In the hope of restoration, that is restoring a Christian who has, for whatever reason, chosen to pursue a dating relationship with someone who is not, here is another reason that may help you to see this sin the way Jesus does.
I think that it is pretty clear biblically, that as you grow closer to Christ, you become a better person. You become more secure, less needy, more selfless, etc.. That is due to God’s grace. He is changing you. But for what? I hope that you would agree that he is not primarily changing you for you. It is not so that you become more popular, have more friends, etc. He is changing you for HIS glory. That people might go, “what’s up with you?” and you might say, “not what, who: Jesus”. Thereby giving credit, or glory, to Jesus Christ.
When Christians date non-Christians it is particularly grotesque, because you are using the good character traits that God has given you in order to disobey Him.
It would be like a husband buying His wife a new dress and jewelry for their anniversary, and then her wearing it down to the club so she could pick up guys. Or, for the men, it would be like your sweet wife buying you that hot car you always wanted, and you going down town and picking up young ladies in it. Think about it.
You are committing adultery on your first love. You are using the gifts He gave you, out of love, to betray Him.
If you think I am off base, or my language is too strong, read Ezekiel 16, or James 4:4.
I love you.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Monday, December 13, 2010
Entitlement or Faith?
The other day I was driving downtown for some errands, and I was looking for a parking spot and I realize, “I get good parking downtown fairly often”. I was getting closer and closer to where I needed to go, and parking wasn’t showing up, and I thought to myself, “don’t worry, you have faith that God will provide a good parking spot.” I gave my head a shake after that. “Really? Is that why I often get good parking spots?” Then the truth came in. I actually think I DESERVE good parking spots! What would lead me to that? I’m not totally sure, but maybe it is a bit of theology that says, “Jesus loves you, so you will get the best of everything.” otherwise known as “prosperity theology”. Which, in case you’re wondering, is wrong.
So I wonder how many of us do this: expect things in “faith” that is actually expected in entitlement not faith. I know people do, because tragedy strikes, a job is lost, a family member gets sick, and there is a reaction like, “What the heck? I had faith that my family would stay healthy! I had faith I would keep my job!” But did you have faith? Or did you just figure, “I deserve to have a healthy, happy family and a job”?
If I had to blame one thing for this misunderstanding, it would be a lack of understanding of the Bible. God does not promise us a good job, He does not promise that all our family will always be healthy. So when you say you are having faith in God maintaining these things, you are not having faith in God, but rather, your IDEA of God. A figment of your imagination. Let me say it another way.
If you have faith in God to do something He has not promised to do, your faith is worthless. Faith is only as strong as the object you place it in.
The issue is we look around at people and think, “They have a healthy family, a good job, a nice house, so I deserve one too.” That is a lie. We only deserve to be in hell for our sins. And regardless of how many people enjoy the things you long for, you are not entitled to receive them. I am not entitled to receive them.
So it is comparisons to others that starts this. It is walking by sight and not by faith that begins the growth of entitlement which we believe is faith. How ironic.
So let us have faith in something that won’t disappoint us in the long run, though we may feel disappointed at times: God is good, God is love, Jesus loves us. Let us truly walk by faith and not by sight.
So I wonder how many of us do this: expect things in “faith” that is actually expected in entitlement not faith. I know people do, because tragedy strikes, a job is lost, a family member gets sick, and there is a reaction like, “What the heck? I had faith that my family would stay healthy! I had faith I would keep my job!” But did you have faith? Or did you just figure, “I deserve to have a healthy, happy family and a job”?
If I had to blame one thing for this misunderstanding, it would be a lack of understanding of the Bible. God does not promise us a good job, He does not promise that all our family will always be healthy. So when you say you are having faith in God maintaining these things, you are not having faith in God, but rather, your IDEA of God. A figment of your imagination. Let me say it another way.
If you have faith in God to do something He has not promised to do, your faith is worthless. Faith is only as strong as the object you place it in.
The issue is we look around at people and think, “They have a healthy family, a good job, a nice house, so I deserve one too.” That is a lie. We only deserve to be in hell for our sins. And regardless of how many people enjoy the things you long for, you are not entitled to receive them. I am not entitled to receive them.
So it is comparisons to others that starts this. It is walking by sight and not by faith that begins the growth of entitlement which we believe is faith. How ironic.
