This past weekend, on Memorial Day, we took time out of our schedules to remember those who sacrificed, fought, and sometimes even, given their lives to assure the freedom that we have as a nation. It was another reminder that Freedom isn't Free. These brave men and women fought for freedoms that most of us have known and appreciated and yet sometimes have taken for granted. Freedoms like the freedom of speech, the freedom to assemble, and the freedom to make choices of education, vocation, and recreation. And the one that is most significant to me is the freedom of religion, unencumbered by government regulations and control.
We are seeing those freedoms taken away at an alarming rate. This is not a critique of the current administration; we are to pray for all of those in authority, that they would seek God and follow Him, and that God would give them wisdom and protection. With the birth of "Political Correctness", which some would trace back to a misinterpretation in the early 1980's of a section of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, we have seen our "freedoms" being redefined. With the introduction of "hate-crime bills", we are seeing our freedom of speech being taken away. Our government is rapidly taking over businesses. When the CEO of GM can be fired by a government order we can't deny the fact that there are far-reaching implications. And the government is chipping away at our religious freedoms under the banner of "tolerance". http://wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=98895
When I see these freedoms being taken away I can't help but think about how most of those heros who fought for our freedoms would feel about this. But then I am reminded that freedom only has one source. Jesus said, "If you hold to My teaching, you are really My disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." John 8:31&32, 36
God has blessed our nation because we honored Him. If our freedoms are taken away it will not be because of activist judges or political parties (God uses these as pawns in His sovereign will: i.e. Pharaoh with the Israelites in slavery, the Babylonians and Assyrian empires to bring God's discipline on the nations of Israel and Judah, or even the role Pilate played in the atoning work of Jesus on the cross), if we lose our freedoms it will only be because God has allowed them to be taken away.
So what should our response as Christians be to this erosion of freedoms in our nation?
1. Pray, don't panic. Again, God is in charge, and He has honored "a faithful remnant" who will bring our petitions to Him. God was going to save Sodom and Gomorrah if only 10 were found faithful to God. 2 Chronicles 7:14 says that if God's people will humble themselves and pray that God will forgive their sins and heal their land. We need to pray daily for our nation.
2. Live what we say we believe. We are not going to change our culture by words, but by actions. We are commanded to be "salt and light" (Matthew 5) in our culture. We need to engage the culture with truth, but there must be integrity to our words. People must see the truth lived out in our lives.
3. Vote based on our biblical convictions. When we talk about the separation of church and state it means that the government won't get involved in our religion but it doesn't mean that we won't get involved in government. We don't put our hope in government, but in God, and that doesn't exclude us from engaging in the political process.
4. Rest in God's sovereignty. Our ultimate freedom isn't free either. Jesus died on the cross to set us free, and if God's love is that great, then what do I have to fear?
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Monday, May 18, 2009
Continued from last week....
Religion says: "Do things to get things from God." In religion the feel is: if I perform then God must bless me. This is clearest in the prosperity gospel. How many times have we heard, "If you will plant a seed of faith (translated, give me money), then God will pour out blessings on you." But it doesn't always have to be so explicit. If you trust in religion and you feel like you have been doing your part, all those religious exercises, and then something goes bad, you have to put blame somewhere. Either you feel like you didn't do enough to earn God's favor or God just isn't a loving or fair God.
Relationship says: "I obey to be transformed into His image." My motive isn't self seeking; it comes from a recognition that the only way I will be transformed into the image of Christ, is to obey His commandments. When bad things happen, we don't blame God. We understand that it may come because of God's loving discipline to bring us back into His will. It may come as a way of God growing us more into His image (James 1), or it may just be happening because we live in a fallen world. In the end, we trust in His love for us and know that His love isn't based on our actions, but on Christ's wrath-absorbing work on the cross.
