When Unity is not Best

A couple of weeks ago our pastor mentioned at the beginning of his sermon that he was very frustrated with the “My church is better than your church” attitude. God calls us to unity, and clearly this arrogance causes division, not unity.

He gave a couple examples of churches that some people look down on as being less Biblical. He shared about one church that has everyone drop to their knees at the name of “Jesus.” The reference being Php 2:9-11

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place

and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

A second church practices the washing of feet. This comes from Jesus example and words at the last supper. In John 13:12-17, we read:

When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

I have been meditating on this and praying about it for over a week, because I guess I am one of those who in my heart has condemned other churches for not being Biblical. Over the past 10 years I have come to the deep conviction that there are true followers of Jesus scattered throughout the denominations. However, some denominations make it easier than others for a person to develop a true saving relationship with Jesus.

However, God has given me a calling and a message that is meant to challenge our understanding of what it means to be a Christian. God burdened my heart with the fact that there are MANY who think they are going to heaven who are not. Read Mt 7:21-23.

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one 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 in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

I believe that incorrect teaching – in fact teaching contrary to what the Scriptures say – encourages people to think they are going to heaven when in fact the Bible says they are not. This bothers me a more than I can express! I get very angry at churches that teach falsehoods about God, salvation, and what God considers acceptable behaviour (churches teach too strict as well as too lenient on this one).

What does this have to do with the examples I gave at the beginning of this post? I do have a problem with the churches/denominations my pastor mentioned, because I believe they have strayed from Biblical truth. Not that any one denomination has Biblical truth down pat!! However, the examples my pastor gave of their obedience to Scripture bothered me. Why? Because they are mere acts of legalism if the heart is not behind it.

Anyone can join the congregation in kneeling at the name of Jesus, and then go home and live in a way that totally disregards Jesus. I have a particularly hard time with this denomination because it is where my husband fled when he decided to live openly gay. I am not a gay-basher. I have said it many times in this blog that Jesus' harshest words were to the religious people who point fingers of judgment at others, while basking in their own self-righteousness. (I've been praying about my heart in this matter -- Jesus please help me not to be self-righteous!) Also, in the old testament, the same punishment was prescribed for anyone participating in sexual relations outside of marriage. In North America these days, there are more people in sexual relationships outside of marriage than within marriage.

So, I have a problem with this denomination because it made the deliberate decision to ignore the clear teaching on homosexuality in order to fit in with the modern culture. Look at what the Scriptures say about this.

You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. (James 4:4)

These are God's words, not mine. When a church or a denomination chooses friendship with the world over the truth of Scripture, they have chosen to be an enemy of God. The legalism of bending their knees at the name of Jesus means nothing if it is simply a ceremony on Sunday mornings. The true test is whether that person obeys the heart of Scripture the rest of the week. The tradition to kneel at the name of Jesus is not wrong or bad. It could really make a soft heart responsive to the Lordship of Christ. I think my own congregation could really benefit from more of this physical sign of submission to God. However, if that is the only way you bow before the Son of God, you really haven't bowed before Him at all.

The second example our pastor shared is from a denomination that does not even believe that Jesus is the only way to heaven (talk about friendship with the world!). Yet, they wash feet in obedience to Jesus' command. This one really frustrates me. Jesus was constantly breaking religious traditions that had been piled on top of God's laws. I see this foot washing ceremony in the same way. Jesus washed dirt and manure off the feet of his disciples. In our world today, our feet are really quite clean. Maybe a little sock fluff or some sand, but nothing really all that bad. Did Jesus really mean for us today in our ultra clean culture to wash people's feet? If he did – I think it would be the feet of the homeless or the diabetic, or the person with diseased feet.

We can become legalistic so quickly. “Oh, this is a Biblical church because we obey the teaching to wash feet – and your church doesn't!” What was the heart of Jesus' command? It wasn't to institute another religious ceremony! He was showing us that we need to be willing to do the dirtiest job for the least deserving person. THAT is obedience to His command, not participating in some ceremony. The ceremony is not wrong or bad – but if you think that ceremony replaces the requirement to do the dirty job that no one else wants to do – you have totally missed Jesus' point.

Have I ever washed anyone's feet? Yes, I do so on a regular basis. My brother has many medical issues that affect every part of his body including his feet. His feet have callouses so deep they have caverns, and toenails so thick that no ordinary nail clipper can do anything.. He cannot bend to reach his feet, so I am the one who takes care of them. Yes – it is humbling for both of us. Have I obeyed Jesus command? I'm starting, but I have a long way to go – Jesus washed manure off the feet of His betrayer. I can't think of a really dirty job that I have done for an enemy.

