We need to handle God's Word with reverence and accuracy!

Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren,

knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment.

James 3:1

This is the Word of God. It is what stands true.

Recently, I listened to a sermon that was...well...not really a 'sermon'. It was some experiences with Bible verses thrown in.

The definition of sermon:
a discourse for the purpose of religious instruction or exhortation, especially one based on a text of Scripture (www.dictionary.com).

A couple of years ago, I wanted to be a 'life coach'....before I even knew what it was and before, everyone and their mom was trying to be one. And it was because I truly had a burden for helping people reach their goals and be more.

Now after pursuing a Master degree in Christian Counseling and Leadership, I have a burden to help people get into the presence of the Lord so that HE CAN SHOW THEM WHAT HE DESIRES FOR THEIR LIFE....and IN HIS PRESENCE is where people will find the inspiration to seek out what they were made for, and where they will find the strength to pursue it.

In light of some awesome theological training, I see now that 'life coaching' truly urges people to become more and more self-sufficient.

 

On the contrary we need to be more dependent on the Lord! The anti-thesis of self-sufficiency!

I am relieved that I saw the light on this. See, it is the truth that sets people free.

NOT secular stuff with a couple of Bible verses or biblical principles in it. The accurate, unadulterated Word is what sets people free. (This is especially true for believers...and has the same potential for unbelievers as well!)

As I was reading today, I came across this verse in Matthew 15:7-9:
"You hypocrites, rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you:
THIS PEOPLE HONORS ME WITH THEIR LIPS,
BUT THEIR HEART IS FAR AWAY FROM ME.
BUT IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME,
TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE PRECEPTS OF MEN".

(Bolding mine...as it is people these days promoting their own precepts...their agenda...to quite frankly promote themselves.)

Can you believe that all week the burden of people mishandling the Word of God was on my heart...and then I 'randomly' came across this, this morning. I said to myself...this calls for a blog post.

Here's your exhortation: If you are going to present yourself as a man/woman of God and try to speak the Word of God, make sure you are handling it correctly, soundly, w/out sordid gain, and theologically accurately. Give people the Word that sets free!

I found myself  in a season of burdened, disgusted, frustrated, and angry at people who are misleading and manipulating people with what 'sounds' biblical/right on. And I had to bring myself back to James 3:1...they will be held by stricter judgment...so now I find myself praying "Lord have mercy on them for mishandling your Word"..."And Lord, protect the hearers/the audience, take authority over the deception and guide them to where Your truth is spoken"...."Shut the mouths of people who trying to self-promote for monetary gain"...."Let those whose hearts are not upright with intentions be removed". All this can get my 'justice button' pushed...but this is where I have to turn over the 'false brethren' over to the Lord and trust in His righteouness, faithfulness, and justice.

My exhortation is just to serve as a warning/admonishment...If you are going to quote the Word, do a little research and find the Greek and Hebrew definition of it and make sure what you are trying to make the Word say is what it really says.

Which by the way....Expositional teaching is great. And include exegesis. If you do not know what these words mean, google it...and/or enroll in a theological, hermeneutics class at your local Bible college. Let's be teachers of the true Word of God.

On a side note, because of these scriptures, I truly strive to make sure that when I share something it is biblically sound.

I knew a man who loved God so much...He used to quote this scripture all the time:

All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness...2 Timothy 3:16

Moreover, I live by:

Don't try to make the Word of God fit your life...but make your life fit the Word of God!

So share the precepts of GOD...not of man, not of relativism, not of empty philosophies, not of secular humanism....it's the precepts of God that truly can change people...and I can say this because why?

John 1:1-14

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

The Deity of Jesus Christ

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ^{2 [a]}He was in the beginning with God. ³ All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. ⁴ In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. ⁵ The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not ^[b]comprehend it.

The Witness John

⁶ There ^[c]came a man sent from God, whose name was John. ^{7 [d]}He came ^[e]as a witness, to testify about the Light, so that all might believe through him. ^{8 [f]}He was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light.
⁹ There was the true Light ^[g]which, coming into the world, enlightens every man. ¹⁰ He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. ¹¹ He came to His ^[h]own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. ¹² But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, ¹³ who were ^[i]born, not of ^[j]blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

The Word Made Flesh

¹⁴ And the Word became flesh, and ^[k]dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of ^[l]the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. (taken from www.biblegateway.com)

See when we introduce people to the Word of God....we are introducing them to Jesus Christ...their Redeemer...the One who came to save them and set them free.

I hope on my headstone it reads when I die: "Here lies Jennifer Morin, a woman after God's heart and one who pointed people to Jesus!".

I don't want to go down in history of being whimsical or witty...I want to be known as someone who introduced people to Christ for the true, lasting change!

Let our words be like John the Baptist:
I must decrease, He must increase. John 3:30

Let us remember Paul's words:
I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth.
1 Corinthians 3:6

When we do what God calls us to we cannot take credit for what God does...this is why we do not boast in our works....but boast in the Lord...

Meditate on 1 Corinthians 1:30-31 - New American Standard Bible (NASB)

³⁰ But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, ³¹ so that, just as it is written, “Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord.” (Emphasis mine...)

What's great is when you give people the Word...lead them to Jesus...you release yourself of the results.

• Release the Word of God on people.
• Release people to the Lord for Him to move in their life and...
• Release yourself to joy and peace.

 

Searching for the answer....

It's awesome to unplug from forums of opinion and bask in the truth. Things we do for leisure or entertainment easily usurp our time and attention from the things that God has for us.

