Women in the Church
“...women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the Law says.
If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church.”
1 Corinthians 14:34,35
If ever there is a hornets nest to be stirred up in the church here’s one.
I have a friend in church that is opposed to women speaking from the pulpit in church. We’ve had some wonderful discussions on the topic and he’s never won me over.
I believe women can speak in church and from the pulpit.
However I found this middle of the road commentary by Kenneth L Barker,
I can’t think of a better way to show both sides of this argument. He writes,
“Some believe that in light of 11:3 there is a God-ordained order that is to be the basis for administration and authority. Women are to be in submission to their husbands both at home (see Eph 5:22) and in the church (see v. 34; 1Ti 2:11–12) regardless of their particular culture. According to this view, a timeless order was established at creation...
Others maintain that Paul’s concern is that the church be strengthened (v. 26) by believers showing respect for others (see vv. 30–31) and for God (see v. 33) as they exercise their spiritual gifts. Such respect must necessarily take account of accepted social practices. If within a particular social order, it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in church—and it was in this case (v. 35)—then she shows disrespect by doing so and should remain silent. There were occasions, though—even in this culture—for women to speak in church. For example, in 11:5 Paul assumes that women pray and prophesy in public worship. Thus his purpose, according to this view, was not to define the role of women but to establish a fitting (vv. 34–35) and orderly (vv. 27–31) way of worship (v. 40).
Still others say that in this context Paul is discussing primarily the disruption of worship by women who become involved in noisy discussions surrounding tongues-speaking and prophecy. Instead of publicly clamoring for explanations, the wives were to discuss matters with their husbands at home (cf. v. 35). Paul does not altogether forbid women to speak in church (see 11:5). What he is forbidding is the disorderly speaking indicated in these verses.”
(Kenneth L. Barker writing Zondervan NIV Study Bible commentary notes (Fully Revised): 1 Corinthians. 1795-1796. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, © 1985, 1995, 2002.)
I leave it to you dear reader to think about.
About Me
Thursday 31 July 2014
Wednesday 30 July 2014
The Issue of Tongues
Issue of Tongues
“Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.
For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit.
But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort.
He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.
I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may be edified. ....
So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air.
Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning.
If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and he is a foreigner to me.
So it is with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church. ....
If you are praising God with your spirit, how can one who finds himself among those who do not understand say “Amen” to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying?
You may be giving thanks well enough, but the other man is not edified.
I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.
But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.
What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church.
If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret.
If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and God.”
1 Corinthians 14:1-5,9-12, 16-19, 26-28.
Please read 1 Corinthians 14:1-28 carefully as it is controversial dealing with speaking in tongues.
Some say that the tongues Paul is speaking of here are earthly tongues. Others say heavenly tongues are involved.
I think from the phrase,
“For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit.
But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort.
He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.”
1 Corinthians 14:2-4
can be interpreted that Paul is referring to heavenly tongues and that those tongues edify the person speaking not the congregation as a whole.
That being said Paul makes it very clear that we are to be careful how we use such tongues in a service.
Paul says,
“If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret.
If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and God.”
1 Corinthians 14:27,28.
To my mind that is what Paul is saying here. If there is speaking in tongues in during a service there must be an interpreter and there is to be no more that two or three.
If there is no interpreter then the person who wants to speak in tongues should remain silent.
Think about it.
“Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.
For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit.
But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort.
He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.
I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may be edified. ....
So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air.
Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning.
If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and he is a foreigner to me.
So it is with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church. ....
If you are praising God with your spirit, how can one who finds himself among those who do not understand say “Amen” to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying?
You may be giving thanks well enough, but the other man is not edified.
I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.
But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.
What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church.
If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret.
If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and God.”
1 Corinthians 14:1-5,9-12, 16-19, 26-28.
Please read 1 Corinthians 14:1-28 carefully as it is controversial dealing with speaking in tongues.
Some say that the tongues Paul is speaking of here are earthly tongues. Others say heavenly tongues are involved.
I think from the phrase,
“For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit.
But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort.
He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.”
1 Corinthians 14:2-4
can be interpreted that Paul is referring to heavenly tongues and that those tongues edify the person speaking not the congregation as a whole.
That being said Paul makes it very clear that we are to be careful how we use such tongues in a service.
Paul says,
“If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret.
If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and God.”
1 Corinthians 14:27,28.
To my mind that is what Paul is saying here. If there is speaking in tongues in during a service there must be an interpreter and there is to be no more that two or three.
If there is no interpreter then the person who wants to speak in tongues should remain silent.
Think about it.
Tuesday 29 July 2014
The Essence of Christianity
The essence of Christianity.
"If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.
If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away."
1 Corinthians 13:1-8
I have written many times on the topic of love. Christianity without love, a Christian that is not showing love is empty. As Paul puts it, they are a “resounding gong or clanging cymbal”. Empty hollow.
Love started with God Jesus states,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”
John 3:16,17
God reached down in love to reconcile mankind to him. Jesus makes it clear that we are to follow Gods example. He states,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?
Matthew 5:43-46
When asked which was the greatest commandment Jesus made it clear,
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:37-40.
Love has no restrictions reads the words of Paul,
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails."
We can never love the way God loves if we put restrictions on our love. If we limit those we love. We must love not only our family and friends but our enemy. Jesus saying,
“If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?”
Think about it.
"If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.
If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away."
1 Corinthians 13:1-8
I have written many times on the topic of love. Christianity without love, a Christian that is not showing love is empty. As Paul puts it, they are a “resounding gong or clanging cymbal”. Empty hollow.
Love started with God Jesus states,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”
John 3:16,17
God reached down in love to reconcile mankind to him. Jesus makes it clear that we are to follow Gods example. He states,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?
Matthew 5:43-46
When asked which was the greatest commandment Jesus made it clear,
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:37-40.
Love has no restrictions reads the words of Paul,
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails."
We can never love the way God loves if we put restrictions on our love. If we limit those we love. We must love not only our family and friends but our enemy. Jesus saying,
“If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?”
Think about it.
Monday 28 July 2014
You have a part
You have a part
“The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ.
For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.
Now the body is not made up of one part but of many.
If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body.
And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body.
If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be?
But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.”
1 Corinthians 12:12-18
Everyone has a part in the work of the Lord. I know there are those who seem to ooze talent while others don’t know were they fit in at times. Still we all have a place.
We all can’t be pastors or sing in the choir. We all can’t be evangelist or bible teachers. But we all can do something even if it’s just ushering, greeting people at the door as they enter church which is sometimes far more important than the pastor.
A person who doesn’t feel welcome at a church will not stay and it may have eternal consequences.
A greeter or an usher may be the first contact someone has with a Christian.
There’s a man I know. I first met him at a large church. We use to take a bus around to various neighbourhoods during the summer and do an outreach to children.
This man was in his late thirties when I first met him. He had a distinct learning disability and a distinct stutter. But it didn’t stop him from serving the Lord.
He would do anything. We had a Racoon mascot that went with us on the bus he was it and the children loved him.
We lost track of each other for a few years but we met again in the church I currently attend. Where he was helping teach Sunday School.
This man would do everything in the church if he could. When I needed help in the sound room he was willing. Others better educated without learning disabilities took one look at all the nobs and switches on the sound board and ran the other way. Not him he was willing to try. Although after giving it a good try he admitted it wasn’t for him. Still he did his best.
So he does what he can around the church giving out bulletins helping usher. What ever is necessary that is within his ability.
We should never say we don’t have any talent. Or look on others and say well I can’t do what they do so I am useless to the church.
You are never useless to God. God can always use you.
Think about it.
“The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ.
For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.
Now the body is not made up of one part but of many.
If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body.
And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body.
If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be?
But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.”
1 Corinthians 12:12-18
Everyone has a part in the work of the Lord. I know there are those who seem to ooze talent while others don’t know were they fit in at times. Still we all have a place.
We all can’t be pastors or sing in the choir. We all can’t be evangelist or bible teachers. But we all can do something even if it’s just ushering, greeting people at the door as they enter church which is sometimes far more important than the pastor.
