Wednesday, November 16, 2016

Legislating Morality

Legislating Morality


The recent win of Donald Trump as the next President of the United States is a direct result of the Evangelical voter turnout.[i] The pending and future appointments of Supreme Court Justices motivated the call to action given by many spiritual leaders, holding prayer vigils, and activating their congregants hoping to slow the moral decline and the turning of a nation from Biblical values. Franklin Graham led prayer vigils in all 50 states and the night before the election held a national prayer vigil on FaceBook.[ii] While Evangelicals celebrate the victory obtained through prayer, let us not forget that more is required.

Jay Sekulow stated in an article that appeared in the December 1990 issue of Charisma magazine, “If anyone tells you that you cannot legislate morality, remember that legislation IS morality.”[iii] Merriam-Webster defines morality as “beliefs about what is right behavior and what is wrong behavior.”[iv] Therefore, we can conclude whatever we hold as right behavior and wrong behavior will be what is legislated. The appointment of Supreme Court Justices’ will secure conservative Constitutional thinking. However, it will not change the beliefs of individuals to adhere to the Biblical moral code.

Today, our nations’ morals are drifting because many do not know Jehovah God, by making Jesus Christ their personal Savior, and submitting to the moral code of the Bible as the standard to live by. Similarly, many Christians do not adhere to the moral code of the Bible and its standards. “Currently, about four in 10 U.S. adults qualify as ‘unchurched’ under Barna’s definition (38%). Unchurched adults have not attended a church service, except for a holiday or special occasion, at any time within the past six months.”[v] “Americans are becoming more liberal on social issues, as evidenced not only by the uptick in the percentage describing themselves as socially liberal, but also by their increasing willingness to say that a number of previously frowned-upon behaviors are morally acceptable.”[vi] While many Americans profess their belief as Christians, less than half attend church on any frequency.[vii]

In order to save our nation from moral failure, Christians need to embrace real change away from the wicked ways in their ranks. While prayer may have secured the Supreme Court for a season, they adjudicate laws created by the legislative body, which submits to the will of the people. Eventually, the introduction of Constitutional Amendments secured by the will of the people will permanently legislate unrighteousness. The Supreme Court would then be obligated to adjudicate according to the amendment and the totality of the Constitution.

If My people, who are called by My name, shall humble themselves, pray, seek, crave, and require of necessity My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14, (AMPC))

While embracing 2 Chronicles 7:14 as the mandate for prayer, the Church and Christians have obtained an opportunity for a pause in moral decay. However, the Church must now turn to the second half of that passage to reverse the moral decline and secure Biblical values for our nation. They must “turn from their wicked ways.” If the church does not turn from their wicked ways, the nation will increase in wickedness slipping further from Biblical moral values. The only long lasting hope for our nation is to secure righteousness in the hearts of people. Here are a few “wicked ways” for churches and Christians to exam and embrace their role in helping hold to a righteous standard.

The wicked way of Judgement

Imagine a church were God delivers judgement not man. July 1, 2016, askportia.com posted an article, “25 Reasons People Don’t Go to Church.”[viii] The first reason was the length of service time. However, the second reason was “Fear of being judged.” Judgement belongs to God.

One only is the Lawgiver and Judge Who is able to save and to destroy [the One Who has the absolute power of life and death]. [But you] who are you that [you presume to] pass judgment on your neighbor? (James 4:12, AMPC)

While there is Biblical support for those in authority to exam, mark, and identify “snakes in the grass (Genesis 3, Proverbs 26:25),” these mandates were never meant to be used on fellow believers. Many non-believers view church members as snakes waiting to consume one another. The church has created and provided an atmosphere for devouring our own when another stumbles or falls instead of loving them into right relationship with God. James 5:16 provides the understanding of a healthy environment for believers.

Confess to one another therefore your faults (your slips, your false steps, your offenses, your sins) and pray [also] for one another, that you may be healed and restored [to a spiritual tone of mind and heart]. The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working]. (James 5:16, AMPC)

Believers’ inability to confess faults to one another hinders the power of prayer and its ability to perform dynamic workings and healing in their life. Maybe this is why we do not witness miracles today when we pray for those who are sick or in need. Many churches today do not create or encourage environments where real authentic relationships of trust and maturity develop that provide for this level of mutual confession of faults, pray, and healing.

