What does it mean to be poor? If you just live in the United States you are more than likely to be richer that half the world. Most of us believe we understand the meaning of the word poverty. The meaning we give this word reflects the way we look at, think, and make sense of our world. The definition that many people give poverty is the condition of those groups of people we abstractly call " the poor". But these people are not abstract. They are human beings with names fearfully and wonderfully created in the image of God. we must remember this because the world tends to view the poor as stupid, unintelligent, helpless, nameless objects in which we have the right to bestow our compassion on in whatever way seems proper or right to us.
The poor, when we average it out, do not have food, shelter or housing, and clean water to drink. They have a need for schools, better roads, and means of better farming, etc. So what do we do? We make a plan to provide these missing things: food, low cost housing, wells and education. Christians add the gospel and the good news of Jesus Christ as one of these missing things also. When limited to this though, we view ourselves as the providers and put into the minds of the poor that they are incomplete human beings that need us to make them whole. Seeing the world in terms of relationships helps give us insights into what poverty is. This allows us insight to trace who is doing what to whom.
One of the aspects of being in poverty is being excluded. We make people poor when we label them as outcast. We must move beyond this understanding of poverty as a lack of things and knowledge. We must see that the true poverty is the spiritual poverty that these people lack. This does not mean that we neglect the physical needs, but we need to look at it more wholistically
It is clear in James 5 that God's judgment is aroused not only against the oppressors, but also on behalf of the poor. This passage is one of literally hundreds of passages in the Bible which teach us that as members of God's family, we have a moral obligation to manifest his concern for the poor (see Proverbs 14:31; 29:7).
Living in the suburbs, as most of us do, it's easy to think that the only people who are poor are those who are lazy, and we are ignorant of just how widespread this problem is. Consider the following facts.
- One quarter of the world's population (over 1 billion people) live in desperate poverty. 12-15 million people will die this year of starvation and malnutrition-related diseases. This figure includes 35,000 children each day, including 50 percent of all children in Central America before they reach age 6.
- Americans represent only 6 percent of the world's population, but we have almost 50 percent of the world's income and we use 35 percent of its resources. As a country, we eat enough food to feed the 1 billion people who live in desperate poverty. Most Americans have adequate access to medical care, but 40 percent of all Latin Americans have no access to any kind of medical care.
- Of course, there are also plenty of poor in the U.S. In Columbus' Windsor Terrace, for example, the average household (consisting of one parent with five children) has an annual income of $3,100.
Yet American Christians spend just a little bit more annually on missions (their major way of helping the poor) than they spend on chewing gum! Ironically, the roles of Jas. 5:1-6 have been reversed. Are we rich Christian living in an era of hunger?
Biblically, there is recognition that poverty can be a result of the individual's own bad choices or lifestyle (ex. laziness or greed) or even a judgement for disobedience. But most commonly in the Bible, the poor are seen primarily as victims of injustice or circumstances beyond their own power. "A poor man's field may produce abundant food, but injustice sweeps it away." (Prov 13:23) They are to be helped, not blamed. Poverty is an evil to be abolished. God himself is concerned for the poor, and about the social injustices which oppress the poor and weak. His response is to provide for the destitute, fight the cause of the oppressed, and honor the humble (Ps 109:31, 113:5-9 140:12, Lk 1:51-52). He calls us to have the same compassion and commitment.
So, firstly, we should ask whether we tend to see the poor as to blame for their poverty, or as victims in need of help, justice, and honor.
Secondly, we need to examine our own hearts to see whether we are genuinely concerned. A defining characteristic of those considered by God to be righteous is a concern for justice for the poor (Prov 29:7). Indeed, God seems to take our attitude to the poor personally - as if our kindness or contempt towards the poor is also towards him (Prov 17:5, 19:17). This is a position that Jesus also seems to adopt for himself (Lk 12:33, Matt 25:35-40). We must not close our hearts to the poor. "If a man shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and not be answered" (Prov 21:13). The Lord said that the sin of the people of Sodom which brought judgement upon them was that they were "arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy" (Ezek 16:49).
A right attitude of honor, concern and compassion for the poor will lead firstly to a personal response of generosity, hospitality, and service (Job 31:16-22, Prov 31:20, Matt 25:31-45, 1Tim. 6:18 etc). It will lead us to an eagerness to give up not only our money, but also our time, energy, and comfort. The attachment to our own prosperity, comfort and prestige are often the obstacles to following God - an obedience shaped by the cross of self-denial, suffering, and service
We also need to be careful to be righteous and just in the way we pursue business and our own interests (Ps 112:5, Mic 6:8, Ja 5:1-6). By seeking the cheapest deal for ourselves, we are often pushing the producer into poverty. Buying and supporting Fair Trade is one expression of Christian concern for justice. There is a cost to living righteously, but there is always blessing with it (Ps 112:5-9, Prov 11:24-28, 22:9)
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Monday, September 14, 2009
Trailer Trash Savior
I am reading the book The New Friars by Scott Bessenecker. It is an excellent book about serving the poor and oppressed and trying to view poverty through the lens of Christ. While I don't agree with everything in the book, I still highly recommend it.