A person who doesn’t feel welcome at a church will not stay and it may have eternal consequences.
A greeter or an usher may be the first contact someone has with a Christian.
There’s a man I know. I first met him at a large church. We use to take a bus around to various neighbourhoods during the summer and do an outreach to children.
This man was in his late thirties when I first met him. He had a distinct learning disability and a distinct stutter. But it didn’t stop him from serving the Lord.
He would do anything. We had a Racoon mascot that went with us on the bus he was it and the children loved him.
We lost track of each other for a few years but we met again in the church I currently attend. Where he was helping teach Sunday School.
This man would do everything in the church if he could. When I needed help in the sound room he was willing. Others better educated without learning disabilities took one look at all the nobs and switches on the sound board and ran the other way. Not him he was willing to try. Although after giving it a good try he admitted it wasn’t for him. Still he did his best.
So he does what he can around the church giving out bulletins helping usher. What ever is necessary that is within his ability.
We should never say we don’t have any talent. Or look on others and say well I can’t do what they do so I am useless to the church.
You are never useless to God. God can always use you.
Think about it.
Sunday 27 July 2014
Different gifts
Different gifts,
"There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.
Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.
To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.
All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines."
1Corinthians 12:6-11.
I’ve heard many particularly in the Pentecostal church claim that we can all work in all of the gifts of the spirit. While that may be true after all God can allow us to do anything if he wishes. However that is not what Paul is saying here.
Paul is saying is we are all given different gifts by the same spirit. And that they are for the building up of the body of believers.
We also have to be careful here. I’ve seen too many people turned off by people claiming to have spiritual gifts that do not.
I’ve seen people who claim to have healed someone who was not healed.
A friend of mine a number of years ago went to a church where there was supposedly a faith healer.
I went, and being a magician I recognized the slight of hands he was pulling. He was really for lack of a better term suckering them in.
The final straw did come when my friend someone with a mental illness was said to be healed. He most certainly was not.
The Welland canal runs through our town it is not all that deep but it is treacherous many have drowned in it. Many have committed suicided in it. They found my friend off his medication walking along the canal contemplating suicide.
In my now forty years plus years of serving the Lord I have only ever gone to the senior pastor of the church I attended and questioned what is going on less than half a dozen times.
This incidentally was the first. I went into the pastors office without an appointment and told him politely but in no uncertain terms what I thought of this so called faith healer. I also showed him some of the slight of hand the man was doing.
He was an out and out fraud.
By that time sadly the man had moved on.
To give him his due our senior pastor at the time spoke out against him as apparently did others.
The man disbanded his offices in Canada and disappeared.
Unfortunately he is just one case. There are many frauds out there.
That church were it all happened now requires doctors to confirm any healings as does the church I currently attend.
It’s the same with other gifts. There are many people out there claiming they have various spiritual gifts that do not.
When it comes to spiritual gifts I think we have to be very careful.
Paul is quick to point out that the gifts should glorify God and not be for the profit or self glory of the individual.
I believe if someone says they have a specific spiritual gift then they should submit themselves to the board and pastor of the church they attend and let them determine if they truly have the gift.
Over the years I’ve seem many people with spiritual gifts. True gifts. Most are very humble and all gave God the glory. Further more none ever asked for money.
All submitted themselves to God and their gifts were verified both by the church board and pastor and by the fact what they did was real.
So when anyone says to you they have this gift or that gift. First see if it lines up with the word of God. Secondly point them to the pastor and board of the church they attend. If they agree then it is probably true.
And always remember the gifts of the spirit are there to glorify God and build up the body of believers.
Think about it.
"There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.
Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.
To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.
All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines."
1Corinthians 12:6-11.
I’ve heard many particularly in the Pentecostal church claim that we can all work in all of the gifts of the spirit. While that may be true after all God can allow us to do anything if he wishes. However that is not what Paul is saying here.
Paul is saying is we are all given different gifts by the same spirit. And that they are for the building up of the body of believers.
We also have to be careful here. I’ve seen too many people turned off by people claiming to have spiritual gifts that do not.
I’ve seen people who claim to have healed someone who was not healed.
A friend of mine a number of years ago went to a church where there was supposedly a faith healer.
I went, and being a magician I recognized the slight of hands he was pulling. He was really for lack of a better term suckering them in.
The final straw did come when my friend someone with a mental illness was said to be healed. He most certainly was not.
The Welland canal runs through our town it is not all that deep but it is treacherous many have drowned in it. Many have committed suicided in it. They found my friend off his medication walking along the canal contemplating suicide.
In my now forty years plus years of serving the Lord I have only ever gone to the senior pastor of the church I attended and questioned what is going on less than half a dozen times.
This incidentally was the first. I went into the pastors office without an appointment and told him politely but in no uncertain terms what I thought of this so called faith healer. I also showed him some of the slight of hand the man was doing.
He was an out and out fraud.
By that time sadly the man had moved on.
To give him his due our senior pastor at the time spoke out against him as apparently did others.
The man disbanded his offices in Canada and disappeared.
Unfortunately he is just one case. There are many frauds out there.
That church were it all happened now requires doctors to confirm any healings as does the church I currently attend.
It’s the same with other gifts. There are many people out there claiming they have various spiritual gifts that do not.
When it comes to spiritual gifts I think we have to be very careful.
Paul is quick to point out that the gifts should glorify God and not be for the profit or self glory of the individual.
I believe if someone says they have a specific spiritual gift then they should submit themselves to the board and pastor of the church they attend and let them determine if they truly have the gift.
Over the years I’ve seem many people with spiritual gifts. True gifts. Most are very humble and all gave God the glory. Further more none ever asked for money.
All submitted themselves to God and their gifts were verified both by the church board and pastor and by the fact what they did was real.
So when anyone says to you they have this gift or that gift. First see if it lines up with the word of God. Secondly point them to the pastor and board of the church they attend. If they agree then it is probably true.
And always remember the gifts of the spirit are there to glorify God and build up the body of believers.
Think about it.
Saturday 26 July 2014
The Lord's Supper
Communion
“For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread,
and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.”
In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord.
A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup.
For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself.”
1 Corinthians 11:23-29
Do you take communion? Do you examine yourself before you take communion and confess any sins you have to God before taking it?
Many people take communion simply because it’s something that is done in church. They do it because it’s a tradition.
It should not be that way.
Communion should be a time when you ought to examine ourselves. We should evaluate our lives and see if we are falling short of God. If there is any sin in our lives.
If upon examining our lives we find there is sin then we should confess it in a silent prayer to God prior to taking communion.
Communion is a holy event. It is symbolic of the Lords death. His dying for our sins.
“This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me....
This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
We must remember the sacrifice of Jesus when we take communion. It was the last act he performed with his disciples prior to going to the cross.
It is a covenant Jesus made with all Christians.
His body was broken, his blood was shed for us. For our sins that we may inherit eternal life.
Think about it.
“For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread,
and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.”
In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord.
A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup.
For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself.”
1 Corinthians 11:23-29
Do you take communion? Do you examine yourself before you take communion and confess any sins you have to God before taking it?
Many people take communion simply because it’s something that is done in church. They do it because it’s a tradition.
It should not be that way.
Communion should be a time when you ought to examine ourselves. We should evaluate our lives and see if we are falling short of God. If there is any sin in our lives.
If upon examining our lives we find there is sin then we should confess it in a silent prayer to God prior to taking communion.
Communion is a holy event. It is symbolic of the Lords death. His dying for our sins.
“This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me....
This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
We must remember the sacrifice of Jesus when we take communion. It was the last act he performed with his disciples prior to going to the cross.
It is a covenant Jesus made with all Christians.
His body was broken, his blood was shed for us. For our sins that we may inherit eternal life.
Think about it.
Friday 25 July 2014
Do not make anyone stumble
Do not make anyone stumble
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God—“
1 Corinthians 10:31,32.
Here’s a basic Christian principle. Do everything to the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble, Christian or none.
