As we consider the lost lives of our soldiers today, I cannot help but think of a great milestone in our recent military conflicts. Less than a month ago, the major target of our soldiers, Osama Bin Laden, was killed
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Though few like to contemplate the eternal destiny of a US soldier who rejects Christ, there is little argument about Osama‘s fate in Hell.
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Since Bin Laden was also a warrior, the question must be asked, “Why do we consider our own soldiers heroes and Osama a villain?”
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The answer is simple. There is a difference between good and evil. Good and evil are not based on ones perspective, but are based on the unchanging character of a holy God. I will not suggest that our country has always done what God has expected- though we should have. But Mr. Bin Laden clearly violated the principles and teachings of our God and creator. Osama justified killing innocent people, whereas our Bible teaches that innocents should be protected.
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Some have called our brave soldiers and the politicians who gave them their orders murderers because they must kill in battle. The Apostle Paul clarified that rather than murderers, rulers and the soldiers under them are ministers of justice to restrain evil.
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Romans 13:3-4 KJV 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
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God uses rulers and soldiers to restrain evil. As we consider that many of our soldiers have given their lives for this ministry of service, we should be thankful to both them and God that evil men do not go unchallenged in this wicked world.
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I do not celebrate Osama Bin Laden’s eternity in the Lake of Fire. I wish that instead he had repented and been the recipient of God’s grace in spite of all the evil he did. But I am glad that our God does not leave evil unchecked either in this life or in the next.
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Let us also be somber as we remember that many of our countrymen have crossed from this life to the next as they were used in God’s eternal plan, and that the battles fought were more than flesh and blood, more than gun and sword, but were for the holding back of the spread of true evil.
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Today we remember- we reflect on those soldiers who gave their lives for our good. May we also remember that there is a difference between good and evil, between truth and error, and between a hero and a villain. Let us remember the heroes as we honor their sacrifice of life for what is good.
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As we consider the battle for good and evil, let us not forget that Jesus Christ gave His life in order to defeat sin and death. Because He died, our evil (our individual sin) can be atoned for if we believe and trust Him.
Monday, May 30, 2011
Thursday, May 19, 2011
When Will Jesus Return?
By the time many of you read this, May 21st will have come and gone. For some of you that date has little significance. For the Millers, it is quite important, for it is the first birthday of our youngest son.
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The date also has some significance for those who have been listening to Family Radio. I personally am not a listener, for they have promoted many unbiblical doctrines. Among them is the idea that we can know the date of the Lord’s return. Harold Camping, the president of Family Radio set the date of God’s judgment and the rapture of the elect as May 21st, 2011. So what should our response be to those who set such dates?
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Christ was very clear in teaching that only God the Father knows the timing. “But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.” (Mark 13:32)
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It is tempting to think that Camping and his teaching will become irrelevant after May 21st, but as we look at the history of past date setters, that might not necessarily be the case. In the 1800’s William Miller taught the 2nd coming would be between March 21, 1843 and March 21, 1844. When it didn’t happen, a new date of Oct 22, 1844 was set.
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After that date came and went, some followers left, but many just tried to find a new explanation. Out of this came Ellen G White (founder of 7th day Adventism). They decided that Jesus was moving in heaven on that date, not coming to earth. (Notice the extreme they went to to defend the false teaching)
Another group, led by Jonas Swendahl taught that 1844 was just the beginning of the last generation and that meant the 1844 date was 30yrs off. He set the date at 1874. When that date came and went, one of his followers, Charles Taze Russell decided 30yrs wasn’t long enough for a generation and so he added 70 yrs to 1844 to bring the date to 1914 and founded Zion’s Watchtower Tract Society (Jehovah’s Witnesses). The date was later changed to 1925, 1941, and 1975.
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Harold Camping himself has a history of date speculation. In 1992, he published the book 1994? 1994 has come and gone, yet Camping has now predicted 2011. Deuteronomy 18:20-22 gave those in Old Testament times a way to test the prophets. If their predictions did not come true, they were to be rejected. We shall see if Camping and Family Radio are rejected, or if their followers will come up with some sort of excuse.
