Suffering vs. Prosperity: Another Gospel

“As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!  For, am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God?  Or, am I striving to please men?  If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.”    (Gal 1:9-10)

“I just want to encourage every one of us to realize when we obey God, we’re not doing it for God–I mean, that’s one way to look at it–we’re doing it for ourselves, because God takes pleasure when we are happy. . . . That’s the thing that gives Him the greatest joy. . .”      
(Victoria Osteen, Sept/2014)

The words of Paul to the church in Galatia stand in stark contrast to the words of the pastors Osteen, and his warning against the preaching of “another gospel” could just as easily be applied to the proponents of today’s prosperity gospel.

At this very moment, Christians in the Middle-East, China, Eastern Europe and S.E. Asia are “literally” facing the sword of oppressors and the threat of death.  I have it on good authority from friends in the mission field, that whole families of believers are being arrested for their faith; some being forced to renounce Jesus or be beheaded.  Amazingly, they are standing for Christ and many, including young children, have paid the ultimate price.

How do you suppose these persecuted believers view the prosperity teaching of the Osteens and their ilk?  If “our pleasure” is the “thing that gives Him the greatest joy.”; then, their suffering in Europe and the Middle-East must sorely disappoint Him.

Can you imagine the Osteens preaching in Iraq, Somolia, Bejing, Sri Lanka or Russia, the same message they promote here in the U.S.?  Do you honestly believe they would have the same following there as here?  I think not. 

 

I firmly believe that just as Paul admonished the Galatians against the Judaizers, so we, who call ourselves leaders here in N.Amer, should be rightly calling  out these prosperity proponents for what they are…false teachers and deceivers.

Theirs is NOT the gospel of the Apostles and Scripture.  It is half-truth that gives false-hope.  It has no universal application to believers across this globe, most of whom face hardships we in the U.S. cannot begin to fathom. 

 

Have you ever heard a prosperity teacher preach on the following verses…?

“Now if we are children, then we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.”  

(Rom 8:17)

“As an example, brethren, of suffering and patience, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. We count those blessed who endured…” 

(James 5:10-11)

“Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.  “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”  

(Matt 5:10-11)

“But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened." 

(1 Pet 3:14)

“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” 
(James 1:12)

“And He has said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.’ Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.” 

(2 Cor 12:9-10)

“…and others (of the faithful) experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated (men of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground.…” 

(Heb. 11:36-38)

The gospel of the prosperity-mongers may have an element of truth to it…but, it is half-truth.  And just like the half-truths of Lucifer, in the Garden of Eden, and in the wilderness with Jesus, they only lead to deception, failure and frustration in the face of the persecution and the hardship promised to every believer…

“Remember what I told you: 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.” 

(John 15:20)

“Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” 

(2nd Tim 3:12)

So, my friends, beware those who seek to seduce you with “another gospel” that is not the whole truth.  Who seek to set you up for great disappointment when the suffering and persecution promised to you arrives.

We need to pray for those fellow believers suffering at the hand of evil men across this globe.  We also need to pray that when our time comes, like those of the faith in Hebrews 11, we also will stand for Jesus, no matter the cost.

God bless you and strengthen you for the times you must face.

Comments Welcome

Hi Everyone:

Being new to the blogging world, I did not realize that I had blocked comments on my posts unless you also had a Blogger acct.  I've since removed that block and you should be able to post your comments now.

Sorry if I caused any frustration.  Hope to hear from you.

God bless,
A.J.

Red Pills, Rabbit Holes and the Cost of Pursuing the Truth

Romans 1:18
"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zE7PKRjrid4

It was early 2005, not quite four years following the 9/11 attacks.  I was a First Class Petty Officer and had just reenlisted under the Redux bonus plan.  I not only guaranteed the Navy another five more years, taking me to twenty; but, I had also signed with the determination to make Master Chief and complete thirty years.  I was committed to my Navy, our cause and the United States of America, which I had become a citizen of in April of 2001.

