Since Senior Pastor warned us that posting anything about the AGM in the internet is not ethical - We will not mentioned anything about the AGM.
However, I want to give God all the glory for a wonderful AGM.
And FINALLY THE SILENT MAJORITY HAS SPOKEN AND HAVE HAD ENOUGH WITH TTG - this was very obvious.
The church wants to move on, this is the desire of the Lord and fulfill the calling that the Lord has placed on us.
We rebuke and bring Liza to the Lord in prayer, for the "Liar" accusation.
Matthew 7:1 "Judge not, that you may not be judged;
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO THE CHURCH
By Grant Phillips
I noticed this morning in one of the local papers the following activities scheduled this week-end for some of the local churches:
One local church is offering an Internet safety program presentation. The Internet can be very helpful with education, purchasing, news and other ways, but it is also like walking through a mine field. One needs to be careful. Therefore, this is probably a good thing to do, even within the church scenario. There are many ways our children can be harmed via the Internet, and parents need to know what to do to protect their children and themselves.
Another local church will sponsor “Photography as a Prayer Workshop”, where they will “define prayer, basic photographic principles, and think together about the spiritual practices of photography”. Now I’m getting somewhat apprehensive. Understood, I don’t know where they are going with this, but I’m having to stretch my mind to comprehend any relationship between prayer and basic photographic principles. I also cannot seem to connect with the “spiritual practices of photography”, although I’m trying to keep an open mind.
Two churches are having a bean supper. All I will say here is that church folk sure do like to eat.
Two others are having a gospel singing. I have always noticed that many, many more people will turn out for a singing event (and/or to eat, see previous paragraph), than a Bible study.
One is offering free English classes to the international residents in the area. Now they are definitely losing me. What does this have to do with the function of the church?
Another is having “food, fun and games”. And again we eat, and have fun and play games. This is beginning to sound like the Corinthian church.
Another is having a fish fry and auction. Alas, we eat again, but this time an auction is included.
I thought this was interesting. This church is celebrating its 175th anniversary. They mention every pastor who has ever served since their beginning. They talk about their new steeple being added. They refer to their structural damage from a storm and the repair work. They inform us that they replaced the carpet with hardwood flooring and are now going to replace the hardwood flooring with carpet. They tell us about their new siding, new concrete surfaces to the entrance, parking lot, lighting, landscaping and retirement of debt. My Bible tells me that the Lord Jesus Christ is the head of the church, but there was no mention of Him. There was no mention of the souls He has saved. There was no mention of how others can come to know Him as their Savior. It was all about the building.
This next one is the crème de la crème of idiocy. They are celebrating the 50th anniversary of The Andy Griffith show on Sunday from 3 to 6 p.m. They will have memorabilia on display, trivia games on Mayberry knowledge and favorite episodes to watch. But that’s not all. They have also begun sign-up for the community basketball league for boys and girls ages five and six. The cost being $20 with scholarships available. This tops it all. Obviously, this group is big on entertainment. The Andy Griffith show?! What on earth does The Andy Griffith show have to do with what Jesus expects of His Church?! And instead of teaching children how to play basketball, as most all of the churches are now doing, what are they being taught about Jesus?
One other church was advertising that they are having a preaching service, and invited everyone to attend. One!
God help us folks! Is this what Jesus wants from His church? I have noticed church ads like these for a long time, but this time it really got to me. If this isn’t the epitome of classic Laodicean type churches, I don’t know what is.
I am not saying that the activities mentioned in these ads are intrinsically wrong. I am saying they are wrong for the Church. Again, none of the activities mentioned are bad. They are good, but any Christian who has studied the Word of God (the Bible) knows that this is not the direction that Jesus wants us to go. These things, other than the one lone church that invited everyone to come to the preaching service, can be done by the world outside the Church. Greater things are expected of Christ’s Church. It may be our opinion that these things are what the Church should do, but our opinion does not count. The only “opinion” that counts is God’s. So what does God expect from us? Let’s talk about that.
The Lord says to train up a child in the way he should go and he will not depart from it. Christian parents are to train up their children in the Word of God. The Church group should do the same, realizing that many of the childrens’ parents are not saved. Let the schools teach them how to dribble. Let us teach them how to face life with the Sword of God. Why am I such a stickler on teaching the Bible? The following passages will explain; “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12); Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” (Psalm 119:11; Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” (Psalm 119:105)
The Church is to come together to praise our Savior, to be taught from His Word, to assist each other in growing in Christ. We are to be fueled, so to speak from His Word, and then share the Good News about Jesus to a lost world, not just in the building where we meet, but in the world where we live. Jesus did not wait for people to come to Him, although many did because they wanted something, but He went out looking for the lost sheep. He trained His disciples and sent them out into the world as lambs among wolves (Luke 10:3) to tell others about Him. That is what He wants from His Church. Learn of Him. Share Him with others. I don’t think He had a meal after meal, basketball, The Andy Griffith show, buildings, a list of preachers, photography, the Internet, and all the other “stuff” in mind. I can hear it now, “but we fellowship in the Lord”. Answer me, and be honest. Is anything at all said at these events concerning Jesus? For example, I too have been to church suppers, and have yet to hear one word said about Jesus and/or anything in relationship to Him during the dinner conversations. Much of it is gossip.
Jesus told the first of the seven churches in the book of Revelation, Ephesus, that it had left its first love, referring of course to Himself. He further stated to the Ephesians, “Remember, therefore, from where thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works, or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick (lamp stand) out of its place, except thou repent.” (Revelation 2:5) Have we the Church left our first love? I think we have. We are not in love with our Savior anymore, and we show it by our actions, specifically our disobedience to His Word. We prefer to entertain and gorge ourselves. We try hard to appease the world by mimicking its ways, instead of “putting on Jesus”. We need desperately to return to our first love.
He told the last of the seven churches in the same book of the Bible that it was so full of itself and lukewarm that He would spew (vomit) it out of His mouth. Jesus told the Laodicean church it was neither cold nor hot. He reminds this church that it thinks it is rich, increased with goods, has need of nothing and does not know how wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked it is. (beginning at Revelation 3:14) A Christian would have to be living on another planet to not see that we are definitely living in the Laodicean church age. Many church groups have some or maybe all of the attributes of the seven churches, but definitely the predominate attribute of the church age today is wholly Laodicean.
It is not to say that all church groups today have left their first love or are lukewarm concerning the Lord, but those who still love Him and obey Him and reject the things of the world seem to be few and far between. Basically, they are very hard to find. Most, yes I said most, church groups today exude as about as much “true” Christianity as a pagan social club. It is clearly seen from just one local newspaper on one day showing church ads for one week-end that most of the church in general today is so humanistic and so far from true Christianity, it is no wonder that Jesus would choose to vomit it out of His mouth.
Let me add another thought. Jesus Christ is the Good Shepherd. If any local church actually follows the Good Shepherd in its call and direction, then the Lord Jesus Christ will be glorified.
The pastors who have been truly called by Jesus to shepherd His flock and who are obedient to His Word in doing so, will have churches in tune with our Lord’s commands. Remember, we are the body. He is the head.
Sadly though, some men have been called to shepherd and are not obeying our Master in their duties. They are like jellyfish with no back bone. They forget that those in such a position will be judged more harshly by our Lord for not fulfilling their duties per His commands. They will be judged for allowing the world to creep in among the flock and attack it. They will be judged for not standing up for what is right in the eyes of God. When I say they will be judged, I am referring of course to their works, not their salvation. (I am assuming in this example that they are saved by the grace of God and called to shepherd His flock.)
We’ve seen two types of shepherds, or pastors. There is another class consisting of those who are Christians, but have not been called to pastor. I personally believe that there are many who fit this description. Whatever the reason may be that they are pasturing a local church, it is not because they were called by God to do so. Some do so for the money, some for fame, some because they like to grandstand, some because they just like to hear themselves talk. There could be many reasons, but it is not the right reason. They are where they should not be.
Fourthly there is one final group I believe are erroneously in the pastoral field, those who do not know the Good Shepherd as their Savior, but yet have managed to wiggle themselves into the position of shepherding His flock. They are charlatans. They are wolves in sheep’s clothing. They know the right words to say to deceive the ignorant, and unfortunately much of the church is ignorant.
I must insert at this point that this is another tremendous reason for every Christian to be Biblically knowledgeable. Again, most Christians are not. The Lord tells us in His Word to, “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15) In this country at least, anyone can get a Bible, even free, in different translations no less, for better understanding. There are many self-help books, such as Bible dictionaries, that can assist the Christian in their growth in the Lord. But most Christians, at least those who profess to be Christians, are too sorry and lazy to study God’s Word. They can tell you all about the drug-induced sports figures and bed-hopping Hollywood crowd, but don’t know diddly squat about God’s Word. I often wonder how many will be taken from the local churches when Jesus comes for His own at the Rapture. I shudder to think that probably most of the pulpits will still be occupied and the number in the pews see little change.
