Opus 2024-028: Focus or Sloth

I have been giving Pastor the benefit of the doubt because he is an evangelist at heart.  All of the sermons have a predominantly evangelistic thrust.  That is good.  That is a quality to be desired.  But I’m noticing also a tendency to refuse to look any deeper.  And I’m wondering if evangelism is a fallback for someone who doesn’t want to do any studying, meditating, or contemplating on the great truths of God.

Sunday the text was Romans 12.  In case that doesn’t ring a bell it starts off,

(Rom 12:1-2 KJV)  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

From there it goes on to the body of Christ and one of the listings of the gifts of the Spirit and finishes up with some very important directions on living the Christian life.  There is a wealth of teaching here.  Is it necessary to become a Christian first?  Of course but if you have been around the church long you know there is more a problem with people maturing and staying in the faith than getting them converted.

The sermon lasted half an hour.  Twenty-five minutes involved jumping all around the Bible finding reasons for people to get saved.  Each spot he went to could have generated a full sermon.  There was no coherent thought, there was no chain of evidence, there was no deeper contemplation, and the beginning and primary points of Romans chapter 12 where ignored.  I will admit the last three or four minutes he quickly went through the first two verses and had some things to say but he missed the whole point.

So is it focus and priority or sloth and unwillingness to put in the time?

I have visited a lot of churches in my life.  There are two big problems in the preaching.  One is to teach worldly philosophy instead of the Bible.  The other is to recycle all the paragraphs about evangelism that you learned in Bible college.  I remember one church I visited.  I could have worshiped there every week if that Sunday was an example.  The sermon was, “You need to get saved.”  I felt like the pastor would preach the same sermon next week with no thought except to rearrange the paragraphs.

Sloth, incompetence, ignorance, unsaved?  I don’t know but I pray that the pastors will learn to convey the deeper issues without giving up their drive to evangelism.

homo unius libri

Opus 2023-128: Paraphrasing Truth

In the last few weeks I have become aware that the NASB has come out with a new revision.  I think it is called the NAS 2020.  Since I am happy with the 1977 version and have all my notes and study tools geared to it, I have not had any interest in the new editions.  It came up in a recent conversation and I began to wonder how far the Lockman Foundation was willing to compromise in order to pacify the woke community.  One flashpoint is in how they translate the numerous words in the Hebrew and Greek that accurately render male pronouns as male pronouns and translate gender specific nouns as they were written.

At issue are not places where sons, the plural of son, is translated as “children”.  Even the KJV did that because it conveys the understanding of the ancient readers.  The issue is changing the wording to please people who are having issues with the authority of God in the first place and who get excited about words like “patriarchy” and “white privilege”.  

So I did a search for differences and at one place it linked to the Lockman page that was titled “Gender-Accurate language in the NASB 2020".  I knew I was in trouble when the article started out,

“The NASB 2020 is gender-accurate, meaning the reader will no longer have to try to intuit which genders the biblical authors have in mind. Now the text will clearly communicate gender in modern English, while still remaining true to the context and original languages of the ancient manuscripts.”

This is the kind of thinking that makes me reject such “translations” as the NIV, Message and NLT.  These are paraphrases at best.  A paraphrase, like the original Living Bible, is up front about the intention of paraphrasing.  Paraphrasing is by it’s nature not focusing on accuracy but making a point.  An honest person who is quoting someone but doesn’t have the exact phrase in front of them will say, “I am paraphrasing” so the listener can make a valid judgement.

The kind of change that this recent edition is making may make sense in the world of “I shall be as a god” academics but it puts the translator in an awkward position in front of the real God.  Their logic is that using the male pronoun “he” as a generic pronoun is an error of embracing the traditional male dominance of the patriarchy.  We would not want to bend to that cultural pressure.  The problem is that the original inspired scripture followed that pattern.  That is the reason that our culture has done the same thing.  

