who is an infidel.   Just because one is saved doesn't mean he knows the Lord very well--this takes walking with the Lord.  One can also, conversely, be very astute spiritually and have much spiritual insight and even be blessed with special epiphanies, and not know his way around the block,  or know  the scoop, be naïve, or even have no  common sense--much wisdom comes from growing up in the school of hard knocks and experience.  One can be savvy about the Bible and not be applying it, too.

We should never get confrontational or be antagonistic.  We should refrain from being a bully, and being bitter, or angry with our brother, (Jesus  gave a stern warning against being angry with our brother in Math. 5:22.),  but remain filled with the Spirit and "speak the truth in love."  I like the words of Gen. 13:8:  "Let there be no strife between us, for we are brethren." As far as boasting or bragging, the Bible says that if you want to boast, boast in the Lord (what He has done through us) and "let another praise you and not your own lips."  As believers in the body, it is common to think that people "owe" us, but we all need and owe each other, and no one is an island.   I do not believe in making implied ultimatums, threats, warnings, or cautions,  but in being patient (we may need to pray for it!).  Sometimes it's right to "let go and let God."    We must be willing to let God's will be done, not ours.

People ask me where I get my so-called knowledge (like asking me how I know the Bible so well) and how I just know things (sometimes, it seems fortuitous), having never been "trained," but my pastor told me I had the gift of knowledge.   I just know things and am a good person to ask questions because of this gift.  I do not claim to be a genius, know all the answers (if I did, I would be on a game show!), or even  be a learned or scholarly man, (I am mainly self-taught, mentored, and have no formal education in the Bible), but I know that I have a gift and that God uses me as a vessel of honor and glory in His kingdom.

When treated unfairly or insultingly, we should not return the favor in-kind (the so-called "brazen rule" says to treat unto others the way they treat you), but remember that Paul says  not to "recompense evil with evil, but overcome evil with good."  "Do not say, "I'll do to him as he has done to me" (Prov. 24:29).  "Iron sharpens iron" is the principle to remember.   We should be willing to take whatever someone dishes out like a man.  "Brace yourself like a man..." (Job 38:3).   It is very important to "test the spirit" and respect our brother's "opinion" and realize he has the right to believe that.  We should always remember not to be hypercritical  (feel we have to debate everything--we should see what the Spirit wants to say), overly analytical,  or hypersensitive (wearing our feeling on our sleeve).  Boast in the Lord, says Jer. 9:23.  What hath God wrought?   Finally," we glory in Christ and not in ourselves", says Gal. 6:14.   Soli Deo Gloria! 

Roman Imprimatur

Most Christians are aware that Catholics are not allowed to read books unless they have the papal imprimatur or sanction of the pontiff. I'm pretty sure they can't write without approval either, it would seem. Now, as a Protestant, I can write a book on the Bible and publish it without getting a church's approval, though it might be unwise to have no one advise or review it. It would be a so-called "sin." When a preacher teaches he mention the caveat that the listeners shouldn't take his word for it but be "Bereans" and search things out for themselves in a noble manner. The teacher is indeed responsible to God but that doesn't deduct from the student's responsibility and he can't pass the buck and say he was just following the leader like they did in the People's Temple with Rev. Jim Jones committing suicide (by the way they found no Bibles at the campsite).

Families are encouraged to hold Bible studies with the father being the spiritual leader, and it is alright for brothers to get together and hold an "unauthorized" Bible study. What we mean by "authorized" is open to debate. I hold a Bible study that is announced in the church bulletin and one of the church members is acting as an "elder" is in charge of activities and spiritual leadership, et cetera. My old pastor thought it was great to have a Bible study and even thinks I should start one at the Vets Home. I think we are to encourage each other in the Lord's works and not offer positive feedback and bless each other and not criticize each other's ministries.