So let us have faith in something that won’t disappoint us in the long run, though we may feel disappointed at times: God is good, God is love, Jesus loves us. Let us truly walk by faith and not by sight.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
The Trinity and Childcare
Most people would not deny that running a childcare is tough. But you would be amazed at what kinds of things kids will do once they get into a routine. They will clean up their toys cheerfully, they will get their lunches, brush their own teeth, go to the bathroom, wait in line, eat nicely, and all sorts of things that normally you would never get them to do. So in one way, it is easier than people think.
In another way it is harder. Because the “community” is always changing. Every time a new child comes in, he or she throws everything off. Not only does the new child NOT clean up the toys, NOT eat nicely, etc. etc., they cause every other child to question the necessity of the task at hand. In short, they make a big mess of what was a nice peaceful community.
We all know that churches can be the worst for little cliche groups. We like them because everyone knows the routines, and no one really questions. And if someone new enters into the group, not only do they make us uncomfortable, but they also cause problems between others that seem like they never were there until the new person arrived.
God’s community is perfect. Father, Son and Holy Spirit dwelling together in perfect love and joy. And they invited us into their community. Why would they do that? If a new person seems to throw our little cliche group into a bit of chaos, then what kind of challenge would it be for a perfect community to accept evil sinners like you and me? How do we know how uncomfortable we made God’s community? We look at the cross. That was the cost of letting new people into the community of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The bloody, torturous death of Jesus Christ. He did it in love. That’s why.
As people who believe the gospel, we cannot allow ourselves to huddle in our safe little groups and reject people because they might change the dynamics in our careful group. As outsiders, we need to realize that even if no group ever accepts us, The best community in eternity has accepted us, at great cost. Let’s look for how the gospel applies to every area of life.
In another way it is harder. Because the “community” is always changing. Every time a new child comes in, he or she throws everything off. Not only does the new child NOT clean up the toys, NOT eat nicely, etc. etc., they cause every other child to question the necessity of the task at hand. In short, they make a big mess of what was a nice peaceful community.
We all know that churches can be the worst for little cliche groups. We like them because everyone knows the routines, and no one really questions. And if someone new enters into the group, not only do they make us uncomfortable, but they also cause problems between others that seem like they never were there until the new person arrived.
God’s community is perfect. Father, Son and Holy Spirit dwelling together in perfect love and joy. And they invited us into their community. Why would they do that? If a new person seems to throw our little cliche group into a bit of chaos, then what kind of challenge would it be for a perfect community to accept evil sinners like you and me? How do we know how uncomfortable we made God’s community? We look at the cross. That was the cost of letting new people into the community of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The bloody, torturous death of Jesus Christ. He did it in love. That’s why.
As people who believe the gospel, we cannot allow ourselves to huddle in our safe little groups and reject people because they might change the dynamics in our careful group. As outsiders, we need to realize that even if no group ever accepts us, The best community in eternity has accepted us, at great cost. Let’s look for how the gospel applies to every area of life.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Jesus Christ and Sports part 2
A Positive thing that major sporting events indicate.
One thing that I believe is a good thing about major sporting events in general, is that in a way, it has taken the place of war. Think about it. The fact that we have Olympics, World Cup, etc., shows that we have unprecedented peace and prosperity on our land. It wasn’t too long ago when certain sporting events couldn’t take place because of the danger.
Back in ancient times, the reasons for a city or nation rejoicing together was because of a major conquest or a fending off of an enemy. A much more worthy reason to rejoice, to be sure. However, we now do battle in the stadiums in the world, and we are not killing anyone.
If we are spending money on athletes, that is money that is not going towards training soldiers and making weapons. It is a ‘lesser of two evils’ situation, for sure, since sports can have its evil, which I will talk about next.
But I still maintain that it is something that we should be thankful for!
One thing that I believe is a good thing about major sporting events in general, is that in a way, it has taken the place of war. Think about it. The fact that we have Olympics, World Cup, etc., shows that we have unprecedented peace and prosperity on our land. It wasn’t too long ago when certain sporting events couldn’t take place because of the danger.
Back in ancient times, the reasons for a city or nation rejoicing together was because of a major conquest or a fending off of an enemy. A much more worthy reason to rejoice, to be sure. However, we now do battle in the stadiums in the world, and we are not killing anyone.
If we are spending money on athletes, that is money that is not going towards training soldiers and making weapons. It is a ‘lesser of two evils’ situation, for sure, since sports can have its evil, which I will talk about next.
But I still maintain that it is something that we should be thankful for!