There was a time when the church took seriously Paul’s words in Romans 12:2,

(Rom 12:2 KJV)  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

The church set a standard based on an understanding of God’s word and expected the world to come into agreement.  Music moved forward in sophistication.  The first book printed by Gutenberg was a Bible.  Science was to investigate the wonders of God’s creation.  Church architecture advanced novel concepts to be used in cathedrals.  It was a glorious time of moving forward.

Now we worry about being seeker friendly.  Our goal is to be a combination of McDonald’s and Cheers.  We have become like most restaurants that draw people in to experience the exotic cuisine only to have them never return because it was empty calories.  Now authors face a play book requiring them to include the correct number of the different ethnic groups and genders.  Science is openly fraudulent with fake peer reviews becoming a major scandal.  Churches are boxy gymnasiums with fancy lights and fog machines.  We have not only stopped but we are going backwards.

I have said that a person could come to know Jesus even using the New World Translation because it is ultimately a journey of a seeker and the Holy Spirit.  I would not advise it as the best method to communicate truth.

homo unius libri

Opus 2017-300: Headlines: The Wrong Side Is the Right Side

An important statement has come out regarding where Christians should stand in the current debate on sexuality and sexual issues.  World Magazine reports on something being called “The Nashville Statement”. 

A summary was given as,

“The statement affirms marriage only as a covenant between one man and one woman and denies that God designed marriage for homosexual, polygamous, or polyamorous relationships. The statement also says God designed humans distinctly male and female, and a homosexual or transgender self-conception is not ‘consistent with God’s holy purposes in creation and redemption.’”

That sounds totally consistent with the Bible I have been reading, but of course there are many people who view the Bible as something to be revised and redacted to fit current trends.

The key criticism seemed to be,

“Opponents argue the Nashville Statement and its signatories are on the wrong side of history.”

They are right but what they are overlooking is that Biblical Christianity has always been on the “wrong side of history”.  As the Apostle Paul said,

(Romans 12:2 KJV)  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

That is why the church has been persecuted down through the ages and is still being persecuted.  That is why the devout within the church have been persecuted and are still being persecuted.

Although it is a significant statement for our times, for those who are Bible believing Christians this statement is a ho-hum, “tell me something I didn’t already know” item on the level of January 1 is New Years Day.  To those trying to make their Christian faith a comfortable adjunct to popular culture it comes as a frontal assault.  They will need to decide which side they are really on, Almighty God or the ACLU.

homo unius libri

Opus 2016-317: Immortal Quotes: “A Different Drummer”, part 1 of 2, The Beat

One of the phrases that I find coming to mind frequently is “march to a different drummer”.  I find it applies to many choices I make and priorities I set.  I feel it should apply to believers and the church.  I decided I should look up the full quote and learn who I am quoting.  It comes from Thoreau.

“If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer.  Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away.”  — Henry David Thoreau, Walden

For Christians that drummer is God and too often no one is listening.  This is expressed by the apostle Paul.

(Romans 12:2 KJV)  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

I have always enjoyed J.B. Phillips paraphrase of this.  He says,

“Don’t let the world squeeze you into its mold.”

One of the great tragedies of history is that Christians keep getting squeezed.  Often they seem to seek the squeezing.  We are like hot Jello poured into our culture instead of fire-hardened vessels from the Potter’s hands.  As such we become worthless.  Worthless to God and ignored by our world.

What are some areas where we allow ourselves to be molded to the standards of the world?

To be continued...

homo unius libri

Opus 2015-436: Koran Klarifications: Why Paris Is Business As Usual

What a difference one vowel make.

You have certain characteristics at the core of certain religions.  Some are only of casual interest to outsiders, such as requiring a man to wear a turban as Sikhs do or the observation that Buddhist monks wear orange.  Others are defining.  One of the defining differences between Christians and Muslims is found in the one letter difference between prescribe and proscribe.  When I was editing the previous post, the word “proscribed” jumped out at me.  I touched on it in a previous post, but it bears revisiting.

Christians are proscribed from taking vengeance.  It is forbidden.

(Romans 12:19 KJV)  Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

For Muslims, however, it is prescribed.  It is required.

