Christ’s incarnation, ascension and promised return affirm we were not created to be detached spirits.
As His followers, we will always be physically embodied beings who exist in a material world.
That’s why mature disciples have hope for the future …
But remain well rounded and grounded in the present.
Any ideology rooted in unreality eventually becomes idolatry …
On whose altar all that is true, beautiful and good must be sacrificed.
The highest form of gratitude is not over what God does for you …
But what He allows you to do for others.
Without freedom, truth is tyranny …
And without truth, freedom is anarchy.
True repentance …
Brings transparency.
Mature disciples, along with those who are lost and know it, understand the inseparability of God’s:
Promises and warnings;
Forgiveness and judgment;
Mercy and wrath;
Love and truth;
Yeas and nays.
Fools, however, who elevate themselves above God and His written word of Scripture …
Don’t.
Worship.
People keep using that word.
But what they mean …
Is not what the New Testament means.
Which means they elevate their own understanding over God’s direct revelation …
And worship “worship” more than God Himself.
Those who reject God’s authority of Scripture as His written Word …
Are not my brother.
Because they serve a God of their own imagination …
Who is not my Father.
Whoever defines your past …
Owns your future.
If Christians started giving how the New Testament says we should give …
To what the New Testament says we should give …
It’s doubtful that what we call “church” today would survive.
Yes indeed:
Repressive “progressives” love free speech …
As long as it’s their speech.
So you want the authenticity of simple, participatory church?
Then consider humbly going where it’s least expected …
Among those of whom the least is expected.
Just like Jesus did.
Progressive “Christians” …
Are neither.
Because you can’t love God …
And dismiss His Word.
Or love liberty …
And dismiss His rule.
If you can’t keep it real …
It’s not really “church”.
The New Legalism insists …
That we all must obey its rule that there are no rules.
Faith without faithfulness …
Is a lie.
Not surprisingly, “Christians” who promote trans-Biblical hermeneutics …
Almost always promote trans-Constitutional jurisprudence also.
I’ve yet to see God turn His face …
From those who love and trust Him.
Seldom will evil fess up to its own culpability …
Which is why it is unrealistic to expect closure from an evildoer on an injustice they caused.
Instead, find closure by fully expressing to the Lord the hurts and wrongs your heart still carries …
Then forgive by releasing your need for justice to Him.
Not to excuse the evil or those who did it …
But to acknowledge the wrong, find freedom and move on.
Honor in God’s Kingdom comes not from having fame, fortune or followers …
But being faithful.
Rows upon rows of spectator seating …
Have nothing to do with church in the New Testament.
Paul of Tarsus:
Lashed, left for dead, shipwrecked, jailed, scorned, abandoned, tried, beheaded.
I guess he never read “Your Best Life Now.”
I may have an ability or perspective that you lack.
But I have yet to meet anyone – and I mean anyone – who does not exceed me in some aspect of their own abilities and perspectives.
Likewise, no church or ministry will be healthy if it pulls into itself or thinks itself beyond everyone else.
This is true also with our different sub-cultures, theological “tribes,” and the often unexamined presumptions and perceptions of our own community of like-minded friends.
Unity through diversity with humility, rather than uniformity through control with hierarchy, is God’s intent among those who love Him and heed His Word …
As we learn to submit to one another and together become the multi-gifted, multi-functional, multi-part Body of Christ.
Although we all love the “glory stories,” we also need to tell of our failures …
Because through our failures, we often learn the most.
The narrow gate is wide enough for each who travels through …
But not enough to also carry all their baggage too.
Plumbline Faith 