Feb 18 2010

…On Spiritual Transformation


Spiritual Transformation is an important subject in the Christian community and rightfully so. One of the inescapable truths that serious church leaders must grapple with is the apathy of those who populate church pews on Sunday. Common knowledge is that perhaps as much as 90% of all the work in a local congregation is done by about 10% of the members. The numbers fluctuate a bit but this sad template applies to most churches and across denominational lines.

To say that “most” church members are content to show up once a week for a worship service, give some money, sing a few songs, listen to the preacher, and live much like their pagan neighbors the rest of the week is not a stretch. Since this is true, the challenge is how do we get “Mr. Joe Christian” transformed from nominal believer to an on fire disciple?

Based largely on the popular idea that more “activity” equals more “maturity”, many church leaders have simply opted to create more and more opportunities throughout the week for members to be involved. In my view, having committees,  ministry teams, and small groups staffed by people with little appetite or aptitude for God solves nothing. Unless church leaders are content with a church that operates like a civic club that methodology is not a good idea.

The apparent question then is how does “Spiritual Transformation” happen? There is no valid answer unless we first know “what” it is. The first thing we must understand is that it is a work of God.

“for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13)

This important text, understood in context, lays the foundation for any spiritual transformation of the believer. I invite you to read the prior 12 verses and you will see the Apostle’s plea for selflessness, putting the interests of others ahead of our own, and imitating the humility of Christ. The verse preceding  the one above gives the correct response to the knowledge that God is at work in us for His pleasure.

“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12)

The often quoted phrase “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” is more often than not taken out of context and misapplied, putting “self”in the seat of power only God deserves to occupy. The “work(s)” we do are in the knowledge that our part of the equation is to humbly walk with God as He directs.

Paul’s absolute confidence in God’s ability to transform believers into the image of Christ should encourage each of us that in our own lives and the lives of those in our faith communities, God is at work!

“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6)

It is God’s will, work, and purpose to transform every believer into the image of Christ. That work will be final at the resurrection. Until then we must cooperate, on purpose, if we want God’s best life now. We must not only know God is at work but we must do the work of a disciple, that is we must practice the disciplines of the Christian faith. Bible study, prayer, and interaction with other believers is essential to our growth.

A man is what he thinks. The remedy is to think right. The injunction of Romans 12 applies here.

“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. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed 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.” (Romans 12:1,2)

Two striking truths challenge us from this passage. First, we are to give our whole selves to God as a sacrifice. This is true worship! The implication is human effort alone is worthless to God. Secondly, we must have renewed minds. Unless, and until, we are no longer depending on the energy and resources of human flesh, and we begin to have minds filled with God and his purposes and not focused on our own agenda’s, there will be little “Spiritual Transformation”.

What then is the solution for the church at large? First, know and admit the problem. Our people have not been taught correctly. We have taught for centuries that more “church” related activity equals spiritual growth. Instead of a recipe for maturity this method often results in hypocrite church members.

Once we believe and admit the bankruptcy of human effort we must focus our personal and cooperate teaching and practice on the worth and work of God in us by the Holy Spirit. We must dethrone “self” and invite God to have free access to every facet of our lives.

More trust and less trying, less hustle and more humility, and ego crushing purposeful living and loving will open the door wide for God’s work in us and through us.

Agape’

Royce

Feb 15 2010

The Academic Christian


Every year tens of thousands of books with a religious theme are published with most of those being Christian. In 2005 about 55, 000 new Christian books were offered to the reading public and that number has wildly increased with the ease of publishing, due to scores of self publishing outlets, and the seeming continued hunger of readers. When you begin to think of all the Christian books that are available it astonishing. Amazon.com, as of a few moments ago, offers 475,022 titles that fall into the category, “Christian books”.

“All things are full of weariness;
a man cannot utter it;
the eye is not satisfied with seeing,
nor the ear filled with hearing.
What has been is what will be,
and what has been done is what will be done,
and there is nothing new under the sun.
Is there a thing of which it is said,
“See, this is new”?
It has been already
in the ages before us.”   (Ecclesiastes 1:8-10)

How can so much be said about the Christian faith? And, how valuable is it? There isn’t any “new truth” to be discovered.

Many of my preacher friends periodically list the books they have read on their blogs, are reading, or want to read. The subliminal message is that reading a large number of books lends credibility to the minister’s work. And, that may well be the case. It may also be true that the majority of what many congregations are hearing on Sunday morning is nothing more than a re-telling of some author’s opinion of a Bible text or Christian theme.

Most local churches searching for minister candidates now require that to be considered an earned degree from a Bible college or seminary is a must. I wonder how many talented, godly, humble servants are disqualified because of the lack of academics? Is a highly educated man more likely to be an effective minister of the gospel? Perhaps, but I am not convinced.

I include myself in this indictment… I think Christian books have become a crutch for lazy preachers. It is very convenient to choose a subject, find a book on the subject, read a chapter or two, and then give that to the people on Sunday. It is the difference between a microwave chicken pot pie and a real home cooked meal.

I must ask this question. Has the flood of  “Christian” academia resulted in more devoted Christians? And, are more people becoming Christians? I would say No and No. The divorce rate and every other category of sins are not far different between church folks and the un-churched. Sad but true.