Religion says: "My self worth is built around being good." This is what was going on with the religious leaders of Jesus' day. They were great at following the rules, many of which they made up as a part of their religion. But a self worth that is built around my ability to keep the rules doesn't lead to a heart of worship, but a heart full of pride. Also, if this is how our self worth is measured, what happens when we mess up? Our self worth is destroyed. This is why you can see someone "on fire" one week at church, and a couple of weeks later, he is depressed over his failures.
Relationship says: "My self worth is built on who I am in Jesus." His love for me is not based on my actions but on His character. Paul called himself the worst of sinners (1 Timothy 1:15) but deeply knew the love of God and who he was in Christ. When my self worth is built on who I am in Jesus, then my failures aren't devastating because I know God can even redeem them for His glory.
Religion: "Prayer is about asking."
Relationship: "Prayer is about adoration, praise, confession, and asking."
Religion says: "Pretend everything is O.K." Religious people are really good at covering up the hurt and sin in their lives. Publicly you must act like you have it all together. Dr. Henry Cloud in his book "Changes that Heal" states: "It's interesting to compare a legalistic church with a good AA group. In a legalistic church you can't admit your problems because people will say that you are a sinner. In a good AA group you can't hide your problems because people will say that you are in denial. In the legalistic church, people look good but are getting worse, in the AA group, people look bad but are getting better." I have always loved that quote because it hits the nail on the head.
Relationship says: "Be real about our struggles." The bible reveals many weaknesses and sins of our heros of the faith. David was an adulterer and played a part in a murder plot. Abraham didn't trust God for a son and took matters into his own hands and had Ishmael with Hagar. Peter denied Christ three times. How do we know all of this? The bible tells us; it doesn't hold back the sins and weaknesses of those we read about. Why? Because God wants us to acknowledge our weaknesses and sins to each other (James 5:16) so that we can pray for each other. It also reminds us how great God's grace and mercy are.
How do we keep from playing the religion game? Keep our relationship with God as a priority daily.
Religion says: "Do things to get things from God." In religion the feel is: if I perform then God must bless me. This is clearest in the prosperity gospel. How many times have we heard, "If you will plant a seed of faith (translated, give me money), then God will pour out blessings on you." But it doesn't always have to be so explicit. If you trust in religion and you feel like you have been doing your part, all those religious exercises, and then something goes bad, you have to put blame somewhere. Either you feel like you didn't do enough to earn God's favor or God just isn't a loving or fair God.
Relationship says: "I obey to be transformed into His image." My motive isn't self seeking; it comes from a recognition that the only way I will be transformed into the image of Christ, is to obey His commandments. When bad things happen, we don't blame God. We understand that it may come because of God's loving discipline to bring us back into His will. It may come as a way of God growing us more into His image (James 1), or it may just be happening because we live in a fallen world. In the end, we trust in His love for us and know that His love isn't based on our actions, but on Christ's wrath-absorbing work on the cross.
Religion says: "My self worth is built around being good." This is what was going on with the religious leaders of Jesus' day. They were great at following the rules, many of which they made up as a part of their religion. But a self worth that is built around my ability to keep the rules doesn't lead to a heart of worship, but a heart full of pride. Also, if this is how our self worth is measured, what happens when we mess up? Our self worth is destroyed. This is why you can see someone "on fire" one week at church, and a couple of weeks later, he is depressed over his failures.
Relationship says: "My self worth is built on who I am in Jesus." His love for me is not based on my actions but on His character. Paul called himself the worst of sinners (1 Timothy 1:15) but deeply knew the love of God and who he was in Christ. When my self worth is built on who I am in Jesus, then my failures aren't devastating because I know God can even redeem them for His glory.
Religion: "Prayer is about asking."
Relationship: "Prayer is about adoration, praise, confession, and asking."
Religion says: "Pretend everything is O.K." Religious people are really good at covering up the hurt and sin in their lives. Publicly you must act like you have it all together. Dr. Henry Cloud in his book "Changes that Heal" states: "It's interesting to compare a legalistic church with a good AA group. In a legalistic church you can't admit your problems because people will say that you are a sinner. In a good AA group you can't hide your problems because people will say that you are in denial. In the legalistic church, people look good but are getting worse, in the AA group, people look bad but are getting better." I have always loved that quote because it hits the nail on the head.