As I am reading though I turn to chapter 4, and am immediately hit by the title: " The Voluntary Poverty of God". Now over the course of the past 4 years I have greatly come to a new realization of what poverty is and a biblical view of poverty. I grew up knowing that Jesus was poor and never had money and lived a nomadic lifestyle, never really calling any where home. But there is a difference how you interpret that, depending on where you grow up and are raised.
The book though illustrates how Jesus came into the world, from a completely different view point than I am used to having been indoctrinated by middle-class white suburbia christianity. Read what Scott writes:
" Unwed teenage pregnancy brings disgrace in any culture. But in the rural towns of the Middle East it is scandalous. Even more so when the girl claims her fiancé is not the father. In a village of four hundred families there is little chance for anonymity . Everybody knows everybody else's business as soon as it happens. Such a pregnancy brings reproach not only on the girl but on her father and brothers, whose job it is to ensure something like this doesn't happen. Even a righteous family would suffer the shame of such an event for a long time. Interesting, isn't it, that God would choose to some into this world via a peasant family, stirring up a cloud of shame by the way he entered? Jesus was considered the illegitimate son of a carpenter by every family in that village. Did he really have to show up on earth in a way that produced such dishonor?.......... Those from Nazareth in Galilee were considered hicks by the hicks! Why on Earth would God choose to be born among a defeated people in a backwoods town under a shadow of dishonor through a dirt poor, unwed teenager? "
Think about that for a minute, ponder it. Ill give you a few seconds.........................................
Do you realize who we are talking about. Let me try to give you a modern day illustration. Jesus was the bastard child of a 14 year old girl who due to no health insurance probably has some missing teeth, and grew up in a trailer park with a flea infested bed. Any way you look at it its not pretty. This girl then gets married later, and the family of the husband, now father, is beating him over the head cause he's marrying into an instant family. All the while people look and stare and gossip about them while they drive down the street with their car that is painted red with rust and fueled with hope that it will get them to the store to buy formula for the baby. That is Christ's family.
We would look at that this picture or hear this story and huff at the shame and disgust of it. God doesn't.
So next time when a girl who's not married comes into the church with a baby, or anyone that you would look at with disgust, like the homeless man that sitting next to you on the bus, who has two weeks of stench permeating from his body. Think twice and act once. Love don't judge. Remember who are Savior chose to be his family.
As I am reading though I turn to chapter 4, and am immediately hit by the title: " The Voluntary Poverty of God". Now over the course of the past 4 years I have greatly come to a new realization of what poverty is and a biblical view of poverty. I grew up knowing that Jesus was poor and never had money and lived a nomadic lifestyle, never really calling any where home. But there is a difference how you interpret that, depending on where you grow up and are raised.
The book though illustrates how Jesus came into the world, from a completely different view point than I am used to having been indoctrinated by middle-class white suburbia christianity. Read what Scott writes:
" Unwed teenage pregnancy brings disgrace in any culture. But in the rural towns of the Middle East it is scandalous. Even more so when the girl claims her fiancé is not the father. In a village of four hundred families there is little chance for anonymity . Everybody knows everybody else's business as soon as it happens. Such a pregnancy brings reproach not only on the girl but on her father and brothers, whose job it is to ensure something like this doesn't happen. Even a righteous family would suffer the shame of such an event for a long time. Interesting, isn't it, that God would choose to some into this world via a peasant family, stirring up a cloud of shame by the way he entered? Jesus was considered the illegitimate son of a carpenter by every family in that village. Did he really have to show up on earth in a way that produced such dishonor?.......... Those from Nazareth in Galilee were considered hicks by the hicks! Why on Earth would God choose to be born among a defeated people in a backwoods town under a shadow of dishonor through a dirt poor, unwed teenager? "
Think about that for a minute, ponder it. Ill give you a few seconds.........................................
Do you realize who we are talking about. Let me try to give you a modern day illustration. Jesus was the bastard child of a 14 year old girl who due to no health insurance probably has some missing teeth, and grew up in a trailer park with a flea infested bed. Any way you look at it its not pretty. This girl then gets married later, and the family of the husband, now father, is beating him over the head cause he's marrying into an instant family. All the while people look and stare and gossip about them while they drive down the street with their car that is painted red with rust and fueled with hope that it will get them to the store to buy formula for the baby. That is Christ's family.
We would look at that this picture or hear this story and huff at the shame and disgust of it. God doesn't.