If we are truly saved and following God’s principles then everything we do will be done so that God get’s the glory.
We will not be a stumbling block to even none believers.
Jesus said,
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
John 13:34,35.
He also said,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?
Matthew 5:43-46
All to many Christians are stumbling blocks to unbelievers. We say and do things that turn people away from Christ.
Many times in my life I’ve heard people say “why should I become a Christian. I know people who go to church, who claim to be Christian and I am as good if not better than them.”
They hear pastors and evangelist in the media condemning a person or group for what they are or their lifestyle.
This should not be. We are first of all not called to judge the world if we do we are becoming a stumbling block for unbelievers.
We are to present the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is the Holy Spirits job to convict men of sin.
We are to live a life that gives glory to God. That points people to Christ.
Even among the brethren of believers we must be careful not to turn brothers or sisters away from Christ by our words and deeds.
We need at all times to practice love. As Jesus said,
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
John 13:34,35.
Think about it.
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God—“
1 Corinthians 10:31,32.
Here’s a basic Christian principle. Do everything to the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble, Christian or none.
If we are truly saved and following God’s principles then everything we do will be done so that God get’s the glory.
We will not be a stumbling block to even none believers.
Jesus said,
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
John 13:34,35.
He also said,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?
Matthew 5:43-46
All to many Christians are stumbling blocks to unbelievers. We say and do things that turn people away from Christ.
Many times in my life I’ve heard people say “why should I become a Christian. I know people who go to church, who claim to be Christian and I am as good if not better than them.”
They hear pastors and evangelist in the media condemning a person or group for what they are or their lifestyle.
This should not be. We are first of all not called to judge the world if we do we are becoming a stumbling block for unbelievers.
We are to present the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is the Holy Spirits job to convict men of sin.
We are to live a life that gives glory to God. That points people to Christ.
Even among the brethren of believers we must be careful not to turn brothers or sisters away from Christ by our words and deeds.
We need at all times to practice love. As Jesus said,
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
John 13:34,35.
Think about it.
Thursday 24 July 2014
Be Careful
Be Careful
“So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”
1 Corinthians 10:12,13
Here is a very simple warning from the apostle Paul.
“if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!”
We can as Christians become over confident. We can and I’ve seen it in pastors and evangelist. They feel very confidently that they had the mind of God only to fall.
One evangelist in the nineties I’m certain in a thinking he had the mind of God, if not he’s a fraud,. thinking he had the moral high ground. Made the outrageous claim that God was going to kill all the homosexuals in America.
An outrageous ridiculous claim that made him look like a bigot and quite frankly an idiot. And I don’t use that term lightly.
Now admittedly he is an extreme case. But Christian men and women particularly it seems in North America have used the Bible to condemn everything form Elvis Presley’s gyrating hips to Rock and Roll.
I remember seeing one news clip from the early sixties of a preacher somewhere in the states smashing rock and roll records. Calling them the devils tool.
More recently there was the case of a maverick pastor in the states threatening to burn the Koran.
All of these men thought they were morally right with God. Yet had fallen into the temptation to Judge people in contravention to what Jesus said,
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Matthew 7:1,2.
Paul makes it very clear what we as Christians are to do,
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.
On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Romans 12:18-21.
We are not morally superior. We are sinners saved by the grace of God.
We need to watch what we are doing. Not just in the area of Judgement but in our personal lives. We need to turn from any sin in our life.
We need to go to God in prayer every day of our lives and ask him how we can better serve him. Ask him to show us the short comings in our life and help us to correct them and get out from under whatever we are doing wrong.
Think about it.
“So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”
1 Corinthians 10:12,13
Here is a very simple warning from the apostle Paul.
“if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!”
We can as Christians become over confident. We can and I’ve seen it in pastors and evangelist. They feel very confidently that they had the mind of God only to fall.
One evangelist in the nineties I’m certain in a thinking he had the mind of God, if not he’s a fraud,. thinking he had the moral high ground. Made the outrageous claim that God was going to kill all the homosexuals in America.
An outrageous ridiculous claim that made him look like a bigot and quite frankly an idiot. And I don’t use that term lightly.
Now admittedly he is an extreme case. But Christian men and women particularly it seems in North America have used the Bible to condemn everything form Elvis Presley’s gyrating hips to Rock and Roll.
I remember seeing one news clip from the early sixties of a preacher somewhere in the states smashing rock and roll records. Calling them the devils tool.
More recently there was the case of a maverick pastor in the states threatening to burn the Koran.
All of these men thought they were morally right with God. Yet had fallen into the temptation to Judge people in contravention to what Jesus said,
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Matthew 7:1,2.
Paul makes it very clear what we as Christians are to do,
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.
On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Romans 12:18-21.
We are not morally superior. We are sinners saved by the grace of God.
We need to watch what we are doing. Not just in the area of Judgement but in our personal lives. We need to turn from any sin in our life.
We need to go to God in prayer every day of our lives and ask him how we can better serve him. Ask him to show us the short comings in our life and help us to correct them and get out from under whatever we are doing wrong.
Think about it.
Wednesday 23 July 2014
Running for an Eternal Prize
Running for an eternal prize
“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.
Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.
Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air.
No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.”
1 Corinthians 9:24-27.
Here Paul speaking about himself compares himself like an athlete. He notes that athletes discipline themselves. They train themselves for the test ahead.
They do what they have to do to make their body perform to the best of its ability for the coming event.
So to it is with us who are presenting the gospel. We need to train, we need to study to understand the scriptures that we may be worthy of Christ.
Paul writing to Timothy states.
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”
2 Timothy 2:15.
We cannot expect ourselves to perform at our best if we don’t study. If we don’t prepare.
I’m a clown and a magician. I think I’m a pretty good one. At least that’s what people tell me. But I didn’t get that way overnight. I practised and studied my art.
I’ve had people tell me it’s easy being a clown. I told them if it was so easy let me see them make people laugh for half an hour or more. They can’t.
I spend hours rehearsing just to make people think I’m the biggest idiot in the room. To make them laugh.
Even friends that see me forget it’s me and think of me as Forgetful dee Clown.
When I’m performing my magic, really slight of hand. I have to do it seamlessly or the magic is meaningless.
I know how to do what I do as well as I do it because I’ve rehearsed I’ve studied my craft and have in excess of thirty years experience.
It’s the same way when we are presenting the gospel of Christ. We need to study not only the bible but bible history, church history and be up on current and social events.
We need to be well rounded and we definitely need to be disciplined to stay on topic.
When I perform there are distraction but I can’t let them get in the way of what I’m doing.
Likewise with Christians. We are going into a world full of distractions. People who think they know the bible and people who frankly could care less about what it says.
We need to be prepared to meet them where they are at.
We also need the discipline and the knowledge of Christ in order that we do not get pulled away from what we believe.
That is why Paul says,
“...I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.”
This is not to do as some monks or hermits did in years past and some still do today, beat their bodies physically or practice self denial.
This is not what Paul is saying. He’s talking in a spiritual sense. To bring our bodies into submission by studying the word of God. By praying and meditating on the word of God.
Because only in doing so will we win the eternal prize of an eternity with God in heaven.
Think about it.
“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.
Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.
Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air.
No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.”
1 Corinthians 9:24-27.
Here Paul speaking about himself compares himself like an athlete. He notes that athletes discipline themselves. They train themselves for the test ahead.
They do what they have to do to make their body perform to the best of its ability for the coming event.
So to it is with us who are presenting the gospel. We need to train, we need to study to understand the scriptures that we may be worthy of Christ.
Paul writing to Timothy states.
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”
2 Timothy 2:15.
We cannot expect ourselves to perform at our best if we don’t study. If we don’t prepare.
I’m a clown and a magician. I think I’m a pretty good one. At least that’s what people tell me. But I didn’t get that way overnight. I practised and studied my art.
I’ve had people tell me it’s easy being a clown. I told them if it was so easy let me see them make people laugh for half an hour or more. They can’t.
I spend hours rehearsing just to make people think I’m the biggest idiot in the room. To make them laugh.