Monday, July 12, 2010
Jesus Christ and Sports part 1
Outside Christendom, there are three basic reactions to the arrival of a major sporting event. The first is by the fans of the sporting event. This is easy enough to spot, and ranges from mild enthusiasm to outright fanaticism. The next group are those who have no real care or understanding of the sporting event in general, so they are mostly indifferent. The third group emerges as the second group becomes inconvenienced or made to feel inferior because of the sporting event. This can be especially contentious when a wife is ignored or disregarded due to sporting event that to her seems to have little or no significance. It causes problems in other people when something they love, (ie a TV series) is interrupted for coverage of the sporting event.
Inside Christendom, the groups are very similar, but there is a slight difference. The third group will often revert to self-righteousness. As in, they will act like martyrs who are being persecuted for their love for Jesus, which outweighs their love for the sporting event, unlike the other immature Christians who have succumbed to the devil’s sporting event; conveniently overlooking their own fanaticism when the season finale, or concert, or the other thing that they love comes into view and challenges their own love for Jesus.
I am ashamed to say that I have been the self-righteous ‘martyr’ and the fanatic.
I’ll talk more about the balance later.
Inside Christendom, the groups are very similar, but there is a slight difference. The third group will often revert to self-righteousness. As in, they will act like martyrs who are being persecuted for their love for Jesus, which outweighs their love for the sporting event, unlike the other immature Christians who have succumbed to the devil’s sporting event; conveniently overlooking their own fanaticism when the season finale, or concert, or the other thing that they love comes into view and challenges their own love for Jesus.
I am ashamed to say that I have been the self-righteous ‘martyr’ and the fanatic.
I’ll talk more about the balance later.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Once a year risk...
One of the most difficult things to see in the life of a Christian in the sprint mentality in regards to risk.
What I mean is the idea that we can just pump out 100m and then walk it out for few km and hope to win the race.
This plays out in the area of “risk taking” or “leaps of faith” or whatever you want to call it.
It usually plays out something like this:
A relatively new Christian has some musical ability, but is incredibly shy. People around him encourage him to play on the worship team, and he confesses that God has been leading him to this. Finally, after much encouragement, maybe some rebuke, he gets up there and plays a set on the worship team, and he loves it! And life is exciting, and his obedience gives him confidence to be obedient in other areas.
However, before too long, it isn’t a big risk anymore. He is comfortable up on stage, and God is calling him to new risks. However, this time there is more resistance. Whenever God calls him to a new risk, Satan slinks up and whispers, “Hey, you’re already on the worship team, what more does God want? That was really hard for me!”
Now what was once a source of joy in God actually hampers spiritual growth as it become an agent of justification for all sorts of small, yet soul-draining compromise.
(of course, the worship team is just an example, it can be any area of service or risk...)
I unfortunately see this in myself as well. I want to be ready to obey whenever God calls, but there is a strong tendency to live off of the obedience of yesterday, but Jesus calls us to take up our cross each day.
The worst thing about it is that when I choose to ignore these prodding's, life becomes incredibly boring, and so does God. And I blame Him, but the boredom in my life is no one's fault but my own. Let’s get off the couch, there is no one, or nothing else worth living for.
What I mean is the idea that we can just pump out 100m and then walk it out for few km and hope to win the race.
This plays out in the area of “risk taking” or “leaps of faith” or whatever you want to call it.
It usually plays out something like this:
A relatively new Christian has some musical ability, but is incredibly shy. People around him encourage him to play on the worship team, and he confesses that God has been leading him to this. Finally, after much encouragement, maybe some rebuke, he gets up there and plays a set on the worship team, and he loves it! And life is exciting, and his obedience gives him confidence to be obedient in other areas.
However, before too long, it isn’t a big risk anymore. He is comfortable up on stage, and God is calling him to new risks. However, this time there is more resistance. Whenever God calls him to a new risk, Satan slinks up and whispers, “Hey, you’re already on the worship team, what more does God want? That was really hard for me!”
Now what was once a source of joy in God actually hampers spiritual growth as it become an agent of justification for all sorts of small, yet soul-draining compromise.
(of course, the worship team is just an example, it can be any area of service or risk...)
I unfortunately see this in myself as well. I want to be ready to obey whenever God calls, but there is a strong tendency to live off of the obedience of yesterday, but Jesus calls us to take up our cross each day.
The worst thing about it is that when I choose to ignore these prodding's, life becomes incredibly boring, and so does God. And I blame Him, but the boredom in my life is no one's fault but my own. Let’s get off the couch, there is no one, or nothing else worth living for.
Sunday, May 09, 2010
Predator or Protector: What Kind of Man are You 2010
An updated version of an old blog, seems to be relevant right now.