So next time when a girl who's not married comes into the church with a baby, or anyone that you would look at with disgust, like the homeless man that sitting next to you on the bus, who has two weeks of stench permeating from his body. Think twice and act once. Love don't judge. Remember who are Savior chose to be his family.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Is Evangelism by Nature Political?
However otherworldly the reign of God may be, it is no less political, public, or material. If the first thing can be said about Jesus' evangelism, then, is that it announces and invites persons into a new government called the reign of God, a second observation is that because the new social order made possible by God's reign runs counter to the present order; Jesus' proclamation of God's reign requires a radical critique of the present order.
To be called to Discipleship, therefore, is to be called into a company of disciples that is both sign and foretaste of a new social order as well as participation in and agent of that new order. Any vision of evangelism that ignores the kingdom of God, or relegates it to a position of secondary importance, or fails to wrestle thoroughly with its content is destined at the outset to fail.
To be called to Discipleship, therefore, is to be called into a company of disciples that is both sign and foretaste of a new social order as well as participation in and agent of that new order. Any vision of evangelism that ignores the kingdom of God, or relegates it to a position of secondary importance, or fails to wrestle thoroughly with its content is destined at the outset to fail.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Some things to think about...
If we want to speak to a man, we must learn his language first. This phrase means more than just learning a different language, from a different country. It mean that we need to understand the culture in which we live in. In learning a new language ( meaning from a different country ), we learn the new language and learn the culture and how to live with and relate to the people of the language, but we don't change our own morals and our own value systems, unless of course we find our values flawed from learning the new culture. The same goes, however, with learning how to be relevant in a culture such as the 21st century, we change the language in which we speak, but that does not mean that we change the content of what we speak. We definitely should not give up our Biblical standings in order to be more relevant to the culture at hand. So many churches, though, have this view that in learning how to be relevant they need to change themselves, and this, I believe, is a lie of Satan.
To often, as well, Christians when sharing the Gospel respond and interact with the person as if the soul and the person are separate. Yet this is not the case, and although our flesh is sinful, so is our soul and what happens in the flesh can not be separated from the soul and likewise in reverse. The two cannot be separated.
To understand and speak to sincere but utterly confused 21st century people is costly. It is tiring; it will open you up to temptations and pressures. I feel that to often we are told in the church to run from any kind of temptation and pressure, but we are never told that to effectively witness to people means that you are going to open yourself up to such pressures. I think that it is important to understand this, and address this more in our churches. Christians need to understand that if they are going to be involved in living out the Gospel, that means that they are going to be in the world and exposed to all kinds of temptations and pressures. If we are always running from any kind of temptation, like the church preaches, then we do not build up a sense of immunity when we are tempted. When it comes I feel that most Christians instead of attacking it head on, either give in or completely run. They don't know how to handle certain situations. To effectively live out the Gospel and share it with a dying world, we need to understand how to deal with certain situations that arises and live in a secular world that we are so often sheltered from.
To often, as well, Christians when sharing the Gospel respond and interact with the person as if the soul and the person are separate. Yet this is not the case, and although our flesh is sinful, so is our soul and what happens in the flesh can not be separated from the soul and likewise in reverse. The two cannot be separated.
To understand and speak to sincere but utterly confused 21st century people is costly. It is tiring; it will open you up to temptations and pressures. I feel that to often we are told in the church to run from any kind of temptation and pressure, but we are never told that to effectively witness to people means that you are going to open yourself up to such pressures. I think that it is important to understand this, and address this more in our churches. Christians need to understand that if they are going to be involved in living out the Gospel, that means that they are going to be in the world and exposed to all kinds of temptations and pressures. If we are always running from any kind of temptation, like the church preaches, then we do not build up a sense of immunity when we are tempted. When it comes I feel that most Christians instead of attacking it head on, either give in or completely run. They don't know how to handle certain situations. To effectively live out the Gospel and share it with a dying world, we need to understand how to deal with certain situations that arises and live in a secular world that we are so often sheltered from.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Wht ds t mn 2 b a Chrstn
To be a Christian does not mean that you love church, you love to sing, you love to listen to boring sermons and get up early on Sunday to go to church with your family. No, to be a Christian means that you love God and you want to serve him. You find Jesus beautiful and not useful for your own gain. You should seek to experience God's love not just know about his love. The devil and the demons believe and know about God's love, but it's actually experiencing his love that saves us. Don't think that you are going to be more spiritual if you simply pray more or read your Bible more. When you read your Bible, read it not for what you can get out of it, like a self-help book, but read it to learn about your Savior. Pray, not for things that you want and when bad things happen, but for the needs of others and to praise God. I promise you, it may not feel like it at first, but your faith will come alive much more if you do this. Because you cannot please God by what you do. God will only find pleasure in you through Jesus Christ and you only find Jesus by seeking after Him and seeking after His beauty.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Meeting at Starbucks with God
The term "devotions" as I see it represented in todays culture ( Christian and secular), represents a short portion of a Christian's daily routine. This routine includes a short time spent in prayer, Bible reading and perhaps even ( for the really "spiritual" christian) a silent time of meditation. All this sounds great, but did our devotion to God become a cliche we use flippantly to represent a five-minute spiritual coffee shot in the arm? I'm not saying that any of that is bad but, we must be careful not to treat or devotional time with God like we do our double shot expresso - quick, sweet, and a temporary energy boost. Its not an easy bake formula for spiritual growth, its a valuable connection to God!!!