“O believers! retaliation for bloodshedding is prescribed to you: the free man for the free, and the slave for the slave, and the woman for the woman: but he to whom his brother shall make any remission,68 is to be dealt with equitably; and to him should he pay a fine with liberality.” Sura 2, “The Cow” (verse 178)

Christianity expects the government to deal with evil.  Islam expects every believer to seek vengeance.  And evil in Islam includes anyone who believes different from you.  So when we have hundreds massacred by Muslims yelling “Allah is great” in Arabic and calling the murders repayment in part for attacking Syria, there is nothing out of line with that.  It is at the core of what so many foolishly call a “religion of peace”.

Expect more of the same.

All Koran quotes are from the translation by Rev. J.M. Rodwell, M.A. provided by the Gutenberg Project.

homo unius libri

Opus 2015-37: In the Name of Obama, part 3 of 3, Vengeance

The Bible orders Christians not to seek vengeance but to love their enemies. 

(Romans 12:19 NAS77)  Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, "VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY," says the Lord.

Anyone who advocates killing or mayhem in the name of Jesus does not indict Jesus, they make themselves liars and frauds.

Is the same true of Islam?  That is what the president and other tools of Islam tell you.  Again, what do the primary sources say.  Mohammad demands that Muslims seek revenge. 

“O believers! retaliation for bloodshedding is prescribed to you: the free man for the free, and the slave for the slave, and the woman for the woman: but he to whom his brother shall make any remission,68 is to be dealt with equitably; and to him should he pay a fine with liberality.” Sura 2, The Cow, verse 178

Keep in mind the meaning of “prescribed.”  It is the opposite of “proscribed.”  Prescribed means “authorize with authority.”  It is where we get our word for prescriptions at the pharmacy.  Proscribed means forbidden.  Understand.  In Islam revenge is demanded, not forbidden.  Read the words of their holy book.

Who are you going to believe about Islam and Christianity,  President Obama or Muhammad and Jesus?

Do your homework.  Don’t accept the distortions of people who hate Christians and the God of the Bible. 

And don’t try to kill them either.

All Koran quotes are from the translation by Rev. J.M. Rodwell, M.A. provided by the Gutenberg Project.

homo unius libri

Opus 2015-11: Headlines: Facing Truth and Restraining Hatred

It is hard to miss the iceberg that France it being forced to acknowledge.  Of course the iceberg is the desire of Islam to conquer the West and it’s willingness to kill and destroy to bring us to our knees.  Some people refuse to see reality until it is too painful to ignore.  France may have reached that point.  I doubt it, but I can hope.  Will the rest of the world learn from the pain in Paris or stand around with their fingers in their ears singing “Kumbaya”?

It is hard to admit uncomfortable truth that demands action.

It is even harder to find a reasonable, rational, retrained response that does not destroy our culture as fast as the sword of the enemy.  There is more than one way to kill a culture just as there is more than one way to kill a hostage.

We in the West, who have a heritage of Christian values, need to respond.  We need to respond with strength and determination.  That will involve violence and focus that we normally avoid.  It must be measured, though.  It must not be a seeking of vengeance and reprisal to try to wash away the pain caused by the purveyors of terror.

If we want to remain free and moving forward we must not loose our reason for response.

There is a reason why the Bible says,

(Romans 12:19 KJV)  Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

Revenge tends to be a cycle that destroys the avenger.  It escalates into a never ending round of murder and destruction.

But that does not mean we go to turning the other cheek as a society.  It means that the governments step up and do what Paul tells us is their responsibility in the next chapter of Romans.

(Romans 13:4 KJV)  For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

The government has the responsibility to act against evil.  You may be a part of the response if you are in the military.  As an individual you are to turn the other cheek.  As a culture we are to response with violence.  That is what a sword is for, violence.  That is what evil demands, violence.

Notice another point in this verse.  Violence is to be against “him that doeth evil.”  As much as Christians may disagree with Muslims, we do not have a divine mandate to kill people because they are Muslims.  We may consider them “evil” in the sense of being anti-God but they are not doing evil.  The Muslim terrorists may think it is okay to kill everyone who disagrees with them.  That is one of the differences between us and them.  It is an important difference that must not be abandoned out of pain or anger.