I was a card-carrying Republican Conservative, with a subscription to National Review and a faithful watcher of FOX news network.  I had sworn an oath to defend the Constitution, against all enemies, foreign and domestic.  I was also a Christian and took my oaths seriously. 

When I was first challenged by friends and family, accusing my government of manufacturing 9/11 as an excuse to go to war in Afghanistan and Iraq, I was insulted and angered.  How dare they challenge the notion that we were under attack by Muslim extremism.  Everyone knew this to be true…didn’t they?  Surprizingly, I learned that many polls indicated that at least half the population did not believe the government's version of the events of that day.

As a Christian, I had an obligation to ensure that my cause was true and worthy of my effort and my blood, in order to receive God’s blessing.  In effort to defend the worthiness of my cause, I would prove their assertions wrong and vindicate my belief in what we, as a nation were engaged in…our Global War on Terror.

Fortunately for me, the 9/11 Commission Report had just been published and made public.  I immediately downloaded the .pdf believing full well that this would provide the answers I needed to counter the questions put to me.  My first reading left me frustrated.  No answers.  I thought, perhaps I’d missed something and re-read the report.  Again, there were no answers.  Instead, I had a gnawing suspicion that the report was less about explaining 9/11 and more about building a case to go to war against Al Quada in Afghanistan.

Puzzled and disturbed, I decided to look into the background of the report…the who, what, when, where why and how of its inception and completion.  I found a documentary, entitled, “Press For Truth”, released in 2006, which documented the efforts on the part of the families of victims of 9/11 to get the government to investigate and find out who was responsible for the attacks and how to prevent them occurring again. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgUFkVG_78g


Lead by the “Jersey Girls”, the documentary was my first realization that the 9/11 Commission was NOT my government’s idea.  It was the families of victims idea and it was their determination and courage in the face of strong opposition, that forced an unwilling and uncooperative government to form and carry out the investigation.  Unfortunately, the families were NOT happy with the commission or its final product.  A fact, rarely, if ever pointed to by the media.

Press For Truth, in turn lead me to Paul Thompson’s “The Terror Timeline”, a complete documentation of the events of 9/11 laid out, in order of occurrence. 

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/terror-timeline-paul-thompson/1100150964?ean=9780060783389

Following the timeline, it became apparent to me that the gov’ts story was full of holes, errors and omissions.  It was at this point that a knot began to be developed in the pit of my stomach.  Something fishy was going on here and I did not like where the facts were starting to take me.

Ecclesiastes 1:18
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief."

This was my Matrix moment.  The moment I had to make a decision.  Do I take the red pill and follow the evidence where it leads?  Or, do I take the blue pill, drop the whole thing and go on as if I was not aware of what I’d already learned?  Like Neo, I needed to know…I needed to be certain…and that need drove me to take the red pill and begin my journey down the rabbit hole.

The next piece of the puzzle was discovering a book that refuted the 9/11 Commission.   David R. Griffin’s “The 9/11 Commission Report: Omissions and Distortions”  In it, Dr. Griffin makes some extraordinary observations and points fingers at leadership that was AWOL on 9/11 and his questions leave the reader furious over the obvious effort on the part of the commission to mislead and misdirect the general public.

Eventually, I found the documentary, "Everbody's Gotta' Learn Sometime", which raised questions more than answering them, but in that process raised very, VERY important questions.

Watch Videos Online | Everybody's Gotta Learn Sometime - 911 Film | Veoh.com

Eventually, I came to probably the most disturbing and compelling documentary series of all…the ”Loose Change” series.  Three films, written and directed by Dylan Avery and produced by Korey Rowe, Jason Bermas and Matthew Brown.   These films have been viewed over 50 million times and have been credited with setting the 9/11 Truth Movement into overdrive.