I believe very strongly in unity – but not with those who have made the deliberate choice to deny God's truth in order to be more popular.

This post is not meant to be disrespectful to my pastor in any way.  I appreciate him and respect him very much.  He chose to leave one of the churches discussed in this blog because it had made a decision to put popularity with the world above Scripture.  That decision was a very costly one for my pastor.  I respect his desire to root out the arrogance in us (including in my own life) by pointing out the "My church is better than your church" attitude.  I had to examine the self-righteousness in my own life before I could write this post.  There are areas that I still need help addressing, and my pastor is great at helping us deal with our sin in repentance and grace!

Father,

Thank you so much for the privilege to call You Father! You created the heavens and the earth and yet You consider us the crown of Your creation! Jesus left heaven and came to show us the way to You. He died to open the doors of forgiveness. He prayed for unity among His followers. Oh, Father, we fail so horribly in this area. I, too, am guilty. Give us a heart of unity with other Christ-followers! However, Lord, help us also to be aware of the non-Biblical teachings that are overtaking the North American church! Give us a firm foundation in Your Word that we may know Your truth. Thank You so much for Your Word, Your Faithfulness, and most of all for Your Grace! To You be glory and honour and power for ever and ever! Amen!

Ambassadors for Christ

We are called to be ambassadors for Christ.

I recently had the opportunity to attend a ceremony honouring the relationship between Canada and China. China has loaned two giant pandas to Canada for 10 years. The Prime Minister of Canada spoke nice words about China. The Chinese ambassador to Canada spoke nice words about Canada. It gave me a brief picture of the role of an ambassador. Their role is to ease relations between their country and another.

“At the embassy of a foreign country, there usually exists at least one person who is titled as an ambassador, and stands as representative of his or her country. Should problems or concerns arise between the two countries, the ambassador acts on behalf of his or her government, and meets with heads of state to try to resolve problems or make clear his or her country's stance on a particular issue.”

http://www.wisegeek.org/what-is-an-ambassador.htm

China and Canada have a lot of very different views on how to run their government, on the rights of their people, on freedom, etc.The ambassador tries to resolve problems, not cause them.  If the ambassadors tried to force their views on the people or leaders of the other country, they would be cause strife between the nations. They would have failed in their role as ambassador and would be quickly removed from their post.

We are called to be ambassadors for Christ. Most Christians know that phrase, but many have no clue what it means. Two women from my small group recently shared about the damage caused by other “Christians” who did not understand their role as ambassadors for Christ.

In one situation, my friend was shopping with two of her non-believing relatives. They were having a wonderful time and in one store found all sorts of treasures they were going to buy. Then the store's owner or manager found out that two of them were not Christians and she went after them so aggressively that they fled the store and left the many treasures behind.

In another situation, a friend is the only believer in her family. Members of her family own a franchise and these non-believers choose to open on all holidays. She has spent years gently loving her family and trying to let them know that this is not best. One day shortly before Easter, a woman game in the store and saw the sign that the store would be open on Good Friday and Easter. She started blasting the person behind the counter (my friend's son). She told him that she was so disgusted that they would dare to be open on such an important holiday. She told him he should be ashamed. After further brutal attack she finished with the declaration that she would never again enter that store.

These two women thought they were doing what they were supposed to – forcing their convictions onto others. Their actions undid years of loving witness by my friends. What does it really mean to be an ambassador for Christ? Let's see what the Apostle Paul had to say when he first used that term in Scripture.

Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade others.... For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.

So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. (1Co 5:11a,14-20)

These women seemed to understand the beginning of verse 11 – they were trying to “persuade others.” Unfortunately, they missed the rest of the passage! Our desire to persuade others must come from a deep understanding of Christ's LOVE. We are no longer to live for ourselves, but for Jesus who is love incarnate. (1Jn 4:8)

“So from now on we regard no one with a worldly point of view.” The world is full of judgment and condemnation. We must get rid of that judgment and condemnation as we try to persuade others. Why? Because we have been given a ministry and message of reconciliation, not a ministry of condemnation!

Maybe we need to understand what “reconciliation” means. From http://www.thefreedictionary.com “reconcile: 1) To reestablish a close relationship between.”

