"Then His mother and brothers arrived, and standing outside they sent word to Him and called Him. A crowd was sitting around Him and they said to Him, "Behold, Your mother and Your brothers are outside looking for You." Answering them, He said, "Who are My mothers and My brothers?" Looking at those who were sitting around Him, He said, "Behold, My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of God, he is My brother, and sister, and mother." - Mark 3:31-35
The text above often makes people feel uneasy. My mother is one of these. We were talking over coffee a few mornings ago about God and the bible, as we often do, when she brought up a concern. "Honey," She said, "there's only one story in the bible that bothers me."
"What's that?"
"The one where Jesus is teaching and healing in the tent and His brother and mothers come and He rejects them."
Her concerns really had me thinking, so I prayed on it and read the story several times. Nowhere does it say He completely rejected his family. It does show that He was willing to loose His mother's respect, who had berthed Him and raised Him, in order to accept us into His family in God and in Heaven. We see later on that she was not truly hurt by Jesus's actions. It was because Jesus loved us so much that He wanted us to understand that he who does the will of God holds a special place in His heart. Now, I think the biggest problem with our interpretation of this story (and many others) is that we use visuals from various movies and the filmmaker portrayed Mary as being wounded by Jesus's words. First, in the book of Mark, he says "Your mother and Your brothers are Outside looking for you." If someone had to tell Jesus that they were looking for Him, then she wouldn't have had eye contact and was likely unable to hear Him. Secondly, this is Mary... the woman God chose among ALL women to raise Jesus. She had to be strong, knowing full well who He was.
So it is that I've concluded that the act wasn't for His mother and brothers. It wasn't to disrespect them in favor of the people in that tent. It was for us, so that we know we can gain entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven through Jesus. This story was recorded so that we would know just how much Jesus loves us, that He loves us as much as He loved His mother and brothers.
Thank you all so much for reading. If you have a topic you would like to read a post on or just something to say, please comment below, message me on Facebook, or shoot me an email. I would love to hear from any of my brothers and sisters in Christ.
Be blessed, I love you all.
Jimmy
Saturday, April 26, 2014
Monday, April 21, 2014
What is Repentance?
"They went out and preached that men should repent." - Mark 6:12
"I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance." Luke 5:32
"I tell you no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish." - Luke 13:5
Everywhere in the bible we are told to "repent", but what exactly does that mean? I had this question for a while, but after some prayer and study (and a very encouraging sermon by Pastor Donnie Holley of Seabreeze Church) I feel that I finally understand the true definition of "repentance" and how we can easily apply it to our lives. Let's first look at the dictionary definition according to the Oxford English Dictionary. "Feel or express sincere regret or remorse about ones wrongdoing or sin."
That's pretty close, but it's not close enough. Yes, part of repentance involves feeling regret or remorse about what was done against God. For some of us, an addiction is what separates us from God (Sin is anything we do that separates us from God). Sometimes it is an addiction to sex (outside of marriage), drugs, alcohol, fast food, self-harm (cutting, bulimia, anorexia, ext.), pornography, pride, or wrath. Why are these things sinful? Many are because they are forbidden by His word, but most of them are simply because they separate us from God. How can you think about the love of Jesus when you are so angry you are about to make yourself a new window to the neighbors apartment with your fist? How can we come to know Jesus when we are lusting after every woman with a bit of figure and satisfy our urges to her image, distancing ourselves from our wives? Fast food? How can that be bad? The chemicals and fat in that food is damaging to our bodies, but the true problem is an addiction to it. How can we fast for prayer with the option of a dollar meal around every corner?
The problem is that we can't. Therefor, we repent. I much prefer the Merriam-Webster definition: "To turn from sin and dedicate oneself to the amendment of one's life."*
That is repentance and it comes naturally with a close relationship with God. There are many ways to battle sin and addiction, trust me (you will hear my full, unabridged, testimony in the coming weeks). First, pray daily. Now, I don't mean a simple blessing of your meal or saying a little prayer you found in a devotional or on the internet (those are great, but not what will help in this situation). Find a "secluded place" to just talk to God. For me, that is currently a little dock outside of my workplace. My shift ends at 1:15 am and I can spend anywhere from five minutes to a half an hour out there in prayer. It is where I lay all of my problems upon the Lord. I pray for my pastors, my friends on missions, my friends who are struggling with their faith or in their life, my wife, children, parents, in-laws, and customers that I spoke with on the phone that day. Then I lay all of my fears out. "Lord, I know you are sovereign and have faith that you will provide, please take this anxiety and fear from my shoulders and cast it back to Hell, where it belongs." You know what? It works. Every time.