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Much of Camping’s errors come about because he applies a spiritual meaning to the text instead of just reading it with the normal use of language. This is a dangerous interpretation method. It allows the individual teacher to decide what the hidden meaning is. All kinds of ideas can then be created with no real Biblical support.
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May we, instead, study the clear meaning of scripture rather than being led astray by every wind of doctrine that comes along. “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:” (Ephesians 4:14-15).
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The date also has some significance for those who have been listening to Family Radio. I personally am not a listener, for they have promoted many unbiblical doctrines. Among them is the idea that we can know the date of the Lord’s return. Harold Camping, the president of Family Radio set the date of God’s judgment and the rapture of the elect as May 21st, 2011. So what should our response be to those who set such dates?
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Christ was very clear in teaching that only God the Father knows the timing. “But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.” (Mark 13:32)
-
It is tempting to think that Camping and his teaching will become irrelevant after May 21st, but as we look at the history of past date setters, that might not necessarily be the case. In the 1800’s William Miller taught the 2nd coming would be between March 21, 1843 and March 21, 1844. When it didn’t happen, a new date of Oct 22, 1844 was set.
-
After that date came and went, some followers left, but many just tried to find a new explanation. Out of this came Ellen G White (founder of 7th day Adventism). They decided that Jesus was moving in heaven on that date, not coming to earth. (Notice the extreme they went to to defend the false teaching)
Another group, led by Jonas Swendahl taught that 1844 was just the beginning of the last generation and that meant the 1844 date was 30yrs off. He set the date at 1874. When that date came and went, one of his followers, Charles Taze Russell decided 30yrs wasn’t long enough for a generation and so he added 70 yrs to 1844 to bring the date to 1914 and founded Zion’s Watchtower Tract Society (Jehovah’s Witnesses). The date was later changed to 1925, 1941, and 1975.
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Harold Camping himself has a history of date speculation. In 1992, he published the book 1994? 1994 has come and gone, yet Camping has now predicted 2011. Deuteronomy 18:20-22 gave those in Old Testament times a way to test the prophets. If their predictions did not come true, they were to be rejected. We shall see if Camping and Family Radio are rejected, or if their followers will come up with some sort of excuse.
-
Much of Camping’s errors come about because he applies a spiritual meaning to the text instead of just reading it with the normal use of language. This is a dangerous interpretation method. It allows the individual teacher to decide what the hidden meaning is. All kinds of ideas can then be created with no real Biblical support.
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May we, instead, study the clear meaning of scripture rather than being led astray by every wind of doctrine that comes along. “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:” (Ephesians 4:14-15).
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Who Is In Charge Anyway?
I once helped with some carpentry work for a family who had a little boy who was about six years old. He was quite a talker and would come out and watch us work and try to “help.” Our job was to build a small landing with steps leading up to that landing. A fairly simple job, except they wanted the steps to come up from three sides with a diagonal. What made the task even more challenging was that the ground was not level leading up to the steps. Thus I was measuring and remeasuring before I started to build. The little guy who was “helping” finally asked, “do you know what your doing?”
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I had to admit to him that the reason I was doing all the measuring was because I didn’t know what I was doing until I had all the information I needed to plan the design, but before explaining that I said, “not really.” He said, “I thought so.” His dad who was helping me was a bit embarrassed, but it left the question: who was really in charge- the dad who owned the house, his friend who was helping figure out how to build the steps, or the little six year old kid?”
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Figuring out who is in charge on the job site can be funny when a six year old wants to lead, but it isn’t quite as funny in the church. So who is in charge in a church setting? For those with a Presbyterian or Centralized governing body, the church simply looks to their synod or headquarters for decisions. Most evangelical churches, however are independent of such bodies and fall into either a congregational or pastoral rule.
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Ephesians 5:23 and Col 1:18 make it clear that Christ is the one who is in charge of the church. Still decisions must be made, and because we are all sinful humans, each form of church government has it’s challenges. One of the dangers of a centralized structure is that if just a few leaders stray from the faith, they can influence a large number of congregations. On the other hand, I fear the worst danger of congregational and elder rule is selfishness.