So our ministry is to reestablish a close relationship between Jesus and the lost people around us. If we approach someone with judgment in the name of Jesus, do you really think that person will want a close relationship with Jesus? When I was younger, I certainly didn't want anything to do with Jesus or God when ambassadors for Christ judged me and condemned me – especially when it was for harmless actions.

So what will motivate people to want to come back to God? Clearly judgment is not the answer. Absolutely people need to deal with sin, but more people repent in response to love and grace than in response to judgment. Paul declares in the passage above that, “God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them.” It doesn't say that God was reconciling the world to himself by pointing out all their sins. It doesn't say that God was reconciling the world to Himself by forcing people to accept Him. How was God reconciling the world to Himself? By NOT COUNTING people's sins against them!

Is this how we share Jesus? This is a message of GRACE, not a message of judgment It is with this understanding that Paul then gives us the commission that we are to be Christ's ambassadors. We are to ease relations between Jesus and the lost. We are to share the message of grace. We received grace, and it is this grace we are to proclaim to others!

We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. Yes, we are to implore people to be restored to a close relationship with God. I want people to get to know the God of Grace who has set me free! I want people to change their lives because there is a God who loves them so much He died on a cross to take the punishment for their sins. I want people to know that God loves them in spite of their sins and their brokenness. Too often the message Christians give to the lost is that they are not good enough for God. That god is not Jesus Christ – the One who died and rose again to give us New Life and a Living Hope!

Father, Thank you so much for Your incredible love and grace. We do not deserve anything that You give us. Yet, You desire an intimate relationship with us. You sent Your Son to die in our place so that we could enter Your holy presence. That love and grace is truly beyond my comprehension! Please Lord, help us to be grace-filled and loving Ambassadors for Christ. May people be drawn to You by our actions and our words. Forgive us when we speak with judgment and condemnation. Teach us to love others as You love us.

Our Provider

Happy Easter!

What are you celebrating today? The quick answer is: “Easter.” But really, what is your day filled with? What message are the children receiving about Easter? Does the Easter Bunny play a larger role in today's celebrations than Jesus? Are there more Easter egg hunts and chocolate bunnies than time spent remembering what Easter is really about?

Our culture has made Easter a celebration of spring. There is nothing wrong with celebrating spring. I live in Canada where winter can seem far too long at times. Yesterday most of the snow melted. That is worth celebrating! The problem occurs when the celebration of spring becomes more important, or more the focus, than the celebration of the risen Christ.

As the Apostle Paul reminds us, the cornerstone of the Christian faith is the resurrection of Christ.

But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. or if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.

But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. (1 (Co 15:12-22)

Without the good news of the resurrection of Jesus, there is no hope of heaven, there is no forgiveness of sins, there is no intimate relationship with God. If Jesus did not raise from the dead, then His word cannot be trusted, because He claimed He would rise. If Jesus did not raise from the dead, then He is no different than any other world leader who died for his/her people.

There are those who claim the name “Christian” that do not believe in the resurrection. Paul tells them in the above passage that “your faith is futile; you are still dead in your sins.” In humanistic terms, the resurrection doesn't make sense, and those who deny the resurrection while still calling themselves Christians are really humanists.

I come from a scientific background. Logic and facts are very important to me. I must confess, I would be somewhat like Thomas who wanted to see the nail scars in Jesus' hands and the hole in His side. Of course, I don't have that opportunity, but there is an overwhelming amount of evidence, and logic, that supports the resurrection.

I don't have time here to go into the evidence, but I will briefly mention a bit of the logic. Of the 12 Apostles, eleven were martyred for their belief in the resurrection of Jesus. John was imprisoned for that same belief. All of them could have been spared if they would simply deny that profession. They each claimed to see the risen Christ on more than one occasion. They died for that claim. All of us have lied at one time or another. It is usually to make us look better, to get something we shouldn't, or to avoid getting into trouble. If these men were lying, they were not personally benefiting from the lie – rather they died for their lie. That doesn't make any sense to me. These men firmly believed that Jesus did in fact rise from the dead, and they died horrible deaths because of that belief.

That probably isn't quite enough evidence for some of us, but in my own life, I have experienced a personal relationship with the risen Christ. Too many things in my life have been beyond coincidence. I have known “peace that passes understanding” through terrible trials. Once I heard His voice as plain as day. I have prayed for wisdom and received it. I have prayed for relief from depression and have received it. It is hard to explain to someone who doesn't know Jesus intimately what that is like. It has nothing to do with ceremonies, church attendance, or rituals. It is a relationship with someone who is very definitely alive and involved in my life.