Even friends that see me forget it’s me and think of me as Forgetful dee Clown.
When I’m performing my magic, really slight of hand. I have to do it seamlessly or the magic is meaningless.
I know how to do what I do as well as I do it because I’ve rehearsed I’ve studied my craft and have in excess of thirty years experience.
It’s the same way when we are presenting the gospel of Christ. We need to study not only the bible but bible history, church history and be up on current and social events.
We need to be well rounded and we definitely need to be disciplined to stay on topic.
When I perform there are distraction but I can’t let them get in the way of what I’m doing.
Likewise with Christians. We are going into a world full of distractions. People who think they know the bible and people who frankly could care less about what it says.
We need to be prepared to meet them where they are at.
We also need the discipline and the knowledge of Christ in order that we do not get pulled away from what we believe.
That is why Paul says,
“...I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.”
This is not to do as some monks or hermits did in years past and some still do today, beat their bodies physically or practice self denial.
This is not what Paul is saying. He’s talking in a spiritual sense. To bring our bodies into submission by studying the word of God. By praying and meditating on the word of God.
Because only in doing so will we win the eternal prize of an eternity with God in heaven.
Think about it.
Tuesday 22 July 2014
Winning Souls for Christ
Winning Souls for Christ
“Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.
To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law.
To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law.
To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.
I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.”
1 Corinthians 9:19-23.
Here Paul is telling how he and we should win people to Christ.
All to many Christians especially when witnessing on the street quote vast amounts of scripture. There’s nothing wrong with it if it’s done correctly. Trouble is many don’t do it correctly.
Nor do they take into account their audience.
Paul says,
“To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews”
“To those not having the law I became like one not having the law.”
While Paul dose not compromise his Christian principles. He does explain things in a way the group of people he’s talking to can understand.
It was no use for Paul to talk to gentiles in Rome that had never studied Jewish law and prophesy about such things. He had to know the culture of the gentiles and meet them where they were at.
Likewise when speaking to Jews he spoke from the Jewish scriptures. This is what we need to do today.
We need to know our audience. We need to know their culture.
I once while talking to an Atheist who told me Jesus didn’t exist, used primarily accounts from outside the bible to witness to him.
I quoted from Josephus, Tacitus, Mara Bar-Serapion, and Piliny the Younger to prove that Jesus did in fact he did exist. It caught him off guard. It’s hard to deny the existence of Jesus when non Christians enemies of Christianity in a position of power admit he existed.
Thus once I had established my case with him I was able to move from there to use some scriptures and point him to salvation.
At the same time I have been able to witness from the Bible to religious groups such as Jehovah’s witnesses that deny Jesus is the Son of God. To show them from the scriptures that he is indeed the One and Only Son of God. And their need to accept Him as their Lord and Saviour.
Even witnessing to a Muslim you can point to the fact that the Koran mentions Jesus.
I firmly believe that we as Christians need to study not only the Bible but church history and what the ancients outside the Bible said about Christ even have a good general knowledge of other faiths.
Paul in the scriptures I quoted most definitely was right. We need to know the culture of those we are witnessing to and meet them where they are at otherwise we wont reach them.
To the Jew and other religious groups that don’t hold the same beliefs as we do we need to know where they are coming from and start at that point.
To the Atheist, agnostics and the average man on the street we need to use wisdom see where they are at and reach them their.
Paul when asked to preach at the Areopagus did not start from the Jewish scriptures. He started,
“Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious.
"For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you.”
Acts 17:22b,23
He met them where they were at. He related Christ to something they understood and told them about life eternal.
Some did believe, some scoffed at him but others wanted to hear more.
And that is all we as Christians can expect from all our witnessing.
Think about it.
“Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.
To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law.
To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law.
To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.
I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.”
1 Corinthians 9:19-23.
Here Paul is telling how he and we should win people to Christ.
All to many Christians especially when witnessing on the street quote vast amounts of scripture. There’s nothing wrong with it if it’s done correctly. Trouble is many don’t do it correctly.
Nor do they take into account their audience.
Paul says,
“To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews”
“To those not having the law I became like one not having the law.”
While Paul dose not compromise his Christian principles. He does explain things in a way the group of people he’s talking to can understand.
It was no use for Paul to talk to gentiles in Rome that had never studied Jewish law and prophesy about such things. He had to know the culture of the gentiles and meet them where they were at.
Likewise when speaking to Jews he spoke from the Jewish scriptures. This is what we need to do today.
We need to know our audience. We need to know their culture.
I once while talking to an Atheist who told me Jesus didn’t exist, used primarily accounts from outside the bible to witness to him.
I quoted from Josephus, Tacitus, Mara Bar-Serapion, and Piliny the Younger to prove that Jesus did in fact he did exist. It caught him off guard. It’s hard to deny the existence of Jesus when non Christians enemies of Christianity in a position of power admit he existed.
Thus once I had established my case with him I was able to move from there to use some scriptures and point him to salvation.
At the same time I have been able to witness from the Bible to religious groups such as Jehovah’s witnesses that deny Jesus is the Son of God. To show them from the scriptures that he is indeed the One and Only Son of God. And their need to accept Him as their Lord and Saviour.
Even witnessing to a Muslim you can point to the fact that the Koran mentions Jesus.
I firmly believe that we as Christians need to study not only the Bible but church history and what the ancients outside the Bible said about Christ even have a good general knowledge of other faiths.
Paul in the scriptures I quoted most definitely was right. We need to know the culture of those we are witnessing to and meet them where they are at otherwise we wont reach them.
To the Jew and other religious groups that don’t hold the same beliefs as we do we need to know where they are coming from and start at that point.
To the Atheist, agnostics and the average man on the street we need to use wisdom see where they are at and reach them their.
Paul when asked to preach at the Areopagus did not start from the Jewish scriptures. He started,
“Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious.
"For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you.”
Acts 17:22b,23
He met them where they were at. He related Christ to something they understood and told them about life eternal.
Some did believe, some scoffed at him but others wanted to hear more.
And that is all we as Christians can expect from all our witnessing.
Think about it.
Monday 21 July 2014
A Pastors Wage
A Pastors Wages
“Don’t you know that those who work in the temple get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in what is offered on the altar?
In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.
But I have not used any of these rights. And I am not writing this in the hope that you will do such things for me. I would rather die than have anyone deprive me of this boast.
Yet when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, for I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!
If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward; if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me.
What then is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not make use of my rights in preaching it.”
1 Corinthians 9:13-18.
Here’s something for twenty-first century Christians to think about.
Paul notes that even the temple workers get paid in one way or another for their service. Thus in the same way those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.
Paul point out that he did not receive his living from the preaching of the gospel. He was proud of that.
Paul was as he put it,
“for I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!
If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward; if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me.
What then is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not make use of my rights in preaching it.”
Paul preached the gospel for free even though he did deserve a pay for doing so. It was Paul’s choice.
Today I know it’s a touchy topic as to how much a pastor or evangelist should be paid. But they should be paid.
I believe that we should give to our own church congregation first. Then give to evangelical organizations.
Both the church and the evangelical organizations should have a board that works independent of the pastor or evangelist a board that has the right to hire and fire the pastor. That board should be responsible to set a good living wage with benefits such as medical and other essential things, for them.
The rest of the money collected over and above the pastors salary should go directly to evangelism with only a minimum amount going to the administration of the organization.
I believe that a pastor who writes books deserves to keep all the money earned from such sales. He should however give from those earnings his tithe.
I believe this is only right. A workman no matter what they do is worth his wages.
If a pastor or evangelist chooses as Paul not to accept a wage then so be it. It is their choice.
But if the congregation chooses to pay him it should be an honest living wage.
Question to Christians,
Is your pastor getting paid enough?
Think about it.
“Don’t you know that those who work in the temple get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in what is offered on the altar?
In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.
But I have not used any of these rights. And I am not writing this in the hope that you will do such things for me. I would rather die than have anyone deprive me of this boast.
Yet when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, for I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!
If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward; if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me.
What then is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not make use of my rights in preaching it.”