Documentary About September 11th, 2001 - Loose Change 9/11 (loosechange911.com)

From this point forward, I began to be awakened to concepts such as “false flags”, the “military-industrial-congressional complex”, “black ops”, “rendition”, “secret governments” and introduced to groups such as “Bilderbergs”, “Bohemian Grove”, “Illuminati”, “Freemasons” and “Skull and Bones”.  I also became familiar with websites such as...

http://www.wanttoknow.info/

http://www.911truth.org/

http://patriotsquestion911.com/

http://www.ae911truth.org/en/home.html

...and authors, filmmakers and journalists such as, Naomi Wolf, John Pilger, Howard Zinn, William Blum, Eugene Jarecki, Michael C. Ruppert, Aaron Russo, Alex Jones, Jesse Ventura, et al.

Suddenly, history began to take on an entirely different color.  Dots that didn’t seem related in the least were suddenly connecting into a vast and over-arching theme….the insidious march to a New World Order and the rule of the antichrist upon the earth.  Dozens of books, documentaries and websites later, I, like Neo in the Matrix, came to a realization that was almost too much to bear.  I was literally sick to my stomach and angry.  At first it nearly paralyzed me.  Then, slowly, the bitter reality began to hit me...I had been sold a lie...I had had the wool pulled over my eyes. 

At about that time I came across Jarecki's documentary, "Why We Fight".  You use to be able to view it online, but it has since been taken down by the owners, for copyright reasons.  The following link shows only a preview...

(12) 2005 Why We Fight Official Trailer 1 Sony Pictures Classics - YouTube

It wasn’t long before I came to the conclusion that my career in the Navy was done.  I would fulfill my obligation of the five years I’d reenlisted for; but, my plans to make Master Chief and fulfill thirty years were crushed.  When I was selected to Chief Petty Officer (a moment that should have been a highlight of my career), it was tarnished and became anti-climactic in the knowledge that I would not be able to continue on in my career...a career I had grown to love, with people I had come to respect greatly. 

What I didn’t count on was how this “awakening” would change my view of scripture and my life as a believer.

With the blinders off and now being aware of the matrix around me, scripture…and particularly, end-times prophesy…began to take on a whole new shape and color.  I became more and more enthralled and excited as I saw the fulfillment of prophetic words in my daily newspaper and podcasts.  It was thrilling to see God’s prophetic visions, from thousands of years ago, taking shape before my very eyes.

In my new found excitement, I began to share what I had learned with my fellow believers.  That’s when the other side of the truth started to appear.  Fellow believers I had once found great fellowship with were giving me sideways looks and worse…some were even accusing me of being a traitor to my country…even a traitor to the church.  My faith was brought into question and in a number of cases, I was actually instructed to cease and desist in my sharing of the truths I’d learned, or I would face the wrath of the elders. 

One of my favorite scenes in the “Lord of The Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring”, is when Gandalf and Frodo are having a conversation about Gollum in the Mines of Moriah.  Frodo, in a moment of frustration over their dire situation states, “I wish the ring had never come to me.  I wish none of this had happened.”  Gandalf replies “So do all who live to see such times.  But, that is not for them to decide.  All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us.  There are other forces at work in this world, Frodo, besides the will of evil.  Bilbo was meant to find the ring.  In which case, you also were meant to have it.  And that is an encouraging thought.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrOqnZdvI6M

Like Frodo, there are many times I wish I had never taken the red pill, never gone down the rabbit hole, never learned the truth.  At times, it has been an extremely lonely endeavor.  Rejection is far more common than finding a receptive ear.  We Truthers have learned to live with the loneliness of our quest.

Again, in the LOTR-Fellowship, there is a scene with Frodo and Lady Galadriel at the mirror of Galadriel.  Frodo says, “I cannot do this alone.”  Galadriel replies, “You are a ring-bearer, Frodo.  To bear a ring of power is to be alone.  This task was appointed to you.  And if you do not find a way, no one will”  Frodo, despairingly, says, “I know what I must do.  It’s just…I’m afraid to do it.”  Galadriel leans in and states, “Even the smallest person can change the course of the future.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YI15psli6Rc

The reason J.R.R. Tolkein chose the Hobbits to be the heroes of LOTR, is the same reason God chose Israel and continues to choose the weak , the humble, the base and the least-wise things of the world…that by His power in these “least of creatures” He should reveal His glory.