I am not against Christian education. I have a little of it myself. I am against leaning on it too heavily. There is no substitute for an open mind and heart with an open Bible to find God’s truth. I think those earliest Christian ministers had it exactly right when they excluded themselves from what is most expected of ministers in today’s world when they said,

“But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” (Acts 6:4)

I suggest that if our churches expected no more of their ministers, and if ministers expected no less of themselves, we would all be more healthy and useful in God’s redemptive work.

Arguably the most educated of all the ministers in the New Testament was the Apostle Paul. Academic achievement was way down the list on his priorities.

“And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. AndI was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling”. (1 Corinthians 2:1-3)

“Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom”. (1 Corinthians 1:20-22) (NKJ V)

A fair question at this point is “Royce, what is the point?” Keep first things first. Don’t lean too heavily on someone else’s study, do your own. Allow the Bible to speak to you. Spend time with the text, read it and re-read it, meditate on it, memorize it, and then when you are sure what God is saying to you, and you have adjusted your life to it, share it with others.

Finally, pray! “We will devote ourselves to PRAYER and the ministry of the word” are words to live by. I think more important than disciplined study, the best resources, the best study skills, and the best aptitude for homiletics, is the discipline of prayer. You will learn more about God on your knees than you ever will with a book in your lap.

Jesus wants us to be his “witnesses” to a needy world. A witness can only testify to what he personally knows. In my view far too many modern day Christian’s are relying way to much on hear-say evidence.

Agape’

Royce

Feb 12 2010

Valentine Gift Ideas for your Spouse


Do you want to give your significant other the perfect gift this Valentine’s Day?

Roses are pretty but have a short life at best. Candy is sweet but stays around and mostly in the wrong places, if you know what I mean.

A evening out for fine dinning in a romantic place is very sweet but fades to a memory far to soon.

Have you thought of giving these?

  • Be patient. It isn’t a good idea to make snap decisions. Listen more.
  • A little kindness goes a long way. Want some kindness? Give some.
  • Wait for others to compliment you, don’t do it for yourself.
  • Respect is rewarded in manifold ways. Give some.
  • Put your husband or wife first, and you will be first.
  • Quickly admit when you are wrong. It is an uncomplicated way to love.
  • Find joy in his, or her, accomplishments. It is OK to brag on your spouse.
  • Quickly forgive without waiting to be asked, and then live as if it never happened.
  • Be true, be truthful, expect truth, love truth, and seek it in all of your life.

You can’t love God and at the same time not love the one he gave you for life. Love always gives, always hopes the best, always trusts, always honors, always looks out for the best interests of others.

Love never fails. Give the gift that keeps on giving. Now go be a lover.

Agape’

Royce

Feb 12 2010

“Gospel” Up Close and Personal #4


“I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome,For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” (Romans 1:15-17)

These few verses are among the most important in the Bible concerning the “gospel” and its implications for ungodly men and women. The first foundational truth revealed here is the absolute power of the good news about Jesus’ work for sinners. “It is the power of God…“. This is a very strong, emphatic declaration. The word “power” comes from the same Greek word where we get our English word “dynamite”! The simple telling of the story of the good news is enough. Inherent in the “good news” is the explosive power to make the most vile sinner take sober account of his lost condition and see that his only hope for immortality is the Christ of the gospel.

The “Gospel” story does not need an accompanying well versed messenger, or a well conceived evangelism program, or lengthy teaching to support the “Gospel”, it alone is quite enough. It is “the power of God“.

The “Gospel” is the power of God for a specific purpose. What? “For salvation“. By design the way God saves sinners is through the “Gospel”. It is good to teach people what is right and what is wrong. It is good to teach about the church and about worship and righteous living but it is through the “Gospel” that God saves the ungodly. By simply hearing the story of Christ’s work in life, death,and resurrection God brings sinners to himself.

How does he do this? He saves those who believe it.

“for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16b)

How can a person be saved? By believing the “Gospel”. Who can be saved? Everyone who believes. When can a person be saved? When he believes the “Gospel”. Why can a person be saved? Because God promised it.

A good translation of this last part of verse 16 could read as follows. “For it (the “Gospel”) is God’s mighty power to save everyone who believes and keeps on believing”. The “believe” in the original language was in the present perfect tense meaning it is a continuous action. While there is a point in time when God justifies the believing sinner, the evidence of genuine faith is that it never stands still. It is not a one time event but rather a persevering faith. It is a faith that keeps on believing and is illustrated by a life of devotion to the Christ of the “Gospel”. “Believes” is not giving mental assent to facts. It is to rely on, to depend on, to expectantly trust, not just accept a set of facts.

“The righteous shall live by faith“. (Romans 1:17b)

What is it about the “Gospel” that makes the sinner take notice?

“For in it (the “Gospel) the righteousness of God is revealed”. (Romans1:17a)

God has chosen that by hearing the story of the work of Christ for sinners that his righteousness would be revealed. Jesus himself is the righteousness of God and God’s righteousness stands in stark contrast to the righteousness of man, which is in reality unrighteousness. God’s righteousness is one that is by faith from the first to the last. Our father Abraham in the faith believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness and so we follow him and are “made” righteous by trusting the truth claims of the “Gospel” of Jesus Christ.

The flip side of the coin is the wrath of God against sin. Immediately after this watershed passage about the glory of the “Gospel” comes this chilling warning.

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

Any person who spurns the story of the work of Jesus on behalf of sinners is now the target of the certain angry wrath of God against the unrighteousness of man kind. “The wages of sin is death”, it is true and sure. Just as sure and true is that “the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” That is “good news”!

Royce