The West needs to wake up.  It needs to respond.  It will require violence.  It must be restrained.  It must focus on the evil doers not the entire Middle East.

Hard?  Yes.  But that is the demand of truth and righteousness.  No one ever said it would be easy.

homo unius libri.

Opus 2014-251: Culture of Conformity

Recently a young lady at my church asked me about a tattoo.  My simple answer?  “No.”

She had already mentioned it to her mother.  Mom tried to side step the issue by saying it needed to be small and spiritual.  Since even that was not what the girl wanted to hear she went looking for other opinions.  Since she is over 21 she doesn’t actually need anyone’s permission.  Since she is insecure she wants approval.  She didn’t get it from me but I expect her to get marked anyway.  The main thing holding her back is that she doesn’t have a job.  I think she will find the money somewhere.

I do not understand tattoos.  They are in a category with sagging pants and tongue piercings to me.  How should we respond.  Why do I respond with a “no”?

Although it is not the most important reason, I must confess my personal taste screams, “Never!”  I don’t find them attractive on others, why should I think they would work for me?  I have yet to see a tattoo that I thought made anyone look better and I have seen quite a few on bloated bodies that just draw attention to what is best ignored.

An even more import question is, “What does the Bible say?”  Often this is totally ignored if we have our mind made up.  I found one verse that seems to speak to the issue.

(Leviticus 19:28 NAS77)  'You shall not make any cuts in your body for the dead, nor make any tattoo marks on yourselves: I am the LORD.

That is the NASB.  The KJV says it in a more general way that is more comprehensive.

(Leviticus 19:28 KJV)  Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD.

This seems pretty clear. 

Then there is the matter of general appearance.  Why spend a lot of time on make-up and dressing to impress and then go out and mark up your body with designs that will not go away?  The make-up is to cover flaws and the clothes are often chosen for the same reason.  Styles change.  Hair, colors, eyebrows and all in flux.  Why do something that cannot be adjusted?

Only one reason that I can think of:  Cultural conformity.  People do it because others are doing it.  That may be fine for pagans but followers of Christ are called to a different standard.  Paul put it this way,

(Romans 12:2 NAS77)  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

So my answer will remain, “No”. 

Sometimes negative is the right answer.

homo unius libri

Opus 2014-218: The Proof Is in the Pudding

I recently asked myself a question, “How would the results be different with different victors in the Middle East?”

I was reflecting on a column by Thomas Sowell from The Washington Times Weekend Edition, August 4, 2014, page 27.  It is also available at the Washington Times site.

What kind of Middle East would we see if the Palestinians, backed by the Muslim world, won?  In a word:  Genocide.  They would make Hitler look like a bumbling fool.  That sums up the desire of the Arab Muslim world at least.  If we had another Six Day War and the enemies of Israel were able to defeat the IDF, only the intervention of the United States would keep every man, woman and child in Israel from being massacred.  With out current leadership we would hear about sanctions and getting serious as the blood turned the Dead Sea into the Dead Red Sea.

Is Israel wins you would see healthier, happier Palestinians.  At least they would be healthier since nothing seems to make them happy but killing Jews.  Israel functions under the American philosophy of restraining collateral damage.  This is a philosophy that is grounded in the Old Testament

(Proverbs 24:17 KJV)  Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth:

(Proverbs 25:21 KJV)  If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:

It is built into the religion is Israel.  Yes, there were times in the Bible where Israel was told to kill entire populations but it was always specific and focused, not universal.

The New Testament takes it further.  In addition to quoting the above,

(Romans 12:20 KJV)  Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.

Jesus went even further.

(Matthew 5:43-44 KJV)  Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.  But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

So even if war is forced on a nation it must always be what is called in Christian theology a “limited war.”

