It's a BIG DEAL!

The last couple of posts have dealt with the mixed messages that we often hear in church. There are those who seek a balance between grace and the law, love and wrath, mercy and judgement, and/or freedom and requirements. I understand the struggle because I lived it for so many years. Much of what I preached, taught, and wrote about was nothing more than a mixed-grace message. A jockeying back and forth between the Old and New Covenant. It wasn't until I resigned to live a life of grace that I discovered just how distorted the Christian life had become.

Galatians 3:3 sums up perfectly what I am trying to say about living in grace versus trying to live by the law: "Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?" In essence, what most people seem to believe, live, and teach is that we are saved by grace but kept by the law. Which is drastically different from the message of grace that Paul preached which is summed up in these words: It is grace that saves you, grace that keeps you, and grace that empowers you.

Where we have failed to connect the dots is in what Paul is trying to say to the church in Galatia. You are not made perfect by the flesh. No amount of flesh can validate you, justify you, keep you sanctified, or add anything to the grace of God at work in your life. To try and live this way, according to Paul, is to actually fall from grace. It is to backslide (if you will) into a life of keeping the rules rather than living by the enablement of God. Which sounds better to you?

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, you need to get this definition deep down into your spirit. The word GRACE that we read in our bibles is the translation of the Greek word "Charis" - the merciful kindness by which God, exerting His holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues. It really doesn't get much simpler than that. It is our misunderstanding of grace that has kept us living out the mixed messages, struggling to understand the power of God available to us, and fearful that we haven't done enough. The grace of God allows you to rest. To trust. To live in absolute assurance.

How often have we sang the words "Grace greater than all our sin", only to hear something from the pulpit that sounded much different? The struggle is real. The mixed messages are all around us. We've received them from parents, peers, spouses, and pastors. We've experienced them in relationships and even within ourselves. It's maddening. PLEASE HEAR ME OUT: It takes faith to believe that His grace is enough. We call it rest, but we often have to labor to enter into it. Don't sell yourself short. Don't fall into the trap of the mixed-grace message. Believe in the grace of God as fully as the Father believes in it. It's a BIG DEAL!

Remember Romans 3:20, "NO ONE will be declared righteous in God's sight by the works of the law." Learn to live in His grace. It is a life worth living. Shalom!

The Law of Christ

2 Corinthians 3:6, "[God] Who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life."

Last week I shared some of the differences between Law and GRACE. Although many people accept these differences, the most common question is: "Then what are we supposed to do?" Or better translated, "How do we know the difference between right and wrong?" What we have failed to understand is to live by the knowledge of good and evil is the temptation that led to the fall of the human race. Jesus didn't come to set right our morals about right and wrong. He came so that we would learn to eat from the Tree of Life.

The knowledge of good and evil sounds like a noble way to live. It also sounds much easier than just trying to live by the Spirit. However, what we discover over and over again in the Scriptures is that Jesus meant for us to walk in the Spirit, not in the flesh. The Law, can only lead to condemnation. The Law leaves us feeling guilty, ashamed, and at the end of our rope. The Spirit of Life in Jesus has set us free from the law of sin and death. It's high time that we learn how to live differently.

Matthew Henry, in his commentary on Romans, penned these words: "By the Spirit, the law of live is written upon the heart, and though the righteousness of the law is not fulfilled by us, blessed be God, it is fulfilled in us." THAT, my friend, is the beauty of grace. Drastically different than trying to live by the law. In Christ, you discover that the standard is not something written in stone, but something that has been written upon your heart. Namely, Jesus. He is the standard. The Old Covenant operated under a "WHAT?" The New Covenant operates under a "WHO?" The life of Jesus in you sets you free from the law of sin and death.

Several of the writings we read in the New Testament testify to this incredible truth. We read about the "Law of Love", the "Law of the Spirit of Life", the "Law of Christ", and the "Perfect Law of Liberty." Rather than a ministry of condemnation (which is what we read about Moses' law), the Law of Christ is something more glorious. To live as He lived. To love as He loved. To enjoy relationship with His Heavenly Father, our Father.

Think of this way:
Under the Old Covenant love was demanded of us.
Under the New Covenant love is given to us.
Jesus says, "As I have loved you, you should love one another."
In this new way of life, we are simply giving what we have received.

Through GRACE we have discovered how to love. We are empowered to live in His righteousness. We find that the Father has given us everything we need for life and godliness. This isn't something we have to create in ourselves. It's the life of Christ being lived in and through us. The work of the Holy Spirit. Coming to this understanding, why would we ever need to run back to a law? The Law of Christ is a much better way to live. The way the Father intended for us to live all along.