1 Corinthians 9:13-18.
Here’s something for twenty-first century Christians to think about.
Paul notes that even the temple workers get paid in one way or another for their service. Thus in the same way those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.
Paul point out that he did not receive his living from the preaching of the gospel. He was proud of that.
Paul was as he put it,
“for I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!
If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward; if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me.
What then is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not make use of my rights in preaching it.”
Paul preached the gospel for free even though he did deserve a pay for doing so. It was Paul’s choice.
Today I know it’s a touchy topic as to how much a pastor or evangelist should be paid. But they should be paid.
I believe that we should give to our own church congregation first. Then give to evangelical organizations.
Both the church and the evangelical organizations should have a board that works independent of the pastor or evangelist a board that has the right to hire and fire the pastor. That board should be responsible to set a good living wage with benefits such as medical and other essential things, for them.
The rest of the money collected over and above the pastors salary should go directly to evangelism with only a minimum amount going to the administration of the organization.
I believe that a pastor who writes books deserves to keep all the money earned from such sales. He should however give from those earnings his tithe.
I believe this is only right. A workman no matter what they do is worth his wages.
If a pastor or evangelist chooses as Paul not to accept a wage then so be it. It is their choice.
But if the congregation chooses to pay him it should be an honest living wage.
Question to Christians,
Is your pastor getting paid enough?
Think about it.
Sunday 20 July 2014
Paul's advice to the Corinthians
Paul’s advice the Corinthians
"Brothers, each man, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation God called him to.
Now about virgins: I have no command from the Lord, but I give a judgment as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy.
Because of the present crisis, I think that it is good for you to remain as you are.
Are you married? Do not seek a divorce. Are you unmarried? Do not look for a wife.
But if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. But those who marry will face many troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this.
What I mean, brothers, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they had none;
those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep;
those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away.
I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord’s affairs—how he can please the Lord.
But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world—how he can please his wife—
and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord’s affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world—how she can please her husband.
I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord.
If anyone thinks he is acting improperly toward the virgin he is engaged to, and if she is getting along in years and he feels he ought to marry, he should do as he wants. He is not sinning. They should get married.
But the man who has settled the matter in his own mind, who is under no compulsion but has control over his own will, and who has made up his mind not to marry the virgin—this man also does the right thing.
So then, he who marries the virgin does right, but he who does not marry her does even better.
A woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but he must belong to the Lord.
In my judgment, she is happier if she stays as she is—and I think that I too have the Spirit of God.
1 Corinthians 7:27-40
Here Paul is speaking to the Corinthians who are in crisis it appears at the time.
All of the commentators I’ve read on this note that the advice is not a direct order from Jesus it is Paul’s judgement although he doesn’t deny he is writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
The Commentators all agree that Paul’s recommendations do not apply to all time and to all situations.
The Corinthian church was undergoing persecution and pressures from one of the most immoral cities in the world at that time.
Paul’s recommendations to them is to especially when it come to marriage to stay as they were. If single stay single. If married stay married.
He notes there are various pressures on both the married and unmarried. Marriage in particular has it’s own stresses and strains. A person that is married has to look out for their family and therefore cannot devote as much time to the Lords work.
He dose not forbid marriage in fact he says that if a person feels they need to get
married they don’t sin. Neither does a person who chooses to stay single sin.
Paul states,
“A woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but he must belong to the Lord.”
This also I believe applies to husbands. Paul makes it clear earlier in Corinthians that the two are equal in the marriage. Therefore it is only logical that a man would be bound to his wife as long as she is alive.
He notes the wife after the death of her husband is free to remarry anyone but adds that “he must belong to the Lord.” again something that I believe should apply to the husband also.
It’s only good advice to marry someone within your faith because you have the same mind and beliefs.
To marry someone who is not a Christian may cause one to stray from the faith.
Think about it.
"Brothers, each man, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation God called him to.
Now about virgins: I have no command from the Lord, but I give a judgment as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy.
Because of the present crisis, I think that it is good for you to remain as you are.
Are you married? Do not seek a divorce. Are you unmarried? Do not look for a wife.
But if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. But those who marry will face many troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this.
What I mean, brothers, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they had none;
those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep;
those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away.
I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord’s affairs—how he can please the Lord.
But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world—how he can please his wife—
and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord’s affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world—how she can please her husband.
I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord.
If anyone thinks he is acting improperly toward the virgin he is engaged to, and if she is getting along in years and he feels he ought to marry, he should do as he wants. He is not sinning. They should get married.
But the man who has settled the matter in his own mind, who is under no compulsion but has control over his own will, and who has made up his mind not to marry the virgin—this man also does the right thing.
So then, he who marries the virgin does right, but he who does not marry her does even better.
A woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but he must belong to the Lord.
In my judgment, she is happier if she stays as she is—and I think that I too have the Spirit of God.
1 Corinthians 7:27-40
Here Paul is speaking to the Corinthians who are in crisis it appears at the time.
All of the commentators I’ve read on this note that the advice is not a direct order from Jesus it is Paul’s judgement although he doesn’t deny he is writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
The Commentators all agree that Paul’s recommendations do not apply to all time and to all situations.
The Corinthian church was undergoing persecution and pressures from one of the most immoral cities in the world at that time.
Paul’s recommendations to them is to especially when it come to marriage to stay as they were. If single stay single. If married stay married.
He notes there are various pressures on both the married and unmarried. Marriage in particular has it’s own stresses and strains. A person that is married has to look out for their family and therefore cannot devote as much time to the Lords work.
He dose not forbid marriage in fact he says that if a person feels they need to get
married they don’t sin. Neither does a person who chooses to stay single sin.
Paul states,
“A woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but he must belong to the Lord.”
This also I believe applies to husbands. Paul makes it clear earlier in Corinthians that the two are equal in the marriage. Therefore it is only logical that a man would be bound to his wife as long as she is alive.
He notes the wife after the death of her husband is free to remarry anyone but adds that “he must belong to the Lord.” again something that I believe should apply to the husband also.
It’s only good advice to marry someone within your faith because you have the same mind and beliefs.
To marry someone who is not a Christian may cause one to stray from the faith.
Think about it.
Saturday 19 July 2014
Remain
Remain
“Nevertheless, each one should retain the place in life that the Lord assigned to him and to which God has called him. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches.
Was a man already circumcised when he was called? He should not become uncircumcised. Was a man uncircumcised when he was called? He should not be circumcised.
Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God’s commands is what counts.
Each one should remain in the situation which he was in when God called him.
Were you a slave when you were called? Don’t let it trouble you—although if you can gain your freedom, do so.
1 Corinthians 7:17-21.
Paul states
“each one should retain the place in life that the Lord assigned him and to do which God has called him.”
What Paul is saying no matter what our station is in life we should live confidently in it.
He points to circumcision. That whether a man is circumcised or not means nothing to salvation. The one circumcised should not try to undo it. And the uncircumcised should not get circumcised.
Salvation is an act of faith it has nothing to do with circumcision.
Paul says even a Christian slave should live confidently for Christ. But he doesn’t tell him to remain that way. He makes it clear if the slave can gain his freedom he should.
Likewise today we should be confident as a Christian in whatever job we have. We should do the best we can in that job and be a witness to our employer.
At the same time if at all possible we should try and get out of a dead end job.
Take advantage of government programs that can help us better our lot in life. Or do what we can to get better skills and education so that we can have a better quality of life.
Still, be we a humble labourer, Janitor, garbage man, rocket scientist, parliamentarian, president, pope or king we have a duty to proclaim the word of the Lord. To be true to the ideals Christ has given us.
We should do as Francis of Assisi said,
“Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.”
Think about it.
“Nevertheless, each one should retain the place in life that the Lord assigned to him and to which God has called him. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches.
Was a man already circumcised when he was called? He should not become uncircumcised. Was a man uncircumcised when he was called? He should not be circumcised.
Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God’s commands is what counts.
Each one should remain in the situation which he was in when God called him.