When I saw those church ads in the local paper that I mentioned at the beginning of this article, these are the thoughts that came to my mind. I have only hit the high spots. Many, if not most, of the churches have strayed from the path our Lord wants us on. Even though every Christian is commanded by Jesus to know Him, and we cannot know Him apart from listening to Him, and we cannot listen apart from His Word, Christians in general are not feeding upon the saving and life-directing Word of a Holy God. Also, they are not being properly fed from the Word by many of those in the pastoral field. Therefore much of the fault comes from the pulpit. The blind are leading the blind. The blind flock does not even know they are being fed to the wolves by the blind under-shepherds.
Is it then any wonder that so many choose to gorge themselves on earthly food, and starve spiritually from not eating the heavenly food? Is it any wonder so many choose to play games, instead of working while there is day (John 9:4) for the Lord? Is it any wonder that some put more importance in a building than the One it represents? Is it any wonder that some will honor a secular television show from Hollywood over the One Who saved our hell-bound souls?
Jesus also said to the Laodicean church, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock; if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” Folks, I repeat, we are now living in the final stage of Church history, the Laodicean church age. The next event on God’s calendar is the removal of His Church from this earth to Heaven. It is called the Rapture. It does not matter whether or not you believe it. It will happen. He said so. Are you ready to meet Him, or are you going to be playing games, eating beans and fish, worshiping your church building and watching old Andy Griffith reruns while the true Church ascends with Jesus to the home He has prepared for those who are His? Today is the day of salvation. (2 Corinthians 6:2) There may not be a tomorrow.
The world teaches compromise. It is not politically correct to be dogmatic, at least if it concerns what God says. Romans 3:4 says, “God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar…”. It is past time for Christians to stand up and speak out. Right is right, and wrong is wrong, but the only measuring device is the Word of God, the Bible. Learn it. Know it. Live it. It is the very Word of the One who now saves (Acts 16:31) and will soon judge (Revelation).
If Jesus stood alone against the forces of evil, and He will, He would still be a majority. In the end, He will annihilate His enemies with just the Word of His mouth while His Church (the Bride) looks on. Let us pray for each other, praying that through the power of God’s Spirit within us, we will not follow the ways of the world, but will stay true to the one who bought us with a price that no man can pay. We should have the attitude that “this world has nothing I want”, so I will stand up for Him until He takes me home.
The church ads I mentioned are only a very, very small example of how the world (Satan’s crowd) has taken over many, many of the church groups. However, Christ’s true Church is alive and well. In Matthew 16:18 Jesus said, “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter (petros, a small stone), and upon this rock (petra, a large rock) I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Jesus is the rock of our salvation, to those who come to Him. He is the cornerstone (Mark 12:10) of His Church, but a stumbling stone (1 Peter 2:8) to those who reject Him.
If we truly are His, we will hunger and thirst for his righteousness (Matthew 5:6). The yearning in our hearts to hear what He has to say will constantly draw us to His spoken Word, the Bible. Satan is the master of deception. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” (1 Peter 5:8) Beware of the worldly claptrap that is so prevalent in many local churches. Some of these churches are so full of this nonsensical garbage, it has filled the buildings within to the rafters, and is flowing out the front doors. Don’t be part of it. I would rather my wife and I sit on the back porch and worship Jesus alone (Matthew 18:20), than to have this unholy stench upon me. It would be worse than being sprayed by a skunk. Am I insinuating that I am better than everyone else? God forbid! No! I am always aware of the wretchedness of my being, but thank God I am cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God! I know I deserve the hottest seat in hell, but I thank God that He has given me what I do not deserve. It is called “grace”.
So, if you were placing a church ad in your local newspaper, what would it say?
Grant Phillips
grantphillips@windstream.net
I noticed this morning in one of the local papers the following activities scheduled this week-end for some of the local churches:
One local church is offering an Internet safety program presentation. The Internet can be very helpful with education, purchasing, news and other ways, but it is also like walking through a mine field. One needs to be careful. Therefore, this is probably a good thing to do, even within the church scenario. There are many ways our children can be harmed via the Internet, and parents need to know what to do to protect their children and themselves.
Another local church will sponsor “Photography as a Prayer Workshop”, where they will “define prayer, basic photographic principles, and think together about the spiritual practices of photography”. Now I’m getting somewhat apprehensive. Understood, I don’t know where they are going with this, but I’m having to stretch my mind to comprehend any relationship between prayer and basic photographic principles. I also cannot seem to connect with the “spiritual practices of photography”, although I’m trying to keep an open mind.
Two churches are having a bean supper. All I will say here is that church folk sure do like to eat.
Two others are having a gospel singing. I have always noticed that many, many more people will turn out for a singing event (and/or to eat, see previous paragraph), than a Bible study.
One is offering free English classes to the international residents in the area. Now they are definitely losing me. What does this have to do with the function of the church?
Another is having “food, fun and games”. And again we eat, and have fun and play games. This is beginning to sound like the Corinthian church.
Another is having a fish fry and auction. Alas, we eat again, but this time an auction is included.
I thought this was interesting. This church is celebrating its 175th anniversary. They mention every pastor who has ever served since their beginning. They talk about their new steeple being added. They refer to their structural damage from a storm and the repair work. They inform us that they replaced the carpet with hardwood flooring and are now going to replace the hardwood flooring with carpet. They tell us about their new siding, new concrete surfaces to the entrance, parking lot, lighting, landscaping and retirement of debt. My Bible tells me that the Lord Jesus Christ is the head of the church, but there was no mention of Him. There was no mention of the souls He has saved. There was no mention of how others can come to know Him as their Savior. It was all about the building.
This next one is the crème de la crème of idiocy. They are celebrating the 50th anniversary of The Andy Griffith show on Sunday from 3 to 6 p.m. They will have memorabilia on display, trivia games on Mayberry knowledge and favorite episodes to watch. But that’s not all. They have also begun sign-up for the community basketball league for boys and girls ages five and six. The cost being $20 with scholarships available. This tops it all. Obviously, this group is big on entertainment. The Andy Griffith show?! What on earth does The Andy Griffith show have to do with what Jesus expects of His Church?! And instead of teaching children how to play basketball, as most all of the churches are now doing, what are they being taught about Jesus?
One other church was advertising that they are having a preaching service, and invited everyone to attend. One!
God help us folks! Is this what Jesus wants from His church? I have noticed church ads like these for a long time, but this time it really got to me. If this isn’t the epitome of classic Laodicean type churches, I don’t know what is.
I am not saying that the activities mentioned in these ads are intrinsically wrong. I am saying they are wrong for the Church. Again, none of the activities mentioned are bad. They are good, but any Christian who has studied the Word of God (the Bible) knows that this is not the direction that Jesus wants us to go. These things, other than the one lone church that invited everyone to come to the preaching service, can be done by the world outside the Church. Greater things are expected of Christ’s Church. It may be our opinion that these things are what the Church should do, but our opinion does not count. The only “opinion” that counts is God’s. So what does God expect from us? Let’s talk about that.
The Lord says to train up a child in the way he should go and he will not depart from it. Christian parents are to train up their children in the Word of God. The Church group should do the same, realizing that many of the childrens’ parents are not saved. Let the schools teach them how to dribble. Let us teach them how to face life with the Sword of God. Why am I such a stickler on teaching the Bible? The following passages will explain; “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12); Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” (Psalm 119:11; Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” (Psalm 119:105)
The Church is to come together to praise our Savior, to be taught from His Word, to assist each other in growing in Christ. We are to be fueled, so to speak from His Word, and then share the Good News about Jesus to a lost world, not just in the building where we meet, but in the world where we live. Jesus did not wait for people to come to Him, although many did because they wanted something, but He went out looking for the lost sheep. He trained His disciples and sent them out into the world as lambs among wolves (Luke 10:3) to tell others about Him. That is what He wants from His Church. Learn of Him. Share Him with others. I don’t think He had a meal after meal, basketball, The Andy Griffith show, buildings, a list of preachers, photography, the Internet, and all the other “stuff” in mind. I can hear it now, “but we fellowship in the Lord”. Answer me, and be honest. Is anything at all said at these events concerning Jesus? For example, I too have been to church suppers, and have yet to hear one word said about Jesus and/or anything in relationship to Him during the dinner conversations. Much of it is gossip.