I pray that today you may experience the risen Christ in your life.

Rom 15:13

I have shared about a rough few weeks.  This is a verse that helps me get through the hard times.  God is a God of HOPE.  When we trust Him to get us through the tough things in our lives, He fills us with a joy and a peace that is unexplainable to those who don't have a deep relationship with this loving and faithful God.

The Sufferings of Jesus

Have you ever heard the phrase, “Be careful what you pray for – you might get what you asked for.”

Over the past few weeks, that has been my experience.

A few weeks ago I was convicted by our pastor's sermon. In our journey through The Story, a novelized and chronological version of The Bible, we had reached the book of Daniel. In light of the boldness of the men who's lives are recorded in that book, our pastor challenged us, “Are you a Christian of convenience, or a Christian of conviction?” I was particularly challenged about how shallow my times with God had become because of my busy schedule.

So, I prayed two days later to experience more of Him, to know Him better, and to experience His resurrection power. The Apostle Paul prayed a similar prayer in Php 3:10. “I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death...”

God answered Paul's prayer for me, because my prayer could not be answered without the part I left out. In order to know the power of His resurrection, I had to participate in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death.

Well, that evening Jesus started to answer my prayer. I can't go into the details, but I made a very innocent mistake (perhaps it could have been avoided if I had sought counsel) that was totally misunderstood. I was so misunderstood that I was informed that my membership in a particular organization was in jeopardy. I was stunned, shocked, devastated, hurt beyond description.

As the tears flowed, I prayed “God, it hurts so much!” Then it struck me – Jesus was misunderstood more than any person who has ever lived! He came to show God's love, to bring salvation and hope. He was God incarnate, and was condemned to die on a cross as a criminal. Jesus was misunderstood!

My emotional pain was minuscule compared to what Jesus faced. I would have done anything to avoid that pain, yet Jesus came to earth knowing He would face the pain of being misunderstood!

With that glimmer of understanding the sufferings of Christ, I was also able to pray resurrection power over my depression, over Satan’s desire to cause division, and Satan’s desire to ruin the great blessings God has been bringing in my life. I haven’t been so deep with Jesus in a long time. I’m not sure that I have ever prayed with such power against Satan.

I wish the story ended there. Not many days later, the resurrection power was gone and the depression was exerting itself. Praise God for the support, encouragement and prayers of my small group. I got through that challenge and things were sorted out.

However, I still didn't feel as close to Jesus as I wanted to be. I had let the depression get in the way. I again prayed to be closer to Him and to know Him at a deeper level. (I should have learned the first time that that was a dangerous prayer!)

I had always thought of the suffering mentioned in Php 3:10 in terms of His physical sufferings and in terms of persecution – boy did I miss something major! God gave me the opportunity to experience another aspect of Jesus' sufferings. This time I learned what betrayal feels like.

I have had a homemaker coming to my home for 8 years to help with housework. I was given this blessing shortly after my husband left and my life fell apart completely. I was in tremendous need of all kinds of help, and God provided in many ways. I have had the same women coming to help for eight yeas. We have developed a friendship that goes beyond her work hours at my home. I am now certain that over the past 2 years she has stolen at least $250 from me. Losing the money is painful enough when you have so little income. However the greater pain was the pain of being betrayed by a friend.

I have known my entire Christian life that Jesus was betrayed by a friend. This is the first time I have had any understanding of what that FEELS like. The emotional anguish was so deep I felt like throwing up for the next few days. Again, what I faced was nothing compared to the emotional pain Jesus went through as not only one friend betrayed Him (for a mere 30 pieces of silver), but all of the disciples fled when He was arrested. Peter denied that he ever even knew Jesus!

My prayer life has deepened incredibly. I am getting deeper into God's Word again. I have an appreciation for what Jesus did for me that I pray I will never lose. Jesus came to die for us, knowing full well what He would face. He knew He would face misunderstanding, betrayal and abandonment. He knew He would face the worst torture mankind has ever come up with. He knew He would carry the weight of all our sin. He KNEW what He would face, and He still came to die for you and me, and those around us!

Hallelujah! What a Saviour!!!

What gets God upset?

What gets you upset?

You drive an old rust-bucket and your neighbour gets a brand new car every couple of years.

You can't afford all the latest high-tech gadgets

You have to wait two months to see a doctor.

