Plumbline Faith

Simple Faith, Simple Virtue, Simple Church

Simple Discipleship — March 14, 2023

Simple Discipleship

BY WHAT STANDARD?

Many “Christians” define God and judge Scripture by their notions of love …

Rather than submitting their notions of love to God and His Word.

They are pseudo Christians …

Who worship themselves rather than the sovereign God of all.

Simple Virtue — March 7, 2023
Simple Virtue — August 21, 2022
Simple Faith — August 16, 2022
Simple Church — March 28, 2022
Simple Discipleship — January 29, 2022

Simple Discipleship

TRUE WORSHIP

“Worship” today …

Has become an industry that exploits, for fame and fortune, the pursuit of fleeting intensity among a broken generation.

It is the new addiction.

The sole antidote is true worship, which is a life of humble submission and faithful obedience to God’s sovereignty, on His terms.

Only there can we find real joy and authentic wholeness.

Simple Faith — January 4, 2022

Simple Faith

SONGS AND WORSHIP

Singing and music are important for our gatherings, but please don’t call that “worship”.

Rather, the New Testament says that living lives of reverent submission and faithful obedience to God and His sovereignty …

Is true worship.

When we say that singing and music are “worship”, however, rather than teach what worship truly is …

We end up with carnal churches and carnal people.

So let’s joyfully sing God’s praises to encourage one another when we gather, as the New Testament commands …

While also learning to walk in true worship the rest of the week through humble submission and steadfast fidelity to Him.

Simple Truth — December 18, 2021

Simple Truth

GOD OR EXISTENTIALISM?

The prevailing characteristics of postmodern existentialism are relativism and narcissism, rooted in individual autonomy.

Is it any wonder, then, that we see an emphasis on new “doctrines” which:

Define Christ and our relationship to Him by our own subjective perceptions;

Redefine grace to destroy all concepts of objective standards; and

Dismiss the plenary authority of Scripture?

Yet God is raising up a people who want to truly know Him on His terms …

And to worship Him once again in spirit and in truth.

Simple Faith — November 8, 2021

Simple Faith

MORE THAN A FEELING

Many know God as only a feeling …

And love the feeling more than God.

Which is unfortunate.

Although the authentic knowledge and love of God often invoke feelings …

They don’t depend on how we feel.

Simple Faith — September 18, 2018
Simple Discipleship — September 16, 2018
Simple Faith — September 15, 2018
Simple Church — September 14, 2018
Simple Discipleship — September 13, 2018

Simple Discipleship

What’s the ultimate standard for truth, reality and morality?

Our perceptions and sensibilities …

Or God’s written revelation and sovereign will?

Herein lies the difference between popular existential ideologies that have deceived many “Christians” …

And authentic Biblical Christianity as God Himself defines it.

Simple Faith — September 10, 2018

Simple Faith

Our worse failings are redemptive if we let God use them to get our attention and bring us to repentance.

Alternatively, we can let them destroy us.

That’s why I seldom freak out when someone stumbles – many times I’ve seen it become a turning point for amazing redemptive transformation.

But whether for destruction or redemption, it’s always our choice.

That’s because spiritual health and maturity are not about perfection …

But rather how we deal with our imperfections.

Simple Church — September 9, 2018

Simple Church

Few are willing to do the hard work of actually being the church.

You know, an active community of believers who encourage and minister to each other …

Both when they gather together and throughout their daily lives.

Most, instead, are content to pay others to do “church” for them …

From an elevated podium and stage each Sunday morning.

Be exceptional!

Dare to be the church as the New Testament actually shows it …

And leave that other stuff behind.

Simple Discipleship — September 7, 2018
Simple Discipleship — September 6, 2018

Simple Discipleship

Because I love Christ, I’ve opened my home and my life to those abused by people who use Christ to exploit others.

Because I love Christ, I’ve ministered to people in jail and the woods with whom polite society won’t dirty their lives.

Because I love Christ, I’ve loved His “ekklesia” rather than the man-centered institution often called the “church” these days.

Because I love Christ, I’m still willing to exceed my comfort zones.

How about you?

Simple Discipleship — September 5, 2018
Simple Church — September 3, 2018

Simple Church

Church in the New Testament is never about gathering to experience God’s presence …

But about expressing His presence – hopefully already in you – one to another so we can encourage and strengthen each other.

Nor is it about having a “worship service” …

But about including congregational singing of God’s praises to encourage each other so we can live daily lives of reverant obedience to Him, which is true worship.

It also is never about a monologue sermon by the one …

But about all ministering to one another to motivate each other to love and good works.

So why do Christians accept anything less …

Each Sunday morning?

Simple Love — September 2, 2018

Simple Love

Being an adult means fully bearing the costs, and the consequences, of our own choices.

Unfortunately, many parents today don’t let that happen …

Then wonder why their “grown” kids are such failures at life.

Tragically, I frequently see this as I go into our local jail …

Mostly among twenty-something boys from middle class families.

Even more tragically, the parents and their churches often continue – out of guilt – to enable their immaturity even when they get out.

It never turns out well.

Do them a favor:

Let ’em fail!

Stop enabling them and let them begin to experience the full, unmitigated consequences of their choices …

Even if it means they go homeless and risk destitution until they begin making mature decisions and start to grow up.

Being allowed to become homeless and nearly destitute will be a great shock to them – and they may initially stumbled badly – but with time I’ve always seen it turn out to be the best thing for them.

For the first time, they learn to grow up and own their own future.

These are not theoretical musings, but how our churches over the years have helped guys from the jail who had no family but needed to grow up.

In the long run, tough love may be the best love you can give.

Simple Discipleship — August 30, 2018
Simple Faith — August 27, 2018

Simple Faith

I’ve seen more carnal rubbish under claims of being “in the Spirit” than I care to remember.

In contrast, I’ve found that those who live lives of simple humility and faithful obedience …

More often are the real deal.

Simple Truth — August 24, 2018
Simple Church — August 23, 2018