Jesus told the first of the seven churches in the book of Revelation, Ephesus, that it had left its first love, referring of course to Himself. He further stated to the Ephesians, “Remember, therefore, from where thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works, or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick (lamp stand) out of its place, except thou repent.” (Revelation 2:5) Have we the Church left our first love? I think we have. We are not in love with our Savior anymore, and we show it by our actions, specifically our disobedience to His Word. We prefer to entertain and gorge ourselves. We try hard to appease the world by mimicking its ways, instead of “putting on Jesus”. We need desperately to return to our first love.
He told the last of the seven churches in the same book of the Bible that it was so full of itself and lukewarm that He would spew (vomit) it out of His mouth. Jesus told the Laodicean church it was neither cold nor hot. He reminds this church that it thinks it is rich, increased with goods, has need of nothing and does not know how wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked it is. (beginning at Revelation 3:14) A Christian would have to be living on another planet to not see that we are definitely living in the Laodicean church age. Many church groups have some or maybe all of the attributes of the seven churches, but definitely the predominate attribute of the church age today is wholly Laodicean.
It is not to say that all church groups today have left their first love or are lukewarm concerning the Lord, but those who still love Him and obey Him and reject the things of the world seem to be few and far between. Basically, they are very hard to find. Most, yes I said most, church groups today exude as about as much “true” Christianity as a pagan social club. It is clearly seen from just one local newspaper on one day showing church ads for one week-end that most of the church in general today is so humanistic and so far from true Christianity, it is no wonder that Jesus would choose to vomit it out of His mouth.
Let me add another thought. Jesus Christ is the Good Shepherd. If any local church actually follows the Good Shepherd in its call and direction, then the Lord Jesus Christ will be glorified.
The pastors who have been truly called by Jesus to shepherd His flock and who are obedient to His Word in doing so, will have churches in tune with our Lord’s commands. Remember, we are the body. He is the head.
Sadly though, some men have been called to shepherd and are not obeying our Master in their duties. They are like jellyfish with no back bone. They forget that those in such a position will be judged more harshly by our Lord for not fulfilling their duties per His commands. They will be judged for allowing the world to creep in among the flock and attack it. They will be judged for not standing up for what is right in the eyes of God. When I say they will be judged, I am referring of course to their works, not their salvation. (I am assuming in this example that they are saved by the grace of God and called to shepherd His flock.)
We’ve seen two types of shepherds, or pastors. There is another class consisting of those who are Christians, but have not been called to pastor. I personally believe that there are many who fit this description. Whatever the reason may be that they are pasturing a local church, it is not because they were called by God to do so. Some do so for the money, some for fame, some because they like to grandstand, some because they just like to hear themselves talk. There could be many reasons, but it is not the right reason. They are where they should not be.
Fourthly there is one final group I believe are erroneously in the pastoral field, those who do not know the Good Shepherd as their Savior, but yet have managed to wiggle themselves into the position of shepherding His flock. They are charlatans. They are wolves in sheep’s clothing. They know the right words to say to deceive the ignorant, and unfortunately much of the church is ignorant.
I must insert at this point that this is another tremendous reason for every Christian to be Biblically knowledgeable. Again, most Christians are not. The Lord tells us in His Word to, “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15) In this country at least, anyone can get a Bible, even free, in different translations no less, for better understanding. There are many self-help books, such as Bible dictionaries, that can assist the Christian in their growth in the Lord. But most Christians, at least those who profess to be Christians, are too sorry and lazy to study God’s Word. They can tell you all about the drug-induced sports figures and bed-hopping Hollywood crowd, but don’t know diddly squat about God’s Word. I often wonder how many will be taken from the local churches when Jesus comes for His own at the Rapture. I shudder to think that probably most of the pulpits will still be occupied and the number in the pews see little change.
When I saw those church ads in the local paper that I mentioned at the beginning of this article, these are the thoughts that came to my mind. I have only hit the high spots. Many, if not most, of the churches have strayed from the path our Lord wants us on. Even though every Christian is commanded by Jesus to know Him, and we cannot know Him apart from listening to Him, and we cannot listen apart from His Word, Christians in general are not feeding upon the saving and life-directing Word of a Holy God. Also, they are not being properly fed from the Word by many of those in the pastoral field. Therefore much of the fault comes from the pulpit. The blind are leading the blind. The blind flock does not even know they are being fed to the wolves by the blind under-shepherds.
Is it then any wonder that so many choose to gorge themselves on earthly food, and starve spiritually from not eating the heavenly food? Is it any wonder so many choose to play games, instead of working while there is day (John 9:4) for the Lord? Is it any wonder that some put more importance in a building than the One it represents? Is it any wonder that some will honor a secular television show from Hollywood over the One Who saved our hell-bound souls?
Jesus also said to the Laodicean church, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock; if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” Folks, I repeat, we are now living in the final stage of Church history, the Laodicean church age. The next event on God’s calendar is the removal of His Church from this earth to Heaven. It is called the Rapture. It does not matter whether or not you believe it. It will happen. He said so. Are you ready to meet Him, or are you going to be playing games, eating beans and fish, worshiping your church building and watching old Andy Griffith reruns while the true Church ascends with Jesus to the home He has prepared for those who are His? Today is the day of salvation. (2 Corinthians 6:2) There may not be a tomorrow.
The world teaches compromise. It is not politically correct to be dogmatic, at least if it concerns what God says. Romans 3:4 says, “God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar…”. It is past time for Christians to stand up and speak out. Right is right, and wrong is wrong, but the only measuring device is the Word of God, the Bible. Learn it. Know it. Live it. It is the very Word of the One who now saves (Acts 16:31) and will soon judge (Revelation).
If Jesus stood alone against the forces of evil, and He will, He would still be a majority. In the end, He will annihilate His enemies with just the Word of His mouth while His Church (the Bride) looks on. Let us pray for each other, praying that through the power of God’s Spirit within us, we will not follow the ways of the world, but will stay true to the one who bought us with a price that no man can pay. We should have the attitude that “this world has nothing I want”, so I will stand up for Him until He takes me home.
The church ads I mentioned are only a very, very small example of how the world (Satan’s crowd) has taken over many, many of the church groups. However, Christ’s true Church is alive and well. In Matthew 16:18 Jesus said, “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter (petros, a small stone), and upon this rock (petra, a large rock) I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Jesus is the rock of our salvation, to those who come to Him. He is the cornerstone (Mark 12:10) of His Church, but a stumbling stone (1 Peter 2:8) to those who reject Him.
If we truly are His, we will hunger and thirst for his righteousness (Matthew 5:6). The yearning in our hearts to hear what He has to say will constantly draw us to His spoken Word, the Bible. Satan is the master of deception. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” (1 Peter 5:8) Beware of the worldly claptrap that is so prevalent in many local churches. Some of these churches are so full of this nonsensical garbage, it has filled the buildings within to the rafters, and is flowing out the front doors. Don’t be part of it. I would rather my wife and I sit on the back porch and worship Jesus alone (Matthew 18:20), than to have this unholy stench upon me. It would be worse than being sprayed by a skunk. Am I insinuating that I am better than everyone else? God forbid! No! I am always aware of the wretchedness of my being, but thank God I am cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God! I know I deserve the hottest seat in hell, but I thank God that He has given me what I do not deserve. It is called “grace”.
So, if you were placing a church ad in your local newspaper, what would it say?
Grant Phillips
grantphillips@windstream.net
Friday, June 25, 2010
Lessons from Nehemiah
The following articles is from this link --> http://drtscott.typepad.com/pastor_scotts_thoughts/2009/09/lessons-from-nehemiah.html
I am currently preaching a sermon series on Nehemiah and am thoroughly enjoying what I am learning from this great re-builder of Jerusalem's walls and identity. There are many important themes regarding leadership and mission that emerge from the life of Nehemiah, but one of the major themes of the book is the way that Nehemiah dealt with opposition and criticism.
This month it has been seven years since I transitioned from being a full-time college professor to taking on the role of senior pastor. The last seven years have been wonderful and blessed in so many ways, but they have also been filled with very difficult moments. I have especially had to learn how to deal with criticism. It isn't that professors don't get criticism (every semester students get to fill out course evaluations), but for a number of reasons parishioners often feel very free to share their perspective on your ministry and leadership. Here are some of the things people have shared with me over the last seven years:
My sermons are too long.
My sermons are too short.
I spend too much time preaching the "love" found in the New Testament and not enough on the judgment and righteousness of God in the Old Testament.
I spend too much time preaching out of the Old Testament. "Who cares, pastor, what Solomon did. I need to know what Jesus did."
My sermons are too heady and scholarly.