Another, very powerful way to grow closer to God (and begin the natural process of losing your desire to sin) is to read your bible daily. It doesn't matter if it is a single verse or the whole book of Acts. If you are reading to comprehend, you will be absolutely amazed at the changes you will see in just a few days.
Perhaps the biggest help, though, was pointed out by Pastor Donnie Holley. The verse is Romans 6:11. It reads, "Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus." Alive to God in Christ Jesus! We cannot be both sinners and Christians (though we can still be Christians and make mistakes). As Pastor Donnie put it, our sin was nailed to the cross with Jesus and in the eyes of God, we are still perfect. Essentially, sin dies in the presence of Jesus. That is a fact to which I can, and will, testify.
So, in closing, the only way to successfully end an addiction that is hindering your relationship with God and your Christian life, is to "repent" and actively seek His presence. Make Jesus your mentor, your councilor, your therapist,and never forget that no problem is too big for Him to handle. Nothing you have done is too shocking or shameful for Jesus to hear. He will bring your comfort and joy, knowing that your desire is to deepen your relationship with Him. Reading daily scripture is important, it will be the most common way for God to communicate to you. It is amazing how much relevant information has come to me in times of need from the bible. Never forget that it is the Living Word.
Thank you all so much for reading. I hope that this will help some of you because this has been weighing on my heart. In Jesus, I love you all. God bless you.
Jimmy
* "Repent." Merriam-Webster.com. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 21 Apr. 2014. <http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/repent>.
"Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®,
Copyright© 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977,
1995 by The LockmanFoundation. Used by permission.
Thursday, April 17, 2014
When Judgement Becomes Discernment
In my last post, "To Judge or Not to Judge: That is the Question", I talked about how dangerous it is to pass judgement, especially against non-believers. I was speaking with a close friend about this over coffee this morning and he brought to my attention a very interesting verse. It blew my mind, to be honest. We can and need to "judge" our Brothers and Sisters in very specific circumstances. Never forget that anything we do must be done in love for one another, for our brothers and sisters. If we do anything out of jealousy, hate, ignorance, or fear, then we are passing judgement in the wrong way. Let me share the verse and I will speak a bit more about that in a moment.
In 1st Corinthians 5 we read, "It is actually reported that there is immorality among you, and immorality of such a kind as does not even exist among the Gentiles, that someone has his fathers wife. You have become arrogant and have not mourned instead, so that the one who had done this deed would be removed from your midst.
"For I, on my part, though absent in body but present in spirit, have already judged him who has so committed this, as though I were present. In the name of our Lord Jesus, when you are assembled, and I with you in spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus, I have decided to deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of his flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
"Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough? Clean out the old leaven so that you may be a new lump, just as you are in fact unleavened. For Christ our Passover also has been sacrificed. therefore let us celebrate the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth."
Wow... it is such a deep bit of scripture and there is a LOT to absorb. Most importantly, though, this speaks to the judgement of our brothers and sisters in Christ after they have refused assistance, prayer, and council. If they have refused help and continue to sin (whether it be adultery, drunkenness, or anything else that is sinful in the eyes of God) then they "must be removed from your midst". There is no way to argue against that, but some of us try to say that if we are loving our brothers and sisters, we would never ask them to leave. It's difficult, to be sure, but very possible. Trust that the Lord will return them to us changed by trials they will go through. I can speak as one who has had experience in this, having gone through alcoholism and drug use after giving my life to Christ. I went through a very rough time, but am a much stronger, more faithful Christian because of those trials. A wet match cannot catch fire (the water being sin, and the fire being a passion for God, full of the Holy Spirit).
So, rather than calling this judgement, I think of it as discernment. Rather than being harmful, damaging, or rude, use discernment to recognize a problem developing. If someone becomes distant or begins to lose enjoyment in the fellowship of the church or in the worship of the Lord, discover the reason why and help them. Sometimes it's drugs, alcohol, depression, or abuse. As a brother and sister of this person in Christ, we are actually showing love by using discernment to help them with their problem.