Relationship says: "Be real about our struggles." The bible reveals many weaknesses and sins of our heros of the faith. David was an adulterer and played a part in a murder plot. Abraham didn't trust God for a son and took matters into his own hands and had Ishmael with Hagar. Peter denied Christ three times. How do we know all of this? The bible tells us; it doesn't hold back the sins and weaknesses of those we read about. Why? Because God wants us to acknowledge our weaknesses and sins to each other (James 5:16) so that we can pray for each other. It also reminds us how great God's grace and mercy are.
How do we keep from playing the religion game? Keep our relationship with God as a priority daily.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
"Religion" verses Relationship - Part 1
Last week I wrote about the hubbub over the article written in Newsweek magazine over the "decline and fall" of religion in America. It seems that the fact that only 76% of Americans "call" themselves Christians is alarming. What is alarming to me is not how many carry the label of Christian, but the moral decay that is so prevalent in our culture.
As I mentioned last week, I think one of our biggest problems is how we define Christian. When people say that they are Christian, some are saying that they believe in God. The problem with that is that the demons believe in God (James 2:19). Others say they are Christians because they do good things and try to please God with their actions. Again, big problem; scripture says that even those things that we perceive as "good" are like "filthy rags" (Isaiah 64:6) compared to God's holiness. And then last, of the Christian posers, there are many who say they are Christians because they belong to a church. All of the above, in and of themselves, are just ways to conform to religion. Religion is the structure that we put in the church in an attempt to guide people in Christianity. There are monumental problems with conforming to Religion without the Relationship with Christ. I think, as Americans, we do Religion well. We feed the poor, we have huge worship gatherings, we teach the bible, we preach sermons, and we check attendance to see how much someone really loves God. But you can be involved in all of the exercises and never truly be a Christan (Matthew 7).
Starting this week and then completing the list next week, I want to contrast what I see as the difference between Religion and a true Relationship with Jesus.
Religion says: "If I obey, God will love me" You ask most Americans why they think they are going to heaven and the answer is, "I am a good person". In other words, I try to conform to the moral code that I think will please God. I struggle with this from time to time. On Saturdays I begin to mentally review my week and question, "did I pray enough?", "did I study enough?", "have I DONE enough this past week for God to bless the weekend?" This is an easy trap to fall into, but we must remember that the wrath absorbing work of Christ on the cross is what bought my salvation, not anything that I did. If I didn't "work" my way into God's love, I can't "bad" my way out of God's love. Besides, God loves His church enough, that if I get in the way, He can always remove me.
Relationship says: "I am loved, so I desire to obey" True Christianity is a work from the inside out, not an outward conformity that changes me inwardly. I can "act" right and still have hatred for others, but if my heart is transformed by Christ and I love others, my actions will follow my heart. I don't worry so much about "keeping the rules" as I desire to know God more and to love Him more deeply. The Bible has become so important to me because it reveals who God is and how much He loves me.
Religion leads to Fear and Insecurity. How many of us while growing up were asked the question, "Do you want to go to hell? If not, you need to pray this prayer and become a Christian." That's like saying, "You can either eat rocks or spinach for dinner." It doesn't necessarily mean that I like and desire spinach, it's just that it's a better alternative than rocks. Do you think God wants heaven filled with people who don't want to go to hell? No God wants people in heaven who love Him.
Relationship leads to Grateful Joy. When we realize the depth of God's love, the depravity of our sins, and the grace and mercy that He extends, we can become overwhelmed. Relationships lead to deep love. A relationship with God leads to spontaneous worship, servanthood, and a heart for others, not to try to get on God's good side, but out of deep gratitude for what He has done for us. When we say, "There but for the grace of God, go I" we really mean it.
Part 2: next week.