I can introduce you to this way of life, but it will take some work to learn how to live in it. We struggle to get out of our religious thinking. We reduce the Christian faith to a list of rules and beliefs, all the while missing out on the glorious life of the Spirit. But this life is yours for the taking. A wonderful, Spirit filled life. Full of freedom. Full of His unfailing love. Full of learning what it means to be sons and daughters of God. Enjoy the journey!

Grace - It's a New Day

I truly believe one of the greatest tragedies in the church of today is that of mixed messages. It's almost as if we talk out of both sides of our mouth. We say we believe in the unconditional love of God, but then speak of Him in such a way that He would take His love away. We speak of the necessity of grace, but put so much emphasis on performance. We talk about identity in Christ, but often hear people refer to themselves in a negative way. Back and forth we go. Continually struggling to find our footing. Fearful. Lacking confidence in all that Jesus has done.

The most popular argument out there right now is this belief that some pastors/preachers are teaching a "hyper-grace" message. In other words, too much grace. They honestly believe that there is a need for the law and grace to be preached side to side. That grace preachers don't care about sin, holiness, and/or a person's lifestyle. Some have gone so far as to demonize these men and women. Labeling them as false teachers. Running back to the "safety" of the law, and falling away from the grace of God in Christ. What they have failed to realize is that this is exactly what Paul warned the Galatians to stay away from. This mixed message is nothing short of a dual covenant. Missing out on the beauty of the grace of God at work in our lives.

John 1:17, "For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ." This has to be one of the greatest verses in all of Scripture. Think about the incredible differences between these two. The law was seen as a means of being right with God. Your holiness was directly tied to your ability to follow it. 613 commandments. 365 negative - teaching you to abstain from certain things. 248 positive - acts that you were to perform. When you read about the "Law of Moses" in the New Testament, this is what the writer is referring to. Grace, on the other hand, is "the merciful kindness by which God, exerting His holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues." [according to Thayer's definition]. A better way of saying it, in my opinion, is that the grace of God is the divine enablement of God. That which allows us to live out everything He has provided for life and godliness.

Talk about a new way of living!
One approach to God is all about your performance. The other rests in the finished work of Christ.
One keeps you bound up in rules. The other allows you to live freely in relationship.
One is focused upon that which is written on tablets. The other is about that which has been written upon your heart.
One leaves you helpless. The other empowers.
When John announces that GRACE came by Jesus, he is announcing that It's a New Day!

But wait, he doesn't stop there. John also stated that TRUTH came by Jesus. This word in the original language speaks of that which is true under any circumstance. It points to a greater reality. Not only is it true, but it is that which has always been true. What has been true concerning God, and that which has been true concerning you. Jesus, by giving us grace and truth, is enabling us to live in that which has always been true. WOW!!!

As I read these words, I wonder why we are so quick to run back to an inferior way of life? I wonder why we would ever go back to a performance based system? I wonder why we put so much hope in our ability, and struggle to accept His? Why would we ever want to live in rules and rituals rather than in the abundant freedom that He has provided?

I think that in some way there is a sense of security in well defined rules. There must be, because Moses didn't seem to mind handing out 613 of them. It kind of lets you know where you stand doesn't it? Sort of? Or...maybe it just lets you know where you fall. Not only that, but it lets you know where others fall as well. It brings us right back to a lifestyle of right and wrong. It allows us to judge others and keep tabs. It keeps everyone looking the same, acting the same, and following the same path. Grace on the other hand is radically different. The standard lives within you. While there are still self-evident laws (things like do not kill, steal, etc.), there isn't just one way of doing it right. Its effectiveness hinges upon relationship. Where you and the Lord get to determine certain things about your life. Always mindful that your freedom should never become a stumbling block for someone else.

There is no such thing as too much grace. That's like saying we are focusing too much on Jesus.
There is no such thing as too much freedom. That's like saying being partially enslaved is okay.
Our Heavenly Father has entrusted us with these things. While I have no doubt that there are some people who abuse these things, there are those who abuse the other system as well. Using the law as a way to manipulate and control others is just as damaging as someone who seeks to abuse the grace of God. The key is keeping Jesus at the center of your life, and allowing the Holy Spirit to guide you in all truth.

Remember the words of the Apostle Paul, "Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?"
Grace - you can't live without it.