Many churches and pastors turn to small groups as the answer and response, but have had little success. For some, the ulterior motive of numerical growth outweighs the principle of spiritual growth. The Senior Pastor and leaders must model real authentic relationships throughout the organization. If you are a Pastor, you may be reluctant to share your stumbles, or falls with congregants and this boundary may be appropriate, however, it does not excuse the need for this environment in your life, and in your church. While pastors may need to reserve some confession for appropriate audiences, they can still model a depth of relationship that allows confession, prayer, and healing. Each body of believers is unique, so there is not a “one solution fits all” that can be given. However, each Christian, and each Pastor must create, foster, and enable environments where the establishment of serious authentic Christian relationships secure the fulfilment of James 5:16.

The Wicked Way within Marriage


Imagine a church where the success of marriage within the church was better than the rest of society. How much more attractive would Christ be as the answer to marital problems? Marriage is the deepest earthly relationship by which God has chosen to relate the type of relationship He desires with mankind (Jesus is the bridegroom; the church is the bride, the marriage supper of the lamb, the expression of God’s love). We have allowed the marriage relationship within the church to sink to that of a civil contract as seen by the divorce rate of believers equal to those of non-believers. Churches and believers must embrace to covenant aspects of marriage and change the tide of divorce in their ranks.

Many churches today do not see the need for them to provide help, direction, support for the formulating of marriage relationships, and the sustaining, and support for the marriage covenant. Drs. Les and Leslie Parrott have introduced a process of marriage mentoring to create a net for married couples who are in trouble, or even before trouble begins. Many churches and leaders avoid the aspect of teaching divorce as sin. While no one caught in the snares of divorce welcomes it, the church provides little direction, help, or support to its avoidance. Sadly, couples drift from attendance and gossip carries the news.

The Wicked Way within Justice


Imagine a church that is able to set aside political ranker and stand together on issues of injustice. The inability of the church to effectively deal with injustice has caused the greatest division. As is commonly known, the most divided day of the week is Sunday Morning. The divide is evident in the Evangelical vote division, where nearly 80% of white Evangelical voters chose Trump, while Evangelicals of color largely favored Clinton.[ix] Evangelicals have allowed political systems to either silence their voice or become their voice for injustice. God’s Kingdom is not groups of kingdoms as portrayed in the Game of Thrones, who adhere to one king. God’s Kingdom is only one kingdom and has only one king.

For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God through faith. For as many [of you] as were baptized into Christ [into a spiritual union and communion with Christ, the Anointed One, the Messiah] have put on (clothed yourselves with) Christ. There is [now no distinction] neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is not male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ [are in Him Who is Abraham’s Seed], then you are Abraham’s offspring and [spiritual] heirs according to promise. (Galatians 3:26-29, AMPC)

Injustice is the principle issue separating Evangelicals on race. Fear has captivated many Christians leaving them bound in their own communities, while many of the poor, needy, mistreated, and hurting are fending for themselves. While the atmosphere is politically charged, what outreach has Pastors and leaders of varying church communities engaged in with each other. Have you swapped pulpits, or exchanged musical elements of worship? Most fear and injustice continues today, because of a lack of relationships and understanding. Many Evangelicals do great works in missions, but fail in community missions. Healing, reconciliation, and love are all expressions the church can offer to help overcome injustice. Polarization will continue until the church responds and changes from their wicked way.

The Wicked Way within Life and Death


Imagine a pro-life church with a list of 60 million couples desiring to adopt babies, financially supporting birth mothers until the child is born, supporting them legally through the adoption process, and then supporting those mothers for several months in the re-establishment of their personal life. Most of our society views the church offering no real alternative and consider most Christians as judging and harassing women approaching abortion clinics. We should never minimize the stance for life; however, the church should offer real solutions. A home for every child should be the goal of the church. The church could give reason for those considering abortion to choose life. With more than 60 million abortions since 1973 and current rate of one million abortions per year, the voice of the church must ring out not with judgement and condemnation, but with love of life and justice.[x] For many abortion is the greatest form of injustice, the child has no voice. In addition, mothers are led to believe that it is simple the removal of tissue, while later in life they carry the weight of the injustice of their decision.