So, this ends this two part segment on Judgement. Thank you for bearing with me as I brought this message to you, I know that it is a difficult one to hear. It is biblical, though. If you have any questions/comments/concerns, please comment below, message me on facebook, or send me an email.
All these things I say are in the spirit of love and unity as the body of Christ. God bless you all!
Jimmy
p.s. Thank you for helping me organize these thoughts in your own little ways, Stephen and Mike.
In 1st Corinthians 5 we read, "It is actually reported that there is immorality among you, and immorality of such a kind as does not even exist among the Gentiles, that someone has his fathers wife. You have become arrogant and have not mourned instead, so that the one who had done this deed would be removed from your midst.
"For I, on my part, though absent in body but present in spirit, have already judged him who has so committed this, as though I were present. In the name of our Lord Jesus, when you are assembled, and I with you in spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus, I have decided to deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of his flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
"Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough? Clean out the old leaven so that you may be a new lump, just as you are in fact unleavened. For Christ our Passover also has been sacrificed. therefore let us celebrate the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth."
Wow... it is such a deep bit of scripture and there is a LOT to absorb. Most importantly, though, this speaks to the judgement of our brothers and sisters in Christ after they have refused assistance, prayer, and council. If they have refused help and continue to sin (whether it be adultery, drunkenness, or anything else that is sinful in the eyes of God) then they "must be removed from your midst". There is no way to argue against that, but some of us try to say that if we are loving our brothers and sisters, we would never ask them to leave. It's difficult, to be sure, but very possible. Trust that the Lord will return them to us changed by trials they will go through. I can speak as one who has had experience in this, having gone through alcoholism and drug use after giving my life to Christ. I went through a very rough time, but am a much stronger, more faithful Christian because of those trials. A wet match cannot catch fire (the water being sin, and the fire being a passion for God, full of the Holy Spirit).
So, rather than calling this judgement, I think of it as discernment. Rather than being harmful, damaging, or rude, use discernment to recognize a problem developing. If someone becomes distant or begins to lose enjoyment in the fellowship of the church or in the worship of the Lord, discover the reason why and help them. Sometimes it's drugs, alcohol, depression, or abuse. As a brother and sister of this person in Christ, we are actually showing love by using discernment to help them with their problem.
So, this ends this two part segment on Judgement. Thank you for bearing with me as I brought this message to you, I know that it is a difficult one to hear. It is biblical, though. If you have any questions/comments/concerns, please comment below, message me on facebook, or send me an email.
All these things I say are in the spirit of love and unity as the body of Christ. God bless you all!
Jimmy
p.s. Thank you for helping me organize these thoughts in your own little ways, Stephen and Mike.
"Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®,
Copyright© 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977,
1995 by The LockmanFoundation. Used by permission.
Monday, April 14, 2014
To Judge or Not to Judge: That is the Question
"Do not judge so that you will not be judged." Matthew 7:1 (NASB)
It seems pretty cut and dry, doesn't it? Do not judge... How often do we find ourselves failing this simple order, passed by Jesus himself? It is the American Way to judge and diminish and belittle and to covet EVERYTHING. To do anything less seems simply...un-American. The truth is, we were ordered away from Judgement very clearly. Still, the biggest offence to non-believers is that Christians are "judgmental". I've seen it said so many times on social media and in person where people will say things like, "Repent or you will burn in hell!" Is that not judgement? "Oh, but really... you need Jesus." As true as that may be, who are we to judge? We see a post on Facebook by someone that is not of the faith and argue, often bringing a light of intolerance, hate, and judgement to the face of Jesus, while at the same time we say that He brought us love, forgiveness, and salvation. No wonder society thinks we're hypocrites.
Now, some popular arguments I've heard are taken from scripture. 1st Corinthians 6:9-11 says, "Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified by in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God." This is often shortened to "God hates gays." and is spouted from more than a few Christian mouths I know. God hates this or God hates that... nowhere in the bible does it say that. In the book of Deuteronomy and Psalms, there are a few references to God hating sin, sure, but aren't we all sinners? Is it not why God sent Jesus to take away our sin? Judgement and Hate are one in the hearts of men, which is why Jesus gave us such a simple law in His new covenant. Love God and love your neighbor. If we break these laws, we turn our face from Jesus and therefor turn our backs on God. The "real" references to hate in the bible? 1st John 4:20 says this, "If someone says, "I love God" and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen."