Be careful with the modern nonsense of equivalence.  All cultures are not equal.  All ways to God do not arrive at the same goal.  It really does make a difference what you believe and what your God teaches.

homo unius libri

Opus 2012-127, Discernment Watch: Vengeance and Justice, Part 1 of 4

One of the issues being debated today is capital punishment.  Does anything deserve the death penalty?  Is it right for anyone to take a human life, even the state after due process?  People of good will come down on both sides of the issue.

I think that part of the basis of disagreement is a misunderstanding of the difference between vengeance and justice.  Both are Biblical concepts but they are totally different.

The Christian view would be that vengeance is not an acceptable motivation for action.  One of the often quoted statements is,

(Romans 12:19 KJV)  Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

Paul is probably referring back to this passage in the Law.

(Deuteronomy 32:35 KJV)  To me belongeth vengeance, and recompence; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste.

Vengeance is an action that is reserved for God.  It is as simple as that.  Why?  You could write a book about it involving motive, worthiness, authority but the simple truth is that we are not allowed to seek vengeance.  We cannot be trusted to exert force in this way.

We as individuals are to follow a different path, one that was repeated by Jesus.

(Luke 10:27 KJV)  And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.

I say repeated.  Many do not seem to realize that Jesus was simply quoting a principle that had been laid down in the Law.

(Leviticus 19:18 KJV)  Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.

As individuals we are to give people the benefit of the doubt.  We are not to seek revenge or pay back.  We are to turn the other cheek. 

To be continued....

homo unius libri

Opus 2011-283, Discernment Watch: Seeker Friendly Church Models

Years ago I remember someone sharing that the picture of a perfect pastor was a mid-level executive for Sears, Roebuck and Co.  It was a statement of how the church was trading the Biblical model for one generated by Madison Avenue.

I think we are doing much the same thing when it comes to our style of worship.  We hear about the church being seeker friendly.  We want the pagans to be able to come in, feel at home and be prefab Christians because the church has adjusted to what they want.  Flying in the face of this is Romans 12:1-2.  Let me point out how it is expressed in some other translations and paraphrases:

(Romans 12:2 ASV)  And be not fashioned according to this world...

(Romans 12:2 BBE)  And let not your behaviour be like that of this world,...

 (Romans 12:2 CEV)  Don't be like the people of this world,...

I thought I would quote a few translations that do not use the word “conform.”

Most churches today follow the Burger-King model, “Have it your way.”  They ask themselves, “What is it that people want in a church?”  They have little crowns to put on visitors so they will feel special.  The idea is that they are wonderful and we are glad to have them.  We will be glad to change anything that will make them feel at home.  This may work selling hamburgers and cars but it doesn’t work when you are trying to get people to admit to being sinners in need of grace.  These churches seem to have forgotten the words of Paul,

(1 Corinthians 1:23 KJV)  But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;

It is the Holy Spirit that convicts of sin, not your worship team.

Traditional churches followed the McDonald’s model.  Think of your VBS program and the way you run your Sunday School.  These churches try to reach the adults by appealing to the children.  Remember when your children demanded that you stop at McDonald’s?  They wanted to get to the play area, climb on the statue of Ronald McDonald and get the toy in their happy meal.  And it works, at least when you are selling hamburgers.

Out in California, and increasingly in other states we have a home-grown chain called In-N-Out.  It was started by a Christian and last time I looked still had Bible references somewhere on the cups.  The founder used a more Biblical model.  First, he provided a solid product.  Every since I was a kid, everyone in Southern California would light up at the idea of going to In-N-Out.  They have the greatest hamburgers, the best fries, and shakes made with real ice cream. 

That brings us to the second principle.  They have a limited product line.  Their idea of variety is offering cheese on your hamburger.  They have three flavors of shake:  Vanilla, strawberry and chocolate.  The big choice you have is whether you want onions or not.  If you add up the cost of the items on their combo you will find that it comes out exactly the same as ordering them individually.

They have limited advertising.  They do some but most of their growth has come from word of mouth.  When everyone knows where to get a great, reasonably priced hamburger, advertising just raises the price of the product.  If I want a steak, pizza, a taco or sushi, I don’t go to In-N-Out.  If I want a hamburger with peppercorns, jalapeno, bean sprouts or chili on top, I don’t go to In-N-Out.  If I want a great, reasonably priced burger, served quickly and cheerfully, I know my first choice.