Nothing is more depressing than entering a church where there is no life, every person dwells in gloom and despair, and death consumes the message of life. While realities can never be ignored, Christ secured life, and abundance of life for all (John 10:10). Death has drawn mankind since Adam and Eve. Most of the world’s entertainment focuses on death. For many, the fascination with death is the unknown. Alan Danielson in an article on churchleaders.com identifies seven secrets of life-giving church culture as language, icons, celebrations, relationships, boarders, fashion, and values.[xi] Life-giving churches where the language is understood; icons or pictures speak volumes; celebrations are continual; relationships are authentic; boarders of purpose and vision unite congregants; fashion is complimentary to those in fellowship (I Corinthians 9:22); and core values fosters community. Christ is the life-giver and all who turn to Him find life. The power of transformation is hard work. It requires investment of time and resources. It requires focus of the mission of the church to make disciples (remember the Great Commission, Matthew 28:16-20). Vacant today in many churches is the release and belief of the transformative work of Christ. When there is the need for counseling, pastors should be ready to provide or have a list of Christian counselors available. Tending to sheep is dirty work, and requires steady hands and open hearts.

Conclusion


As we search for healing in our land we again reference 2nd Chronicles 14:7, which starts with “If My people…” addressing those who are followers of God. Many Evangelicals believe that prayer has provided a much-needed victory. However, the church must assist in fulfilling their role in the healing of our land by changing from their wicked ways.


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Friday, October 28, 2016

Reclaiming Halloween

One of the most dreaded holidays for Christians is approaching. Halloween has developed over the centuries through pagan influences and Celtic roots. Even the early church played a part in the development of this holiday when in 609, Pope Boniface IV re-dedicated the Pantheon in Rome to "St Mary and all martyrs,"[1] and later Pope Gregory III's (731–741) founding of a public gathering in St Peter's for the artifacts "of the holy apostles and of all saints, martyrs and confessors".[2] Over the course of time, the holiday developed and shifted. "Originally celebrated as the night before All Saints' Day, Christians chose November first to honor their many saints. The night before was called All Saints' Eve or hallowed eve meaning holy evening."[3] Hallows Eve later became known as Halloween.
 
For many people, this holiday will be a nice relief from the conversations on politics, a world in chaos, and an economy that is crushing families. Many churches will offer alternatives for believers to take their children to so that parents and their children do not have to endure all the images and worst aspects of what Halloween has become. Many Christians who stay home will choose to not participate by keeping their lights off and not answering their door to the “Trick or Treat” calls. Instead, they will escape to their TV, with their family and ignore the holiday.
 
Unfortunately, the church and Christians are missing the greatest opportunity for evangelism. Many Christians shudder at the thought of approaching a stranger to share Christ, but on October 31st lost children and parents will come knocking on your door. This could be the greatest opportunity for you to introduce Christ to your neighbors this year. Let me offer a few ideas for you to consider help you and your family honor Christ this Halloween.
·       Choose a Biblical costume for you to wear when answering your door. Be Christ, Moses, or one of the disciples. Engage those who knock and share the story of your character.
·       Use the old fashioned approach and purchase tracts to distribute in addition to candy. Jewish customs were to rub honey on the lips of the children after reading the Torah. The Word of God is sweet and what better way to help children understand the sweetness of Christ.
·       Purchase little favor bags (like used for children birthday parties). Every character is appropriate in this season of costumes. Put candy, a little New Testament or promise book, tract, and/or invite to church in the bag, so it all stays together.
·       Get your Christmas decorations out early. Put your outdoor nativity up, or go and invest in one. Ask children when they come, “Do you know the story of Jesus?”
·       On this gruesome holiday, share the most gruesome story of all. Put up three crosses in your yard. You could leave them bare, or cover them with blood and three nails appropriately placed. When the holiday guest arrive ask, “Do you know the story of the cross?”
·       Turn your yard into a mini-festival. Ask other Christians to join you. This festival could include an outdoor movie, a Bounce House, Hot Chocolate or Coffee, face painting, bean toss, popcorn, cookie decorating, Karaoke, or S’mores.
·       If you are part of a church that is not doing anything, provide your congregation handfuls of flyers to distribute to those who visit their homes. On these flyers, do not put your picture, but put the Gospel message, upcoming church events for the family, and support services your church offers for marriages and families.
·       If you are part of a church hosting an event, be sure it includes an evangelism opportunity for all who come.
 
We are expecting over 300 costume wearing celebrators to show up at our door and we are going with the mini-festival. We are planting seeds. What will you be doing this Halloween? 

[1] Saunders, William. "All Saints and All Souls". catholiceducation.org. Retrieved 19 September 2016.
[2] Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "All Saints, Festival of". Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press.
[3] NEDCO Producers' Guide". 31-33. Northeast Dairy Cooperative Federation. 1973.