The purpose of meeting with God is not just to keep us spiritually "awake" during the day; its a time spent together for relational intimacy and connection. Our whole lives should be offered up as a devotion to Him. Romans 12:1 states this clearly...
" I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship."
Also in I Corinthians 6:19 - 20 it says: " Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body."
You ARE a devotion to God, and you should continually be in prayer and worship of God. Its not a punch in... punch out time card.
So if we are to be connected to God all day... How, when and where do we spend our quality time with our Savior? If we look in the Bible we find that throughout Biblical history people have risen early in the morning to meditate on God. Jacob in Genesis 28: 16- 18 built an alter before the Lord in the morning. The prophet Samuel parents rose early and went out of the city to worship in 1 Samuel 1:19. Then in 2 Chronicles 29:20- 31 King Hezekiah came in the morning before the Lord to offer up his sacrifice. Job in Job 1:5 arose each morning to sacrifice his offering to the Lord. Also Jesus himself in Mark 1:35 got up early while it was still dark to go and pray in a desolate place.
Each day we should also start our day in prayer. If you don't have time in the morning, the answer is simple get up earlier ( even if you have to take a nap later in the day) Go before the Lord expecting to learn something new about Him. Dive into his Word... don't skip stones over it. Every time try to read something that you haven't read before. If you haven't read the Bible all the way through you'd be surprised at the new stuff you find or new stories you may not have heard or forgotten.
Another reoccurring thing I find in those passages that are listed is that the people worshipped somewhere that they were least likely to find distractions. Samuel' parents went completly out of the city. Jesus found a desolate place. Find your quiet place that you can focus on God. FOCUS!!!! you will never be 20/20 with God but it sure should be our goal.
James 4:8 says: " Draw near to God and He will draw near to you." God's design for our lives is that prayer, reading, worship, and meditation be used as life expressions to grow in love and intimacy with the Father. Isn't that why we are all here anyway, to be closer to Him?
The purpose of meeting with God is not just to keep us spiritually "awake" during the day; its a time spent together for relational intimacy and connection. Our whole lives should be offered up as a devotion to Him. Romans 12:1 states this clearly...
" I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship."
Also in I Corinthians 6:19 - 20 it says: " Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body."
You ARE a devotion to God, and you should continually be in prayer and worship of God. Its not a punch in... punch out time card.
So if we are to be connected to God all day... How, when and where do we spend our quality time with our Savior? If we look in the Bible we find that throughout Biblical history people have risen early in the morning to meditate on God. Jacob in Genesis 28: 16- 18 built an alter before the Lord in the morning. The prophet Samuel parents rose early and went out of the city to worship in 1 Samuel 1:19. Then in 2 Chronicles 29:20- 31 King Hezekiah came in the morning before the Lord to offer up his sacrifice. Job in Job 1:5 arose each morning to sacrifice his offering to the Lord. Also Jesus himself in Mark 1:35 got up early while it was still dark to go and pray in a desolate place.
Each day we should also start our day in prayer. If you don't have time in the morning, the answer is simple get up earlier ( even if you have to take a nap later in the day) Go before the Lord expecting to learn something new about Him. Dive into his Word... don't skip stones over it. Every time try to read something that you haven't read before. If you haven't read the Bible all the way through you'd be surprised at the new stuff you find or new stories you may not have heard or forgotten.
Another reoccurring thing I find in those passages that are listed is that the people worshipped somewhere that they were least likely to find distractions. Samuel' parents went completly out of the city. Jesus found a desolate place. Find your quiet place that you can focus on God. FOCUS!!!! you will never be 20/20 with God but it sure should be our goal.
James 4:8 says: " Draw near to God and He will draw near to you." God's design for our lives is that prayer, reading, worship, and meditation be used as life expressions to grow in love and intimacy with the Father. Isn't that why we are all here anyway, to be closer to Him?
Sunday, May 17, 2009
wisdom teeth don't make you wiser
I am not much of a video game player but when I’m playing a video game or watching a movie, part of me is always aware and thinking that everything in the story was created by someone (or a team of people). The writer, the director, the actors, they have decided together who the people are, where they will go, what they will do, how the story will turn out. What difference does it make? Well, in a really involved video game, getting inside the head of the people who wrote the code helps you figure out how to beat the game. In a movie, keeping up with what the director is up to helps you figure out what he’s trying to say. The same is true with God!