Like Frodo, I too am afraid at times.  But, resolute, I press on.  As Paul says in Philippians…

“Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.…”  (Phil 3:12-13)

Most recently, I have come across a documentary that has dared to look at this over-arching plan of the enemy to bring in the New World Order.  Produced by Leonard Ulrich, it is the first such documentary to take all these intertwined conspiracies and connect them together to find the string, the plan of the enemy and how to view these truths, from a biblical, Christian perspective.  Because its not enough to know about the plans of the enemy.  We also need to speak those truths and help others to awaken as well, no matter how much they resist us and/or persecute us.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYZksdzVxic&t=29s

The beginning has a recording of George Carlin, addressing the issue of conspiracies and how the world sees those who attempt to bring up the question.  I don’t hold to all that Carlin says or believes, but, his words here are so very true.

There is also a more recent film that describes something of the transition I went thru in my trip down the rabbit hole...at present, the DVD is not available for viewing online, but you can see excerpts here...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4f-O-RnCPtE

I hope these words of mine will encourage you to take the red pill and learn the truth about the world you live in…to learn the truth about the matrix that has been pulled over your eyes…and to seek God’s wisdom in His Word; to ask for His gifts in the Holy Spirit to know, understand and discern what is going on around you; and to pray for the courage to do something about it.  As Paul wrote...

Ephesians 5:11
"Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them."

God bless you as you pursue, speak and live, the truth.

On The Issue of Homosexuality

Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say,…”   Gen 3:1

Casting doubt as to God’s commands or intentions is one of the primary strategies of the Devil and his accomplices, in this case, the serpent in the garden of Eden, leading Eve and then Adam away from the truth and out of God’s will.  It continues to be his strategy even today, particularly with regard to the issue of homosexuality.

The homosexual agenda has invaded nearly every aspect of life today.  Television and movies have, for years now, been making light of and promoting homosexuality as a legitimate alternative lifestyle.  Celebrities and leaders seem to be “coming out of the closet” daily.  Even the masculine, macho world of NFL football has its first “gay” player.

Most disappointing of all, however, are the churches and Christian leaders that are falling victim to the lie and announcing their support of or adherence to the gay lifestyle.  Numerous churches are not only allowing members to maintain an actively gay lifestyle, supporting and performing gay marriages, but, they are even permitting gay pastors to lead their flocks.   They often cite the fact that “homosexual” is not a word you find in Scripture. 

While appearing to be magnanimous and open-minded, these brothers are deceived and have forsaken the clear instructions of God concerning homosexuality…

Gen 19:1-38; Lev 18:22 & 20:13; 1 Kings 14:24; Judges 19:22; 1 Cor 6:9-11; Rom 1:26-28; 1 Tim 1:10;  Jude 1:7;  Rev 21:8

I hear all manner of pretzel logic attempting to split theological and interpretative hairs, stretching credulity in attempts to deny that these passages call homosexuality what it is…sin and an abomination…aka: missing the mark and a denial of God’s intended purposes between the sexes.

But, please don’t think I’m out to bash the gay community.   Homosexuality is no greater or lesser a sin than adultery, fornication, bearing false witness, or thievery.  And as with any of these, it IS redeemable.  The gay man or woman is still LOVED by God, and we are called to love them, biblically, and with a view to winning them back to Christ and saving grace.

So, how do we deal with the brother or sister in Christ who claims to be gay?  The same way we are taught to deal with anyone caught in sin.  As per Matthew 18:15-20…

 “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over.  But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’  If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.  Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.  Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.  For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve witnessed Christians, in knee-jerk reactions, go straight to casting folks out of their life when they come out of the closet.  No grace, no effort to educate or redeem.  Just immediate castigation, separation and shunning.  Nothing could be further from the love of Christ.

