Following Christ

Testing the Spirits

I wanted to share a post written by Stacey Louiso, a wonderful Christian woman and author. This post is a challenge to the modern body of Christ, and I think it is quite thought-provoking and biblically sound. Too often the church follows popular leaders and teachings instead of digging deep and testing what’s been preached. Here’s a quote from Stacey’s post:

“Often, as I follow and interact with pastors, ministry leaders and the like on social media, I find myself wishing I weren’t so connected. Some of what fellow Believers proclaim makes me wonder which version/translation of the Bible they read! Why? Their theology, hermeneutics and exegesis are often very loose versions of what the very traditional translations of the Bible contain. Loose (modern) translations of the Holy Bible are part of the very problem described herein, not part of any solution. They often mislead people and lighten the truths of the word of God. Softening the message of the Gospel was never part of God’s plan for Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, or his resurrection.”

Please check out the rest on her blog: http://www.writingdownlife.com/2017/02/05/a-body-called-to-christ-not-to-a-church-part-1/# . I also encourage you to read other posts she’s written.

 

The Sermon on the Mount: A Message for Jesus’ Disciples- Part 1

Most of us have heard numerous messages on The Sermon on the Mount. Emphasis tends to be placed on the beatitudes (“Blessed are…”) and debates arise about whether it’s “blessed are the poor” or “blessed are the poor in spirit.” Jesus’ words have been picked apart, analyzed, and a number of complicated interpretations have been given. But one important factor that is often overlooked is Jesus’ audience. Who is He speaking to?

Jesus is speaking to His own disciples. And not just the chosen Twelve, but others who were following Jesus at this point in His ministry. So why is understanding the audience important? I think it’s important for three reasons. First, Jesus’ words are instructions for how His disciples should be living. They are to be the lights of the world, and their righteousness needs to be different than that of the Pharisees and teachers of the Law. In essence, they need to be different from the world. Second, these instructions are important for teaching the future church. These teachings carry on long after Jesus’ death and resurrection as is evident in many of the letters to the churches. Third, because these are instructions for all of Jesus’ disciples, they also apply to Christians today. With the audience established, let’s take a look at the content.

Some people want to argue that Jesus is changing the Law with His message. I disagree. I think we forget that Jesus is God. He understands the contents and purpose of the Law better than anyone. The Law is not just about rules and regulations. It’s about motive. Why was King Saul’s kingdom taken away because he offered sacrifices (1 Sam. 13)? Sacrifices were required of the Lord according to the Law, but Saul was instructed to wait for Samuel. Samuel was supposed to offer the sacrifices, but Saul was impatient. First Samuel 15 demonstrates further that the Lord delights more in obedience than sacrifice (v. 22). Saul’s motives were wrong in both 1 Sam. 13 and 15, and he paid heavy consequences for his sin. Jesus is teaching the same thing.

For example, in Matt. 5:21-24 Jesus talks about how being angry with one’s brother is the same as committing murder. One who stays angry is guilty of sin. Jesus instructs that a person who has such anger in his or her heart should not give an offering to the Lord until he or she is first reconciled to the other person. The act of giving an offering to the Lord is a good thing, but the Lord does not desire an offering given with sin in our lives. We must make things right.

Think about this for a moment. Do we consider where we are spiritually when we give an offering to God? Are we harboring anger, bitterness, malice, etc. towards another person as we drop the envelope in the offering plate? If so, are we willing to wait to give our offering until we make things right? Just think about how much more united the church would be if we actually worked out our issues with one another.

The same thing goes for the adultery teaching (Matt. 5:27-28). It’s not just the act of adultery that is sinful, but lusting after another person. In this way, the argument of “I never touched her” or “I never touched him” doesn’t carry any weight. Sin is sin. But thank the Lord for His mercy and forgiveness. As disciples there is much to live by, but we also have access to the only One who can wash away our sins.

Another important message for Jesus’ disciples is to interact with people who are of the world (Matt. 5:43-48). Love your enemies. Pray for those who persecute you. Talk to non-Christians. Jesus called out the Pharisees and teachers of the Law because they studied the Law, had access to the truth, were taught by Jesus Himself, and still rejected Him. They followed their own devices and interpretations instead of God. Some people in the world do the same thing even when the truth is presented to them, but I believe that most of the world does not know or understand the truth. That’s why we are the light. I love what Jesus prays to the Father in John 17:14-21 (NASB):

“I have given them (the disciples) Your word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. For their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth. I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.” (Bold print for emphasis)

We are supposed to be in the world. That is why we are to be salt and light. That is why we’re supposed to be different. We need to be more than separate buildings lined up on the same block, yet all too often the church looks like the world with a veneer of light.

We must shine for God’s glory! It is becoming increasingly evident that the world needs Christ. Everything that is happening in the world is like a powder keg ready to blow. It is more important than ever to ask ourselves the following: Who will we be? What will we teach? How will we live? Who will we follow? How bright is our light?

The path of a disciple is not easy, but it is always worth it for the sake of Christ.

 

©Lauren Heiligenthal

Choose to Build Up

After taking down the Christmas tree and decorations I had the thought that it’s a lot easier to tear down than to build up. I’m sure many people have used this same analogy to describe our own behavior, but it’s true. Is it not much easier to give in to our flesh and think of the pessimistic side of things? I have struggled in this area quite a bit. Is it not easier to pick out everyone else’s faults or even our own instead of building each other up? Is this not prevalent in the body of Christ? The world approaches life from the flesh, but we have been blessed with the Spirit. We don’t have to think and act the way we used to. Rather, we are commanded to do the opposite:

“8 But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation. 9 For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,10 who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing. 12 But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, 13 and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another. 14 We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone.15 See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people. 16 Rejoice always; 17 pray without ceasing; 18 in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 19 Do not quench the Spirit; 20 do not despise prophetic utterances. 21 But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; 22 abstain from every form of evil.” ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:8-22 (NASB)

“12 Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. 13 But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.” ~ Hebrews 3:12-13

Let us love and encourage one another. May our attitudes reflect Christ in our lives. It may be harder to choose to live by the Spirit rather than the flesh, but as Christians, this is the life we have chosen. This is following Christ.

Here’s a poem I wrote a little while ago about my own struggle with pessimism. I hope you find it encouraging:

Pessimism (written November 29, 2014)

That voice, I hear it

as it sneaks in insidiously,

telling me lies;

and I believe them.

 

A hopeful thought

becomes distorted,

crushed,

no more.

 

I convince myself that these invading thoughts

are more realistic,

preparing me for potential failures,

not realizing that they hinder me from success.

 

Where is my hope?

Is it not in Christ?

Then why be fearful?

Why let the light fade?

 

Confidence is not the same as arrogance.

Experiencing failures provides new opportunities for growth.

Being adventurous can reveal a world unknown.

Joyfulness will not only uplift myself but others.

 

Positivity is a choice, my choice.

It can change a life, my life.

What will I choose?

Who will I become?

 

©Lauren Heiligenthal