Where does Florida rate on the Importance of Religion in our state? Check out a survey by Gallup on the "State of the States: Importance of Religion" at www.gallop.com/poll/114022/State-States-Importance-Religion.aspx?version=print
As I mentioned last week, I think one of our biggest problems is how we define Christian. When people say that they are Christian, some are saying that they believe in God. The problem with that is that the demons believe in God (James 2:19). Others say they are Christians because they do good things and try to please God with their actions. Again, big problem; scripture says that even those things that we perceive as "good" are like "filthy rags" (Isaiah 64:6) compared to God's holiness. And then last, of the Christian posers, there are many who say they are Christians because they belong to a church. All of the above, in and of themselves, are just ways to conform to religion. Religion is the structure that we put in the church in an attempt to guide people in Christianity. There are monumental problems with conforming to Religion without the Relationship with Christ. I think, as Americans, we do Religion well. We feed the poor, we have huge worship gatherings, we teach the bible, we preach sermons, and we check attendance to see how much someone really loves God. But you can be involved in all of the exercises and never truly be a Christan (Matthew 7).
Starting this week and then completing the list next week, I want to contrast what I see as the difference between Religion and a true Relationship with Jesus.
Religion says: "If I obey, God will love me" You ask most Americans why they think they are going to heaven and the answer is, "I am a good person". In other words, I try to conform to the moral code that I think will please God. I struggle with this from time to time. On Saturdays I begin to mentally review my week and question, "did I pray enough?", "did I study enough?", "have I DONE enough this past week for God to bless the weekend?" This is an easy trap to fall into, but we must remember that the wrath absorbing work of Christ on the cross is what bought my salvation, not anything that I did. If I didn't "work" my way into God's love, I can't "bad" my way out of God's love. Besides, God loves His church enough, that if I get in the way, He can always remove me.
Relationship says: "I am loved, so I desire to obey" True Christianity is a work from the inside out, not an outward conformity that changes me inwardly. I can "act" right and still have hatred for others, but if my heart is transformed by Christ and I love others, my actions will follow my heart. I don't worry so much about "keeping the rules" as I desire to know God more and to love Him more deeply. The Bible has become so important to me because it reveals who God is and how much He loves me.
Religion leads to Fear and Insecurity. How many of us while growing up were asked the question, "Do you want to go to hell? If not, you need to pray this prayer and become a Christian." That's like saying, "You can either eat rocks or spinach for dinner." It doesn't necessarily mean that I like and desire spinach, it's just that it's a better alternative than rocks. Do you think God wants heaven filled with people who don't want to go to hell? No God wants people in heaven who love Him.
Relationship leads to Grateful Joy. When we realize the depth of God's love, the depravity of our sins, and the grace and mercy that He extends, we can become overwhelmed. Relationships lead to deep love. A relationship with God leads to spontaneous worship, servanthood, and a heart for others, not to try to get on God's good side, but out of deep gratitude for what He has done for us. When we say, "There but for the grace of God, go I" we really mean it.
Part 2: next week.
Where does Florida rate on the Importance of Religion in our state? Check out a survey by Gallup on the "State of the States: Importance of Religion" at www.gallop.com/poll/114022/State-States-Importance-Religion.aspx?version=print
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Welcome to my first blog
For several years now I have had friends who have told me that I needed to start a blog. I have never been on the cutting edge of the latest technology, I just started to twitter but can't stay consistent with that. But everyone who knows me, knows I have opinions about a lot of things, so I thought, why not?
The April edition of Newsweek declared that Christianity was dying in America. This was based on a survey done by two professors at Trinity College titled "American Religious Identification Survey 2008". Among the findings were the fact that the percentage of people who identified themselves as "Christian, either Evangelical/Born Again or Non-Denominational" had dropped in the last 18 years from 86.2% to 76.7%. Based on this drop, Newsweek titled the article "The Decline and FALL of Christian America." Obviously this begs many questions.
The first is, when did 76.7% of anything constitute a FALL? If a political candidate has a 76% approval rating, and if their ideology aligned with that of Newsweek, we would see article after article of the overwhelming support of this political candidate. If a business had 76% of the market, it would be considered a monopoly and there would be calls for diversifying the market. This is just to show the media bias and the spiritual warfare that is going on all around us.