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Paul actually gave a warning of what would happen when congregations followed their own selfish desires rather than keeping Christ as their head. “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears” (2 Timothy 4:3). I fear that is what has happened in some of the extremes of the seeker sensitive movement.
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In order to counter that tendency, some churches have moved to elder rule. That also has problems. Often there is elder rule without elder accountability. Because pastors are sinful, they too are prone to selfishness. Thus Peter warned, “Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.” (1 Peter 5:3) Hebrews 13 and I Timothy 5, show that pastors are to rule, but Peter has made it clear that it is to be by example. Further they are to be held accountable for their actions. When Paul told Timothy, “them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear“ (I Timothy 5:20), he was talking about rebuking the pastors ( if 2 or 3 witnesses).
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Ironically, one of the reasons why some congregations tolerate tyrannical pastors is because they tickle their ears. Thus you have a situation of selfishness on the part of both the pastor and the congregation. May we remember that Christ is to have the preeminence in the church, not the congregation or the pastor. “And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.” (Col 1:18) Therefore, both pastors and congregations must set aside their selfish desires and put Christ first.
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I had to admit to him that the reason I was doing all the measuring was because I didn’t know what I was doing until I had all the information I needed to plan the design, but before explaining that I said, “not really.” He said, “I thought so.” His dad who was helping me was a bit embarrassed, but it left the question: who was really in charge- the dad who owned the house, his friend who was helping figure out how to build the steps, or the little six year old kid?”
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Figuring out who is in charge on the job site can be funny when a six year old wants to lead, but it isn’t quite as funny in the church. So who is in charge in a church setting? For those with a Presbyterian or Centralized governing body, the church simply looks to their synod or headquarters for decisions. Most evangelical churches, however are independent of such bodies and fall into either a congregational or pastoral rule.
-
Ephesians 5:23 and Col 1:18 make it clear that Christ is the one who is in charge of the church. Still decisions must be made, and because we are all sinful humans, each form of church government has it’s challenges. One of the dangers of a centralized structure is that if just a few leaders stray from the faith, they can influence a large number of congregations. On the other hand, I fear the worst danger of congregational and elder rule is selfishness.
-
Paul actually gave a warning of what would happen when congregations followed their own selfish desires rather than keeping Christ as their head. “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears” (2 Timothy 4:3). I fear that is what has happened in some of the extremes of the seeker sensitive movement.
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In order to counter that tendency, some churches have moved to elder rule. That also has problems. Often there is elder rule without elder accountability. Because pastors are sinful, they too are prone to selfishness. Thus Peter warned, “Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.” (1 Peter 5:3) Hebrews 13 and I Timothy 5, show that pastors are to rule, but Peter has made it clear that it is to be by example. Further they are to be held accountable for their actions. When Paul told Timothy, “them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear“ (I Timothy 5:20), he was talking about rebuking the pastors ( if 2 or 3 witnesses).
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Ironically, one of the reasons why some congregations tolerate tyrannical pastors is because they tickle their ears. Thus you have a situation of selfishness on the part of both the pastor and the congregation. May we remember that Christ is to have the preeminence in the church, not the congregation or the pastor. “And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.” (Col 1:18) Therefore, both pastors and congregations must set aside their selfish desires and put Christ first.
Friday, April 22, 2011
Wow, Our New Baby Pictures
Medical technology is amazing. Today, surgery that used to be done with a scalpel is now done with a laser. My little brother recently had laser eye surgery and is very satisfied with the results. All the technology has actually created a few ethical dilemmas for end of life care as families and doctors try to determine how much to intervene to keep a terminal patient alive.
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Although ethical dilemmas at the end of life have increased, the new technology has helped to answer many questions about the beginning of life. Our family has been growing quickly and my wife is expecting again. Medical technology helped us to see a beautiful ultrasound of our new child even though he or she is only 12 weeks old. We could have actually seen our baby even sooner, but it was amazing how detailed this little person already is. We watched the legs kick and the arms wave. The head was clearly visible. The picture looked like a totally formed baby, just smaller. It looked like a baby because this person is a baby. Though we already have our hands full with our other three boys, we are excited to welcome this new child into our home soon.