In recent weeks, I have taken on an endeavor to figure out 'my theology'. Yet I found myself setting out on a mission to see 'who' is right.

As with politicians being left-wing and right-wing, there seems to be left and right-wing Christians (for lack of better words).

I am a mathematician however. And for me, I need ONE answer. The right answer. See, 2+2 is always 4. So as I sit and listen to these 'two sides' of theology, I sit before God and say, "Lord, what is the right answer?"

I still don't know...I am still praying and searching the Word, and seeking answers from Jesus.
I realize that it is not necessarily 'peacemaking' to call attention to this mission and question:
Which sect of Christians are right and who is wrong? That is contradictory in a sense.

However, I sit stumped when I look at the 'let me suffer as I serve God' people. Yes, Christ was a servant, He died a criminal's death, Christ suffered. So then, there is a group of people who stay swallowed up in their suffering. Is it 'Christ-like' to suffer? From the surface, many say "YES".

Then there is the 'other group' who is claiming the greatest life ever is to be experienced here on earth. Most commonly called 'Prosperity Gospel Teachers'. Unfortunately, this title is interchangeable with false teachers, heretical teachers. And most time, it is the 'suffering people' calling them so.

I too see why so many 'non-believers', 'non-Christians' don't choose Christ. Because from the outside looking in, and looking at the two opposite ends of the spectrum, people don't understand how we can sit so far from eachother on doctrine and theology, yet still claim to 'believe in Christ'. They want to know 'who is right?'....just as I questioned above.

I think what is important is for each person to go on their own journey to figure out what the Bible says. Living in a society who quickly does the latest trend just because it's called a trend. A society who upgrades every time a 'new, latest version' is offered. We quickly jump on the band wagon that gives us what we 'want'.

Some want to be released from responsibility of having a powerful prayer life, a life of worship and faith, and they receive trials and tribulations as 'God's will of a life of suffering'. The only trouble I have is that many who fall into this sect lack joy, peace, and zeal for God. That doesn't line up with what I read.

On the other end, you have people who are so caught up in the materialism of this world, that they chase God for what He will GIVE...and not for who is IS. Not always. But a lot. You hear more about their money and things, their latest trips and purchases, and less about current testimonies of God, their serving of the Lord. Their lives look more similar to the world, than Christ.

So there again, we come to the confusion. How can it be so paradoxical? This is when we forget who is saying and doing what, and seek the scriptures ourselves.

That's what I've been doing. Take for example John 10:10:

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy;

I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

 

 

I spent time this morning looking up the original Greek of each word on www.blueletterbible.com.

This is important to know what the original meaning is of this word.

 

While I am studying this more...I have a couple of questions for both sides of the spectrum on this.

 

To the 'sufferers for Christ sake':

- Do you know who the thief is?

- Do you know what spiritual warfare is?

- Do you believe that our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places - Ephesians 6:12?

- Do you truly believe that all the bad in your life is sent from God?

- What then is your view of God?

- Does a good Father want His children miserable, walking around with long faces?

 

To the prosperity folks:

- Do you have the life that Jesus has called you to?

- Are you fulfilling God's purpose for your life?

- Do you believe that material blessings are sure sign you are right with God?

- Is Jesus Lord over your life?

- Is pursuing 'abundance' your life mission/goal?

- What is the meaning of LIFE?

- What is abundant life? Abundant things?

- If the greatest life is here on earth, then why would heaven be what we are to look forward to?

 

Where do you sit? And why? Do you have biblical explanation to establish why you believe the way you do? Or do you just believe the way your pastor has taught you? Or do you believe the way you do because you are making the Word fit your life, instead of your life fitting the Word?

 

We love comfort. So do we believe what gives us the most comfort?

 

While I may be challenging you...don't miss my main point:

WHY DO YOU BELIEVE WHAT YOU BELIEVE?

 

My goal in life is to study the Word and find the truth that God would reveal specifically to me. I am a reasonable person who too often sees 'both sides of a story'. So in this case, I see truth in both conclusions, yet I cannot agree that either one is spot-on.

 

My concern is that too many fall too far to the extreme sides of each school of thought...further creating a chasm in the body of Christ, leaving divisions as a means of losing the 'lost' further by the wayside.

 

My mission is to find the the narrow road...What do I mean? Well, Jesus said the gate is narrow. To my mathematical mind, there is no way that either extreme is 100% correct. Make sense?

 

Fortunately, I don't have to have the final answer today. However, it is my responsibility to pursue the One who knows, abide in Him (John 15:5) and walk by the Spirit, as the Spirit leads - Galatians 5:16.

 

We've heard it said, 'Jesus is the answer'...so therefore, I am seeking Him.

 

John 14:6 says, "Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me."

 

He is the Word as well, read John 1:1-5: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.  All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

 

Is it safe to say any method of living determined outside of the Word of God is unsound? Hmmmm. Just thought I would ask.

 

Yet, here is where my ministry focus will always be: TAKE PEOPLE TO JESUS.

 

Do we really need anything outside of that? And don't worry, as you pursue Him with prayer and worship, and a heart to understand Him, He will work out the details of the who, what, when, where, how. Your job is to show up in His presence and let Him impart the knowledge He has for YOU.

 

See you have a calling. A purpose that He designed YOU to fulfill. You cannot find it outside of His presence, outside of prayer, or outside of the Word. So be sure in all your pursuits of prosperity or endurance to suffer, you are pursuing Christ first!