We have reduced love to what we feel.
Scripture elevates love to what we do.
It’s nearly impossible for those feeding at the trough of “church” as they’ve come to know it …
To embrace church as Scripture actually shows it.
They just can’t get past all their conjectures and rationalizations …
And all the post-New Testament assumptions and traditions they keep reading back into original New Testament words and meanings.
Sometimes you just need to bless ’em, shake off the dust and move on.
Corrosive compassion does for others what they otherwise should do for themselves.
Although trying to solve another’s problems may provide short term help …
People ultimately learn best when allowed to own the consequences of their own decisions.
It may seem harsh, but in the long run it’s often the most compassionate and loving thing you can do.
Jesus 2.0:
He came as a lamb …
Will return as a lion.
My dad often said a prepared person is better than a prepared message.
People these days are sick of those who talk the talk but don’t walk the walk …
Often from raised podiums above us.
So make a difference – try getting down off your pedestal and being a prepared man or woman instead …
Because there is no better “sermon”.
The Kingdom of God is simple.
Not nice, neat, tidy or easy …
But simple.
“Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy Kingdom come, (how?) thy will be done, (where?) on earth (extent?) as it is in heaven …”
So we just need to do God’s will as He directs in each sphere and circumstance of our life here on earth …
And where we do that, we see more of His Kingdom – His will in action – being established around us.
Sure, it is often hard and sometimes disruptive …
But nonetheless simple.
When we give thanks …
We become more than ourselves and our circumstances.
Charities, social programs and church ministries have their place …
But not as substitutes for individual hospitality and personal acts of kindness.
You just might be a Pharisee …
If you feel compelled to call everyone who disagrees with you a Pharisee.
Jesus: He’s more than a feeling.
I don’t plant churches so believers can come find Christ among me and my friends …
And I then can become the leader.
Rather, I go to the lost and plant Christ among them and their friends …
And then get out of the way.
That’s because relational participatory churches, like taught in the New Testament, happen simply but are never about us.
It’s not very complicated, nor does it cost anything …
Except obedience.
So how about it?
Why not start doing it the way Jesus taught it …
Once again?
Jive Turkey:
Frozen birds with canned food distributed during the holidays by “respectable” Christians to poor, lost and lonely people …
Who otherwise would never be invited into their homes for a place at their table.
Unfortunately, frozen turkeys will out number true hospitality by more than a hundred to one at “churches” across the land this Sunday.
Although the poor, lost and lonely appreciate receiving their annual frozen turkeys …
Don’t think for a moment they also don’t get the unspoken message.
Why not make a real difference by affirming true worth and dignity …
With the gift of hospitality instead?
The only hierarchy allowed in the church is Jesus as the head.
He, in turn, commands us to submit one to another and to prefer each other above ourselves – no exceptions!
Let’s be the church once again.
Within the New Testament church, authority emerged from relationships, plurality, example, persuasion and earned respect.
Today, it is imposed through appointment, position, hierarchy, titles, command and control.
Big difference.
Real love …
Invokes endless fascination.
The same Jesus who tells His disciples to individually love those who persecute us, return good for evil, turn the other cheek and forgive …
Also says, through Romans 13:3-7, that government officials bear the sword as “God’s ministers” to stop evildoers, protect the innocent and insure our common good.
It’s really not that complicated:
Let’s obey all that Christ says by sacrificially loving evildoers who harm us …
While also loving others enough to insist that government stop those same evildoers from harming anyone else.
New Testament unity is rooted in diversity …
As we honor God’s differing gifts, callings and motivations in each other above our own.
Insisting on “unity” through uniformity, conformity or hierarchy, however, is a lie.
Law reveals …
But grace enables.
What would disrupt your Sunday “service” the most:
The Holy Spirit doesn’t show up …
Or “the Pastor” and his “worship team” never show up?
Be honest …
Then tell me, whose “church” is it really???
Delight and gratitude are barometers of healthy relationships …
With God, our spouse and others.
Sometimes words are not enough.
New Testament:
Be the church with diverse ministry by one another while engaged with each other in face to face participatory gatherings.
Today:
Go to church for a monologue sermon by the one while staring at the back of someone’s head at a staged meeting with spectator seating.
Let’s be the church and change the world once again.
When Satan worries more about your plans for the day than you do his …
Jesus smiles.
Spiritual frauds know how to fake charm and empathy to manipulate many.
Don’t be misled …
Value truth and candor instead.
“Christian” authors, bloggers, influencers and “leaders” who dismiss Christ’s plenary authority of Scripture …
Set themselves up – through a Jesus of their own perception – as the ultimate standard.
It’s a post-modern form of narcissism …
Leading to spiritual abuse and deception.
Plumbline Faith 