Were you a slave when you were called? Don’t let it trouble you—although if you can gain your freedom, do so.
1 Corinthians 7:17-21.
Paul states
“each one should retain the place in life that the Lord assigned him and to do which God has called him.”
What Paul is saying no matter what our station is in life we should live confidently in it.
He points to circumcision. That whether a man is circumcised or not means nothing to salvation. The one circumcised should not try to undo it. And the uncircumcised should not get circumcised.
Salvation is an act of faith it has nothing to do with circumcision.
Paul says even a Christian slave should live confidently for Christ. But he doesn’t tell him to remain that way. He makes it clear if the slave can gain his freedom he should.
Likewise today we should be confident as a Christian in whatever job we have. We should do the best we can in that job and be a witness to our employer.
At the same time if at all possible we should try and get out of a dead end job.
Take advantage of government programs that can help us better our lot in life. Or do what we can to get better skills and education so that we can have a better quality of life.
Still, be we a humble labourer, Janitor, garbage man, rocket scientist, parliamentarian, president, pope or king we have a duty to proclaim the word of the Lord. To be true to the ideals Christ has given us.
We should do as Francis of Assisi said,
“Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.”
Think about it.
Friday 18 July 2014
What is a Christian?
What is a Christian?
A woman I know asked me the other day to define for them what a Christian is. She had seen many who called themselves Christians both in the media and on the street that had turned her off.
She had attended a church locally only to be turned off by the hypocrisy of the pastor and judgemental attitudes of some in the congregation.
So knowing that I was a Christian Bible study leader she asked me how I would define a Christian.
I felt I needed to share my answer.
I answered her initially with the obvious.
A Christian believes that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. That Jesus died for their sins. They are someone who has confessed their sin directly to Jesus and as a result have had their sins forgiven.
Christians are saved by faith Paul stating,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Ephesians 2:8,9.
The writer of Hebrews noting,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
Hebrews 11:6
That being said I believe a Christian must be far more.
Contrary to what seems to come across in the media many times a Christian is not the judge of the world.
The apostle Paul writes,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.”
1Corinthians 5:12,13.
We are to keep our own house clean not to worry about judging the world Jesus said,
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Matthew 7:1,2.
I admit all too many Christians do judge. Lack of a judgemental attitude is a characteristic of a true Christian.
A True Christian is doing what Jesus said,
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28 :18-20.
A true Christian is being a light to the world, Jesus said,
“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.
Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven”
Matthew 5:14-16.
A true Christian shows his or her faith in their deeds.
James writes,
“What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.
If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?
In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.
You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.”
James 2:14-19.
Perhaps Francis of Assisi in a prayer says what Christian should be when he writes,
Yes there are many in the media, in the pulpit and in the pews that claim they are Christians but they are not. Jesus even says,
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’
Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
Matthew 7:21-23
Think about it.
A woman I know asked me the other day to define for them what a Christian is. She had seen many who called themselves Christians both in the media and on the street that had turned her off.
She had attended a church locally only to be turned off by the hypocrisy of the pastor and judgemental attitudes of some in the congregation.
So knowing that I was a Christian Bible study leader she asked me how I would define a Christian.
I felt I needed to share my answer.
I answered her initially with the obvious.
A Christian believes that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. That Jesus died for their sins. They are someone who has confessed their sin directly to Jesus and as a result have had their sins forgiven.
Christians are saved by faith Paul stating,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Ephesians 2:8,9.
The writer of Hebrews noting,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
Hebrews 11:6
That being said I believe a Christian must be far more.
Contrary to what seems to come across in the media many times a Christian is not the judge of the world.
The apostle Paul writes,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.”
1Corinthians 5:12,13.
We are to keep our own house clean not to worry about judging the world Jesus said,
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Matthew 7:1,2.
I admit all too many Christians do judge. Lack of a judgemental attitude is a characteristic of a true Christian.
A True Christian is doing what Jesus said,
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28 :18-20.
A true Christian is being a light to the world, Jesus said,
“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.
Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven”
Matthew 5:14-16.
A true Christian shows his or her faith in their deeds.
James writes,
“What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.
If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?
In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.
You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.”
James 2:14-19.
Perhaps Francis of Assisi in a prayer says what Christian should be when he writes,
“Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love,
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved, as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.”
Francis of AssisiYes there are many in the media, in the pulpit and in the pews that claim they are Christians but they are not. Jesus even says,
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’
Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
Matthew 7:21-23
Think about it.
Thursday 17 July 2014
Married to and Unbeliever?
Married to and Unbeliever?
“To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord): If any brother has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her.
And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him.
For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy.
But if the unbeliever leaves, let him do so. A believing man or woman is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace.
How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?
Nevertheless, each one should retain the place in life that the Lord assigned to him and to which God has called him. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches.”
1 Corinthians 7:12-17.
Are you married to an unbeliever? They if they are willing to still stay with you then do so. That’s simply what Paul is saying her. If the unbelieving partner wants to go then let them do so.
Paul makes a clear and logical point here for saying with an unbelieving spouse that is willing to stay,
“How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?”
I know that wives can save husbands and vice versa. My pastors wife was married to an unbeliever. He eventually came to know the Lord and not only that he went on to become pastor of our church.
It does happen.
If you have a good marriage and one is an unbeliever there is nothing wrong with that. There is no reason to break up. Simply be the best spouse you possibly because in doing so you may win your spouse and your children to Christ.
Think about it.
“To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord): If any brother has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her.
And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him.
For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy.
But if the unbeliever leaves, let him do so. A believing man or woman is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace.
How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?
Nevertheless, each one should retain the place in life that the Lord assigned to him and to which God has called him. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches.”
1 Corinthians 7:12-17.
Are you married to an unbeliever? They if they are willing to still stay with you then do so. That’s simply what Paul is saying her. If the unbelieving partner wants to go then let them do so.
Paul makes a clear and logical point here for saying with an unbelieving spouse that is willing to stay,
“How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?”
I know that wives can save husbands and vice versa. My pastors wife was married to an unbeliever. He eventually came to know the Lord and not only that he went on to become pastor of our church.
It does happen.
If you have a good marriage and one is an unbeliever there is nothing wrong with that. There is no reason to break up. Simply be the best spouse you possibly because in doing so you may win your spouse and your children to Christ.
Think about it.
Wednesday 16 July 2014
On Marriage
On Marriage
“Now for the matters you wrote about: It is good for a man not to marry.
But since there is so much immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband.
The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband.
The wife’s body does not belong to her alone but also to her husband. In the same way, the husband’s body does not belong to him alone but also to his wife.
Do not deprive each other except by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.”
1 Corinthians 7:1-5
It’s interesting here that Paul states that it’s good not to marry. But Paul realized that while it was good for him it was not for everyone.
Paul also knew of the temptations that were around Corinth. Temptations that could easily make people sin.
Thus he makes it clear that each man should have his own wife. That the husband and wife are equals in that their bodies are not solely their own but each others.
He makes it clear not to deprive each other of sexual relations except by mutual consent for a short period of time when devoting themselves to prayer.
Paul is very cognisant that the God given sex drive in people can cause people to sin.
Kenneth L Barker writing in Zondervan NIV Study Bible (Fully Revised): © 2002. Writes,
“The Christian deprived of regular sexual activity with his or her marriage partner may be tempted by Satan to sexual immorality. The normal God-given sexual drive in the human being is strong.”
Paul also goes on to address the issue of widows in the church stating,
“Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I am.
But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.”
1 Corinthians 7:8,9.
Again for the same reasons they should marry.
This is as clear cut as I think it could be. Marriage to me is God’s ideal and the husband and wife are one. No one has the right to come between them.
Leo Baeck a Jewish writer wrote something the apostle Paul would understand. He wrote,
“The fence of the Torah has surrounded family life with particular care. A strict and pure conception of matrimony which could be found nowhere in the ideas of antiquity was freely developed by Judaism. The ancient statute already saw marriage a ”sanctification,’ and therefore an ethical task to be performed; only husband and wife together, united for life, being the spirit of God, the spirit of holiness, into the home.”