Not Many Fathers

In 1 Corinthians 4:15, we read these words from the Apostle Paul, "For though you have countless guides (other translations read 10,00 instructors, countless guides, and/or 10,000 guardians) in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel."

One of the things that Paul addresses in his letter to the Corinthian Church is his unique role to the community. He uses several metaphors and statements that appeal to his apostleship and his ministry among them. He says things like, "I am your servant", "I am a slave of God", "I am a steward of God's mysteries." However, none of these statements should grip their hearts like this one: "I am your father." A concept that has been lost in the modern church. A unique relationship between a spiritual father and his children. A need, I pray, will be filled in the generations to come.

Paul had just finished summing up what he believes is the way in which most people view him and the other apostles. Men sentenced to death. Fools for the sake of the gospel. A spectacle to the world. He did not say these things to shame the people at Corinth, but to admonish them as his beloved children. Paul honestly felt a kinship to this church, and rightly so. He was used of God for the birthing of this koinonia. He was with them in the beginning. He had done what any good father would do in raising up sons. He had given them the Gospel, and shared with them what the life of faith looks like. While so many were claiming loyalties to other men of God, and creating division among themselves, the apostle here asserts his God given role.

I believe we struggle to understand spiritual fathering because we grew up only understanding the role of a pastor. He was the guy who preached every Sunday (and any other day of the week designated). He guided us. Became a shepherd to the flock. Was the primary voice that we heard. Of course, many of us also had Sunday School teachers. People that we often looked up to as men and women of God. But how many of them actually took on the role of fathering? How many of them had sons who would sit at their feet, learn from them, and carry the mantle (if you will) of this individual? Not many. And to be honest with you, I don't that there is a surefire way of dealing with this lack in the Body of Christ. All I know is that fathers are needed.

Another way of looking at spiritual fathering is a word that many feel more comfortable using. That word is "mentoring." A mentor is an experienced and trusted adviser. Someone we look to for wisdom, advice, and council. While spiritual mentoring is helpful, I don't believe that it replaces the need for fathering. *Please note that when I speak of fathering that I do not mean this term to be gender specific*
A great way to view spiritual fathering is found in this definition: "A spiritual father (or mother) helps a spiritual son (or daughter) reach his or her God-given potential." Not only that, but I believe a spiritual father walks much more closely with an individual than a mentor. A father is someone you glean from. You see how they live their lives and you learn to emulate. Just as Paul could say to the people at Corinth, "be imitators of me", a spiritual father provides an example of what the Christian life looks like in everyday life.

So many in the church fear this approach. They don't want to be followers of men. However, I don't believe that people in the church are as independent as they believe themselves to be. They just don't have this type of intimate relationship with someone. They have missed out on the beauty of true discipleship, which happens in relationship. We have done fairly well at making this thing all about throwing out principles and rules for people to adhere to. But we have done a horrible job of walking with others.

In Titus we read about the older men and women taking the younger believers under their wing. Teaching them what it means to live the faith in their generation. Something that has been terribly lacking in the church. It's so easy for us to put it all on teachers and preachers, all the while missing out on an incredible opportunity to raise up sons. Not only that, but so many of these young believers are walking around aimlessly. Forging a Christianity that is void of fathering.

Others among us have simply become a follower of their favorite TV preacher. I don't refer to this person as a pastor in this regard because they aren't actually pastoring the individual watching. This approach to spirituality is void of so many things. It doesn't require intimacy. There is no accountability. It is lacking the care and instruction that fathering provides. Instead, we simply find a preacher that we like, one who says the things that we already agree with, and they become the voice we often heed. Sometimes what this TV personality says can become even more important than the pastor we sit under every week. At what point will this madness end? Paul's words to the early church still ring true today. There is no doubt that we have 10,000 (and counting) instructors in Christ, but we don't have many fathers. In most cases we don't even have one.

With all of that being said, I do realize that we don't enter anything without discernment. There are some leaders who have used fathering and shepherding as a way of controlling and manipulating individuals. However, fear cannot dictate our direction. There should be people in our lives that we can look up to, trust, and ultimately walk with. People who have given themselves to the Gospel and the establishment of the Kingdom. People who have a track record of loving God and others. Who are mature, solid, and established. This person may be your pastor. He or she may be a Sunday School teacher, or they may lead a particular ministry. They may just have a testimony of being a godly spouse, parent, and citizen in the community. They don't have to possess a title. They just need to have a heart to be a father. And you, well you need the heart of a son.

