We’re Sure We’re Right

       There are very few things in the world to which I would verbally fight for, but when I “know” I am right, that is one of them.  I’m not so sure why my hackles go up when it happens, but I suspect it has to do with feeling their disagreement is like they are calling me a liar.  Still­, I’ve noticed we, as Christians, are often so sure of our own stance on issues being Biblically right that we argue tooth and nail, often even illogically so.  Some people even go so far as to quote what other teachers and authors say, as if it comes close to God speaking?

       The truth is, only God (Father, Son and Spirit) is 100% accurate as to Biblical truth- the rest of us make mistakes; so no one Christian denomination has it all right, and no single individual has it all right.  The important thing is that the basic doctrines concerning God’s nature and salvation (the essentials) are accurate.  Everything else is secondary, imo. 

For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received, that Christ died for our sins, according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures; 1Cr. 15:3,4  …our Lord Jesus Christ. (v.57)

1. Jesus Christ died for our sins.
2. as it was written in the Scriptures
3. He was buried
4. He rose again the third day

       For now, I won’t write about the typical debates such as if dancing, drinking alcohol, or watching movies can be godly, eating pork, acceptable clothing, women in ministry etc, but will focus on Christian never-ending debate topics:  pre-trib. or post- trib. rapture if any rapture, church organization, elect- predestination or not, the fourth kingdom in Daniel 2, spiritual gifts, if works are important or not, sprinkle splash or dunk baptisms, mansions or rooms in heaven, where the anti-christ will come from, etc.  I think often our rules in any debate are:

1. I'm always right.
2. If you think I am wrong, refer to rule #1.

Again, Jesus never lies, but we are human and thus prone to mistakes.

(about Jesus) He who did no sin, nor was guile found in His mouth, 1Pt. 2:22

for all have sinned* and come short of the glory of God, Rm. 3:23  (*hamartao-miss the mark, err, do wrong, wander from God)

       When we are good naturedly debating the non-essentials, then we should stop if feelings are being improperly stirred up.  And just to clarify, I think it is very poor behaviour to debate non-essentials in front of non-Christians.  It makes them think we can’t get along or aren’t loving.

Let not any filthy word go out of your mouth, but if any is good to building up in respect of need, that it may give grace to the ones hearing. Ep. 4:29

Let your speech be always with grace, having been seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. Cl. 4:6

contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints. Jude 1:3 (-contend for the faith originally delivered)

 

       Our ultimate goal in any communication shouldn’t be to be right, but rather to further the kingdom of God on the earth through the love and acceptance that Jesus showed.  Jesus didn’t spend a whole lot of time debating non-essentials, only spoke of that which was important.  We should approach every non-essential issue with a mind to learning more.  Sometimes I wonder if we should even bother debating anything (non-essential)…

But avoid foolish questions and genealogies and contentions, and strivings about the Law, for they are unprofitable and vain. Tt. 3:9

Thankfulness

 

     We have so very much to be thankful for in this great country of Canada, and even more so as a follower of Jesus Christ.  I think we have so much, we forget to be thankful for the small things, and sometimes the things that seem negative really cause other things we should be thankful for to rise up.

     Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise; be thankful to Him,

     and bless His name. Ps. 100:4

     In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 1Th.

     5:18

     always giving thanks for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 

     Ep. 5:20

     Thanks be to God for His unspeakable free gift. 2Cr. 9:15

     And everything, whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,

     giving thanks to God and the Father by Him. Cl. 3:17

Lord, on this day of thankfulness, I'd like to thank you for a few of the many things You have done in my life.

Thank You for healing my lungs and that very first deep breath I remember taking last year.

Thank You for bringing my niece-in-law to You and restoring her marriage.

Thank You for bringing my son's brother into our lives and the two new friends You've given me.

Than You for my hubby which still puts up with me after 26 years...

Thank You for the neighbour who listens to me often, cares enough to ask important questions and shares her life with me.

Thank You for giving my strength and courage to move ahead in Your plans to me despite my own feelings.

Thank You for common sense and understanding.

Thank You that my ears hear music, my voice can sing songs, my eyes see the sun set and smiles on the faces of my children.

Thank You for two feet that keep moving every day.

Thank You for life, and breath, and a beating heart, and even pain which lets me know that something is wrong in my body.

Thank You that every time something 'goes wrong' in my life, You find a way to make another thing 'go right'.

And now, our God, we thank You and praise Your glorious name.

1Ch. 29:13

Pink Grasshopper

       It was a late summer day and I went to the back door of my house in order to go outside.  What I saw on the screen door made me stop, stare and wonder if I was seeing things, but yet, there it was- a bright pink grasshopper.  I captured it in a glass jar, poking holes in the lid, and showed it to my Mom.  We marveled at it for a while and I carried it around with me for a bit that day, but eventually the fact it was captive and not free made me sad.  I went out into the yard and let it go.  Later when I tried to tell anyone about it, they didn't believe me.  Many of them asked if I saw pink elephants too.

       I can't imagine what it would feel like to be a captive of someone's, stuck under their constant scrutiny.  There must be a strong pull towards freedom.  Is captivity ever a good thing?  Well, according to many Harlequin romances I read when younger, there is a great chance in 'falling in love' with your gorgeous captor because they are all gorgeous, right?  But the best captivity is that which is ascribed to Jesus after His death.

     Therefore He says, "When He ascended up on high, He led captivity captive and gave gifts

     to men."  Ep. 4:8 (also Ps. 68:18) 

      Praise the Lord Jesus!  So it says that Jesus lead captivity captive; but just what does that mean?  I would guess it means those terrible things that hold humanity captive- like my pink grasshopper- such as sin, death, the Devil, the world.  Just my opinion, but I think those things deserve to be captured and never released again!  Of course, we all know they aren't completely gone, but the work of redemption on the cross means that Jesus Christ has the victory, and because we are His, His victory becomes ours.

     These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have

     peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer;

     I have overcome the world. Jh. 16:33

     And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of

     them openly, triumphing over them in it. Cl. 2:15

     1Cr. 15:54-57 Christ gave victory over death, the grave, and sin. 

     ...our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death... 2Tm. 1:10

     through death He might destroy him who had the power of death (that is, the Devil) Hb. 2:14

       One day the world, the principalities and powers of darkness, death, the grave and sin and he who destroys (the Devil) will all be completely gone from our lives forever.  For now we know that the promises of our Lord are true and He has the victory.  The grave could not keep Him, Satan could not have victory over Him, sin could not put Him in bondage.  That is why we have a great victory in our own future, and I, for one, look forward to not being in captivity to anything anymore.  Death cannot keep 'this body' in the grave for I will rise again!  Halleluiah! 

"The Spirit of the Lord is on Me; because of this He has anointed Me to proclaim the Gospel to the poor. He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim deliverance to the captives,... 

Lk. 4:18