My preaching is trite and unbiblical. Quote: "It is forty minutes of stand-up comedy and stories about your children all for the purpose of getting people to like you."
I'm soft on sin.
I'm too hard on the saints.
I'm too critical of people who are critical.
I'm too demonstrative and raise my voice too often.
I'm too reserved and quiet and when I drop my voice no one can hear me.
I preach like someone who never had to sacrifice anything for their country.
I'm part of the "taker" generation not the "giver" generation.
I'm a liberal who doesn't take the bible literally.
I take the Bible too seriously. (i.e. Jesus didn't really want us to give everything away...)
I'm too political.
I'm not political enough. (On this point, one prominent leader called me "the low point in the 100 year history of PazNaz").
I'm disrespectful in the pulpit.
I don't speak to the common person enough and am overdressed to identify with everyday folk.
I don't use the altar enough and act uninterested in people meeting Jesus.
I'm too emerging.
I'm not emerging enough.
I'm not a holiness preacher.
I focus too much on holiness.
My shirts don't fit right and my shoes need polished.
I move the church too fast and change too many things.
I move the church too slow and don't change things fast enough.
I don't hire enough diversity.
I hire too many women.
I'm not involved enough in the lives of the pastoral staff.
I spend too much time with, and only care about the pastoral staff (and rich board members).
I'm not a good mentor to younger staff.
I only care about preaching and not about pastoral care.
I should know the names and life situations of every person in the congregation.
I do too much and don't have any personal boundaries.
I'm here too many Sundays and need to give more people a chance to speak.
I'm gone too many Sundays and it is terrible when I invite other people to speak.
"Never give the whole service away to another musician."
"I wish we had more variety. Like the week we had the musician."
I care too much about the church being Nazarene.
I don't focus enough attention on making people good Nazarenes.
I care too much about what the old people think.
I don't care enough about what the old people think... They pay the bills after all.
My children are very well behaved and we are great parents.
My children are wild and I need to be a stronger disciplinarian.
When our kids went to public school people told us they should be home schooled.
When our kids have been in private school people told us they should be in public school.
I am getting too skinny and need to eat more.
I'm looking heavier and need to start watching what I eat. (The actual quote was: "You are much fatter than you used to be..."
That's probably enough for today. It is funny that in the last seven years I have received hundreds of positive emails and letters. They are so encouraging at the time, but I unfortunately forget them quickly. However, I can rehearse the list above with very little effort and I remember each moment well. The reality is that all of us have to learn to deal with criticism. So here is what I'm learning from Nehemiah.
1. Consider the source. Nehemiah's enemies were people whose power and lives were going to be profoundly effected if the walls of Jerusalem were rebuilt. Leaders always have to be able to consider where criticism is coming from. Sometimes, whether we know it or not, just our presence or our message is causing changes for a person internally or externally that they are reacting against. Sometimes people are simply broken or facing difficulties and we are just the convenient place for diffused anger and frustration to be placed.
2. Listen for truth. Many of the things I listed above have some truth in them (as much as I hate to admit it). Good leaders have to learn to move past the initial hurt to weigh any truthfulness that criticism (no matter how awkwardly or angrily presented) contains.
3. Don't react in kind. Especially in chapter 6, Nehemiah's enemies try to lure him into a fight. Nehemiah never lets Sanballat or any of his foes lure him into a scuffle. Leaders have to learn to rise above the criticism and not "lose it." Christian leaders in particular have to stay committed to overcoming evil with good.
4. Build a team. Leaders have to have a team around them that lovingly tell them the truth about themselves (thus keeping them grounded and humble) but who also don't allow the critics to have the final word.
5. Keep the mission central. Nehemiah's focus was not his personal popularity but on the mission God had given him. These last seven years have taught me that not every one will share in or be energized by the mission that ignites my passion. That doesn't always make them bad people, it just makes them different people with different concerns and a different vision than I have.
Nehemiah's teaching me that accepting visible leadership comes with both blessings and costs. Nevertheless, I am thankful today for the opportunity to serve with others and work at rebuilding the walls.
I am currently preaching a sermon series on Nehemiah and am thoroughly enjoying what I am learning from this great re-builder of Jerusalem's walls and identity. There are many important themes regarding leadership and mission that emerge from the life of Nehemiah, but one of the major themes of the book is the way that Nehemiah dealt with opposition and criticism.
This month it has been seven years since I transitioned from being a full-time college professor to taking on the role of senior pastor. The last seven years have been wonderful and blessed in so many ways, but they have also been filled with very difficult moments. I have especially had to learn how to deal with criticism. It isn't that professors don't get criticism (every semester students get to fill out course evaluations), but for a number of reasons parishioners often feel very free to share their perspective on your ministry and leadership. Here are some of the things people have shared with me over the last seven years:
My sermons are too long.
My sermons are too short.
I spend too much time preaching the "love" found in the New Testament and not enough on the judgment and righteousness of God in the Old Testament.
I spend too much time preaching out of the Old Testament. "Who cares, pastor, what Solomon did. I need to know what Jesus did."
My sermons are too heady and scholarly.
My preaching is trite and unbiblical. Quote: "It is forty minutes of stand-up comedy and stories about your children all for the purpose of getting people to like you."
I'm soft on sin.
I'm too hard on the saints.
I'm too critical of people who are critical.
I'm too demonstrative and raise my voice too often.
I'm too reserved and quiet and when I drop my voice no one can hear me.
I preach like someone who never had to sacrifice anything for their country.
I'm part of the "taker" generation not the "giver" generation.
I'm a liberal who doesn't take the bible literally.
I take the Bible too seriously. (i.e. Jesus didn't really want us to give everything away...)
I'm too political.
I'm not political enough. (On this point, one prominent leader called me "the low point in the 100 year history of PazNaz").
I'm disrespectful in the pulpit.
I don't speak to the common person enough and am overdressed to identify with everyday folk.
I don't use the altar enough and act uninterested in people meeting Jesus.
I'm too emerging.
I'm not emerging enough.
I'm not a holiness preacher.
I focus too much on holiness.
My shirts don't fit right and my shoes need polished.
I move the church too fast and change too many things.
I move the church too slow and don't change things fast enough.
I don't hire enough diversity.
I hire too many women.
I'm not involved enough in the lives of the pastoral staff.
I spend too much time with, and only care about the pastoral staff (and rich board members).
I'm not a good mentor to younger staff.
I only care about preaching and not about pastoral care.
I should know the names and life situations of every person in the congregation.
I do too much and don't have any personal boundaries.
I'm here too many Sundays and need to give more people a chance to speak.
I'm gone too many Sundays and it is terrible when I invite other people to speak.
"Never give the whole service away to another musician."
"I wish we had more variety. Like the week we had the musician."
I care too much about the church being Nazarene.
I don't focus enough attention on making people good Nazarenes.
I care too much about what the old people think.
I don't care enough about what the old people think... They pay the bills after all.
My children are very well behaved and we are great parents.
My children are wild and I need to be a stronger disciplinarian.
When our kids went to public school people told us they should be home schooled.
When our kids have been in private school people told us they should be in public school.
I am getting too skinny and need to eat more.
I'm looking heavier and need to start watching what I eat. (The actual quote was: "You are much fatter than you used to be..."
That's probably enough for today. It is funny that in the last seven years I have received hundreds of positive emails and letters. They are so encouraging at the time, but I unfortunately forget them quickly. However, I can rehearse the list above with very little effort and I remember each moment well. The reality is that all of us have to learn to deal with criticism. So here is what I'm learning from Nehemiah.
1. Consider the source. Nehemiah's enemies were people whose power and lives were going to be profoundly effected if the walls of Jerusalem were rebuilt. Leaders always have to be able to consider where criticism is coming from. Sometimes, whether we know it or not, just our presence or our message is causing changes for a person internally or externally that they are reacting against. Sometimes people are simply broken or facing difficulties and we are just the convenient place for diffused anger and frustration to be placed.
2. Listen for truth. Many of the things I listed above have some truth in them (as much as I hate to admit it). Good leaders have to learn to move past the initial hurt to weigh any truthfulness that criticism (no matter how awkwardly or angrily presented) contains.
3. Don't react in kind. Especially in chapter 6, Nehemiah's enemies try to lure him into a fight. Nehemiah never lets Sanballat or any of his foes lure him into a scuffle. Leaders have to learn to rise above the criticism and not "lose it." Christian leaders in particular have to stay committed to overcoming evil with good.
4. Build a team. Leaders have to have a team around them that lovingly tell them the truth about themselves (thus keeping them grounded and humble) but who also don't allow the critics to have the final word.