The pattern of discipline in Matthew’s gospel is not there to show how to discipline, so much as it is how to win one back.  Through a series of “loving confrontation” we are to admonish the sinner and exhort them to repent and be restored to a right standing with God.  In the end, if the sinner continues in their sin, there is no word about shunning or cutting off….only that they be treated as tax collectors.  What does that mean?

In my understanding this means we treat them as if they were unsaved.  Do we not invite the unsaved to our services?   Do we not invite the unsaved into our homes?  Of course we do.  But, always with care not to associate ourselves with their sin, but to reach out in love.  There are boundaries…lines we will not cross in regard to those encounters, and each of us must take great care in establishing those boundaries. 

For example, you might be willing to associate with a friend that has a problem with pornography.  However, you would refuse to fellowship if they were viewing pornographic materials.  You might be friends with an alcoholic, but would not attend events with them where alcohol is present.  So too, with the gay friend.  You might have associations with them, but might also refuse to attend a gay wedding, lest it be interpreted that you are condoning it and by association, giving it God’s blessing. 

These are difficult matters and each must be convinced in his or her own mind where the lines are to be drawn.  But, once you decide, stick to your boundaries and trust God for His grace in the matter.  Always be clear with your unsaved, unrepentant friends, that you are in no way condoning their actions, but your hope is that they, like the woman caught in adultery, would find grace and a  new relationship with Jesus Christ, and go from there, into a new life and “sin no more” (John 8:1-11).

It is interesting that within the teaching on discipline are the passages concerning binding and loosing in heaven and on earth.  I don’t see this as happenstance, but a deliberate placement by the Holy Spirit.  There is power in the prayers of two or more believers who come together to pray for sinners that the forces that bind them in sin, be loosed in the name of Jesus, that they might be free to know and receive the love and grace of Christ.

How often do we give up on failing brethren, particularly in this sin of homosexuality?  How often do we fail them, by neglecting to follow the patterns of discipline?  How often have we grieved the Holy Spirit when we fail to come together in agreement to set a sinner free, to bind the enemy and loose the Holy Spirit to pierce hearts and redeem?

More important than the devil’s question “Did God really say homosexuality is a sin?” is the question, “What are you doing to set the homosexual free from their sin and win them back into the fold?”

Let us never doubt the commands of God against the sin of homosexuality.  But, let us also never doubt His power to overcome and heal the same.

On Being Genuine

At this time, each year, a number of men and women in the United States Navy are going thru a transition, having been selected to the rank of Chief Petty Officer.  It is both an honor and a privilege, as well as a step into greater responsibility and even greater service. 

I was selected in 2008, while serving at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD.  I will never forget the day my Command Master Chief, Charles "Chip" Collins, called me up to his office to give me the news that I had been selected.  

"All I can say," he said, "is that someone on the list must have died."  He winked and extended his hand in congratulations.  Then he reminded me, that I had asked for this.  Thus began for me an 8 week "process" of moving from Chief "Selectee" to "Genuine Chief".

The process, as I call it, included many trials, tests and "training" elements.  The point of many was to learn the limits of your control; the truth that no one is smarter than the Mess; that a Chief must never stand alone, and will never stand alone, when he has earned his place in, and the respect of, the Chief's Mess.  In that knowledge and experience, there is great confidence to lead when others would fall back in fear. 

One of the first of my many assignments in that process was to write an essay on what it meant to me, personally, to be a "Genuine Chief".  The following is my essay...

The Genuine Chief

During the Chief’s “Season of Transition”, the term “genuine” is used to differentiate the CPO Selectee from those who have completed their Chiefs transition.  The term “genuine” is a fitting description of what it means to be a Chief Petty Officer.  For to be genuine is to be true, real, honest and to strive to be, in reality, what we all hope and aspire to.  There is no such thing as a perfect Chief.  But, many have lived up to the title of “Genuine Chief”.