The Kingdom of God moves at the speed of relationship. Don't miss out on the people that our Heavenly Father places in your life. They very well could be the person that helps you reach your full potential.

Dear Church...

There is so much that I want to share with you. So much that you really need to know. Let me start off by saying I truly do love you. Who you are, and what you represent is so precious. The people that make up your body are wonderful. I can recall countless times that I experienced the Lord so fully through each of them. You need to know that my heart is not jaded towards you. That I honestly want what is best for you. That I care deeply about your future.

I see you struggling. Filled with fear because so many see you as irrelevant. Wondering how in the world you can make a difference. This fear has caused so many within you to lash out. I hear the cries of judgement and condemnation. I have witnessed their posturing and isolation. I know that they only want what is best as well, but they don't see how much distance they continue to create. It breaks my heart.

Those people...out there in the world...they are your mission. I know that their lifestyles don't often line up with what you believe is true. I know that many of them make destructive choices, and that you feel that so many of them is what's wrong with the world. But that doesn't change who they are. They still bear the image and likeness of our Creator. They still hope for a better way of life. So many of them are hurt, abused, confused, and disoriented. Some of them used to be a part of your congregations, but for whatever reason they chose to walk away. Others have wanted nothing to do with you at all. I realize that is painful, but there is a better way to get their attention.

Some of you on the inside are struggling with one another as well. Your presence is seen through social media, blogs, videos, articles, and some of you are even on TV. You have allowed styles, structures, and even doctrines to create schisms among you. You demonize people with various opinions, criticize the different communities within Christianity, and seek to discredit every alternate voice. The sad part is that you use the Bible as a weapon against your own. Seeking to justify yourself and your stances. That was never the intent of the Scriptures.

With all of that being said, there is so much good in you. There is healing within you that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. People can come to you for a fresh start in life. They can discover peace, love, forgiveness, and joy among you. They can know their Creator because of you, and all that He has done to save this world. The question is: How can we make that reality?

I don't pretend to have all of the answers. What I can offer you is an honest and well thought out opinion. I can share with you what I see in Scripture. And I can be a part of the solution, rather than be a part of the problem. You see, the temptation is always to walk contrary to your design. Things like bitterness, unforgiveness, hate, selfishness, fear, and the like, are not a part of the original you. You were always meant to walk in things like forgiveness, reconciliation, love, selflessness, and confidence just to name a few. The world was never meant to set your agenda, and you were never meant to mirror their actions. Here's a good rule of thumb: If you don't see it alive and active in Jesus, then you can be sure that it was never meant to be alive and active in you. There is more to you than people know.

I realize that this may take some time. I know how easy it is to be critical of the world. I know that we can allow ourselves to get puffed up with pride because we think we have it all together. But the reality is...we don't have it all together. We are still learning. We are still growing. We still find ourselves in need of grace and mercy. We are still learning what it means to be sons of God. A little honesty in this area can be very refreshing. How about this? How about we keep it simple? Let's determine to love God, to love our neighbor, and allow Him to fill out the rest. That sounds too simple I'm sure. However, I just came across this verse again this morning and it has filled me with incredible hope. I really do believe that your future...OUR FUTURE...depends upon these words:
"Above all, clothe yourselves with LOVE, which binds us together in perfect harmony." Colossians 3:14

This was never meant to be difficult. At least, not in the sense that we have made it difficult. Rather than handing the world our judgments and criticisms. Rather than creating division and strife among our members. Rather than seeming irrelevant in the world. Lets learn how to love, and love well. Lets give ourselves to this endeavor. I do believe the world will take notice.

I realize that there is much more that could be said. I know that this is just a small tip of the iceberg. But I really do believe that "love covers a multitude of sins." What have we got to lose? Are you with me?

In love,

A member of your body

Simplicity in a New Year

Happy 2016 everyone! I hope that the turn of this New Year finds you with hope and excitement. Speaking with several different people, I have discovered that there is great expectancy among so many for the coming year. May the Lord continue to guide and direct every step of the journey.

At the beginning of every year I ask the Lord to give me a word that will help guide me and the church that I pastor. This has been my practice for at least the last decade, if not longer. This year's word not only brought with it great excitement, but a deep sigh of refreshment.
Simplicity.
I'm always amazed at how complex life can become. How easy it is for us to miss out on the simplicity of faith, relationships, and love. It is my belief, as it relates to my own personal life and the Pioneer Family, that a return to simplicity is in order.