Which points out another factor:  They treat their employees well.  They are a legend on this.  This is the gold standard of fast food employers.  You see, to paraphrase, “If the cashier ain’t happy, ain’t no body happy.”

This has made growth slow.  In-N-Out has been around longer than McDonald’s.  They are not a world wide tradition.  They are a Southern California tradition.  I know that is not a great recommendation, but in the land of fruits, nuts and tofu, it speaks of the strength of their model.

Perhaps the church could learn something from this.  We need to be more than “have it your way,” Happy Meals and fast service.

homo unius libri

Opus 2011-237, Spiritual Gifts: Mercy

(Romans 12:8 KJV)  Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.

Mercy.  I understand the concept.  I am willing to extend it at times.  I have let spiders live, as long as I am outside on their turf.  I don’t kick dogs.  But I must confess I do not understand people with the gift of mercy.  They confuse me.  That may be their purpose.

I can them mercy people.  They always see the good side of people and things.  If someone cuts them off on the freeway, they assume they are rushing to the hospital with their pregnant wife in the back seat, the baby half way out.  If they get short changed, they assume the person just made a mistake.  You know the kind of person I speak of.  They voted for hope and change.  I once was talking to a teacher about the moral problems of Bill Clinton.  She admitted that she know about that.  Yet she voted for him twice.  When I showed my confusion she said, “I thought he would change.”  That is the gift of mercy.  Perhaps you are one of them.  If you are, I do not understand you.

People with the gift of mercy have one important role in life.  They need to balance out those of us who think that discernment demands we punish evil.  All the time.  Every person.  We have a tendency to get carried away.  Mercy people are what keep the church from becoming what all the pagans claim we are.  It is a part of the balancing act God gave us called the body of Christ.

So I don’t understand.  Fine, but I accept.  Someday the mystery will be clear to me, but don’t count on it happening in this life.

homo unius libri

Opus 2011-187, Spiritual Gifts: Giving

(Romans 12:8 KJV)  Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.

Giving is a spiritual gift.  This is a gift that officials in the church love to mention.  It comes up when special offerings are being taken.  One reason for this confusion is that the gift of giving is confused with the Christian responsibility of stewardship.  Leaders love it because it lets them lean on the rich people and excuse the poor.  People in the pews like this misunderstanding because they can use it as an excuse to ignore the offering plate.

The gift of giving includes the giving of money but it is not used in terms of the weekly collection of the offering.  It is used of sharing the gospel, of sharing your clothes and of sharing your resources with those in need.  A person with this gift is not moved by the building fund or the Thanksgiving offering for missions.  They are moved by the single mother who is looking at the beginning of school and has no money for clothes or school supplies.  I have a feeling this gift is more common that pastors think.

All Christians are expected to be stewards.  This involves the tithe, offerings, cleaning the church, listening to little old ladies (or men) ramble on and anything else that involves using our resources as God would expect.  Not all Christians have a special gift of giving.

homo unius libri

Opus 2011-177, Spiritual Gifts: Teaching

(Romans 12:7 KJV)  Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching

The gift of teaching is something that we think we understand.  We have all had teachers who seemed to have a real touch, either through being a student or observing them.

I tend to think that this gift is sometimes focused.  When I am teaching the Bible or theology I sometimes feel like I have the gift.  When I am teaching in the public school I sometimes wonder what I am doing there.  I think it is possible to have a gift of teaching in one and not the other.

Like all gifts there is a responsibility that extends beyond the gift.  You may be called upon to teach even though you don’t feel it is your gift.  You can still do a good job.  Remember that for every Michael Jordan (that dates me) you need four other people to make a team.

Pray that God would reveal your gifts and bring forth those who are prepared for the tasks before us.

homo unius libri

Opus 2011-176, Spritual Gifts: Nagging

My wife has the spiritual gift of nagging.  The Bible doesn’t call it that, but that is the way most of us feel about it.  It is hidden in the translation.