5. Keep the mission central. Nehemiah's focus was not his personal popularity but on the mission God had given him. These last seven years have taught me that not every one will share in or be energized by the mission that ignites my passion. That doesn't always make them bad people, it just makes them different people with different concerns and a different vision than I have.
Nehemiah's teaching me that accepting visible leadership comes with both blessings and costs. Nevertheless, I am thankful today for the opportunity to serve with others and work at rebuilding the walls.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Credibility – A letter from a Reader and Online Observer.
Definition: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Credibility
In a general point of view, the TTG are lacking credibility due to the following reasons:-
In a general point of view, the TTG are lacking credibility due to the following reasons:-
- CT- this website/blog is evidently managed by a group of former CA’s. These are a group of youngster with the task of communication integrators where they act as the middle person between the TTG core leaders and the general public. These people monitor the blog and allow only for certain comments to be published in the site without any regards to the word of God or any God given principles. Just try this out, go to their comments sections and comments something bad about the church leadership, they will happily publish your comments. However when you comment something good or even a testimony that you have been blessed by so and so‘s preaching – all the best to you in seeing your comments published. The irony is the TRUTH, TRANSPERANCY and GOVERNANCE Champions depend on CT’s administrator to get the message across to their supporter and other interested parties. It’s like how Jesus described in Luke 5:36-39. TTG your approach in having CT especially its administrators is strategically wrong. We all know how lopsided they are. I use to think that CT is managed by some anti-Christian or anti-church groups, however to my dismay I found out only recently that its young people who are behind the blog.
- The church leadership (+ deacons) have taken many measures in addressing the issues/concerns raise by the TTG (well in the initial stages – I was impressed by them also) and surely the TTG will get a big pat on the back for their effort. However the TTG has failed miserably to accept the changes, reconcile and move on for the betterment of the church. They have not acknowledged the progress and the effort by the church leaders. They are adamant in their ways in escalating the issue and concerns without any regards to the consequences whatsoever. The TTG is like a human body but without the ability to absorbs or hear. Only one part of their body is dominion over all else that is their TONGUE. Their words are louder than their action.
- The TTG + CT eagerly cling to anyone and anything that is against the church and its leadership, a good example is one of its leaders called Mr. Bamboo. This person is an outsider (i.e. not a calvarite) that seems to have a huge voice in the inner circle of the TTG leaders. Due to the lack of support within congregation.
- The TTG has been stubborn in its ways without accepting or acknowledging every effort by the leaders. Not a single pinch of humility shown. This is very obvious in all the AGM and EGMs. The motto – I know it all, I know what is best for you. Even though so many church members have conveyed our message to them, via email, letter, sms, mms, comments, face to face, they think we are pro- so and so, hence our voice is biased. They just never listen and never understand our desire – the church at large.
- The TTG have this prayer meeting in Taman Seputeh, it’s more like a cult meeting, they have this prophecy session where one of the sister will prophecy that whatever done by the TTG is endorsed by God and God is on their side and at the end they cry out in tears of joy to God for strengthening them. Ok all fine and good, however each and every prophetic word need to act as a confirmation in your heart and seconded by the literal word of God.
- The TTG are never seen in any of the church meetings, they can only be seen on the day the AGM or EGM are held, you can never see them in prayer meeting, holding another bother or sister’s hand and praying for our church. You can never see them in any of the church activities. They are a separate group on their own. They have forsaken the church.
- Finally the worst of their calls: TOTT – stands for turn of the tap – i.e. stop giving to the church. They list a list of lies in supporting this call. I will just say this and I rest my case. THIS IS COMPLETELY UNBIBLICAL.
For those of you in Church Camp – what a wonderful time we had.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
CalvaryToday and... tomorrow
To be honest, it's hard for me to say that I love the TTG or the people behind CalvaryToday - (Btw, please allow another to be honest here.... to be honest....I'm beginning to move to that direction for the church leaders aswell, as all their action seems to only address the human level... what about the spiritual level?)
I just found out the following articles
http://syedsoutsidethebox.blogspot.com/2009/05/goings-on-at-calvary-church-malaysia.html
The whole article is based on CalvaryToday's comments.. it's comments - thanks to their administrator for only allowing comments that are critical to the church leadership - all other comments are NOT published...... believe me - I have tried commenting - it seems that comments goes into a black hole and never to be seen anymore. Maybe the TTG gravity ...dissects my comments and what's left is not even a logical sentence. Ok I know .. i being too metaphoric....
Ok here it goes.....
Not sure how many of you have read the AGM - what you call that...apa nama, you know the book that we collect before we attend the AGM.....oh ... the annual report - One of deacon in charge for communications said that they are looking into the idea of creating a blog for calvary church? Well Bro.Deacon any progress on that? That yet to be created blog, will be only open to Calvarites and no one else and I guess some copyright law will also apply since it's a "within 4 walls blog".
I was thinking, maybe we should test the water first, I have created (with some help from a couple of calvarites) a blog called:-
http://calvaryconnectkl.blogspot.com/
Email address: calvaryconnectkl@gmail.com
We (since I’m speaking for a couple of other people as well), intend for this blog to be a calvarites only blog with access for those who register with an authenticated email ID, then they will be requested to answer some question to determine whether they are really calvarites or not. We are still working on mechanism for this. This is what we need from you:-
1. Give a thumbs up or down for this idea.
2. Provide some suggestion for the authentication mechanism – how do we cross check?
Pleas email directly to calvaryconnectkl@gmail.com
The need is there for such a blog, at least to stop the shameful act of some blog – sad to say mine included.
When this blog is up and running, I will handover administration to a selected group of people or better still, if I receive an email from the communications deacon – I will be even more glad to handover the access to him.
I just found out the following articles
http://syedsoutsidethebox.blogspot.com/2009/05/goings-on-at-calvary-church-malaysia.html
The whole article is based on CalvaryToday's comments.. it's comments - thanks to their administrator for only allowing comments that are critical to the church leadership - all other comments are NOT published...... believe me - I have tried commenting - it seems that comments goes into a black hole and never to be seen anymore. Maybe the TTG gravity ...dissects my comments and what's left is not even a logical sentence. Ok I know .. i being too metaphoric....
Ok here it goes.....
Not sure how many of you have read the AGM - what you call that...apa nama, you know the book that we collect before we attend the AGM.....oh ... the annual report - One of deacon in charge for communications said that they are looking into the idea of creating a blog for calvary church? Well Bro.Deacon any progress on that? That yet to be created blog, will be only open to Calvarites and no one else and I guess some copyright law will also apply since it's a "within 4 walls blog".
I was thinking, maybe we should test the water first, I have created (with some help from a couple of calvarites) a blog called:-
http://calvaryconnectkl.blogspot.com/
Email address: calvaryconnectkl@gmail.com
We (since I’m speaking for a couple of other people as well), intend for this blog to be a calvarites only blog with access for those who register with an authenticated email ID, then they will be requested to answer some question to determine whether they are really calvarites or not. We are still working on mechanism for this. This is what we need from you:-
1. Give a thumbs up or down for this idea.
2. Provide some suggestion for the authentication mechanism – how do we cross check?
Pleas email directly to calvaryconnectkl@gmail.com
The need is there for such a blog, at least to stop the shameful act of some blog – sad to say mine included.
When this blog is up and running, I will handover administration to a selected group of people or better still, if I receive an email from the communications deacon – I will be even more glad to handover the access to him.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
AG Position Paper: Church Conflict
Is there an orderly and biblical way for members of a local church to resolve conflict? If it pertains to doctrine, is there a procedure available to implement corrections? When individuals become disgruntled with their church should they leave? Does the Assemblies of God believe there is ever a time or circumstance where believers should look for a new church? If an individual were to leave a church, is there a biblical and ethical way to leave?
Church problems existed even in the first-century Church, so it is not surprising that today’s Church, which is still not perfect, would have its problems. People become dissatisfied with the way church leadership spends money, with a youth program which doesn’t meet the needs of their children, with the style of worship or preaching, with teaching that seems unscriptural, and so on. Sometimes a problem exists between members who disagree on everything that happens in the church. Paul had to reprimand two ladies in the church at Philippi. "I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord" (Phil. 4:2). These were not just marginal troublemakers who had cantankerous spirits. They had both worked at Paul’s side in the cause of the gospel.
Trouble and disagreement seem inevitable in any human situation, even in a church populated by humans in the process of becoming Christlike. Satan, who seeks to discredit God’s work wherever he can, delights in raising occasions for friction and disagreement right in the church body. This is reality even though the Bible urges all believers to work together in unity (Eph. 4:3,13), to be kind to one another (Eph. 4:32), and to show equal respect to all who come into the congregation (James 2:1-9).