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Tuesday, July 12, 2016

Forgiveness, Racism, & Injustice

 
We continue to experience a season of separation, where year after year there is a further separation of light and darkness. For those who choose righteousness they will be blessed and not forsaken. Life in abundance awaits those who choose the path of righteousness (Psalm 37:25). As the division becomes blatant, this forces the "spiritual middle class" to choose righteousness or unrighteousness, the Kingdom of God or the kingdoms of this world. Those who are lukewarm are challenged to become hot or cold. Those who are true followers of God must not to be silent in this season. Especially regarding repetitive tolerated sin in the lives of professing believers.
 
This season of separation is also manifesting in other areas of society. Not just within believers with unbelievers. Division ordained by God breeds life; similar to the division of cells in the womb as the baby develops. Division not ordained by God breeds unrighteousness; similar to the initial sin in the Garden of Eden, which brought the greatest separation; separating man from God. The greatest injustice is man’s failure in obedience piercing the heart of God. Nevertheless, God in mercy found a way to forgive men of their failures and provided the opportunity for reconciliation. When men are reconciled with God, they will reconcile with one another. When men fail to reconcile between one another they harbor unforgiveness in their hearts.
 
Unforgiveness binds unrighteous separation while forgiveness removes the chains of separation. In the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13) we are instructed to pray. The verses that follow (vs 14 and 15) expand on the verse 12, “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.”
For if you forgive people their trespasses [their reckless and willful sins, leaving them, letting them go, and giving up resentment], your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their trespasses [their reckless and willful sins, leaving them, letting them go, and giving up resentment], neither will your Father forgive you your trespasses (Matthew 6:14-15, AMPC).
If we are going to receive forgiveness from God for the great separation our disobedience has wrought, we must do so with pure hearts forgiving others of the injustices they have perpetrated on us. This requires us to forgive their reckless and willful sins, leaving them, letting them go, and giving up resentment. How can we receive forgiveness from God harboring unforgiveness in our heart towards others? Matthew Henry’s Commentary provides enlightenment regarding the Lord’s Prayer. 
Most of the petitions in the Lord's prayer had been commonly used by the Jews in their devotions, or words to the same effect: but that clause in the fifth petition, As we forgive our debtors, was perfectly new, and therefore our Saviour here shows for what reason he added it, not with any personal reflection upon the peevishness, litigiousness, and ill nature of the men of that generation, though there was cause enough for it, but only from the necessity and importance of the thing itself. God, in forgiving us, has a peculiar respect to our forgiving those that have injured us; and therefore, when we pray for pardon, we must mention our making conscience of that duty, not only to remind ourselves of it, but to bind ourselves to it.
The only unifying force is Christ, who by His death on the cross openly demonstrated God’s forgiveness of man thereby becoming the supreme example of forgiveness.
 
The Apostle Paul addressed racism of his day in Galatians 3 and we can draw from it direction for our society today. The Galatian church had begun to slip away from the faith and in chapter 3; the Apostle Paul brings correction and explains Justification by Faith. The establishment of circumcision in Genesis 17:10-14 distinguished those who were part of the everlasting covenant with God from those who were not. It had become a point of racism, slavery, and punishment for some. Paul’s address clarifies the equality of men in Christ when he writes:
For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God through faith. For as many [of you] as were baptized into Christ [into a spiritual union and communion with Christ, the Anointed One, the Messiah] have put on (clothed yourselves with) Christ. There is [now no distinction] neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is not male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ [are in Him Who is Abraham’s Seed], then you are Abraham’s offspring and [spiritual] heirs according to promise. (Galatians 3:26-29, AMPC)
 
Christianity is not a group of cultures or ethnic groups that make up a kingdom, but a Kingdom that shapes, defines, and corrects culture and ethnic groups. The Church seems powerless and lost in challenging wrongs, molding and shaping lives, and providing guidance and stability for our nation to exist peaceably. We are at a pivotal point; will Christians seize this opportunity to present the only answer, Christ, or will Christians continue to remain powerless in molding, shaping, and influencing our society? Here is a great opportunity for THE CHURCH those who are in right standing with God to proclaim Christ. The Apostle Paul declared we are one in Christ. Can churches, pastors, and believers of all ethnic groups, cultures, and denominations come together to demonstrate the truth of Christ as the unifying force as one Kingdom under God? If men will humble themselves and turn from their wicked ways, God will heal our land. There is a voice crying from the wilderness proclaiming the way of the Lord (Isaiah 40). All believers must stand together in unity found in Christ. If we are part of the body of Christ, we are part of one family through adoption, leaving our ethnic and cultural groups and becoming a part of the Kingdom of God.
 
