Only reprobates call virtue …
The new hate speech.
It is narcissistic foolishness to twist the truth that all Scripture points to Jesus …
Into the lie that our own perceptions of Jesus therefore supersede Scripture.
Such non-sequiturs, and those who promote them, inevitably destroy all they touch …
Including authentic faith, discipleship and churches.
False “deeper life” spiritually has become a substitute these days for “real life” …
Among insular Christians too wrapped up in themselves to engage a messy, waiting world with authentic faith in action.
The viability of a church today typically depends on “the Pastor”.
How is that even Biblical?
You can’t find that anywhere in the New Testament.
Instead, the New Testament says we are to be the church – the multi-part Body of Christ – as each of us uses our diverse functions and gifts to minister to one another, encourage one another, and strengthen one another …
Including local elders who emerge among us to serve beside us by pastoring, teaching and watching over the flock.
The simple fact of the matter is that there are no favorable examples in the New Testament, as is common today, of one person primarily leading a church …
Unless you read your own post-New Testament presumptions, meanings, and traditions back into Scripture.
Nope, not, nadda …
Just ain’t there.
Which raises the question:
What else about “church” as we’ve come to know it …
Has nothing to do with church as the Bible actually shows it?
In life, faith and culture …
Without virtue, liberty is impossible.
God’s forgiveness is like a unilateral pardon.
Even though we are guilty, He does not hold it against us.
Being reconciled to God, however, is an entirely different matter.
It only happens when we respond with repentance.
You’ll never find viable “organic” or “simple” church among its post-modern hucksters, spinning their existential failures to gullible groupies.
But you sure gotta give them credit for something, because they do know how to tickle those itchy ears …
If it’s not real …
I’m not interested.
The Gospel works for none of us …
Unless it works for the worst of us.
Because it’s only through Godly repentance …
That it works for any of us.
When people are used to build up a ministry, rather than the ministry being used to build up people …
It’s no longer ministry.
People with true gravitas make hard things seem easy because they’ve spent years quietly learning how …
By actually doing them.
Trendy “influencers” with media platforms …
Not so much so.
How can some say they believe in the authority of Scripture …
When they keep reading post-Biblical meanings, presumptions and traditions back into its original words and contexts?
I’m more interested in going and sharing Christ as He uniquely brings life and builds “His church” among you and your friends …
Than always expecting you to come and find Him in “my church” among me and my friends.
Such is the heart of the Great Commission.
Wolves twist the saying “all Scripture points to Christ” …
To subjugate all Scripture to their concept of Christ,
Rather than subjugating their concept of Christ to all Scripture.
If history proves anything, it’s that God’s people change history when they refuse to go along to get along …
And God’s not yet done with history.
Because He loves us, Jesus affirms in Romans 13 – and elsewhere – the State’s obligation to stop evildoers and protect innocent lives …
Through the judicious use, if needed, of deadly force.
Some deny this by elevating their own sensibilities above Christ and His Word …
While reducing love to distorted sentimentalities.
I have yet to see Christ entrust authentic spiritual power …
To those who dismiss His plenary authority of Scripture.
You can’t know the power of His Name …
If you reject the power of His Word.
Choosing the lesser of two evils, at a certain point, is more about rationalizing what is wrong …
Than making an imperfect choice for the greater good.
Tolerance without discernment …
Is like the blind leading the lost.
When corporations use their growing power over speech, commerce and social interactions to oppose virtue …
They become as much a threat to faith and freedom as any totalitarian government.
There is a place where gratitude and sorrow merge …
And we touch the heart of God.
Expediency destroys our witness …
When we no longer speak truth to power.
For-profit non-prophets peddle their wares to naïve Christians …
Because there’s always a market for playing on fears and tickling ears.
Making Jesus all about that one thing,
Which happens to be your thing,
Denies His Lordship over all things,
Including the many other things,
He does through others.
The older I get …
The more I realize how much the Kingdom of God depends on hospitality.
Plumbline Faith 