(Romans 12:8 KJV)  Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.

You don’t see the gift of nagging?  It is hidden in the word “exhorteth.”  Nagging is part of the gift of exhortation.  The Greek word is parakaleo.  It is the root word for the Helper, or Holy Spirit that Jesus promised.  Let me try to explain why I call it nagging.

Parakaleo is a compound word which literally means called to be with.  The best understanding I can come up with is that of a lawyer or advocate.  It means someone who is called along side to be of assistance.  This doesn’t really help because people tend to see what they want to see and translate accordingly.

One way of translated is embraced by the multitudes.  This translation emphasizes what would be called the positive aspects of the word.  In these cases it is translated comfort, help, encourage, invite.  We usually welcome this kind of an advocate.  It is all positive.  It is also part of the meaning.  We need comfort and encouragement when we are on the right track and getting beaten down.

The other way of translated is acknowledged, if not welcomed, by disciples.  This is where the nagging comes into play.  You see, there is some kind of help we don’t welcome.  It is the help that points out we are wrong, lazy, misguided.  We don’t want to hear it.  These cases are translated, appeal, beg, beseech, entreat, preach, urge.  We usually interpret those as nagging.

The word has both meanings and the gift of exhortation includes both.  There are times when a word of encouragement is what we need.  There are times when we need to be hit up side the head.  The person with the gift of exhortation knows which to use.  This only makes them popular half the time, as you can imagine.  I think this is why the word “exhort” works.  No one knows what it really means.

Do you have a nag in your life?  Maybe it is the gift of exhortation and the Holy Spirit is trying to tell you something.

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Opus 2011-162, Spiritual Gifts: Ministry

(Romans 12:6-7 KJV)  Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;

The gift of ministry is also called the gift of service.  The Greek word is one you should recognize, diakonia or deacon.  It means to be a servant even though you might be in a position of authority.  It is where we get terms like Prime Minister. 

A good place to see how this is applied is in Acts 6.  The church in Jerusalem was having problems with administering the help they were giving to widows.  The apostles called for the appointment of seven men to oversee this.  How did the apostles describe the job?

(Acts 6:2 KJV)  Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.

The word “serve” is our Greek word.  They did not actually hand out the food, but they were in charge of it.  Now look at what the apostles said they were to do,

(Acts 6:4 KJV)  But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

The word “ministry” is our Greek word again.  Both specialties, serving table and ministering the word, are considered “ministry.”

We have lost some of this meaning by calling the man who preaches the minister.  In reality he is one of many ministers. 

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Opus 2011-155, Key Scriptures: Romans 12:1-2

(Romans 12:1-2 KJV)  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

These are verses I find myself quoting frequently.  I bring them up often because they are ignored often.

First, Christians are called to willingly deliver themselves to the service of God.  This is not easy.  It is not our nature.  Notice the words “sacrifice” and “holy.” 

The second part is largely ignored by the multitudes in the churches of this country.  We are not to be conformed to the world.  This does not mean we are to be the opposite of the world in all things.  It is not a call to weirdness.  It is a call to a different standard.  The world has been trying to get the United States to switch to the metric standard.  I hear mixed reviews about how it is going but I have had the experience of trying to use a metric wrench on a SAE nut.  It just doesn’t work the way it was intended.  Sometimes you can make-do but if you are trying to put a metric bolt into a SAE nut, good luck.

We are threaded different if we serve the living God.  Sometimes it is so subtle that you don’t know you are different until you try something on for size.  Sometimes it is a glaring reality.  When we vote we are to vote by God’s standards.  When we dress we are to dress by God’s standards.  When we listen to music we are to listen by God’s standards.  When we...you get the idea.

Instead we slowly let the word adjust our thinking.  Look at the “praise team” at your local church.  Go look at a video of a rock concert.  Do you notice similarities? 

We are to be transformed by the power of God.  We are to be different, not in reaction but in foundation.  You can’t build a ranch style house on the foundation for a Cape Cod, not if you want it to last through the first rain.

Present and be transformed.

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