Your child has a disability and has been “labeled.”

These things probably upset God, but not because we are so hard done by, but because our hearts are not breaking for what breaks His.

I have been spending a lot of time with my grandmother lately, and she frequently listens to a radio program that has news news stories and interviews. I have heard a lot of things that I know breaks God's heart.

In many places in Africa there is a belief that if you have sex with a young girl you will be cured of AIDS – the younger the girl, the stronger the cure. The consequence of that belief is obvious and heart- wrenching. You may be upset that your little girl came home from school where someone called her a mean name. How would you feel if she came home and told you she had been raped on the way home from school because some man who had AIDS thought it would cure him?

I heard an interview from a young man who was born in a North Korean prison camp and manged to escape. 200,000 people still live in that one camp. The prisoners were considered to be not-human, and were treated as such. They were fed food not suitable for human consumption, and not enough. They would eat mice or insects or anything else that they could scavenge because they were always hungry. The interviewer recalled hearing a conversation between this young man and another person about women. His response really bothered me. He said he sees all the tampons in the stores and he wishes he could buy them and send them to the women in the camp. They have nothing and the blood would just be soaked up by their clothing. I have always hated the smell and mess of menstruation. I can not imagine having no way to get rid of the mess. The condition of these prisoners breaks God's heart!

There are more slaves in the world today than at any other point in history. Most of those slaves are in the sex trade. The internet and the proliferation of pornography feeds the lust that provides clients for these women, young girls, and boys. These people have absolutely no hope. These children had dreams for what they would do or be when they grew up. I am certain that they never dreamed of being prostitutes! God hates prostitution, He does not hate the prostitutes.

Many of us may be familiar with the encouraging words of Isaiah 1:18.

“Come now, let us settle the matter,”

says the Lord.
“Though your sins are like scarlet,
they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red as crimson,
they shall be like wool.

Let us read it in context. God considers our religious activities meaningless – He even hates them –
when our lives are full of sin and lack of compassion.

Listen to the Lord, you leaders of “Sodom.”
Listen to the law of our God, people of “Gomorrah.”
“What makes you think I want all your sacrifices?”
says the Lord.
“I am sick of your burnt offerings of rams
and the fat of fattened cattle.
I get no pleasure from the blood
of bulls and lambs and goats.
When you come to worship me,
who asked you to parade through my courts with all your ceremony?

Stop bringing me your meaningless gifts;
the incense of your offerings disgusts me!
As for your celebrations of the new moon and the Sabbath
and your special days for fasting—
they are all sinful and false.
I want no more of your pious meetings.
I hate your new moon celebrations and your annual festivals.
They are a burden to me. I cannot stand them!
When you lift up your hands in prayer, I will not look.
Though you offer many prayers, I will not listen,
for your hands are covered with the blood of innocent victims.
Wash yourselves and be clean!
Get your sins out of my sight.
Give up your evil ways.
Learn to do good.
Seek justice.
Help the oppressed.
Defend the cause of orphans.
Fight for the rights of widows.

“Come now, let’s settle this,”
says the Lord.
“Though your sins are like scarlet,
I will make them as white as snow.
Though they are red like crimson,
I will make them as white as wool.

(Isaiah 1:10-18 NLT)

Many people are currently fasting for Lent, as we approach the celebration of Easter. Is the fast just a religious observance because that is what you are supposed to do? If so, Isaiah, speaking the words of God Almighty, says the days of fasting are sinful and false. God will not listen to our prayers if our lives are full of sin and self. It is also not enough to get rid of sin, but we must replace the sin with doing good. God's beautiful promise to cleanse us from our sins must be taken in context. We must first give up our evil ways AND replace the evil with DOING GOOD.

Oh Lord Almighty, It is so easy to become religious! Please help me and those who read this blog to have eyes to see the plank of sin in our own lives! You hate religious self-righteousness more than the sins we love to condemn. You hate it when my eyes are focused on myself and not on the needs of others. Father, please fill my heart with compassion. I know there is a song that has the words “break my heart for what breaks yours.” That is my prayer today for myself and for those reading this blog. I have problems and pains in my life, but they are nothing compared to what the oppressed of this world face. Most of these oppressed peoples do not know you. Many of them have no hope of ever knowing you without a miracle. I have Your love and guidance to help me through hard times. These people have no one. Father, show us how to pray and what to DO for these lost and hurting souls. May our religion be true and pleasing to you. In the precious name of Your Son, Jesus. Amen