Read Proverbs 8: In this passage, Wisdom delivers some BIG news: She was there “in the beginning.” God used her as a “craftsman” when He was designing and implementing all of creation. The very universe we live in was designed based on God’s wisdom.
What difference does it make? Wisdom is telling us that the better we get to know God, the more of His wisdom we acquire, the better we’ll understand the world around us. In other words, if you want to figure out how life works, Wisdom can tell you. She saw the blueprints before construction even began. Guys, the Bible is chuck full of wisdom. You may not figure everything out, or get all the answers but if you honestly seek after wisdom, you'll have it much more figured out then people who don't.
People who reject God’s wisdom (fools) are missing out on the ancient source for understanding all of life from the ground up. They’d rather just observe the world around them and come to their own conclusions.
Most people remember Galileo for his run-in with the Catholic church over his scientific discoveries regarding the theory that the earth revolves around the sun. While it’s true that the church pressured Galileo into suppressing his own ideas, most people don’t realize the famous scientist was a Christian committed to the truthfulness of the Bible He didn’t feel any of his discoveries contradicted Scripture. He said: “God is known by nature in his works, and by doctrine in his revealed word.” He understood that those two things go hand in hand.
Get to know the mind of God and his wisdom through the Bible, and get to know Him better through observing His Wisdom-fueled craftsmanship in nature. That’s the path to figuring out both the big picture and how to work the controls of your own life today.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Always low prices....
When you mention the name Wal-Mart you are likely to get lots of varied reactions. While shoppers love the "always low prices," critics point to the impact that the company has had on the economy and the environment.
The fundamental issue that most people disregard or don't even think about, needs to be addressed.Wal- Mart succeeds because it gives most consumers what they want, which is low prices. While seeking low prices is not a bad policy for Christians to follow in itself, we believe that as long as the primary measure in choosing stores is low prices, many of the costs associated with low prices will remain. In costs we mean the moral price that Wal-mart pays to give us the low cost. We think Christians need to move away from the one-dimensional measure of price to multi-dimensional criteria so that price is but one consideration in store choice. Collectively, the criteria involved should fit within a holistic vision of shalom.
As Christians we often can find it convenient to blame businesses for practices that we find unethical, immoral, or challenged in terms of stewardship. In many ways, however, Wal-Mart and its practices are merely a response to our preferences as we express them in the marketplace. Businesses respond to consumers' desires, consumers search for the lowest prices on goods while rarely considering other aspects of the product (how it was made, its impact on the environment, etc.). For example secular businesses haven't responded to the recent demands for fair trade products because of the businesses "new found morals", but instead because of the consumer demand for fairer traded products. To look into our own life for example, how many Sunday mornings have we spent preparing for worship by searching through the flyers that come with the Sunday paper looking for coupons and the sales that are to hit the stores that week? It should be no surprise to us that Wal-Mart has become so successful with its "Always Low Prices ", we are the driving force behind how businesses react to consumer demands. Businesses are only going to make money by meeting our criteria, and they will go to every measure, even if it means sacrificing moral standards to meet that criteria.
Thus Christians need to recognize the seriousness of their roles as consumers, managers, investors, employees, and as citizens of the Kingdom. Businesses will not rise to the high expectation of advancing shalom without the efforts of all of these groups together. We need to realize that its our fault. Christians need to develop covenantal relationships and commit to working with businesses that want to move in the direction of Shalom. When people make covenants with each other, as opposed to contracts, they tend to go beyond what is normally required of them. People who enter covenants are willing to make sacrifices in order to promote a larger vision. Christians along with businesses need to rest on a shared commitment to ideas, to values, to goals, and to management processes.
We need to be careful, however that we don't get confused in our role in the world and fall back into a Constantinian thinking, where the church starts to make itself at home in the world, when we are instead pilgrims in this world. Making businesses more 'christian' is not going to rescue peoples' souls to Christ. We need to understand that this instead puts Christians' consciences more at ease with where they shop. We also need to remember that God created all humanity equal, and we strive to provide equal opportunity to all, but Scripture does not command equal outcomes. Thus, there is no way that everyone is going to have the same outcomes when it comes to fair trade and treating people fairly. While we strive for Shalom in all the world, Shalom will not be accomplished this side of the Eschaton.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Who is the Holy Spirit?
The Holy Spirit is one of the three persons of God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is not a vague, delicate life force. He is not impersonal or unthinking. The Holy Spirit is a “person” equal in every way with God, the Father, and God, the Son. The Bible tells us that all the characteristics of God apparent in the Father and the Son are equally apparent in the Holy Spirit. The Spirit has personal characteristics like intelligence (1 Cor.2:10-11), emotions (Eph.4:30), and a will (1 Cor.2:11). Also the Spirit acts in personal ways by teaching us ( John 14:26), commanding us ( Acts 8:29), interceding for us in prayer (Rom.8:26) and conferring gifts and graces upon us for life, fruitfulness and service (John 6:63). The Spirit addresses us through the message of the Bible and seeks to nurture our spiritual life and to create in us a new identity in Christ.