When church problems arise and seemingly come to the point of having no solution, what should a Christian do? The first step is severe self-evaluation. If the dissatisfied person is in any way responsible for the problem, and leaves the church, the problem will go along, only to break out in another form in the new situation. A time at the altar, sincerely seeking the Lord’s direction on what can be changed in one’s own life is essential, even if the problem seems to have been initiated by another party.
After one has passed the "inner-spirit check," with no solution becoming evident–remembering all the time that God desires unity among His children–one must then look toward ways in which the Holy Spirit can use him or her to deal with and resolve the problem. With a gentle spirit, nurtured through extended prayer, and possibly fasting, one might then speak with the one or ones who are part of the problem. This step fulfills the instruction of Scripture: "If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ’every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church" (Matt. 18:15-17). Hopefully, by this time, with each party seeking the unity of the Spirit, there will be some resolution.
But human nature being what it is, and with Satan busily at work trying to keep unity from becoming a reality, one may actually have to separate from the congregation and seek to identify with a group devoted to God and His Word. Unfortunately, some Christians have left unpleasant situations which should have been dealt with according to Matthew 18, only to see later that the remaining members of the congregation followed after false leadership that led the congregation into spiritual ruin. There may even be times when mature denominational leadership should be called in to deal with unhealthy situations. An objective outside voice, sensitive to the leading of the Spirit, can often cut through pettiness that causes major church problems.
But what if, after carefully following all the above steps, the option of withdrawal seems to be the only alternative? Before leaving a church, one should always talk privately with the pastor, or communicate by a carefully worded letter. A kind contact with others who are a part of the problem or a part of the solution might also be appropriate. The purpose of these contacts is not to speak the last word in a disagreement, but to make sure that good will and understanding are key elements in the separation. All information and reasons should be accurate, and one’s attitude must be right at the time of leaving. The departure should be without bitterness or resentment. To carry ill will in the separation means a continuing battle in one’s own spirit will also go along. One should meticulously avoid trying to influence others to leave the church. Nor should one speak ill of the former church when becoming part of the next church.
CONCERNS:
Just to speak about the possibility of needing to leave a church is dangerous. There are too many who change churches, or drop out entirely, because of minor disagreements or dissatisfaction. Such people are sometimes derogatorily referred to as church tramps. The unity of the Body, however, should always be the primary concern of all persons involved if and when a move seems to be necessary.
The above statement is based upon our common understanding of scriptural teaching.
Church problems existed even in the first-century Church, so it is not surprising that today’s Church, which is still not perfect, would have its problems. People become dissatisfied with the way church leadership spends money, with a youth program which doesn’t meet the needs of their children, with the style of worship or preaching, with teaching that seems unscriptural, and so on. Sometimes a problem exists between members who disagree on everything that happens in the church. Paul had to reprimand two ladies in the church at Philippi. "I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord" (Phil. 4:2). These were not just marginal troublemakers who had cantankerous spirits. They had both worked at Paul’s side in the cause of the gospel.
Trouble and disagreement seem inevitable in any human situation, even in a church populated by humans in the process of becoming Christlike. Satan, who seeks to discredit God’s work wherever he can, delights in raising occasions for friction and disagreement right in the church body. This is reality even though the Bible urges all believers to work together in unity (Eph. 4:3,13), to be kind to one another (Eph. 4:32), and to show equal respect to all who come into the congregation (James 2:1-9).
When church problems arise and seemingly come to the point of having no solution, what should a Christian do? The first step is severe self-evaluation. If the dissatisfied person is in any way responsible for the problem, and leaves the church, the problem will go along, only to break out in another form in the new situation. A time at the altar, sincerely seeking the Lord’s direction on what can be changed in one’s own life is essential, even if the problem seems to have been initiated by another party.
After one has passed the "inner-spirit check," with no solution becoming evident–remembering all the time that God desires unity among His children–one must then look toward ways in which the Holy Spirit can use him or her to deal with and resolve the problem. With a gentle spirit, nurtured through extended prayer, and possibly fasting, one might then speak with the one or ones who are part of the problem. This step fulfills the instruction of Scripture: "If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ’every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church" (Matt. 18:15-17). Hopefully, by this time, with each party seeking the unity of the Spirit, there will be some resolution.
But human nature being what it is, and with Satan busily at work trying to keep unity from becoming a reality, one may actually have to separate from the congregation and seek to identify with a group devoted to God and His Word. Unfortunately, some Christians have left unpleasant situations which should have been dealt with according to Matthew 18, only to see later that the remaining members of the congregation followed after false leadership that led the congregation into spiritual ruin. There may even be times when mature denominational leadership should be called in to deal with unhealthy situations. An objective outside voice, sensitive to the leading of the Spirit, can often cut through pettiness that causes major church problems.
But what if, after carefully following all the above steps, the option of withdrawal seems to be the only alternative? Before leaving a church, one should always talk privately with the pastor, or communicate by a carefully worded letter. A kind contact with others who are a part of the problem or a part of the solution might also be appropriate. The purpose of these contacts is not to speak the last word in a disagreement, but to make sure that good will and understanding are key elements in the separation. All information and reasons should be accurate, and one’s attitude must be right at the time of leaving. The departure should be without bitterness or resentment. To carry ill will in the separation means a continuing battle in one’s own spirit will also go along. One should meticulously avoid trying to influence others to leave the church. Nor should one speak ill of the former church when becoming part of the next church.
CONCERNS:
Just to speak about the possibility of needing to leave a church is dangerous. There are too many who change churches, or drop out entirely, because of minor disagreements or dissatisfaction. Such people are sometimes derogatorily referred to as church tramps. The unity of the Body, however, should always be the primary concern of all persons involved if and when a move seems to be necessary.
The above statement is based upon our common understanding of scriptural teaching.
AG Position Paper: Christian Involvement in Law Suits
This document reflects commonly held beliefs based on scripture which have been endorsed by the church's Commission on Doctrinal Purity and the Executive Presbytery.
Should Christians be involved in lawsuits? Are there biblical principles that apply to Christians in these matters? Is it permissible for Christians to sue others who harm them?
Paul’s main concern in advising believers not to bring lawsuits against other believers (1 Cor. 6:1-8) is the discredit such action brings on the reputation of the church and the cause of Christ. With this understanding in mind, it is appropriate to ask when legal action is appropriate and when it is not. Since the Bible is our authoritative rule for conduct we must study Scripture to see if it permits or prohibits such action.
The Old Testament clearly indicates there should be compensation or satisfaction for injuries or losses. The Mosaic Law of retaliation (eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth, life for a life—Ex. 21:23,24), while seeming cruel or barbaric by today’s western-world standards of justice, actually worked to limit vengeance and eliminate inter-family feuds. No one could exact as penalty more than one life for a life or more than one eye for an eye. In less serious cases, money could be paid by the guilty party to compensate the loss suffered by the injured party (cf. Ex. 22:12 to 23:9). Prior to the monarchy under Saul and his successors, judgment was often administered by the elders of a town (Ruth 4:1-12). Under the monarchy, punishment for civil and criminal wrongs was left to the king and his administration (1 Kings 3:16-28).
Jesus held His disciples to a higher standard of behavior than required under Old Testament law. Instead of retaliation toward a wronging party, He directed the injured or offended person to turn the other cheek, to give up one’s cloak, and to go the second mile. Enemies were to be loved, prayed for, and forgiven (Matt. 5:38-48, 6:14,15). Such behavior overcame evil with good and had the intended effect of shaming the wrongdoer into reforming his ways (Rom. 12:17-21). This "new righteousness" forced the injured party to be more concerned with his own inner attitude and the eternal destiny of his "enemy" than with a wrong to be corrected, an injury punished, or a loss compensated. This does not mean that an offended person was left without any practical recourse for righting a wrong, but the first act was to be an attempt to achieve personal reconciliation. If reconciliation was not successful, a third-party believer might be asked to arbitrate. If that failed, the matter was to be presented before the entire church. When an offender refused to obey the judgment of the church, he was to be treated as a pagan (Matt. 18:15-20).
In 1 Corinthians 6:1-8 the apostle Paul addressed the problem of a believer who brought a lawsuit against another believer in the secular courts. Since most of the believers in Corinth were poor (1 Cor. 1:26-31), and the lawsuit dealt with one financially cheating another, it is likely that the suit involved two of the more prominently wealthy persons in the Corinthian church. It appears that the plaintiff had filed the suit rather than following the admonition of Jesus (Matt. 5:38-48) or involving the church according to Matthew 18:15-20). Unfortunately, the Corinthian church had done nothing while the Christian community was scandalized by the airing before a secular court of a struggle between two believers. Here was a church recognized for its "wisdom" (2 Cor. 11:19), but which had not had "anyone wise enough to judge a dispute" (1 Cor. 6:5). Paul chastised the plaintiff by telling him it would have been better to have suffered wrong rather than to disgrace the church (1 Cor. 6:1-7); he chastised the defendant for having cheated and done wrong (1 Cor. 6:8); and he chastised the church for not taking care of the matter (1 Cor. 6:2-6).