Secondly, do you really believe that 76% of Americans are Christians? Or do you believe that 18 years ago America was a land where 86% of its citizens where Christians? I don't find any comfort in so many who aren't true believers identifying themselves as Christians. When Christianity is being defined in cultural terms (I'm an American, so I am a Christian), or on the basis of church attendance, it loses its true meaning. A Christian is a Christ-follower. One who daily seeks God's will for their life, who dies to self and lives for God. I know people who deeply love the Lord, live for Him, attend church every week and serve God by serving others, but no longer call themselves Christians because of the damage the "label" has taken by the actions of so-called Christians.
When you have groups like the Westboro Baptist Church in Kansas that protest during the funerals of our military men and women and whose web site banner reads "God Hates Fags" and they do this under the banner of Christianity, you begin to understand why the cultural understanding of Christians has been marred. Or when you have pastors who equate Christianity with a certain political party it redefines the word Christian. For this and many other examples, I know people who now just call themselves "Christ Followers" but no longer want to have to defend the label Christian.
If America was a Christian nation where 76% of Americans were true Christians, then 4,000 babies wouldn't be aborted every day, the 10 Commandments would still hang in our courthouses and schools, and much of what passes as entertainment wouldn't make it to our movie theaters or on prime time television. What is the real number of Christians in America? Only God knows, but when we who are Christians understand that this is a nation founded on Christian values and truth, but has lost it's way, then maybe we will get serious about boldly living out our faith in a culture that needs to not only hear the good news, but see it lived out in the lives of Christ followers.
The April edition of Newsweek declared that Christianity was dying in America. This was based on a survey done by two professors at Trinity College titled "American Religious Identification Survey 2008". Among the findings were the fact that the percentage of people who identified themselves as "Christian, either Evangelical/Born Again or Non-Denominational" had dropped in the last 18 years from 86.2% to 76.7%. Based on this drop, Newsweek titled the article "The Decline and FALL of Christian America." Obviously this begs many questions.
The first is, when did 76.7% of anything constitute a FALL? If a political candidate has a 76% approval rating, and if their ideology aligned with that of Newsweek, we would see article after article of the overwhelming support of this political candidate. If a business had 76% of the market, it would be considered a monopoly and there would be calls for diversifying the market. This is just to show the media bias and the spiritual warfare that is going on all around us.
Secondly, do you really believe that 76% of Americans are Christians? Or do you believe that 18 years ago America was a land where 86% of its citizens where Christians? I don't find any comfort in so many who aren't true believers identifying themselves as Christians. When Christianity is being defined in cultural terms (I'm an American, so I am a Christian), or on the basis of church attendance, it loses its true meaning. A Christian is a Christ-follower. One who daily seeks God's will for their life, who dies to self and lives for God. I know people who deeply love the Lord, live for Him, attend church every week and serve God by serving others, but no longer call themselves Christians because of the damage the "label" has taken by the actions of so-called Christians.
When you have groups like the Westboro Baptist Church in Kansas that protest during the funerals of our military men and women and whose web site banner reads "God Hates Fags" and they do this under the banner of Christianity, you begin to understand why the cultural understanding of Christians has been marred. Or when you have pastors who equate Christianity with a certain political party it redefines the word Christian. For this and many other examples, I know people who now just call themselves "Christ Followers" but no longer want to have to defend the label Christian.
If America was a Christian nation where 76% of Americans were true Christians, then 4,000 babies wouldn't be aborted every day, the 10 Commandments would still hang in our courthouses and schools, and much of what passes as entertainment wouldn't make it to our movie theaters or on prime time television. What is the real number of Christians in America? Only God knows, but when we who are Christians understand that this is a nation founded on Christian values and truth, but has lost it's way, then maybe we will get serious about boldly living out our faith in a culture that needs to not only hear the good news, but see it lived out in the lives of Christ followers.
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