A Perfect Christian.

Just writing the title for this post made me cringe. I'm constantly hearing people say to one another (and yes, myself included) "that's not very Christian of you."

What they are really saying is "Why do you claim to be a Christian when you do bad things too?"

The assumption is that people saying those words are not Christians themselves and have yet to read Matthew 7:5, but I digress.

The thing they don't understand is that a sinner, who follows Christ, is exactly what a Christian is.

Jesus said in Mark 2:17 “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” and in Matthew 9:12-13 “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

To break it down, the word Christian simply means follower of Christ. Nowhere have I found that we have to be perfect.

The world, however, seems to have this view that in order to be a Christian you have to be perfect. Far from it. While we strive to be perfect and it is the goal we try to achieve daily, the Bible, Jesus and God say something different.

• for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of god
• As it is written, "None is righteous, no not one."
• Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
• For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
• And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.

By sticking to God's law, constantly correcting our course in life, looking to Jesus and asking for spiritual help and guidance we can be perfect Christians. We cannot be sinless, but we can receive the grace that makes us saved.

Taming the Tongue

Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check. - James 3:1-2 (NIV)

A video has been circulating that shows a Baptist preacher loosing his cool during a lesson and decides to unload on the congregation, singling out anyone who he finds fault with. The preacher obviously has passion for his flock but in doing so he also made some harsh statements that you would normally not hear from the pulpit; he decided to clean house right then and there.

The video, as of this writing, has around 1/2 million views on YouTube. There are several (hundreds of?)  blogs that are full of discussion, praise, hate and vile language about the preacher. Anti-christian groups are using it as propaganda. 

There are people who would love to have a video with that many views and the secret is not in doing something huge; "Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell."

Looking at Hollywood, there are several examples of celebrities, which would not be appropriate here, who lost control of their tongue and got in trouble. Some may have said a lot and some may have only said a word or two and as a result, their career was forever ruined. 

The same is true with our spiritual lives. Jesus said "No one can serve two masters" speaking of God and money. In the same respect, James 3:9-12, "With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water."

While I can understand his passion, this is exactly what we are warned about in James chapter 3. Without control you run the risk of getting into trouble. The largest ships, as verse 4 states, are guided by a very small rudder, but you can control the ship and steer it wherever you want it to go. Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts.

While I won't judge on motive, based on conduct, the preacher may want to teach some Bible studies on:

• Self Control
• Matthew 18:1-5 - First shall be last, last shall be first
• Matthew 18:6-9 - Causing others to stumble
• Matthew 18:15-19 - Dealing with sin in the church
• Ezekiel 34:2-4 - Feed your flock

“I know I’m right, and I know I haven’t done anything wrong,” Standridge told the Barnsdall Times. “I don’t want to offend. That’s not my intention.”

Whether you agree with Mr. Standridge or not, remember to control your tongue. It's a lot easier than doing damage control.

God in America

In forming the foundations for this country, the drafters of the Constitution, first Presidents and other leaders of America put God as the center of their decisions. Putting God second was not an option. As the ruler of Heaven and all creation, they found it best to look to His word as an example of how to live and govern while we are on this earth. As you celebrate this 4th of July, filled with fireworks and hot dogs, friends and family,  here are some quotes from some of America's Founding Fathers concerning God, Christ and Country.

George Washington - 1st U.S. President

"While we are zealously performing the duties of good citizens and soldiers, we certainly ought not to be inattentive to the higher duties of religion. To the distinguished character of Patriot, it should be our highest glory to add the more distinguished character of Christian."

John Adams - 2nd U.S. President and Signer of the Declaration of Independence

"Suppose a nation in some distant Region should take the Bible for their only law Book, and every member should regulate his conduct by the precepts there exhibited! Every member would be obliged in conscience, to temperance, frugality, and industry; to justice, kindness, and charity towards his fellow men; and to piety, love, and reverence toward Almighty God ... What a Eutopia, what a Paradise would this region be."

Thomas Jefferson - 3rd U.S. President, Drafter and Signer of the Declaration of Independence

"God who gave us life gave us liberty. And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are of the Gift of God? That they are not to be violated but with His wrath? Indeed, I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that His justice cannot sleep forever; That a revolution of the wheel of fortune, a change of situation, is among possible events; that it may become probable by Supernatural influence! The Almighty has no attribute which can take side with us in that event." 

"I am a real Christian – that is to say, a disciple of the doctrines of Jesus Christ." 

James Madison - 4th U.S. President

"A watchful eye must be kept on ourselves lest while we are building ideal monuments of Renown and Bliss here we neglect to have our names enrolled in the Annals of Heaven."

James Monroe - 5th U.S. President

"When we view the blessings with which our country has been favored, those which we now enjoy, and the means which we possess of handing them down unimpaired to our latest posterity, our attention is irresistibly drawn to the source from whence they flow. Let us then, unite in offering our most grateful acknowledgments for these blessings to the Divine Author of All Good."

John Quincy Adams - 6th U.S. President

"The hope of a Christian is inseparable from his faith. Whoever believes in the divine inspiration of the Holy Scriptures must hope that the religion of Jesus shall prevail throughout the earth. Never since the foundation of the world have the prospects of mankind been more encouraging to that hope than they appear to be at the present time. And may the associated distribution of the Bible proceed and prosper till the Lord shall have made 'bare His holy arm in the eyes of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God' (Isaiah 52:10)."

Patrick Henry - Ratifier of the U.S. Constitution

"It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religions, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ. For this very reason peoples of other faiths have been afforded asylum, prosperity, and freedom of worship here."

"The Bible ... is a book worth more than all the other books that were ever printed."