The Holy Spirit was with God and was involved in the creation of the universe (Gen. 1:2, Prov. 8:22-31, Ps. 33:6, Is. 40:12,13). Predominantly in the Old Testament the Spirit came upon people to empower them for specific tasks (Judges 6:34; 1 Chron. 12:18; 2 Chron. 24:20) like: interpretation of dreams (Gen. 41:38, Dan. 5:11), special skills (Ex. 31:1-7), and prophesy (1 Sam. 10:6, 2 Sam. 23:23, Ezekiel 11:5, 24, Joel 2:28-29).
On the day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit gave birth to the Church as a body of living members of which Christ is the risen, exalted and living Head (Acts 2:1-4), and indwells the whole church and individual believers simultaneously today (Ephesians 2:19-22; Romans 8:1, 11; John 14:17; 2 Corinthians 1:22). He sets apart the children of God for the ministry of God and presides over and directs the Church into the will and plan of God.
The “filling of the Spirit” describes the crucial work of God enabling the believer to live a transformed life. The only way we grow spiritually is by the empowering work of God ( 1 Peter 1:3). It is specifically the ministry of the Holy Spirit that gives a Christian the capability of change and growth in righteousness ( Rom.8:13; Gal.5:22-23). Spiritual growth is a issue of control. We are either controlled by our self-centered flesh or by the Holy Spirit who indwells us (Rom.8:4-11; Gal.5:16,17). Ephesians 5:18 describes this controlling and empowering ministry of Spirit as the 'filling' of the Spirit. We can be filled by fleshly desires or be filled by the Spirit.
Although it’s the Spirit’s power that is at work, the believer must choose to be empowered by the Spirit. It is a command to “Be filled” and likewise to “Walk in the Spirit” (Gal.5:16). The Spirit’s indwelling is permanent but we must continually choose to yield to God to experience the Spirit’s transforming power to change and grow us. This means living the Christian life (facing temptations, making decisions, etc.) with a conscious dependence on the Holy Spirit.
While the Spirit has a role in the cognition of the gospel his primary work is that of conviction of sin. We do not need to point to others how bad and sinful they are and prove to them that they are sinners. The Spirit works to convict of sin. Regardless of how people come to acknowledge their sin, the Spirit is the one who brings us to see the grotesque reality of our sin. Our role in ministry is to proclaim the good news that God has acted in Christ to save fallen, sinful humanity.
The Spirit also imparts spiritual gifts to believers to accomplish spiritual ministry that God desires, equip others to minister (Eph.4:12), and to glorify God (1 Pet.4:11).
The Holy Spirit was with God and was involved in the creation of the universe (Gen. 1:2, Prov. 8:22-31, Ps. 33:6, Is. 40:12,13). Predominantly in the Old Testament the Spirit came upon people to empower them for specific tasks (Judges 6:34; 1 Chron. 12:18; 2 Chron. 24:20) like: interpretation of dreams (Gen. 41:38, Dan. 5:11), special skills (Ex. 31:1-7), and prophesy (1 Sam. 10:6, 2 Sam. 23:23, Ezekiel 11:5, 24, Joel 2:28-29).
On the day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit gave birth to the Church as a body of living members of which Christ is the risen, exalted and living Head (Acts 2:1-4), and indwells the whole church and individual believers simultaneously today (Ephesians 2:19-22; Romans 8:1, 11; John 14:17; 2 Corinthians 1:22). He sets apart the children of God for the ministry of God and presides over and directs the Church into the will and plan of God.
The “filling of the Spirit” describes the crucial work of God enabling the believer to live a transformed life. The only way we grow spiritually is by the empowering work of God ( 1 Peter 1:3). It is specifically the ministry of the Holy Spirit that gives a Christian the capability of change and growth in righteousness ( Rom.8:13; Gal.5:22-23). Spiritual growth is a issue of control. We are either controlled by our self-centered flesh or by the Holy Spirit who indwells us (Rom.8:4-11; Gal.5:16,17). Ephesians 5:18 describes this controlling and empowering ministry of Spirit as the 'filling' of the Spirit. We can be filled by fleshly desires or be filled by the Spirit.
Although it’s the Spirit’s power that is at work, the believer must choose to be empowered by the Spirit. It is a command to “Be filled” and likewise to “Walk in the Spirit” (Gal.5:16). The Spirit’s indwelling is permanent but we must continually choose to yield to God to experience the Spirit’s transforming power to change and grow us. This means living the Christian life (facing temptations, making decisions, etc.) with a conscious dependence on the Holy Spirit.