A Genuine Chief is willing to be transparent and honest about their own mistakes and failures, giving their junior sailors hope and assurance that just as they were able to learn from their mistakes and build upon their failures, so too can their juniors learn, grow, and mature as much from their failures as their successes.  And the Genuine Chief will show them how.

The Genuine Chief takes the time to know their junior sailors on a deeper and more intimate level than simply their NEC and the amount of work performed.  They know the hearts and understand the fears of their juniors and work to instill in them the kind of character that overcomes hardship with faith, courage and trust as well as with skill and knowledge.  They develop in their juniors a sense of pride and satisfaction in a job well done, no matter how menial that task might be.

The Genuine Chief is also a junior sailor’s best defense.  They will never steer a junior sailor wrong for the benefit of a laugh.  They will never use their superior knowledge of Navy Regulations and traditions to degrade or humiliate a junior sailor in order to prop themselves up in someone else’s eyes.  Nor will they allow others to do such to the sailors in their charge.  Instead, they will be there with that superior knowledge to teach, to build and defend them.  Genuine Chiefs are a bulwark against any abuse or misuse of their sailors.

A Genuine Chief is a leader who is able to maximize the efforts of their people, while minimizing their hardships.  And thus, they create an atmosphere around them conducive not only to technical proficiency and success, but also, and perhaps more importantly, they develop and environment that makes for genuine joy in service.

A Genuine Chief’s care and concern also goes beyond the rails.  They are just as concerned about their junior sailor’s life on liberty and the quality of that life.  Their technical knowledge and skill are matched by their own life skills and they are as much counselor and confidante, financial advisor and spiritual leader, as they are the Leading Chief of the shop.  They are faithful spouses, loving and gentle parents, loyal friends and the brother or sister that is there in the time of need.  By their example, they have earned the trust and confidence of those around them, both at home and at work.

All who experience the company of a Genuine Chief gain a greater respect for their Navy, a deeper appreciation for the integrity and truth it takes to lead and an increased confidence in a future wherever there is a Genuine Chief in the lead.

A Chief Selectee must earn his anchors thru a crucible that teaches humility, honesty and teamwork, building confidence thru that process to "BE THE CHIEF" when the heat is on and the going gets tough.

Now, read that essay again and this time, replace "Genuine Chief" with "Genuine Christian" and "Navy" with "Church".   Do you see where I'm going with this?

As the Chief must go thru a crucible of testing to earn his anchors, so too, must the follower of Christ be tested, trained and humbled if they are to be prepared to take the leadership roles God has waiting for them.  In the end, the follower of Christ must learn that it is in fellowship with Christ and in team work with His Church,  in an attitude of service and humility that their true strength and confidence is found.  If you're not convinced, read Paul's account in 2 Tim 2:3-6, and Rom 5:3-5.

I pray you all will accept the challenge, the process, and become that Genuine Christian God has called you to be.  If you do, you will find many great challenges, but also many greater rewards and joys in service to Jesus, the King.

Go now, under His mercy and be GENUINE!

When We Sin - Part 2: (Repercussions and Restoration)

2nd Samuel 12 is known by most Christians as the record of Nathan's confrontation with King David regarding his sin of adultery with Bathsheba, his murder of her husband, Uriah the Hittite, and David's being forgiven by God upon the confession of his sin.

What many overlook were the repercussions of sin that continued on in David's life, despite being forgiven, and would carry on for generations following:  the sword would never depart from the land as long as he was King;  David would not be permitted to build the temple as he desired (1 Chron 22:8); adversity and strife would remain in his home -- Absalom being the premier case in point; and the child borne out of the adultery with Bathsheba would die. 

In my previous blog, I emphasized grace and God's loving forgiveness which frees us from shame and guilt.  And this is true.  However, that forgiveness and grace does not always, nor even often, free us from the repercussions of our sin.