The Story

You know the story so well: A father makes the ultimate sacrifice and sends his only son to earth to save the race. He enters the world as a tiny baby in a barn, and is raised by two commoners in an obscure village.  Because of his supernatural power and his stand for truth and justice, he is misunderstood and meets with violent opposition. Eventually at the age of 33 he saves all of mankind and the forces of evil are rendered powerless. He continues to live as our savior. Like I said, you know the story...and this story is, of course, the story of...Superman, from the current Hollywood blockbuster Man of Steel.

Seriously?! How's that possible? Could all these parallels with the story of Jesus just be coincidental? Well maybe -- but here is a different take on it. Not only the story of Superman, but every great story we love contains the basic elements of THE STORY; the story of God's love for us: a humble hero has some kind of special power with which he battles evil to save those who are innocent. Unwittingly, Hollywood is simply expressing truth that God has placed in each person's heart. We have an innate knowledge of God within us (Rom.1:19); an instinctive sense of right and wrong (Rom.2:14-16) and a longing for more than this world (Eccl.3:11). We all live with an awareness that things aren't right in our world (Rom.8:23). A film like Man of Steel is humankind's effort to come to grips with this; to express it as best they can. That's not a bad thing.  It's great, because it opens doors for us to share the good news. So go watch Man of Steel with your friends, take them out for coffee and share with them who the REAL Super-Man is!

Left Behind

Ever hear of parents forgetting a child at a gas station or restaurant while on a family outing?  Well, here's a new twist about a dad who was left behind at a gas station near Memphis.  The Texas man, who wanted his name withheld (Hmm, wonder why), had been driving all night and intended to crawl into the back of the vehicle and sleep. Apparently, his family assumed he was in the car, so they headed down the road. The poor chap called everyone's cell phones, but no one bothered to answer. Finally, using a computer from a local motel, he reached them via Facebook. By that time the family van was 100 miles down the road!  The dad feels confident the entire incident was simply a huge mistake. Let's hope so. (Source: WMCTV 5 Memphis)

This whole situation may have been on the up-and-up, but you can't help but wonder.  Maybe that's because it represents what's happening with fatherhood today.  Male bashing is still in vogue and dads seem to be the butt of jokes on sitcoms. It's easy for guys to feel "left behind" by the family -- but that's not God's plan. As men, we're the spiritual leaders...so lead!  Take the initiative and provide spiritual direction for your family. As families, two words come to mind:  respect and support. And by the way, next time you're on vacation, check the back seat and make sure Dad's on board!

Walking in the Light.

It is generally believed that 1 John was written from Ephesus when John was an elderly man, about AD 90. By that time the church, as a whole, was in the process of falling away from the pure truth of the Gospel first preached sixty years earlier. Paul had warned of this. “Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith” (1 Tim 4:1) 

Many were now second or even third generation Christians. As the church grew, parts of Jewish religion continued to be held to. Pagans brought in their ideas. It should be noted when John writes the major problem is not persecution, but the danger is from within the church.

The church must be on constant guard, else the church begins to mirror the world and the denominational philosophy. Jesus said, "Many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.” (Matt. 24:11) The lawlessness spoken of here is to disregard, or modify God’s law, his word. Consequently true love for God will cool when the word is not faithfully kept. A downward spiral away from God always follows.

The fire of enthusiasm and zeal of the early days of the church is turning to a glowing ember in a dying fire. John describes this condition as “lukewarm”. "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm — neither hot nor cold — I am about to spit you out of my mouth. (Rev. 3:15-16) Anything is better than lukewarm. The apostle sees the indifference coming – yes already beginning.

John wants to fan the burning embers of those Christians back to a roaring fire. “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life– the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us– that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.” (1 John 1:1-4)

John is saying, we are drifting, so let’s go back to the basics – let’s go back to Jesus and the eternal life, so that we may understand the meaning of fellowship with God and Jesus Christ. This fellowship moves in two directions – horizontal and vertical. The Christian has vertical fellowship with God and horizontal fellowship with other Christians. For example, when Christians meet in fellowship to worship God and to speak and shake hands with one another, this fellowship rekindles the fire. Separate several coals of fire and they die. Together they burn brightly.

But there is more to this fellowship with God and fellow Christians. John continues. “This is the message we have heard from Him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with Him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and his word is not in us.” (1 John 1:5-10)

John now gets to the point of lawlessness Jesus prophesied of. Light represents truth and knowledge and righteousness. Darkness represents ignorance, sin, and opposition to truth. Darkness and light cannot coexist. There is no twilight zone. Either a person walks with God in the light and His will, or one walks in the darkness of his own will and desires.

To walk in the light with God does not mean that one knows and understands everything in the Bible. Simply, that he or she does not walk in the direction of their own will and desires, but walk with God in the direction He is going.

As we walk with God, “we have fellowship with one another.” That means you and God have fellowship. “And the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.” While walking with God in the light we sin, but the blood of Jesus cleanses us of our sin. We were cleansed when baptized. John uses the word “cleanses” meaning that Jesus blood continually cleanses you of sin as you walk with God.

Finally, John writes that while walking with God if we say, “we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Christians traveling in the light with God from time to eternity will stumble and trip and fall, spiritually speaking. As the Christian walks with Christ, he and she will have the sins of bruises, aching muscles and sore feet. But Christians stop and apply ointment, that is, they daily ask God’s forgiveness and keep walking with Jesus. There are only two ways to walk. (Matt 7:13-14) One is to walk in the light with Jesus. The other is to walk in our own way – the way we desire. As long as we walk with Jesus we cannot be lost. Only when we quit walking with and turn and walk in a different direction will the Christian be lost.

John urges those Christians who have grown slack to go back to the basics and remember who they are, who Jesus is, and the walk they committed themselves to when they first obeyed the gospel. It would be well for us to examine ourselves and go back to the basics and make sure the fire within us is not turning to dying embers.