As it says in 1 Cor. 4:5: "Judge nothing before the time." That is why I refrain from judging para-church organizations such as the Navigators (having been greatly influenced and indebted to them while in the Army). They act outside of a church's authority but encourage you to attend your own local church and not be dependent on them--likewise, my Bible study is composed of people from different churches and I encourage them to assemble regularly so as not to overly influence them and take away their discernment. I am also under authority by being the member of a body of believers, and there would be no way to go off on a heretical tangent or off the deep end into apostasy without my friend Nick catching me in the act.

There comes a point when you have to step out in faith if you want to do anything for the Lord. In a sense I am a true Protestant: "I dissent, I disagree, I protest." Luther said to go against conscience is neither "right nor safe."  Soli Deo Gloria!

A Failure To Communicate?

I have learned through experience that even the closest of brothers can misunderstand each other and ruffle each other's feathers, despite loving each other and get upset or angry and then "bite and devour each other." "Cease from anger, and forsake wrath" (cf. Ps. 37:8). Jesus warned in Matt. 5:22 that we shouldn't be angry at a brother or even insult him. There is a fine line drawn between "speak[ing] the truth in love" and being judgmental. In my definition, judging (I do not mean rebuking, admonishing or correcting) is not something we have the prerogative to do (I mean reading minds, determining motives, or deciding someone isn't a Christian who claims to be). 1 Cor. 5:12 says, "Do you not judge those who are in the church?" (He was talking about known sin in the church body). God judges those outsides--we are to save them not condemn them. Yes, the Bible says that judgment must begin at the house of God. If believers are scarcely saved, what about the infidel?

All Christians should be willing to swallow their pride and apologize when wrong or convicted of sin and want fellowship more than a win so-to-speak. The truth often hurts and it takes bravery to tell someone the truth and to rebuke or admonish a believer, but sometimes it must be done. Let love be the rule: "Love bears all, believes all, hopes all, endures all, love never fails." It is unfortunate when we carry our feelings on our sleeves, are hypersensitive, or have vulnerable areas--we all live in glass houses with skeletons in our closet, as it were, and shouldn't judge harshly or rashly. Our motive must not be to cause hurt nor damage egos but to edify or correct.

When we know someone we know how to press their buttons and manipulate them if we want to and sometimes we inadvertently push the wrong buttons and get a rise out of them--let's learn from our mistakes. In my opinion, it is an unfortunate event to judge someone in a judgmental spirit intentionally, but we should not return the favor and do likewise if you know what I mean. We don't return evil for evil or insult for insult--it just retaliates, escalates, and estranges.

As they say, familiarity breeds contempt, which is probably a maxim, with the exception being Christ himself. In the final analysis, we all have "feet of clay" or have vulnerabilities and weaknesses not readily apparent, and must be sensitive to each other's feelings as well as accept believers the way they are--God did! (Because we are "accepted in the beloved.")   Soli Deo Gloria!

Powers Of Discernment/Judgment

When a preacher claims to be pronouncing prophetic utterances and exercising his discernment to insult the parishioners, I think he is out of line and is really judging. Actually, it could be the preacher's fault and not the congregation's that they are not saying "amen" enough to his satisfaction and encouragement. I believe in the power of discernment to notice people's eye's rolling, people falling asleep, people chattering, or sighing, but not to the extent of telling whether a person is "in the Spirit," as John would term it. Some people are less demonstrative and more stoic or phlegmatic. I can see how a Pentecostal preacher might react to a Baptist or Presbyterian congregation.

The hireling has no care for the flock and is only concerned with making an impression; the wolf in sheep's clothing scatters the flock and does not feed it. Good storytelling, anecdotes, jokes, and witty sayings are no substitute for the exegesis of the Word. The pastor of the church is responsible for the content of what the guest preacher says and should show discernment and not just "amen" everything.

God gives us all discernment and it grows with maturity, but we do not have a license to judge (and I mean insult) our (especially another pastor's) congregation. One has to ask, "Who do you think you are?" The Scripture says in Prov. 16:21 that "the wise in heart shall be called discerning." Chuck Swindoll says that the power of discernment is the ability to read between the lines. It is the power to perceive spiritual truth, not the ability to judge or read minds.   Soli Deo Gloria!