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If for some reason we were not able to care for this child, there are many couples who would love to have a new baby but are unable to. My cousin and his wife were such a couple and now they have both a son and a daughter because two biological mothers chose life and adoption.
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We are not considering putting our new baby up for adoption, but my wife’s grandmother did. My mother in law was adopted by a loving couple after her teenage mother gave her up for adoption. She was able to benefit from the love of a mother who carried her to term and then gave her to another loving mother who raised her. Because Grandma Pam chose life so many years ago, we were able to see her great-grandchild on a 12 week ultrasound.
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Luke chapter 1 talks about Elisabeth being six months along in her pregnancy and in vs. 41 it says the baby leaped in her womb. The Bible is clear that what is in the womb is a life, not just tissue. Psalm 51:5 and 139:13-14, Exodus 21:22-25, and Job 31:15 all show that a pregnancy is a human life.
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As I write this, I understand that not all readers will share my views or even the Bible’s views on this matter. I do have one request though. If you ever find yourself overwhelmed with the news of a pregnancy, please get an ultrasound from a doctor who regularly does them so that he is able to get the sort of quality images that we saw. Take a look at what is growing inside of you and see how wonderfully amazing that little life really is.
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Then if you are still overwhelmed, do not feel ashamed of giving a baby up for adoption if you are unable or just too busy to care for him/her. We should not view adoption as a selfish choice at all. It gives childless couples the opportunity to be parents and it gives babies life. It gave my mother-in-law life. Thank you grandma Pam.
-
Although ethical dilemmas at the end of life have increased, the new technology has helped to answer many questions about the beginning of life. Our family has been growing quickly and my wife is expecting again. Medical technology helped us to see a beautiful ultrasound of our new child even though he or she is only 12 weeks old. We could have actually seen our baby even sooner, but it was amazing how detailed this little person already is. We watched the legs kick and the arms wave. The head was clearly visible. The picture looked like a totally formed baby, just smaller. It looked like a baby because this person is a baby. Though we already have our hands full with our other three boys, we are excited to welcome this new child into our home soon.
-
If for some reason we were not able to care for this child, there are many couples who would love to have a new baby but are unable to. My cousin and his wife were such a couple and now they have both a son and a daughter because two biological mothers chose life and adoption.
-
We are not considering putting our new baby up for adoption, but my wife’s grandmother did. My mother in law was adopted by a loving couple after her teenage mother gave her up for adoption. She was able to benefit from the love of a mother who carried her to term and then gave her to another loving mother who raised her. Because Grandma Pam chose life so many years ago, we were able to see her great-grandchild on a 12 week ultrasound.
-
Luke chapter 1 talks about Elisabeth being six months along in her pregnancy and in vs. 41 it says the baby leaped in her womb. The Bible is clear that what is in the womb is a life, not just tissue. Psalm 51:5 and 139:13-14, Exodus 21:22-25, and Job 31:15 all show that a pregnancy is a human life.
-
As I write this, I understand that not all readers will share my views or even the Bible’s views on this matter. I do have one request though. If you ever find yourself overwhelmed with the news of a pregnancy, please get an ultrasound from a doctor who regularly does them so that he is able to get the sort of quality images that we saw. Take a look at what is growing inside of you and see how wonderfully amazing that little life really is.
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Then if you are still overwhelmed, do not feel ashamed of giving a baby up for adoption if you are unable or just too busy to care for him/her. We should not view adoption as a selfish choice at all. It gives childless couples the opportunity to be parents and it gives babies life. It gave my mother-in-law life. Thank you grandma Pam.
Friday, April 8, 2011
Grace For The Mess of Sin
We have three little boys who all share one room. That means that not only do all three sleep there, but there are also three dressers and clothes for three boys all in one room. The two oldest ones are just learning how to dress themselves, so as they search for clothes, they can often create a lot of disarray. Further they often drag things into their room that don’t belong there. Lets face it, the nursery becomes a mess.