A good marriage. A marriage based on love will endure no matter what.
I believe when entering marriage we must examine closely what love is. Paul said,
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a
I have also found the words of Paul to the Ephesians to be valid. He says,
“In your anger do not sin” : Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry"
Ephesians 4:26
There are times in even the best marriages when you have disagreements. Times when emotions can flair. We are human and from time to time we will have opposing views, or simply do something that irritates our spouse.
My wife and I even before we were married practised the principle of not letting the sun go down while we were angry.
We never left each other angry even if it meant talking until the small hours of the morning.
All too many marriages end in divorce because it has been entered into, too quickly, with out much thought simply because it felt good to be around the person, or for purely sexual reasons.
We need to examine why we are getting married carefully. There will come a time in any marriage that the feel good things are not there. Times when life is hard and that good feeling when the marriage was new has faded at least for a while. It is through those times when love is tested. But true love will prevail. Read the words of Paul with respect to love again,
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a
A good healthy marriage based on love will survive even the harshest trials of life.
Think about it.
“Now for the matters you wrote about: It is good for a man not to marry.
But since there is so much immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband.
The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband.
The wife’s body does not belong to her alone but also to her husband. In the same way, the husband’s body does not belong to him alone but also to his wife.
Do not deprive each other except by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.”
1 Corinthians 7:1-5
It’s interesting here that Paul states that it’s good not to marry. But Paul realized that while it was good for him it was not for everyone.
Paul also knew of the temptations that were around Corinth. Temptations that could easily make people sin.
Thus he makes it clear that each man should have his own wife. That the husband and wife are equals in that their bodies are not solely their own but each others.
He makes it clear not to deprive each other of sexual relations except by mutual consent for a short period of time when devoting themselves to prayer.
Paul is very cognisant that the God given sex drive in people can cause people to sin.
Kenneth L Barker writing in Zondervan NIV Study Bible (Fully Revised): © 2002. Writes,
“The Christian deprived of regular sexual activity with his or her marriage partner may be tempted by Satan to sexual immorality. The normal God-given sexual drive in the human being is strong.”
Paul also goes on to address the issue of widows in the church stating,
“Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I am.
But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.”
1 Corinthians 7:8,9.
Again for the same reasons they should marry.
This is as clear cut as I think it could be. Marriage to me is God’s ideal and the husband and wife are one. No one has the right to come between them.
Leo Baeck a Jewish writer wrote something the apostle Paul would understand. He wrote,
“The fence of the Torah has surrounded family life with particular care. A strict and pure conception of matrimony which could be found nowhere in the ideas of antiquity was freely developed by Judaism. The ancient statute already saw marriage a ”sanctification,’ and therefore an ethical task to be performed; only husband and wife together, united for life, being the spirit of God, the spirit of holiness, into the home.”
A good marriage. A marriage based on love will endure no matter what.
I believe when entering marriage we must examine closely what love is. Paul said,
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a
I have also found the words of Paul to the Ephesians to be valid. He says,
“In your anger do not sin” : Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry"
Ephesians 4:26
There are times in even the best marriages when you have disagreements. Times when emotions can flair. We are human and from time to time we will have opposing views, or simply do something that irritates our spouse.
My wife and I even before we were married practised the principle of not letting the sun go down while we were angry.
We never left each other angry even if it meant talking until the small hours of the morning.
All too many marriages end in divorce because it has been entered into, too quickly, with out much thought simply because it felt good to be around the person, or for purely sexual reasons.
We need to examine why we are getting married carefully. There will come a time in any marriage that the feel good things are not there. Times when life is hard and that good feeling when the marriage was new has faded at least for a while. It is through those times when love is tested. But true love will prevail. Read the words of Paul with respect to love again,
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a
A good healthy marriage based on love will survive even the harshest trials of life.
Think about it.
Tuesday 15 July 2014
Sexual Immorality
Sexual Immorality
“Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never!
Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.”
But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with him in spirit.
Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body.
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.”
1Corinthians6:15-20.
Paul when writing to the Corinthians knew he was writing to believers surrounded by more than it’s fair share of sin. At its height Corinth had 1000 priestess prostitutes working in the temple to Aphrodite.
So widely known was the immorality in Corinth that the Greek verb “to Corinthianize” came to mean “to practice sexual immorality.”
Here Paul warns the Corinthians against sexual immorality.
“Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.”
I remember a doctor friend of mine once telling a youth group that you take a part of the person you have sex with, with you. Not just emotionally but physically.
This was at the very beginning of the AIDS epidemic when little was known about it. He was warning them to beware that they could easily get a sexually transmitted disease.
That saving themselves for marriage was the best possible thing.
It hit home to that youth group when one of their number a young girl only sixteen got pregnant to a guy she didn’t really like. A boy she’d simply had a carnal fling with.
Not only that but another this time a sixteen year old, a boy, got AIDS.
For the girl it meant that she would have in her life for many years to come, a guy that she had no real feelings for, but had fathered her child.
For the boy who’d contracted AIDS back then it was a virtual death sentence and the worse case scenario did come to be. A few years later he died. A tragic thing that didn’t have to be.
Fortunately to the credit of the youth leaders and the church leader they forgave the two and stood by them giving them as much help as they could.
They were young. They’d made a mistake and both confessed their sin and asked God’s forgiveness. What more could they do?
As Christians living in the twenty-first century we are surrounded by sex. It is easy to get access to it. Every city in the world has it’s seamy side, not to mention the internet.
Men especially seem to fall into sexual impurity easy. Still it is avoidable.
It was not necessary for Christians in Corinth to visit the prostitutes at Aphrodite's temple. Nor is it necessary for Christians to day to pick up prostitutes or engage in any kind of sexual immorality.
As the writer of Ecclesiastes states,
“What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun”
Ecclesiastes 1:9.
The temptation of sexual immorality has been around since man started living in villages and probably even before that.
The vast majority of people, Christians and none Christians do not fall into it.
It is therefore up to the individual to resist temptation and to ask God for the strength to overcome.
Think about it.
“Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never!
Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.”
But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with him in spirit.
Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body.
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.”
1Corinthians6:15-20.
Paul when writing to the Corinthians knew he was writing to believers surrounded by more than it’s fair share of sin. At its height Corinth had 1000 priestess prostitutes working in the temple to Aphrodite.
So widely known was the immorality in Corinth that the Greek verb “to Corinthianize” came to mean “to practice sexual immorality.”
Here Paul warns the Corinthians against sexual immorality.
“Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.”
I remember a doctor friend of mine once telling a youth group that you take a part of the person you have sex with, with you. Not just emotionally but physically.
This was at the very beginning of the AIDS epidemic when little was known about it. He was warning them to beware that they could easily get a sexually transmitted disease.
That saving themselves for marriage was the best possible thing.
It hit home to that youth group when one of their number a young girl only sixteen got pregnant to a guy she didn’t really like. A boy she’d simply had a carnal fling with.
Not only that but another this time a sixteen year old, a boy, got AIDS.
For the girl it meant that she would have in her life for many years to come, a guy that she had no real feelings for, but had fathered her child.
For the boy who’d contracted AIDS back then it was a virtual death sentence and the worse case scenario did come to be. A few years later he died. A tragic thing that didn’t have to be.
Fortunately to the credit of the youth leaders and the church leader they forgave the two and stood by them giving them as much help as they could.
They were young. They’d made a mistake and both confessed their sin and asked God’s forgiveness. What more could they do?
As Christians living in the twenty-first century we are surrounded by sex. It is easy to get access to it. Every city in the world has it’s seamy side, not to mention the internet.
Men especially seem to fall into sexual impurity easy. Still it is avoidable.
It was not necessary for Christians in Corinth to visit the prostitutes at Aphrodite's temple. Nor is it necessary for Christians to day to pick up prostitutes or engage in any kind of sexual immorality.
As the writer of Ecclesiastes states,
“What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun”
Ecclesiastes 1:9.
The temptation of sexual immorality has been around since man started living in villages and probably even before that.