When we fall short, we are often not the only ones that suffer.  The waves we create often become tsunami that ravage the shores of others.  A husband who commits adultery, or stumbles in pornography or other such sins has not only sinned against God, but has betrayed his wife's trust....has injured his reputation...and opened a spiritual door to negative influences in his home.  Some of these, by prayer and fasting can be mitigated.  But, some, like the regaining of a wife's trust, can take much longer.

David's sins and the resulting pain and anguish he and his family endured are a stark and harsh reminder that while our sins are against God and God alone (Ps 51:4), their affects are far-reaching.

For some, the results are devastating.  But, I would offer this counsel and hope....that God, in time, can and will restore what has been brought down.  David, after an unsuccessful effort thru fasting and prayer to spare the life of his first son thru Bathsheba, was permitted by God to take Bathsheba as his wife and their second son, Solomon, became one of the wisest kings Israel knew and brought in the golden age of Israel, completing the task his father, David, had longed to...the building of the temple of the Lord.

Have you fallen?  Have you witnessed the devastation of those waves you have caused in the waters of your life?  Do not be cast down into despair.   Where you are able, make amends.  If possible, restore what you have destroyed.  Fast and pray.  Seek His counsel and walk in His grace.  And when you have done all you can to make right and make straight what has been twisted by your actions....move on!  As David said to those confused at his ability to simply move on after his sons death...

He answered, “While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept. I thought, ‘Who knows? The Lord may be gracious to me and let the child live.’  But now that he is dead, why should I go on fasting? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me.”  (2 Sam 12:22-23)

Walk on in the path He has laid out before you...in grace, with humility.  Whatever repercussions remain, know that His grace is sufficient and in the end, "all things will work together for the good, to those that love God (YOU)...to those are the called (YOU), according to His purposes." Rom 8:28

Please, bear in mind, that while God's forgiveness and grace is there the instant you repent, the trust of other's that you have damaged may not be restored so quickly.  In some cases it may take weeks, months, perhaps even years of consistent effort to heal those wounds.  In some cases, you may never live to see that restoration.  But, the delay in that healing or the extension of forgiveness and grace from a brother or sister in Christ is not cause or excuse for us to become dismayed or embittered.  For many who withhold it is not out of anger, but out of fear and a need to protect themselves from the potential of more pain.

Instead becoming frustrated at what seems like a slow process of forgiveness on the part of others, let it be a reminder of the cost of our sins.  Let it keep us humbled and ever ready to bend the knee to Christ and seek His wisdom, counsel, strength to overcome in future battles against sin.  But, never, EVER, let it become a root of bitterness in your heart against those that hold back forgiveness and grace.  Love them, serve them, all the more and ONLY as far as they permit you.  This is often difficult and hard....but, the honor you show them, by patient humility and deference to their needs, will, in the end, win their respect anew.  If not, it will have its way in working in you a greater patience and a depth of character that reflects God's own patience with us.

In David's case, the end of 2nd Sam 12 was a victory over the city of  Rabbah.  So you, also, when you humbly submit to God, can achieve victory over those cities that have stood against you....but, only when you submit, humbly and walk in His ways thru repentance and restitution.

God bless you all as you seek His grace and mercy.

When We Sin - Part 1 (The Vision & Attitude of Zechariah)

In Zechariah 3 we read...

Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right side to accuse him.  The Lord said to Satan, “The Lord rebuke you, Satan! The Lord, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebuke you! Is not this man a burning stick snatched from the fire?”
 Now Joshua was dressed in filthy clothes as he stood before the angel.  The angel said to those who were standing before him, “Take off his filthy clothes.”
Then he said to Joshua, “See, I have taken away your sin, and I will put fine garments on you.”
 Then I said, “Put a clean turban on his head.” So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him, while the angel of the Lord stood by.
 The angel of the Lord gave this charge to Joshua:  “This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘If you will walk in obedience to me and keep my requirements, then you will govern my house and have charge of my courts, and I will give you a place among these standing here.
 “‘Listen, High Priest Joshua, you and your associates seated before you, who are men symbolic of things to come: I am going to bring my servant, the Branch.  See, the stone I have set in front of Joshua! There are seven eyes on that one stone, and I will engrave an inscription on it,’ says the Lord Almighty, ‘and I will remove the sin of this land in a single day.
 “‘In that day each of you will invite your neighbor to sit under your vine and fig tree,’ declares the Lord Almighty.”