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Well, my wife decided to tackle that mess. She put everything back in its place and the nursery once again looked neat and orderly. In the process though, she took aome things that did not belong there and temporarily moved them to the dining room until they could be sorted. Because the dining room was now a mess, I did not even notice how nice the nursery looked.
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My wife had worked hard and had gotten the nursery really nice, but because that mess had simply been transferred to another room, her hard work went largely unnoticed.
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Man often does the same sort of thing with sin. We might gain victory in one area, simply to realize that other sins have gotten worse. We then clean up those areas and find the first area is dirty again. Suddenly we realize that the battle against sin is like trying to keep every last leaf out of our yard in the fall while the wind in blowing.
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The apostle Paul understood that struggle when he wrote in Romans 7:15, “For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.” He is admitting that he ends up doing some of the things that he preaches against and ends up sinning even though he hates sin. The passage continues as the Apostle shares very personal thoughts about his inward struggle with sin. You can almost feel his frustration as you read his writing. I know I feel it myself as I examine my own life and my struggles with the sin nature.
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After understanding that apostles and pastors still struggle with sin, what kind of hope do any of us have? Paul himself seemed to ask that same question before answering it himself. “O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” (Romans 7:24) The answer comes in the very next chapter of Romans as he finally writes: “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (Romans 8:1)
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The point is, we cannot be sinless. Our only hope is in Christ, and as we trust Him and walk in His Spirit, we no longer have to worry about condemnation even though we are sinners. Of course Paul was not saying that this gives us license to sin. Consider his earlier clarification on this, “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” (Romans 6:1-2)
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God’s grace is not an excuse to sin, but it is a wonderful hope to all of us as we inevitably fall into sin even after we have trusted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. As we walk in submission to the Spirit of God, let us remember the wonderful hope of His grace. “Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:” (Romans 5:20)
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Well, my wife decided to tackle that mess. She put everything back in its place and the nursery once again looked neat and orderly. In the process though, she took aome things that did not belong there and temporarily moved them to the dining room until they could be sorted. Because the dining room was now a mess, I did not even notice how nice the nursery looked.
-
My wife had worked hard and had gotten the nursery really nice, but because that mess had simply been transferred to another room, her hard work went largely unnoticed.
-
Man often does the same sort of thing with sin. We might gain victory in one area, simply to realize that other sins have gotten worse. We then clean up those areas and find the first area is dirty again. Suddenly we realize that the battle against sin is like trying to keep every last leaf out of our yard in the fall while the wind in blowing.
-
The apostle Paul understood that struggle when he wrote in Romans 7:15, “For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.” He is admitting that he ends up doing some of the things that he preaches against and ends up sinning even though he hates sin. The passage continues as the Apostle shares very personal thoughts about his inward struggle with sin. You can almost feel his frustration as you read his writing. I know I feel it myself as I examine my own life and my struggles with the sin nature.
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After understanding that apostles and pastors still struggle with sin, what kind of hope do any of us have? Paul himself seemed to ask that same question before answering it himself. “O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” (Romans 7:24) The answer comes in the very next chapter of Romans as he finally writes: “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (Romans 8:1)
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The point is, we cannot be sinless. Our only hope is in Christ, and as we trust Him and walk in His Spirit, we no longer have to worry about condemnation even though we are sinners. Of course Paul was not saying that this gives us license to sin. Consider his earlier clarification on this, “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” (Romans 6:1-2)
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God’s grace is not an excuse to sin, but it is a wonderful hope to all of us as we inevitably fall into sin even after we have trusted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. As we walk in submission to the Spirit of God, let us remember the wonderful hope of His grace. “Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:” (Romans 5:20)
Friday, March 25, 2011
How to Finance God’s Work
Palm Sunday is just a few weeks away. As Jesus came to Jerusalem that first Palm Sunday, many believed that He was riding into the capital city to set up His Kingdom and to reign as a king. They likely expected Him to drive the Romans out, but instead He went to the Temple and drove out those who bought and sold. As He did so, He quoted part of Isaiah 56:7, “Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.”