Paul never addresses the question of whether a lawsuit would be appropriate if the church had declared the offending party to be "a pagan and a tax collector" (Matt. 18:17). Perhaps such a lawsuit would be permitted under the teaching of Romans 13:1-5 that the secular government exists to uphold justice, prevent lawlessness, and punish the wrongdoer.
So when a believer is wronged by another believer, the offended believer must seriously consider whether or not he or she should simply drop the matter, leaving the judgment to God alone. If the believer, following prayer and careful consideration, determines the matter should be pursued, then a face-to-face meeting with the offending party should be the first step. Failing that, one should seek out a believer mediator. If that does not provide resolution, the dispute should be brought to the church (the pastor, the recognized board of elders or deacons, and if need be the membership).
Sometimes the legal conflict does not pit believer against believer, but believer versus unbeliever. What is the Christian response then? Paul himself exercised the right of defending himself under Roman law (Acts 16:37-40; 18:12-17; 22:15-29: 25:10-22). Clearly, Paul did not interpret "turning the other cheek" to include forfeiture of all legal rights pertaining to citizenship. No doubt he exercised those rights consistent with his Spirit-given understanding that the function of government is to uphold justice and punish wrongdoers (Romans 13). Punishing wrongdoers also means protecting the innocent. Thus the question for a believer is never "How do I get personal vengeance?" Instead, the proper question is "Which action on my part (filing or not filing a lawsuit) will best promote justice in society, punish the one who does wrong, protect the innocent, and bring the least possible negative reflection on the cause of Christ?
If all avenues of settling a matter between believers have been exhausted, and the offending party refuses to correct the wrong, then the injured believer must balance Matthew 5:38-48 and 6:14,15 with Romans 13:1-5. The following questions, to check personal motivation, should be asked.
Is my desire for a redress of injury motivated simply by personal gain, or am I involving the secular power of the court in order to uphold justice and prevent lawlessness?
If I bring action before a secular court, will that, in the context of American rather than Corinthian society, bring harm to the Church and the cause of Christ?
Am I totally honest with my claim (or defense), or am I seeking through self-deception to gain (or avoid) a compensation that is more (or less) than the injury suffered?
Since the Holy Spirit will never counsel a believer contrary to the Word He has inspired, after a thorough season of prayer, what course of action "seems good to the Holy Spirit"?
As an additional safeguard, what is the counsel of other believers who are in a position of leadership or eldership in the body of Christ?
CONCERNS:
In American society, another matter needs to be considered: liability and other forms of insurance. Public policy has established insurance as a means of compensating an individual for a wide variety of injuries suffered. In many cases, while a litigant may be the legal defendant in a suit, the actual payer for the injuries may be an insurance company. Suppose, for example, that a Christian is severely injured by the bad driving of another believer. A suit between the two really does not stem from personal malice, but is an effort on the part of the injured person to reclaim financial losses stemming from the accident, which will be compensated by the insured’s automobile liability policy. In such a case, the believers have not brought the church into censure before a worldly court (as was the situation in Corinth), but have simply availed themselves of a legal system which seeks, as a matter of public policy, to help victims to be made "whole" from their injuries.
In many American communities, attorneys who are believers have formed Christian conciliation or mediation groups that a wronged person may also seek out. The legal advantage to seeking mediation from such an organized group is that, upon proper stipulation by the parties, the judgment of the Christian conciliation group may be recognized by the secular course as a substitute for the court’s involvement.
The above statement is based upon our common understanding of scriptural teaching.
All Scripture quotations are from the New International Version (NIV) unless otherwise specified.
Should Christians be involved in lawsuits? Are there biblical principles that apply to Christians in these matters? Is it permissible for Christians to sue others who harm them?
Paul’s main concern in advising believers not to bring lawsuits against other believers (1 Cor. 6:1-8) is the discredit such action brings on the reputation of the church and the cause of Christ. With this understanding in mind, it is appropriate to ask when legal action is appropriate and when it is not. Since the Bible is our authoritative rule for conduct we must study Scripture to see if it permits or prohibits such action.
The Old Testament clearly indicates there should be compensation or satisfaction for injuries or losses. The Mosaic Law of retaliation (eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth, life for a life—Ex. 21:23,24), while seeming cruel or barbaric by today’s western-world standards of justice, actually worked to limit vengeance and eliminate inter-family feuds. No one could exact as penalty more than one life for a life or more than one eye for an eye. In less serious cases, money could be paid by the guilty party to compensate the loss suffered by the injured party (cf. Ex. 22:12 to 23:9). Prior to the monarchy under Saul and his successors, judgment was often administered by the elders of a town (Ruth 4:1-12). Under the monarchy, punishment for civil and criminal wrongs was left to the king and his administration (1 Kings 3:16-28).
Jesus held His disciples to a higher standard of behavior than required under Old Testament law. Instead of retaliation toward a wronging party, He directed the injured or offended person to turn the other cheek, to give up one’s cloak, and to go the second mile. Enemies were to be loved, prayed for, and forgiven (Matt. 5:38-48, 6:14,15). Such behavior overcame evil with good and had the intended effect of shaming the wrongdoer into reforming his ways (Rom. 12:17-21). This "new righteousness" forced the injured party to be more concerned with his own inner attitude and the eternal destiny of his "enemy" than with a wrong to be corrected, an injury punished, or a loss compensated. This does not mean that an offended person was left without any practical recourse for righting a wrong, but the first act was to be an attempt to achieve personal reconciliation. If reconciliation was not successful, a third-party believer might be asked to arbitrate. If that failed, the matter was to be presented before the entire church. When an offender refused to obey the judgment of the church, he was to be treated as a pagan (Matt. 18:15-20).
In 1 Corinthians 6:1-8 the apostle Paul addressed the problem of a believer who brought a lawsuit against another believer in the secular courts. Since most of the believers in Corinth were poor (1 Cor. 1:26-31), and the lawsuit dealt with one financially cheating another, it is likely that the suit involved two of the more prominently wealthy persons in the Corinthian church. It appears that the plaintiff had filed the suit rather than following the admonition of Jesus (Matt. 5:38-48) or involving the church according to Matthew 18:15-20). Unfortunately, the Corinthian church had done nothing while the Christian community was scandalized by the airing before a secular court of a struggle between two believers. Here was a church recognized for its "wisdom" (2 Cor. 11:19), but which had not had "anyone wise enough to judge a dispute" (1 Cor. 6:5). Paul chastised the plaintiff by telling him it would have been better to have suffered wrong rather than to disgrace the church (1 Cor. 6:1-7); he chastised the defendant for having cheated and done wrong (1 Cor. 6:8); and he chastised the church for not taking care of the matter (1 Cor. 6:2-6).
Paul never addresses the question of whether a lawsuit would be appropriate if the church had declared the offending party to be "a pagan and a tax collector" (Matt. 18:17). Perhaps such a lawsuit would be permitted under the teaching of Romans 13:1-5 that the secular government exists to uphold justice, prevent lawlessness, and punish the wrongdoer.
So when a believer is wronged by another believer, the offended believer must seriously consider whether or not he or she should simply drop the matter, leaving the judgment to God alone. If the believer, following prayer and careful consideration, determines the matter should be pursued, then a face-to-face meeting with the offending party should be the first step. Failing that, one should seek out a believer mediator. If that does not provide resolution, the dispute should be brought to the church (the pastor, the recognized board of elders or deacons, and if need be the membership).
Sometimes the legal conflict does not pit believer against believer, but believer versus unbeliever. What is the Christian response then? Paul himself exercised the right of defending himself under Roman law (Acts 16:37-40; 18:12-17; 22:15-29: 25:10-22). Clearly, Paul did not interpret "turning the other cheek" to include forfeiture of all legal rights pertaining to citizenship. No doubt he exercised those rights consistent with his Spirit-given understanding that the function of government is to uphold justice and punish wrongdoers (Romans 13). Punishing wrongdoers also means protecting the innocent. Thus the question for a believer is never "How do I get personal vengeance?" Instead, the proper question is "Which action on my part (filing or not filing a lawsuit) will best promote justice in society, punish the one who does wrong, protect the innocent, and bring the least possible negative reflection on the cause of Christ?