One of my favorite definitions of simplicity is "freedom from complexity." Complexity is generally used to characterize something with many parts where those parts interact with each other in multiple ways. It's unfortunate that our lives tend to be characterized by this word. It seems as though our joy, our freedom, our relationships, and even our faith becomes complex. Difficult. Hard to manage and/or understand. For some people, even the simple can become complex when we are trying to fit it into an established mindset. What the Lord is wanting to do in our lives is not complex. It may be deep sometimes, but He always has a way of using the simple things to confound the wise.

2 Corinthians 11:3 has always been a favorite verse of mine. It constantly reminds me to focus on the "simplicity of Christ." A word that often gets translated as simple and pure devotion. It describes the one that is free from pretense or hypocrisy, and one that is not self-seeking and possesses an openness of heart. Paul's warning to the church at Corinth was to bring to light those who were seeking to draw them away from genuine faith in Christ. Seeking to complicate the faith, enslave them to rules and rituals, and to blind them to the reality of the grace of God at work in their lives. The example of Eve being deceived by the serpent was given to awaken the church to the subtle way in which those with ulterior motives can move among us.

How does this relate to the faith? Quite simple really. What the Lord had done among the Gentile churches was nothing short of phenomenal. Corinth was no exception. They were a melting pot of diverse cultures and backgrounds. While they had their difficulties, Paul seemed to take an approach that would allow the members to work through their issues. Love would be at the core of all they would do. He had written them at least on one other occasion to deal with the majority of the problems. He guided them through it, gave detailed instructions when necessary, and believed that the grace of God would take care of the rest. What he dealt with, primarily, was the ones who sought to control this community of believers, to manipulate what the Father was doing among them, and the division that it was creating. He had witnessed a community rising up in pure faith, being led astray from the simplicity of Christ. Something that is all too easy to lose.

How do we return to simplicity?

We allow love to be the driving force in all that we do.
We become dominated by the mindset of relationship.
And we demonstrate this lifestyle in our everyday lives.

Go back and read 1 Corinthians 13. This was not something Paul wrote out to be read in a wedding service. It was a defining of love in action among the body. Rather than allowing ourselves to be driven by other forces at work among us, we allow love to dictate in every circumstance. Love keeps us from being performance driven and self-seeking. Everything changes when we do what we do from a position of love.

Being dominated by the mindset of relationship, reminds us that this was at the core of all that Jesus taught His disciples. When asked about the greatest commandment, He summed them all up in two statements: Love for God and Love for Our Neighbor. He showed us that all of the Law and Prophets hung on these two things. John also believed that this was vitally important. Which is why he reminded the church that you cannot say that you love God whom you have not seen and hate your brother who has been made in His image and likeness. It's impossible. Why? Because love for God is demonstrated in our love for others and vice-versa.

Demonstrating this lifestyle in our everyday lives keeps us from become building centered. This is a much more difficult task for the Western Church because when we say the word "church" we often visualize a meeting place. Something amazing happens in us when the word "church" is accompanied by the vision of people in our lives. We begin to see the church as she was always meant to be. More than a meeting place. Greater than an organization or a business. A living, breathing, Body with many members. Not only does it move us away from a building centered mentality, but it reminds us of the holiness of every day of the week. That God is not limited to an hour on Sunday but is able to move in our lives 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days in a year. We find that every moment can be holy, every relationship important, and every opportunity life changing.

The Early Church was not birthed in a Temple but from the overflow of an upper room experience. Men and women filled with the Holy Spirit, preached as the Spirit gave utterance. People of different languages heard the Good News, were convinced of the finished work of Christ, and sought to join themselves to the fellowship. God, once again, demonstrating that His greatest works were not performed in man made things. Proving that He simply needs a people who will be sensitive to what He is doing at any given time.

Simple - yet profound.
Pure - yet incredibly deep.
Discovering the reality of faith in every area of life. Loving God with all of our heart, all of our soul, all of our mind, and all of our strength. And loving our neighbor as we love ourselves. This is the heart of our faith. This is the simplicity of Christ. Not a religious exercise with hoops to jump through and rules to satisfy, but a deep abiding reality of the Father's love among us. A return to the simplicity of relationship that began in the Garden. God as Father - us as His children. Eating from the Tree of Life which is Jesus. All made possible through the Holy Spirit at work in our lives.

Simplicity - the state, quality, or an instance of being simple. Freedom from complexity.
2016 looks to be a time of refreshment. I trust that you will enjoy the journey.