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Notice that God had said in Isaiah that the Temple would be a house of prayer for all people. The context of Isaiah 56:7 is that the stranger- the Gentile/non-Jew, would have the joy of praying and worshipping in the Temple. There was actually a special court set apart in the Temple just for the Gentiles. It is believed that this court was the place where the moneychangers and sellers of animals had set up shop.
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Imagine a Gentile traveling from a far country to worship the true God coming into the Temple. He would find the place that was to be set apart for him to pray looking like crazy days on Main Street. No wonder Jesus drove out those who bought and sold.
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I was recently asked how churches justify fundraising activities in their building in light of what Jesus did in the Temple. Since we do not do fundraisers (bakes sales, raffles, etc) I hesitate to say how others justify it, but let me point out that the church building is not the same as the Old Testament Temple. Since the cross of Christ, we no longer have to bring burnt offerings and sacrifices to God’s special house of prayer.
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Some believe that our modern church buildings have actually replaced the Temple but it is actually the believer’s human body that is now God’s special dwelling place. “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” (I Corinthians 3:16)
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The church building is definitely different than the temple, but this brings up another issue. How should the church be financed? Paul said that on the first day of the week (Sunday) God’s people should bring in an offering based on what they had earned throughout the week. “Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.” (I Corinthians 16:2). If Christians would faithfully and consistently bring in a portion of what they earned then the church wouldn‘t need to fundraise. (10% is the literal definition of the word “tithe” and offerings are above that). Malachi 3:8 says, “Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.”
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Consider the classic bake sale. After you figure the time and ingredients for the cake, is the church really making much more than if the baker had just given her money? As I consider that many look at these activities for their social, rather than monetary value, let us be reminded that tithes and offerings have effectively financed God’s work for thousands of years. We need not be dependant on fundraisers.
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Notice that God had said in Isaiah that the Temple would be a house of prayer for all people. The context of Isaiah 56:7 is that the stranger- the Gentile/non-Jew, would have the joy of praying and worshipping in the Temple. There was actually a special court set apart in the Temple just for the Gentiles. It is believed that this court was the place where the moneychangers and sellers of animals had set up shop.
-
Imagine a Gentile traveling from a far country to worship the true God coming into the Temple. He would find the place that was to be set apart for him to pray looking like crazy days on Main Street. No wonder Jesus drove out those who bought and sold.
-
I was recently asked how churches justify fundraising activities in their building in light of what Jesus did in the Temple. Since we do not do fundraisers (bakes sales, raffles, etc) I hesitate to say how others justify it, but let me point out that the church building is not the same as the Old Testament Temple. Since the cross of Christ, we no longer have to bring burnt offerings and sacrifices to God’s special house of prayer.
-
Some believe that our modern church buildings have actually replaced the Temple but it is actually the believer’s human body that is now God’s special dwelling place. “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” (I Corinthians 3:16)
-
The church building is definitely different than the temple, but this brings up another issue. How should the church be financed? Paul said that on the first day of the week (Sunday) God’s people should bring in an offering based on what they had earned throughout the week. “Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.” (I Corinthians 16:2). If Christians would faithfully and consistently bring in a portion of what they earned then the church wouldn‘t need to fundraise. (10% is the literal definition of the word “tithe” and offerings are above that). Malachi 3:8 says, “Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.”
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Consider the classic bake sale. After you figure the time and ingredients for the cake, is the church really making much more than if the baker had just given her money? As I consider that many look at these activities for their social, rather than monetary value, let us be reminded that tithes and offerings have effectively financed God’s work for thousands of years. We need not be dependant on fundraisers.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Making Decisions in Marriage
Ephesians 5:21 teaches mutual submission, yet the verses following teach that a wife is to submit to her husband. How can both be obeyed?
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I love to drive down roads I’ve never been on before. Often if we are not pressed for time, I will turn down a road that takes me in the direction I want to go, even though I have no idea where it goes.
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Often my wife is with me and if I ask her if she thinks it’s a good idea, she will say that she would have stayed on the main road. Even though she would prefer the main road, she calmly accepts my decision, understanding that I will take total responsibility if we get lost.