Going back to the word "judgement", it is easily argued that we can judge our brothers and sisters based upon their faith. But you will find in 1st Corinthians 6:5 "I say this to your shame, is it so, that there is not among you one wise man who will be able to decide between his brethren." Paul then tells us to take up our issues with a church elder, pastor, or teacher so they may pray about it. Still, it's in God's hands at that point. We did first judge, according to the situation, but the intentions were in the right place. Like in Romans 14:1 "Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgement on his opinions."
A simple Google search on "Judgement Bible Verses" will show that there is a very high cost in judging non-believers and your brothers in Christ. When we are told these things that God does not approve of, they are for bettering ourselves and helping to build up the Body of Christ. What God hates, God hates, but Jesus told us to love. Our job is to Love and to spread the word of God, not to judge the world. Judgement is the duty, the honor, the privilege, and the burden that our Lord Jesus Christ reserved for himself.
At any rate, the only way to avoid becoming the dreaded fire and brimstone "Judgmental Christian" that brings unnecessary hate to the name of Jesus, is to love as we were instructed to love. This is the only law we have to keep. Spread the love of Jesus and share the Gospel, share your testimony of how Jesus saved you. If we do these things, we are being true Christians.
In conclusion, ask yourselves this question. Are you a servant of Hell, preaching a gospel of hate, hell-fire, and death? Or are we bond-servants of Jesus Christ, spreading a gospel of Eternal Live, Love, Forgiveness, Sacrifice, and Salvation?
I, for one, am the latter. I feel that the bible and my testimony back the path of love. If I had wondered into a church of hateful, judgmental Christians when I first gave my life to Christ, my life would be very different now. Please, I encourage you to pray on these things and see what the Holy Spirit puts on your heart.
I hope the love, mercy, and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ blesses you all. In the spirit of Love and Unity as the Body of Christ,
Jimmy
It seems pretty cut and dry, doesn't it? Do not judge... How often do we find ourselves failing this simple order, passed by Jesus himself? It is the American Way to judge and diminish and belittle and to covet EVERYTHING. To do anything less seems simply...un-American. The truth is, we were ordered away from Judgement very clearly. Still, the biggest offence to non-believers is that Christians are "judgmental". I've seen it said so many times on social media and in person where people will say things like, "Repent or you will burn in hell!" Is that not judgement? "Oh, but really... you need Jesus." As true as that may be, who are we to judge? We see a post on Facebook by someone that is not of the faith and argue, often bringing a light of intolerance, hate, and judgement to the face of Jesus, while at the same time we say that He brought us love, forgiveness, and salvation. No wonder society thinks we're hypocrites.
Now, some popular arguments I've heard are taken from scripture. 1st Corinthians 6:9-11 says, "Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified by in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God." This is often shortened to "God hates gays." and is spouted from more than a few Christian mouths I know. God hates this or God hates that... nowhere in the bible does it say that. In the book of Deuteronomy and Psalms, there are a few references to God hating sin, sure, but aren't we all sinners? Is it not why God sent Jesus to take away our sin? Judgement and Hate are one in the hearts of men, which is why Jesus gave us such a simple law in His new covenant. Love God and love your neighbor. If we break these laws, we turn our face from Jesus and therefor turn our backs on God. The "real" references to hate in the bible? 1st John 4:20 says this, "If someone says, "I love God" and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen."
Going back to the word "judgement", it is easily argued that we can judge our brothers and sisters based upon their faith. But you will find in 1st Corinthians 6:5 "I say this to your shame, is it so, that there is not among you one wise man who will be able to decide between his brethren." Paul then tells us to take up our issues with a church elder, pastor, or teacher so they may pray about it. Still, it's in God's hands at that point. We did first judge, according to the situation, but the intentions were in the right place. Like in Romans 14:1 "Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgement on his opinions."
A simple Google search on "Judgement Bible Verses" will show that there is a very high cost in judging non-believers and your brothers in Christ. When we are told these things that God does not approve of, they are for bettering ourselves and helping to build up the Body of Christ. What God hates, God hates, but Jesus told us to love. Our job is to Love and to spread the word of God, not to judge the world. Judgement is the duty, the honor, the privilege, and the burden that our Lord Jesus Christ reserved for himself.