While the Spirit has a role in the cognition of the gospel his primary work is that of conviction of sin. We do not need to point to others how bad and sinful they are and prove to them that they are sinners. The Spirit works to convict of sin. Regardless of how people come to acknowledge their sin, the Spirit is the one who brings us to see the grotesque reality of our sin. Our role in ministry is to proclaim the good news that God has acted in Christ to save fallen, sinful humanity.
The Spirit also imparts spiritual gifts to believers to accomplish spiritual ministry that God desires, equip others to minister (Eph.4:12), and to glorify God (1 Pet.4:11).
Monday, May 11, 2009
Reflection on Romans 12:1-2
Paul in Romans 12:1-2 exhorts us to holy living by presenting our bodies as living sacrifices to God. " I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship".
It is interesting that the word for sacrifice here is never used in terms of a animal sacrifice in the Hebrew Old Testament. It is instead used of the priests service in standing before the Lord. The verb form used is a point action ( a one time deal ). His idea here then implies that there be one definite presentation. It could only mean your first repentance and commitment toward God, but with continuing implications. There are times to renew such a commitment, but not to repeat it. It follows the idea of progressive sanctification; "taking up your cross daily and following Him". Its not the passive idea of surrender either, by giving up your life only because God is stronger and bigger than yourself, like giving up a battle between you and God, or even the idea of yielding. You present your bodies as a gift, as you would to a friend. Like a gift to a friend you offer the whole thing and not keep parts of it to yourself. The commitment you offer to God is your whole body, not just "yourselves". The body is an outward expression and form of the inner person; it includes all your talents, abilities, desires, and aspirations. Just like your spirit, God created your outward bodies as well, and you should present your outward bodies like you would your inner self before God as well. All should be given to God.
The talents, abilities, and characteristics we have, he gave us. He has made us fit for His service. If God has made us for His service, then our service is to do his will. Those who are redeemed and filled with gratitude, for the gift the God gives us in return ( grace and mercy ), will desire to please God. This dedication involves direction or else it delusion. It has to be directed to God's will for it to be pleasing before the Lord. This dedication also involves renewal like I mentioned above. One example of renewal is in the observance of communion, " in the memory of Him". Every time we have communion, it is an act of faith by which we confirm that we have entered into the covenant with God and are awaiting the fulfillment of the promise, and it is an act of commitment whereby we reaffirm our obligations and commitment to serve him as his people.
So the start of this this spiritual living is the serious commitment and dedication to the Lord, not just an emotional response, where people don't really know what it all means. This commitment while may be made from an emotional response, ultimately comes with the beginning of spiritual growth. When believers learn more about God and Christ, salvation, the covenant responsibilities, and the mission of the Church, and all that it means to be a follower of Christ then they are ready to make that true commitment to each and everyday " take up their cross".
The second verse here: Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.", deals with our relationship to the world. Paul is saying not to take as a way of living the present, foolish, fashions of the world, its dominance in evil motives and moods. He is urging us toward true biblical separation, to be " set apart from the world". He is urging what Christ expressed in John 18:36 " My kingdom is not of this world". Separation from the world is not to be reduced to a few logistical, legalistic, do and don'ts; it is wisdom to live squeaky clean in a world that is dominated and dirty from selfishness, greed, pleasure, and indifference to the needs of others. We are not to be actors, conforming to this present world, but to be genuine, because the Spirit of truth is working within us. If we let the attitude of the world dominate our lives, then we constitute worldliness. If our thinking and way of life matches that of someone who is not a believer; if we live, love and make decisions as the world does, to the exclusion of Christ, then we are conformed to the world. That way of living cannot harmonize with the dedication and sanctification of the spiritual life.
Christians today and in America come close to being caught up in worldliness. Little things begin to change our way of thinking. For example, people crave a blessing from God, meaning success, wealth, security. But we have forgotten that we must first be a blessing in the world for God to bless us, and God may not bless us with stuff that we think we need such as material things. Or, people pray earnestly for illnesses and diseases to be removed, or instead of praying they think they can command them to leave; and it is perfectly understandable that people should want to be free from the pain and suffering. But they have forgotten that when they suffer they are to count it all joy, because it gives them an opportunity to use that suffering for the glory of God, as a witness to the world. They need to add to their prayers that God will change them spiritually and use them. These trends and many more show that many in the Church have bought into the worldliness and materialism of this country, and it is hindering the Church from being a true witness for the Lord and a compassionate help of people in great need.
But sanctification is not just being separated from the world, with a list of worldly things that one should not do; it is a positive transformation by which we become more and more like Jesus Christ which is accomplished: “by the renewing of your mind.” One renews the mind by sacrificing it, along with the entire body to the worship and work of the Holy Spirit and studying God Word day by day. Then one becomes closer to the mind and will of Christ, the life begins to change from carnality to glory as we reflect, as in a mirror, the glory of the Lord revealed in Scripture. Too many Christians rely on to much on personal experiences to get them through the week, perhaps an uplifting service, or a supernatural feeling and do not study the Word. They have forgotten that God redeemed the mind, as well as the heart.