"Wild at Heart" has been a huge thing, at least in the Christian community lately. It's call for boys to be men, it's declaration that all the longings for beauty and battle in men are God given and to be honored and embraced. But how does that translate to our culture of latte's and LCD TV's? How do we engage in battle for a beauty in this culture? That answer might surprise you.
I think I will just come right out and say that most guys believe that they are the good guy. The bad guys are out there somewhere: hurting, abusing, and otherwise degrading women. You are most prone to think this way if you have had a dramatic change in your life where you treat woman much better than you have previously. But make no mistake, the person you are protecting the women in your life from is primary YOURSELF. Yes you.
There are two general desires that our actions around females will emanate from: Our desire to be a protector and our desire to be a predator.
The predator may not even be aware he is a predator, but he only need as these types of questions to determine whether he is protecting women or preying on them: Am I doing everything in my power to protect this girls heart? Am I being as clear as possible about my intentions? Am I avoiding deep, soul connecting moments and conversations? (those conversations are appropriate when you have made your intentions clear to a girl!)
How many times have you seen it happen? Male A spends countless hours with female B under the guise of “we’re just friends”. Eventually (it can happen both ways), female B develops feelings for male A, and male A responds, “What? I had no idea! I thought we were just friends!” That’s garbage.
I see many predators in the church. I see a predator in myself from time to time, and by God’s grace, I am becoming more of a protector.
I understand the feelings of strength and masculinity that come from having these conversations and moments with a girl. But we have to face up to the fact that to draw out a woman’s heart when we have no intention of marriage, is cowardly and evil. We need to have our needs for significance and masculinity met in how God sees us, not how women treat us.
The protector sees girls not as a way to boost his own ego, but as precious treasures that he is charged by God to protect. Each young lady that is your friend puts you in the place of responsibility to fight and protect her heart. That means you watch what you say, you don't imply more than you want out of the relationship. That means you watch how flirty you are, you don't imply more than you want out of the relationship. And it means you are wiling to have the DTR talk (define the relationship) as often as it takes to make sure that your coming across the way you intend: as a loving brother. YOU PROTECT HER HEART!
So where does this fight come in? Well, you have to fight yourself. You have to fight to keep your mind on who you are before God, because if you don't, you will feel insecure and will need to have your confidence boosted by your girl friends, and therefore become a predator instead of a protector.
"Wild at Heart" has been a huge thing, at least in the Christian community lately. It's call for boys to be men, it's declaration that all the longings for beauty and battle in men are God given and to be honored and embraced. But how does that translate to our culture of latte's and LCD TV's? How do we engage in battle for a beauty in this culture? That answer might surprise you.
I think I will just come right out and say that most guys believe that they are the good guy. The bad guys are out there somewhere: hurting, abusing, and otherwise degrading women. You are most prone to think this way if you have had a dramatic change in your life where you treat woman much better than you have previously. But make no mistake, the person you are protecting the women in your life from is primary YOURSELF. Yes you.
There are two general desires that our actions around females will emanate from: Our desire to be a protector and our desire to be a predator.
The predator may not even be aware he is a predator, but he only need as these types of questions to determine whether he is protecting women or preying on them: Am I doing everything in my power to protect this girls heart? Am I being as clear as possible about my intentions? Am I avoiding deep, soul connecting moments and conversations? (those conversations are appropriate when you have made your intentions clear to a girl!)
How many times have you seen it happen? Male A spends countless hours with female B under the guise of “we’re just friends”. Eventually (it can happen both ways), female B develops feelings for male A, and male A responds, “What? I had no idea! I thought we were just friends!” That’s garbage.
I see many predators in the church. I see a predator in myself from time to time, and by God’s grace, I am becoming more of a protector.
I understand the feelings of strength and masculinity that come from having these conversations and moments with a girl. But we have to face up to the fact that to draw out a woman’s heart when we have no intention of marriage, is cowardly and evil. We need to have our needs for significance and masculinity met in how God sees us, not how women treat us.
The protector sees girls not as a way to boost his own ego, but as precious treasures that he is charged by God to protect. Each young lady that is your friend puts you in the place of responsibility to fight and protect her heart. That means you watch what you say, you don't imply more than you want out of the relationship. That means you watch how flirty you are, you don't imply more than you want out of the relationship. And it means you are wiling to have the DTR talk (define the relationship) as often as it takes to make sure that your coming across the way you intend: as a loving brother. YOU PROTECT HER HEART!
So where does this fight come in? Well, you have to fight yourself. You have to fight to keep your mind on who you are before God, because if you don't, you will feel insecure and will need to have your confidence boosted by your girl friends, and therefore become a predator instead of a protector.