At any rate, the only way to avoid becoming the dreaded fire and brimstone "Judgmental Christian" that brings unnecessary hate to the name of Jesus, is to love as we were instructed to love. This is the only law we have to keep. Spread the love of Jesus and share the Gospel, share your testimony of how Jesus saved you. If we do these things, we are being true Christians.
In conclusion, ask yourselves this question. Are you a servant of Hell, preaching a gospel of hate, hell-fire, and death? Or are we bond-servants of Jesus Christ, spreading a gospel of Eternal Live, Love, Forgiveness, Sacrifice, and Salvation?
I, for one, am the latter. I feel that the bible and my testimony back the path of love. If I had wondered into a church of hateful, judgmental Christians when I first gave my life to Christ, my life would be very different now. Please, I encourage you to pray on these things and see what the Holy Spirit puts on your heart.
I hope the love, mercy, and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ blesses you all. In the spirit of Love and Unity as the Body of Christ,
Jimmy
Friday, April 11, 2014
Love
Today is the 5th anniversary of my marriage to the most beautiful, wonderful, and loving person in the world.. We dated for four years before we tied the knot, so I suppose you could say we have NINE YEARS of experience in Love. If you've been in a long relationship (and are happy) then you know that love takes work sometimes, a lot of the time actually. I think that, more than anything else, this is because we never got a really good example of what love really is. We expect it to be like the romantic comedies and when that "in love" feeling wears off, we're asking for a divorce. According to a chart outlining the divorce rates among 1st, 2nd, and 3rd marriages on dailyinfographic.com, it shows that there is a 50% chance for divorce in "all marriages". Let's take a look at what love is according to the bible.
The most popular verse for young men trying to win the heart of a young lady is easily 1st Corinthians 13:4-7. "Love is patient, love is kind and not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."
Despite being slightly "overused", this is still one of the most powerful things Paul has ever written in his letters to the churches. It is not only an explanation of how God loves us, it is also a set of instructions on how we are to love others, especially our spouse. I find myself expecting an apology for certain things that my wife may have said or done, but once I've quelled my anger or hurt, I think of this verse and am comforted. I love my wife wholly and completely and do my best to "love my wife as Christ loved the church". Recently, I've discovered that the verses above will always save a relationship. Are you being impatient with your husband's laziness or feel that he is selfish? Are you jealous of your wife's coworkers or friends? I know a couple where arrogance is threatening to tear the entire household apart. Most of us do. If we all can just love as we love ourselves, as we love Jesus, as God loves us... Imagine the amazing world this would be. "Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in Heaven." (Matthew 6:10)
So, in closing I ask that you consider rethinking the cliche and turning it into the astounding revelation that it is. Love is the most powerful force we, as humans, are capable of possessing and using. It is one of the greatest gifts that we were given.
I love you all, my brothers and sisters in Christ. God bless you.
Jimmy
The most popular verse for young men trying to win the heart of a young lady is easily 1st Corinthians 13:4-7. "Love is patient, love is kind and not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."
Despite being slightly "overused", this is still one of the most powerful things Paul has ever written in his letters to the churches. It is not only an explanation of how God loves us, it is also a set of instructions on how we are to love others, especially our spouse. I find myself expecting an apology for certain things that my wife may have said or done, but once I've quelled my anger or hurt, I think of this verse and am comforted. I love my wife wholly and completely and do my best to "love my wife as Christ loved the church". Recently, I've discovered that the verses above will always save a relationship. Are you being impatient with your husband's laziness or feel that he is selfish? Are you jealous of your wife's coworkers or friends? I know a couple where arrogance is threatening to tear the entire household apart. Most of us do. If we all can just love as we love ourselves, as we love Jesus, as God loves us... Imagine the amazing world this would be. "Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in Heaven." (Matthew 6:10)
So, in closing I ask that you consider rethinking the cliche and turning it into the astounding revelation that it is. Love is the most powerful force we, as humans, are capable of possessing and using. It is one of the greatest gifts that we were given.
I love you all, my brothers and sisters in Christ. God bless you.
Jimmy
"Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®,
Copyright© 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977,
1995 by The LockmanFoundation. Used by permission.