The vast majority of people, Christians and none Christians do not fall into it.
It is therefore up to the individual to resist temptation and to ask God for the strength to overcome.
Think about it.
Monday 14 July 2014
Inside the Church
Inside the Church
“I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world.
But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat.
What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.”
1 Corinthians 5:9-13
Here’s something I feel is sometimes missed on Christians. I’ve heard numerous sermons telling Christians not to associate with those “who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters.” outside the church.
We can’t avoid these people as Paul says we would have to leave this world. In any case we are called to “go into all the world and preach the gospel.” that does not mean just to the “good People” of the world. It means to everyone especially sinners, of which we are all.
What Paul is saying here is do not associate with anyone who calls himself a believer and is, “Sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler.”
Such a person is not a Christian and in a worse case scenario can cause others to fall into sin. Paul is calling us to expel those who claim to be Christians and are doing immoral things from among the congregation.
Paul makes special note here,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside”
When it comes to those outside the church it all comes down to Matthew 7:1,2 where Jesus states,
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Matthew 7:1,2.
Inside the church we have the right to hold all the brethren up to God’s standards. We have the right to correct them and if they do not accept correction to expel them from the church.
Think about it.
“I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world.
But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat.
What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.”
1 Corinthians 5:9-13
Here’s something I feel is sometimes missed on Christians. I’ve heard numerous sermons telling Christians not to associate with those “who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters.” outside the church.
We can’t avoid these people as Paul says we would have to leave this world. In any case we are called to “go into all the world and preach the gospel.” that does not mean just to the “good People” of the world. It means to everyone especially sinners, of which we are all.
What Paul is saying here is do not associate with anyone who calls himself a believer and is, “Sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler.”
Such a person is not a Christian and in a worse case scenario can cause others to fall into sin. Paul is calling us to expel those who claim to be Christians and are doing immoral things from among the congregation.
Paul makes special note here,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside”
When it comes to those outside the church it all comes down to Matthew 7:1,2 where Jesus states,
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Matthew 7:1,2.
Inside the church we have the right to hold all the brethren up to God’s standards. We have the right to correct them and if they do not accept correction to expel them from the church.
Think about it.
Sunday 13 July 2014
Christian Attitude
Christian Attitude
“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.
Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.
Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.
On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Romans 12:9-21.
Do you Love? Is your love sincere?
Many years ago when I was a young teen in the sixties I watched the movie Good by Mister Chips. It was a musical remake of a nineteen thirties movie.
The opening song was called In the morning of my life. These were the words,
From the Musical Good by Mr Chips
Those words stayed with me until this day. I believe we must fill the world with Love our whole life through.
By profession I am a professional clown and magician. From the very first day I started in the business I said this prayer.
Dear Heavenly Father
Please let me perform to the best of my ability. Let me bring a little Joy, Laughter, and Happiness to those whom I perform in front of today.
Let people see the Love of Jesus reflected in me.
In Jesus name I Pray
Amen.
Paul’s call in Romans 12 is to ensure our love is sincere. Going on to say,
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.
Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.
On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
This is the call that is placed on the Christian to show love even to our enemies. That we may at least point them the new life in Jesus Christ and an eternity with God.
Think about it.
“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.
Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.
Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.
On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Romans 12:9-21.
Do you Love? Is your love sincere?
Many years ago when I was a young teen in the sixties I watched the movie Good by Mister Chips. It was a musical remake of a nineteen thirties movie.
The opening song was called In the morning of my life. These were the words,
In the morning of my life
I will look to the Sunrise
At a moment in my life
When the world is new.
And the Question
I shall ask only God can answer.
Will I be brave and strong and true,
Will I fill the world with love my whole life through?
Will I fill the world with love my whole life through?
In the evening of my life
I will look to the sunset
At a moment in my life
When my life is through.
And the question I shall ask only I can answer
Was I brave and strong and true.
Did I fill the world with love my whole life through?
Did I fill the world with love my whole life through?
By Leslie Bricusse From the Musical Good by Mr Chips
Those words stayed with me until this day. I believe we must fill the world with Love our whole life through.
By profession I am a professional clown and magician. From the very first day I started in the business I said this prayer.
Dear Heavenly Father
Please let me perform to the best of my ability. Let me bring a little Joy, Laughter, and Happiness to those whom I perform in front of today.
Let people see the Love of Jesus reflected in me.
In Jesus name I Pray
Amen.
Paul’s call in Romans 12 is to ensure our love is sincere. Going on to say,
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.
Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.
On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
This is the call that is placed on the Christian to show love even to our enemies. That we may at least point them the new life in Jesus Christ and an eternity with God.
Think about it.
Saturday 12 July 2014
Christian Conduct
Christian conduct.
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
Matthew 7:12
As I originally wrote this there was an extremist minister of a small Florida church congregation threatening to burn the Koran on September 11th.
Both Christian leaders and politicians of every stripe around the globe are angered at what he is about to do.
It was said that his actions could lead to more attacks on N. A. T. O. soldiers in Afghanistan. And there were protests in that country.
Christian leaders around the world from the Pope on down are saying this could lead to more persecution of Christians in, particularly in Muslim countries.
This pastor may think he is doing the will of God. He is not.
Sadly he is not the only extremist claiming to be a Christian out there who are not. Other pastors and evangelist have attacked other groups, the homosexual community being a frequent target.
People who do this are not Christians in my opinion.
Jesus clearly states in Matthew,
“Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’
Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”
Matthew 7:22,23
Neither Jesus or any of his apostles ever spoke out against any other religion or group of people in the Roman world.
True Jesus a Jew, said things about the practices of Jewish religious leaders but he was a Jewish teacher speaking to other Jews. In the same way Christians have the right to correct and debate our teachings with other Christians.
Jesus went as far as giving Christians some basic rules to live by.
1/So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. Matthew 7:12
2/“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Matthew 7:1,2.
3/But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. Matthew 5: 44,45
Love is the key to Christianity. Jesus said,
Paul defines what true love is in Corinthians 13 when he writes,
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a
In my mind anyone who claims to be a Christian and is spouting hate toward any individual or group is not a Christian.
Christ went to the cross asking God to forgive his persecutors.
Jesus said,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”
John 3:16,17
As Christians we have a message of eternal significance. Upon us lies the eternal resting place of those we come in contact with. It is our duty to God to “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven."
Think about it.
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
Matthew 7:12
As I originally wrote this there was an extremist minister of a small Florida church congregation threatening to burn the Koran on September 11th.
Both Christian leaders and politicians of every stripe around the globe are angered at what he is about to do.
It was said that his actions could lead to more attacks on N. A. T. O. soldiers in Afghanistan. And there were protests in that country.
Christian leaders around the world from the Pope on down are saying this could lead to more persecution of Christians in, particularly in Muslim countries.
This pastor may think he is doing the will of God. He is not.
Sadly he is not the only extremist claiming to be a Christian out there who are not. Other pastors and evangelist have attacked other groups, the homosexual community being a frequent target.
People who do this are not Christians in my opinion.
Jesus clearly states in Matthew,
“Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’
Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”
Matthew 7:22,23
Neither Jesus or any of his apostles ever spoke out against any other religion or group of people in the Roman world.
True Jesus a Jew, said things about the practices of Jewish religious leaders but he was a Jewish teacher speaking to other Jews. In the same way Christians have the right to correct and debate our teachings with other Christians.
Jesus went as far as giving Christians some basic rules to live by.
1/So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. Matthew 7:12
2/“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Matthew 7:1,2.
3/But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. Matthew 5: 44,45
Love is the key to Christianity. Jesus said,
“Jesus replied:
“ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:37-40 Paul defines what true love is in Corinthians 13 when he writes,
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a
In my mind anyone who claims to be a Christian and is spouting hate toward any individual or group is not a Christian.
Christ went to the cross asking God to forgive his persecutors.
Jesus said,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”
John 3:16,17
As Christians we have a message of eternal significance. Upon us lies the eternal resting place of those we come in contact with. It is our duty to God to “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven."
Think about it.
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