“Worship” in the New Testament means living lives of sacrificial service and reverent obedience …
On God’s behalf.
Today it means a Sunday “service” performed by a hip band and some “Reverend” …
On our behalf.
Let’s return to the simple faith, simple virtue and simple church of Scripture.
When “faith” is reduced to individual subjective beliefs and perceptions …
Truth becomes hate speech and virtue an outrage.
Effective, liberating forgiveness can’t occur unless we fully acknowledge the underlying wrong that plagues us;
How wrong the wrong is; and
What our heart truly feels because of it …
Whether committed by us or against us.
Only when we stop minimizing, rationalizing or excusing the offense …
Can we fully give it to the Lord.
And be free.
Some claim that doubt and angst are a form of “faith.”
But that’s not true …
Because ultimately, that would make faith all about us.
Rather, faith is trust and confidence in the One who knows all, even when we don’t understand.
Getting there might mean struggling with doubt and angst …
But don’t confuse the journey with the destination.
That’s why the new anti-faith definition of faith by “Christian” progressives and other “religious” existentialists …
Leaves them stuck with themselves.
Let’s avoid their dead ends …
And boldly move forward towards true faith, which comes from God Himself.
The measure of spiritual maturity is not perfection …
But how we deal with our imperfection.
Love may be gentle and kind …
But it also speaks truth, resists evil and defends the innocent.
Discipleship:
A vibrant relationship with the Living Word …
In submission to the authority and discipline of His written Word.
If you need to write or read a whole book on how to hear God’s voice, something ain’t right.
Seriously.
Just start communicating and listening …
In whatever ways He created you to communicate and listen.
He’ll take care of the rest.
Want to restore New Testament power, form and function to the Church?
Then stop giving post-Biblical meanings to original New Testament words …
Based on post-Biblical presumptions, traditions and agendas.
Unfortunately, both conservative church traditionalists and “progressive” existential liberals do this …
With equally disastrous results.
Let’s let Scripture once again stand authoritative as God actually intended …
Over all presumptions, traditions and agendas to the contrary.
Today, “church” tries to lead folks into God’s presence.
In the New Testament, folks assembled to express God’s presence already in them – one to another.
Big difference!
Plumbline Faith 