Statistics on divorce in America can be found at this link
with a full list of sources:
http://dailyinfographic.com/divorce-in-america-infographic/divorce-in-america-3
Monday, April 7, 2014
A Short Word on Lawsuits
This post actually was inspired by a recent conversation with a close friend. She didn't believe that the bible actually had anything to say about lawsuits and suing people. So, here it is. -Jimmy
Lawyers, Courthouses, Lawsuits, Big Money... we see these things every day in our country, they even have multiple programs where they televise lawsuits for entertainment. Why? In America, lawsuits are a big deal. We get wronged, you can be sure we want compensation for our time and "distress"... not to mention, all that money looks really good when you're thinking about suing someone. Wow... some may think, I wouldn't have to work for three years if I get that. I know that was how I used to think. I now know more about Jesus and have found some guidance in the bible on lawsuits. So I'm going to share with you a few verses that speak on this subject.
1st Corinthians 6:1 speaks about lawsuits very clearly. "Does any one of you, when he has a case against his neighbor, dare to go before the unrighteous and not before the saints?" and again in 6:4 "So, if you have law courts dealing with matters of this life, do you appoint them as judges who are of no account in the church?" Oh, and what if the judge is a Christian? Don't worry, Paul expected that from the church in Corinth because had just written in 1st Corinthians 4:5 "Therefore, do not go on passing judgement before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men's hearts; and then each man's praise will come to him from God."
What Paul is saying is that the idea of a lawsuit is breaking the new law which was established in Christ. Both of these laws are outlined in Matthew chapter 22. Verse 39 says "...Love your neighbor as yourself." If you love as Christ loved and you strive to live as a true Christian (follower of Christ), then you would "love your neighbor as yourself" and forgive them or take your dispute to a church leader or spiritual mentor who can pray for you and your situation to bring peace and closure, to give advice.
Also, to look more deeply at it, what is the goal of a lawsuit? Usually money and/or revenge (occasionally it's to get funds for medical expenses or the like, but more often than not it is for unnecessary motives), both of which are sinful in nature. Money is associated with greed, as Jesus said in Matthew 6:24, "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth (often the word "money" is used in place of wealth, such as in the NIV translation)." The other reason, revenge, is the result of anger and rage (both are children of wrath). In my first novel, "The Scimitars of Icarus", the main characters family is murdered because another family in the local farming industry is after the land. In a fit of rage, Remm begins to plot revenge and in turn the entire Ennead family, except for two brothers, is murdered by a gang that Remm had deceived into attacking the family estate. The lesson? Revenge is an ever-lasting cycle that never results in satisfaction. If you win a lawsuit, your feelings of revenge don't die as quickly as you may think. You've simply caused someone else suffering and pain. Would Jesus have done that to someone? I certainly don't think so. He forgave those who spat on him, scourged him, and crucified him. "Father forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing." - Luke 23:34.
In closing, know that I love all of you and am glad that you have decided to read or follow my blog. I speak on some subjects that can take you out of your "comfort zone", know that it is a good thing. Please, if this post has spoken to your heart, like or share on your perfected social media site. My goals are love and unity in Christ as his Body, his Church.
May the love and grace of our savior, Jesus Christ, be with you all.
Jimmy
Lawyers, Courthouses, Lawsuits, Big Money... we see these things every day in our country, they even have multiple programs where they televise lawsuits for entertainment. Why? In America, lawsuits are a big deal. We get wronged, you can be sure we want compensation for our time and "distress"... not to mention, all that money looks really good when you're thinking about suing someone. Wow... some may think, I wouldn't have to work for three years if I get that. I know that was how I used to think. I now know more about Jesus and have found some guidance in the bible on lawsuits. So I'm going to share with you a few verses that speak on this subject.
1st Corinthians 6:1 speaks about lawsuits very clearly. "Does any one of you, when he has a case against his neighbor, dare to go before the unrighteous and not before the saints?" and again in 6:4 "So, if you have law courts dealing with matters of this life, do you appoint them as judges who are of no account in the church?" Oh, and what if the judge is a Christian? Don't worry, Paul expected that from the church in Corinth because had just written in 1st Corinthians 4:5 "Therefore, do not go on passing judgement before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men's hearts; and then each man's praise will come to him from God."