So the essentials of spiritual growth are: dedication, separation (from the world and to God), and transformation by the renewing of the mind. Once this begins to develop, we will be able to test and approve what the will of God is.
It is interesting that the word for sacrifice here is never used in terms of a animal sacrifice in the Hebrew Old Testament. It is instead used of the priests service in standing before the Lord. The verb form used is a point action ( a one time deal ). His idea here then implies that there be one definite presentation. It could only mean your first repentance and commitment toward God, but with continuing implications. There are times to renew such a commitment, but not to repeat it. It follows the idea of progressive sanctification; "taking up your cross daily and following Him". Its not the passive idea of surrender either, by giving up your life only because God is stronger and bigger than yourself, like giving up a battle between you and God, or even the idea of yielding. You present your bodies as a gift, as you would to a friend. Like a gift to a friend you offer the whole thing and not keep parts of it to yourself. The commitment you offer to God is your whole body, not just "yourselves". The body is an outward expression and form of the inner person; it includes all your talents, abilities, desires, and aspirations. Just like your spirit, God created your outward bodies as well, and you should present your outward bodies like you would your inner self before God as well. All should be given to God.
The talents, abilities, and characteristics we have, he gave us. He has made us fit for His service. If God has made us for His service, then our service is to do his will. Those who are redeemed and filled with gratitude, for the gift the God gives us in return ( grace and mercy ), will desire to please God. This dedication involves direction or else it delusion. It has to be directed to God's will for it to be pleasing before the Lord. This dedication also involves renewal like I mentioned above. One example of renewal is in the observance of communion, " in the memory of Him". Every time we have communion, it is an act of faith by which we confirm that we have entered into the covenant with God and are awaiting the fulfillment of the promise, and it is an act of commitment whereby we reaffirm our obligations and commitment to serve him as his people.
So the start of this this spiritual living is the serious commitment and dedication to the Lord, not just an emotional response, where people don't really know what it all means. This commitment while may be made from an emotional response, ultimately comes with the beginning of spiritual growth. When believers learn more about God and Christ, salvation, the covenant responsibilities, and the mission of the Church, and all that it means to be a follower of Christ then they are ready to make that true commitment to each and everyday " take up their cross".
The second verse here: Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.", deals with our relationship to the world. Paul is saying not to take as a way of living the present, foolish, fashions of the world, its dominance in evil motives and moods. He is urging us toward true biblical separation, to be " set apart from the world". He is urging what Christ expressed in John 18:36 " My kingdom is not of this world". Separation from the world is not to be reduced to a few logistical, legalistic, do and don'ts; it is wisdom to live squeaky clean in a world that is dominated and dirty from selfishness, greed, pleasure, and indifference to the needs of others. We are not to be actors, conforming to this present world, but to be genuine, because the Spirit of truth is working within us. If we let the attitude of the world dominate our lives, then we constitute worldliness. If our thinking and way of life matches that of someone who is not a believer; if we live, love and make decisions as the world does, to the exclusion of Christ, then we are conformed to the world. That way of living cannot harmonize with the dedication and sanctification of the spiritual life.
Christians today and in America come close to being caught up in worldliness. Little things begin to change our way of thinking. For example, people crave a blessing from God, meaning success, wealth, security. But we have forgotten that we must first be a blessing in the world for God to bless us, and God may not bless us with stuff that we think we need such as material things. Or, people pray earnestly for illnesses and diseases to be removed, or instead of praying they think they can command them to leave; and it is perfectly understandable that people should want to be free from the pain and suffering. But they have forgotten that when they suffer they are to count it all joy, because it gives them an opportunity to use that suffering for the glory of God, as a witness to the world. They need to add to their prayers that God will change them spiritually and use them. These trends and many more show that many in the Church have bought into the worldliness and materialism of this country, and it is hindering the Church from being a true witness for the Lord and a compassionate help of people in great need.
But sanctification is not just being separated from the world, with a list of worldly things that one should not do; it is a positive transformation by which we become more and more like Jesus Christ which is accomplished: “by the renewing of your mind.” One renews the mind by sacrificing it, along with the entire body to the worship and work of the Holy Spirit and studying God Word day by day. Then one becomes closer to the mind and will of Christ, the life begins to change from carnality to glory as we reflect, as in a mirror, the glory of the Lord revealed in Scripture. Too many Christians rely on to much on personal experiences to get them through the week, perhaps an uplifting service, or a supernatural feeling and do not study the Word. They have forgotten that God redeemed the mind, as well as the heart.
So the essentials of spiritual growth are: dedication, separation (from the world and to God), and transformation by the renewing of the mind. Once this begins to develop, we will be able to test and approve what the will of God is.
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