God’s utter holiness:
Sinners who are lost and know it …
Get it.
Smug “Christians” …
Seldom do.
As Christians, if God’s presence is now in us …
Why do we go to “church” to enter His presence?
In fact, where do you even find that concept of church in the New Testament?
You don’t.
So let’s start gathering once again to be the church, by expressing – one to another – the many gifts and graces of His presence already in us …
Just like the New Testament says.
To say that truth is Jesus …
Begs the question.
Which Jesus?
A Jesus of your own perception and creation who reflects your own “truth”?
Or the authentic Jesus who authoritatively defines Himself, us, creation, and so much more through Scripture as His written Word?
There is no truth or Jesus …
Except on His terms.
I often see quiet, unspoken acts of honor, of dedication, of sacrifice, of integrity, of gratitude …
And it gives me hope.
There are still those who value Godly virtue above themselves …
And make a difference in this world.
Feeling like your life is dull?
Try shining in some dark places.
Helping victims over many years has taught me some important facts:
Sexually exploitive church leaders often come across as the most charming, engaging and gifted people you’ll ever meet.
After all, how do you think they kept getting away with it?
Plus, it’s a sure sign you’re dealing with a narcissistic predator when their regrets are all about the effects of their sins on them …
Rather than the sin itself and its effects on others.
God in His wisdom justifies repentant sinners …
Not sin.
No nation knows liberty …
Without embracing virtue, prudence and diligence as Divine obligations.
May God’s people stand in the gap once again.
The Body of Christ …
Ain’t some Sunday God show.
Jesus:
Creator of all,
Came in humility,
Lived as teacher,
Died as redeemer,
Rose as King,
Returns as judge,
Reigns eternal.
Pastor this, pastor that,
Pastor here, pastor there,
Pastor, pastor everywhere …
Except in the New Testament.
Why is that??
God delights in His creation …
And seeing the wonderful things we in turn create with it.
Cynicism denies Christ’s sovereignty over a world He yet loves.
True disciples, however, don’t expect the world to be perfect …
But go forth and bring hope amidst its brokenness, as Christ commands.
God is not passive.
In life, we will encounter situations we cannot fix or understand …
But God’s grace is sufficient, and they need not define or overcome us.
I’d rather go plant Christ and let Him uniquely emerge among you and your friends as He builds His church …
Than “plant” some cookie cutter “church” and hope you find Him by coming to fit in with me and my friends.
Such is the heart of the Great Commission.
It does no good to flee the legalistic bear …
Only to be devoured by the existential lion.
Scripture teaches that our worth comes from being created in God’s image …
And our dignity from choosing to live accordingly.
Unfortunately, so-called “Progressive Christians” and “Christian Nationalists” both distort Scripture to promote their own – but different – anti-God agendas.
Fundamentally, they each believe our worth comes from recreating us into their own ideological image …
And our dignity from using government power to compel us to live accordingly.
Don’t surrender God’s authentic liberty for the bondage of counterfeit Christianity.
When we make God all about our own things – our own giftings, aptitudes, motivations or pet doctrines – no matter how good or right they otherwise might be …
We deny His sovereignty over all things.
Plus we’ll find it’s impossible to successfully start or be part of a relational participatory church …
Because it makes us incapable of submitting to one another or preferring each other above ourselves – like commanded in the New Testament.
Maybe that’s why mono-churches are so prevalent today – whether in a living room or a “sanctuary” …
Because they’re all about ministry by “the one” rather than one to another.
It is shameful how some Christian leaders cozy up to power …
Rather than speak truth to power.
I have learned to be weary of those peddling “radical” Christianity with enticing terms like “deeper life,” “eternal purpose,” “insurgence” and the like.
They seldom seem to make their quackery work in their own lives or home towns.
Such enticements, nonetheless, quickly become distractions from a simple faith of simple virtue …
In simple fellowship with God and each other before a waiting world.
It’s really not so complicated.
Unfortunately, though, quackery and “radical” sells.
Jesus never said to disengage from the disarray of nations …
But to engage all nations.
It’s called the Great Commission, which commands us to go and redeem not just individuals …
But whole cultures.
God wants to release us into our gifts and callings …
Not have others monopolize us in pursuit of their own.
True church leaders equip us for the former …
While faux church leaders are all about the latter.
Our fallible interpretations never negate God’s infallible written Word.
Only fools say otherwise.
Be brave:
Examine your presumptions and traditions through the lens of Scripture as God’s authoritative written Word …
Rather than Scripture through the lens of your presumptions and traditions.
Embracing the Kingdom of God …
Requires nothing less.
Plumbline Faith 