The command to believers is to live justly.
He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, and to love kindness and mercy, and to humble yourself and walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:8, AMPC)
God has the power to vindicate us and deliver us from the unjust and we must turn to Him in those moments.
Judge and vindicate me, O God; plead and defend my cause against an ungodly nation. O deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man! (Psalm 43:1, AMPC)
In addition, Romans 13:1-6 outlines the Christians responsibility to obey civil authorities and if not obeyed, we will receive not just punishment from those in authority, but also from God. All authority flows from God. He will direct authority and when unjust, we must look to Him to correct misguided or unrighteous authority. We can use provisions for peaceable demonstrations and expressions for change granted to us by those in authority. However, we must also petition God, who grants all authority, for this change as well. Romans 13:7-10, encourages justice between men and repeats the call to love our neighbor as ourselves. Love is supreme because God is love (I John 4:8). The remainder of Romans 13 encourages Christians to become earth-suits for Christ, living honorably, separating ourselves from works of darkness, and not giving in to the desires of the flesh.
 
Much of society is looking for man to correct injustice. The hearts of the people own the desire for justice and revenge instead of depending on Christ who corrects all injustice.
Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave the way open for [God’s] wrath; for it is written, Vengeance is Mine, I will repay (requite), says the Lord. (Romans 12:19, AMPC)
The promises of God contain exponential returns for those who surrender the hurts, wrongs, and injustices over to Him. For seventy years the Babylonians held the Jews captive, but when release came they received over double (Isaiah 61:7). Job lost it all (Job 1:13-22), however when he realized he was powerless and God was powerful, God restored all he had lost and more (Job 38-42). Joseph was sold from a pit (Genesis 37:28), accused of adultery (Genesis 39:10-14), and locked in prison (Genesis 39:20). Later he is second in the kingdom (Genesis 41:41-46). The Apostle Paul experienced much suffering, yet for him he declared, “to live is Christ and to die is gain (Philippians 1:21).”
 
We cannot dare understand another individual’s experiences, injustices, or shame (Matthew 7:1-6), however Christ does and peace is only found when we turn it over to Christ and allow Him to operate through us to heal those hurts and correct injustice. The foundation of Christ enables us to build relationships beyond earthly troubles. We must follow Christ’s example as outlined in 1 Peter 2:21-24:
For even to this were you called [it is inseparable from your vocation]. For Christ also suffered for you, leaving you [His personal] example, so that you should follow in His footsteps. He was guilty of no sin, neither was deceit (guile) ever found on His lips. When He was reviled and insulted, He did not revile or offer insult in return; [when] He was abused and suffered, He made no threats [of vengeance]; but he trusted [Himself and everything] to Him Who judges fairly. He personally bore our sins in His [own] body on the tree [as on an altar and offered Himself on it], that we might die (cease to exist) to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed. (1 Peter 2:21-24, AMPC)
 
Let us pray for forgiveness for our nation and ourselves. Let us pray for our leaders and those in authority. Let the true CHURCH stand as one body, one Kingdom declaring an end to racism. Let us seek to obey those placed in authority above us. Let us call for justice, God’s justice to reign again in our nation.
 
Other Scriptures to reflect upon:
If My people, who are called by My name, shall humble themselves, pray, seek, crave, and require of necessity My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14 AMPC)
 
I have been young and now am old, yet have I not seen the [uncompromisingly] righteous forsaken or their seed begging bread. (Psalm 37:25 AMPC)
 
I am the Door; anyone who enters in through Me will be saved (will live). He will come in and he will go out [freely], and will find pasture. The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows). (John 10:9, 10 AMPC)
 
See to it that no one carries you off as spoil or makes you yourselves captive by his so-called philosophy and intellectualism and vain deceit (idle fancies and plain nonsense), following human tradition (men’s ideas of the material rather than the spiritual world), just crude notions following the rudimentary and elemental teachings of the universe and disregarding [the teachings of] Christ (the Messiah). (Colossians 2:8 AMPC)
 
I appeal to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you]. (Romans 12:1, 2 AMPC)

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