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My little driving excursions provide an illustration for a healthy marriage relationship. Ephesians 5 gives instruction to both husbands and wives. Wives are told that they are to submit to their husbands, and husbands are told that they are to love their wives. Some have balked at that teaching, claiming that it is overtly sexist.
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Though the teaching does deal with issues along gender lines, we should not think of it as oppressive. Within a husband and wife relationship decisions must be made. Since there are two people in the marriage the vote will either be 100% or split 50/50. This could present a huge problem, but in our marriage, I get the tie breaking vote because Ephesians 5:22 gives me that right.
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Now this is great for me, because I get to drive down any road I want to even if I don’t know where I’m going. For my wife, its really not that big of deal what road we go down unless she needs to get home quickly for something special she has planned.
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So what if I always exercised my right to cast the tie breaking vote, but never consulted my wife first? For example my wife may want to get home quickly because she is not feeling well. If I did not even allow her input before casting the tie breaking vote, I would not be aware of that. So what should I do with my tie breaking vote once I have that information? Ephesians 5:25 says, “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it.” As a loving husband, if I am to obey Ephesians 5:25, I must cast my tie breaking vote in her favor instead of mine in such a situation.
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In order for this to work, I also have to trust that my wife is telling the truth and not just lying about how she feels in order to get her way. You see, love and submission are not the only important elements in a relationship, there must also be trust and communication.
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Whenever an issue comes up where I must cast the tie breaking vote, we first communicate so that I have all the information that she has so that I can make a loving decision as I cast that vote. Then, my wife has the understanding that all the consequences of that decision will fall on my shoulders. That takes a lot of pressure off of her as she submits to the decision and it allows me to make the decision with love. My love does not mean that I always let her have her way nor does her submission mean I always decide to do what I want to do. In this way we are truly submitting one to another in the fear of God (Ephesians 5:21).
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“Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.” (Ephesians 5:33)
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I love to drive down roads I’ve never been on before. Often if we are not pressed for time, I will turn down a road that takes me in the direction I want to go, even though I have no idea where it goes.
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Often my wife is with me and if I ask her if she thinks it’s a good idea, she will say that she would have stayed on the main road. Even though she would prefer the main road, she calmly accepts my decision, understanding that I will take total responsibility if we get lost.
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My little driving excursions provide an illustration for a healthy marriage relationship. Ephesians 5 gives instruction to both husbands and wives. Wives are told that they are to submit to their husbands, and husbands are told that they are to love their wives. Some have balked at that teaching, claiming that it is overtly sexist.
-
Though the teaching does deal with issues along gender lines, we should not think of it as oppressive. Within a husband and wife relationship decisions must be made. Since there are two people in the marriage the vote will either be 100% or split 50/50. This could present a huge problem, but in our marriage, I get the tie breaking vote because Ephesians 5:22 gives me that right.
-
Now this is great for me, because I get to drive down any road I want to even if I don’t know where I’m going. For my wife, its really not that big of deal what road we go down unless she needs to get home quickly for something special she has planned.
-
So what if I always exercised my right to cast the tie breaking vote, but never consulted my wife first? For example my wife may want to get home quickly because she is not feeling well. If I did not even allow her input before casting the tie breaking vote, I would not be aware of that. So what should I do with my tie breaking vote once I have that information? Ephesians 5:25 says, “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it.” As a loving husband, if I am to obey Ephesians 5:25, I must cast my tie breaking vote in her favor instead of mine in such a situation.
-
In order for this to work, I also have to trust that my wife is telling the truth and not just lying about how she feels in order to get her way. You see, love and submission are not the only important elements in a relationship, there must also be trust and communication.
-
Whenever an issue comes up where I must cast the tie breaking vote, we first communicate so that I have all the information that she has so that I can make a loving decision as I cast that vote. Then, my wife has the understanding that all the consequences of that decision will fall on my shoulders. That takes a lot of pressure off of her as she submits to the decision and it allows me to make the decision with love. My love does not mean that I always let her have her way nor does her submission mean I always decide to do what I want to do. In this way we are truly submitting one to another in the fear of God (Ephesians 5:21).
-
“Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.” (Ephesians 5:33)
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