This is the word of the Lord...Amen.

What do you do, what can you do, when you stumble and fall?  Do you give up?  Do you throw in the towel and come to the conclusion that this Christian Way is not something you can live up to?  Do you wallow in guilt and shame?  Are you paralyzed by the judgmental tone in other peoples voices...or that same judgmental voice in your mind that tells you you're unworthy?

If you've ever felt this way, or been made to feel this way, read Zech 3 again.

God's grace is unmerited favor...

God's
Riches
At
Christ's
Expense. 

He does not measure you up to see if you're worthy of His love, deserving of His gifts, or, meriting His call.  He simply loves you, and calls you, perpetually and despite your flaws. 

And when you stumble and fall, God is not shocked nor does He feel betrayed.  He fully expects that to happen and His death on the cross covered it before it even took place.  He is not there brow-beating you and shaming you (that's coming from another source).  He is there holding out His hand, to lift you up out of the dust.  And He isn't satisfied with simply brushing off the dirt and miry clay that has attached itself to you.  Instead, He gives you  new clothes, reminds you (and the devil) that you are plucked from the fire, chosen, and that He will PERPETUALLY CHOOSE YOU.  Then, He reminds you of the challenge before you....to strive to live in obedience to His call.  It is in the striving to live in that obedience (not in the achieving of it) that we find grace, healing and ministry.

God said to Zechariah, that "...I will remove the sin of this land in a single day.
^10 'In that day each of you will invite your neighbor to sit under your vine and fig tree,’.

If God can remove the sins of a nation in a single day, and enable a stubborn, adulterous nation to minister to it's neighbors and share in its prosperity....can He not do the same for us as individuals?

I have always been taken by the fact that Zechariah, in his excitement and passion in witnessing the grace of God, steps into his own vision and declares, “Put a clean turban on his head.” and the angels do so.  Is this not an example for us as believers, as to how we ought to react when fellow believers are caught up in sin? 

Let us not be found, as Satan is, sitting in the seat of scoffers, clicking our tongues and wagging our fingers in judgment and accusation.  When we point fingers we only invite God's rebuke, not His blessing.   Instead, let us be as Zechariah and be cheerleaders and enablers of God's grace.  Let us be like the angels, cleaning, clothing and encouraging our fallen one's.  That they might find His grace and be, as He intended them to be, ministers of His blessings and sharing His goodness with their neighbors.

So, when we sin....what is our reaction to be? 

Will we side with the prosecution (satan) and stand in accusation, in shock, in judgment? 

Or, will we be found as Zechariah was, in the cheering section, enabling God's grace and mercy and rescue our fallen ones from the miry clay? 

The choice is ours.

One final word of caution...

Many are those who will stand in the crowds with the Chief Prosecutor (satan) and they will not understand how one caught in sin can, in the next moment, be standing clean before God and able to serve Him.  They cannot fathom His grace and unmerited favor.  It is NOT your task to convince them.  Simply continue on in obedience, in grace, in humility and service and let God deal with them.   This is not easy when that judgment and finger pointing comes from those we love and live with, from those closest to us.  It is difficult not to get defensive, even angry when they demand a form of shame and despair from you in keeping with how they would deal with guilt and shame.  In those moments, it is best to simply say that you are sorry for your faults, to make amends where necessary and if possible, then carry on and let the Holy Spirit work to bring them the understanding of grace.

God go with you all.