What Paul is saying is that the idea of a lawsuit is breaking the new law which was established in Christ. Both of these laws are outlined in Matthew chapter 22. Verse 39 says "...Love your neighbor as yourself." If you love as Christ loved and you strive to live as a true Christian (follower of Christ), then you would "love your neighbor as yourself" and forgive them or take your dispute to a church leader or spiritual mentor who can pray for you and your situation to bring peace and closure, to give advice.
Also, to look more deeply at it, what is the goal of a lawsuit? Usually money and/or revenge (occasionally it's to get funds for medical expenses or the like, but more often than not it is for unnecessary motives), both of which are sinful in nature. Money is associated with greed, as Jesus said in Matthew 6:24, "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth (often the word "money" is used in place of wealth, such as in the NIV translation)." The other reason, revenge, is the result of anger and rage (both are children of wrath). In my first novel, "The Scimitars of Icarus", the main characters family is murdered because another family in the local farming industry is after the land. In a fit of rage, Remm begins to plot revenge and in turn the entire Ennead family, except for two brothers, is murdered by a gang that Remm had deceived into attacking the family estate. The lesson? Revenge is an ever-lasting cycle that never results in satisfaction. If you win a lawsuit, your feelings of revenge don't die as quickly as you may think. You've simply caused someone else suffering and pain. Would Jesus have done that to someone? I certainly don't think so. He forgave those who spat on him, scourged him, and crucified him. "Father forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing." - Luke 23:34.
In closing, know that I love all of you and am glad that you have decided to read or follow my blog. I speak on some subjects that can take you out of your "comfort zone", know that it is a good thing. Please, if this post has spoken to your heart, like or share on your perfected social media site. My goals are love and unity in Christ as his Body, his Church.
May the love and grace of our savior, Jesus Christ, be with you all.
Jimmy
"Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®,
Copyright© 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977,
1995 by The LockmanFoundation. Used by permission.
Thursday, April 3, 2014
Setting the Stage
Setting the Stage
Jesus... Yes, most American's have heard the name. Most of them know that he is the figurehead of the Christian Religion and that we claim he is the "Son of God". However, most American's that I know use his name as a curse word. Heck, some "Christians" use his name in vain on a regular basis. What exactly is a Christian? Well, according to www.merriam-webster.com, it is "one who professes belief in the teachings of Jesus Christ.". Is that what came to mind? Or was your first image of a Baptist or Catholic church with huge stained-glass windows and an arched roof that cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to build? Most often, it's the latter. We were raised in a culture of Church as a place or a group of people that called themselves different names. Catholics, Baptists, Lutherans, Methodists, Presbyterians, Pentecostals... the list goes on and on and on with hundreds of sub-categories with their own names. I claim NONE of them because I claim Jesus. As Paul says in 1st Corinthians 1:10-13 "Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same judgment. For I have been informed concerning you, my brethren, by Chloe's people, that there are quarrels among you. Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying "I am of Paul," and "I of Apollos," and "I of Cephas," and "I of Christ." Has Christ been divided? Paul was not crucified for you, was he? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?"
Wow, right? That's some powerful Word. Even back in 55 AD (approximately when 1st Corinthians was written) there were divisions forming in the church. These are people that saw or heard first hand, eye witness accounts of Jesus's miracles and teachings. Still, they argued over interpretations and held pride in the name of their church or in the leader of said church. Paul is telling us that we need to be united. Even today, we cannot stand as Baptists and Catholics and Lutherans and Methodists or as any other "denomination". In order to be a fully functioning Body of Christ, we must cast aside our titles and our rules, our dress codes, our restrictions that we place on the Holy Spirit, and just be the Soldiers of Christ. Just let our weapons be our prayers and just let our hatred (towards other Christians and non-believers) fall away.
Now, in closing for this first post, I want you to know that my goal of this blog is unity and love. I don't want the restrictive walls of "Religion" to come between you and a close relationship with Jesus. There will be much more discussion on that later. In my future posts I will share what the bible says about things like judgement, love, relationships, law suits, and many other things. If you have anything in particular that you want to hear about, let me know and I'll pray about it and do some research to give you the very best point of reference to the Word of God.
May the Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ bring you all peace, understanding, and love. God bless you. I love you all.
James
"Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®,
Copyright© 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977,
1995 by The LockmanFoundation. Used by permission.
Definition of the word "Christian" in this selection is from
the Merriam-Webster online dictionary and can be found at this link:
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