Tuesday, April 06, 2010
One Danger of Preaching
In my admiration of other preachers, I noticed a real danger that we could have here in north america. Let me back up a bit.
A good preacher will be connected to God. He will be in tune with what God is speaking.
When a preacher preaches, God will want to say things to individuals through that preacher. The things that God will say will often confront individuals in a very personal way, a way that will make an individual feel deeply understood and loved.
Because we have a very man centered culture, people are hard-wired to give praise and glory to human beings rather than to God like the people at Lystra were (Acts 14:8-18).
So this is a message for preachers and people.
People: when you feel deeply understood and loved, remember that it is God’s love you are experiencing, not a deep connection to a preacher. Especially those who are on or radio etc.
Preachers: this should strike fear in your heart, that people would give you glory where God should be getting it, feeling loved and understood by you when it is God that is really loving and understanding them.
May we be like Paul and Barnabas who, in the previously cited chapter,
“tore their robes and rushed out into the crowd, crying out and saying, ‘Men, why are you doing these things? We are also men of the same nature as you, and preach the gospel to you that you should turn from these vain things to a living God who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them.’”
A good preacher will be connected to God. He will be in tune with what God is speaking.
When a preacher preaches, God will want to say things to individuals through that preacher. The things that God will say will often confront individuals in a very personal way, a way that will make an individual feel deeply understood and loved.
Because we have a very man centered culture, people are hard-wired to give praise and glory to human beings rather than to God like the people at Lystra were (Acts 14:8-18).
So this is a message for preachers and people.
People: when you feel deeply understood and loved, remember that it is God’s love you are experiencing, not a deep connection to a preacher. Especially those who are on or radio etc.
Preachers: this should strike fear in your heart, that people would give you glory where God should be getting it, feeling loved and understood by you when it is God that is really loving and understanding them.
May we be like Paul and Barnabas who, in the previously cited chapter,
“tore their robes and rushed out into the crowd, crying out and saying, ‘Men, why are you doing these things? We are also men of the same nature as you, and preach the gospel to you that you should turn from these vain things to a living God who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them.’”
Monday, March 29, 2010
Reality.
One of the most disturbing things I have seen, both in myself and around me is the propensity to test everything by personal experience.
Is this always wrong? No. However, I have noticed a disturbing tendency for even Christians to disagree with a sermon, a doctrine, or a Bible verse not because of any particular reason besides the fact that it just rubs them the wrong way.
This could go in a number of directions, but one direction is coming up.
A prime example is the idea that God knows the future. Many Christians simply hate the idea that they are not surprising God with their good deeds. That God is not relieved that we did something in obedience, like God is up in heaven thinking, "I don't know, if Thomas doesn't talk to John about me, it might just ruin everything!"
the thinking is, "If people believe that their actions don't make any difference in how things end up, then they won't do anything." The thing is, if you only act in hopes that your actions will have some incredible significance in history, then you are only motivated by your own glory anyway, and as Christians, we are called to be motivated by love for God.
Would you do something for God if no one noticed? If it cost you a lot, and people not only ignored it, but scorned your actions as selfish and prideful? Is it enough for you that God has noticed?
As Christians, we do use our experiences to test what is right and wrong. However, that is not our ultimate court. Our ultimate court is God's word. Beware when you feel more passionately about your experiential sense of right and wrong than the Biblical right and wrong.
Is this always wrong? No. However, I have noticed a disturbing tendency for even Christians to disagree with a sermon, a doctrine, or a Bible verse not because of any particular reason besides the fact that it just rubs them the wrong way.
This could go in a number of directions, but one direction is coming up.
A prime example is the idea that God knows the future. Many Christians simply hate the idea that they are not surprising God with their good deeds. That God is not relieved that we did something in obedience, like God is up in heaven thinking, "I don't know, if Thomas doesn't talk to John about me, it might just ruin everything!"
the thinking is, "If people believe that their actions don't make any difference in how things end up, then they won't do anything." The thing is, if you only act in hopes that your actions will have some incredible significance in history, then you are only motivated by your own glory anyway, and as Christians, we are called to be motivated by love for God.
Would you do something for God if no one noticed? If it cost you a lot, and people not only ignored it, but scorned your actions as selfish and prideful? Is it enough for you that God has noticed?
As Christians, we do use our experiences to test what is right and wrong. However, that is not our ultimate court. Our ultimate court is God's word. Beware when you feel more passionately about your experiential sense of right and wrong than the Biblical right and wrong.
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