If all avenues of settling a matter between believers have been exhausted, and the offending party refuses to correct the wrong, then the injured believer must balance Matthew 5:38-48 and 6:14,15 with Romans 13:1-5. The following questions, to check personal motivation, should be asked.
Is my desire for a redress of injury motivated simply by personal gain, or am I involving the secular power of the court in order to uphold justice and prevent lawlessness?
If I bring action before a secular court, will that, in the context of American rather than Corinthian society, bring harm to the Church and the cause of Christ?
Am I totally honest with my claim (or defense), or am I seeking through self-deception to gain (or avoid) a compensation that is more (or less) than the injury suffered?
Since the Holy Spirit will never counsel a believer contrary to the Word He has inspired, after a thorough season of prayer, what course of action "seems good to the Holy Spirit"?
As an additional safeguard, what is the counsel of other believers who are in a position of leadership or eldership in the body of Christ?
CONCERNS:
In American society, another matter needs to be considered: liability and other forms of insurance. Public policy has established insurance as a means of compensating an individual for a wide variety of injuries suffered. In many cases, while a litigant may be the legal defendant in a suit, the actual payer for the injuries may be an insurance company. Suppose, for example, that a Christian is severely injured by the bad driving of another believer. A suit between the two really does not stem from personal malice, but is an effort on the part of the injured person to reclaim financial losses stemming from the accident, which will be compensated by the insured’s automobile liability policy. In such a case, the believers have not brought the church into censure before a worldly court (as was the situation in Corinth), but have simply availed themselves of a legal system which seeks, as a matter of public policy, to help victims to be made "whole" from their injuries.
In many American communities, attorneys who are believers have formed Christian conciliation or mediation groups that a wronged person may also seek out. The legal advantage to seeking mediation from such an organized group is that, upon proper stipulation by the parties, the judgment of the Christian conciliation group may be recognized by the secular course as a substitute for the court’s involvement.
The above statement is based upon our common understanding of scriptural teaching.
All Scripture quotations are from the New International Version (NIV) unless otherwise specified.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
A Call for Prayer Revival Meeting
Many times we have heard our leaders say that building CCC is not just constructing a building but we are building people.
When are we going to understand that building CCC has made us a huge target for the enemy, the attacks from the enemy has resulted in confusions, disunity and all the troubles we are now facing?
Now how do we move on?
I believe there’s only one way -> Have a weekly Prayer Revival Meeting – every Friday(or Saturday) – change the whole format of a standard prayer meeting – no more praying in group of 2 or 3, no more praying for the items shown on the screen, no more praying for the world or some church located thousands of mile from KL.
The whole format should be -> The congregation on their knees, begging God for deliverance and fulfillment of God’s desire for Calvary Church – this should take precedence that any other prayer meeting format now. Do this now – today is the Day that the Lord has made – not tomorrow or once in 3 month prayer emphasis or whatever.
Make it compulsory for the people to fast for 1 meal while praying – we should bang the doors of heaven until God answers us. There should not be any time or schedule for the prayer meeting, if led by Holy Spirit – we should continue praying as long as the Lord wants, until 12am or even longer. The church leaders should be fully committed to this by example – they should be the last person to leave. The prayer of the righteous avails much.
Let’s tears flow freely, let groaning, let screaming and let shouting and let singing and let pseaking in tongues and let worship and let jumping and let rolling and let dancing and let whatever else – as led by the Holy Spirit – freely flow…
Honestly – this Prayer Revival Meeting should be held on Saturdays not Friday, so why I suggested Friday you might ask…. Well I am as demoralized as many of you and in need of encouragement – Friday fits better on my schedule – and if the Prayer Revival Meetings are held on Saturdays then I need to make a lot of changes to my schedule and my preference of spending time with friends and family on Saturdays. But isn’t Revival the total opposite of that – that we sacrifice everything to God! Our time, our money our energy – shouldn’t we sacrifice a part of it to God?
Time spending with Friends – NO – I need to seek God and be part of the greatest awakening that CC has ever experienced…
Time with Family – NO – I need to seek God and be part of the greatest awakening that CC has ever experienced …
Time sitting in front of the TV – NO – I need to seek God and be part of the greatest awakening that CC has ever experienced …
Time resting – NO – I need to seek God and be part of the greatest awakening that CC has ever experienced …
Time for Golf – NO – I need to seek God and be part of the greatest awakening that CC has ever experienced …
Some church leader might say – coming together for prayer on Saturday night would be very tiring for the leaders, since they would be serving on the next day and some pastors preaching 2-3 times. Like I said – sacrifice – we need to see a great awakening in our church. Great awakening… and nothing less.
Do we… want to see CCC’s completion… then get on bended knees
Do we… want to see CC and the fountain head church… then get down on bended knees
Do we… want to see the glory and the name of Jesus lifted high… then get down on bended knees
Do we… want to see all the troubles gone and peace restored…then get down on bended knees
Do we… want to see enthusiasm restored… then get down on bended knees
The congregations need to see our Senior Pastor, Associate Pastors, Deacons and all leaders praying on their knees with tears rolling down freely – yes it is indeed an humbling experience – this is the only way for Revival. Yes we are aware that you do this in your closets but no more please – come out into the public and show us by example.
Are we worried about what the neighbors will think? Come on – there are people dragging us to the Web and Newspapers, some complains from the neighbor will not create a huge impact. If need be we should turn off the sound systems since if it actually we as a church praying for deliverance and conclusion.
I want CC to move on, not get more entangled by more legal proceedings or dissatisfied members. The church needs to move on to make reality the desire of God Almighty for the CC.
Let’s march until the walls of Jericho crumbles down.
Finally – I would like to dedicate this song to CC:-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-08YZF87OBQ
When are we going to understand that building CCC has made us a huge target for the enemy, the attacks from the enemy has resulted in confusions, disunity and all the troubles we are now facing?
Now how do we move on?
I believe there’s only one way -> Have a weekly Prayer Revival Meeting – every Friday(or Saturday) – change the whole format of a standard prayer meeting – no more praying in group of 2 or 3, no more praying for the items shown on the screen, no more praying for the world or some church located thousands of mile from KL.
The whole format should be -> The congregation on their knees, begging God for deliverance and fulfillment of God’s desire for Calvary Church – this should take precedence that any other prayer meeting format now. Do this now – today is the Day that the Lord has made – not tomorrow or once in 3 month prayer emphasis or whatever.
Make it compulsory for the people to fast for 1 meal while praying – we should bang the doors of heaven until God answers us. There should not be any time or schedule for the prayer meeting, if led by Holy Spirit – we should continue praying as long as the Lord wants, until 12am or even longer. The church leaders should be fully committed to this by example – they should be the last person to leave. The prayer of the righteous avails much.
Let’s tears flow freely, let groaning, let screaming and let shouting and let singing and let pseaking in tongues and let worship and let jumping and let rolling and let dancing and let whatever else – as led by the Holy Spirit – freely flow…
Honestly – this Prayer Revival Meeting should be held on Saturdays not Friday, so why I suggested Friday you might ask…. Well I am as demoralized as many of you and in need of encouragement – Friday fits better on my schedule – and if the Prayer Revival Meetings are held on Saturdays then I need to make a lot of changes to my schedule and my preference of spending time with friends and family on Saturdays. But isn’t Revival the total opposite of that – that we sacrifice everything to God! Our time, our money our energy – shouldn’t we sacrifice a part of it to God?
Time spending with Friends – NO – I need to seek God and be part of the greatest awakening that CC has ever experienced…
Time with Family – NO – I need to seek God and be part of the greatest awakening that CC has ever experienced …
Time sitting in front of the TV – NO – I need to seek God and be part of the greatest awakening that CC has ever experienced …
Time resting – NO – I need to seek God and be part of the greatest awakening that CC has ever experienced …
Time for Golf – NO – I need to seek God and be part of the greatest awakening that CC has ever experienced …
Some church leader might say – coming together for prayer on Saturday night would be very tiring for the leaders, since they would be serving on the next day and some pastors preaching 2-3 times. Like I said – sacrifice – we need to see a great awakening in our church. Great awakening… and nothing less.
Do we… want to see CCC’s completion… then get on bended knees
Do we… want to see CC and the fountain head church… then get down on bended knees
Do we… want to see the glory and the name of Jesus lifted high… then get down on bended knees
Do we… want to see all the troubles gone and peace restored…then get down on bended knees
Do we… want to see enthusiasm restored… then get down on bended knees
The congregations need to see our Senior Pastor, Associate Pastors, Deacons and all leaders praying on their knees with tears rolling down freely – yes it is indeed an humbling experience – this is the only way for Revival. Yes we are aware that you do this in your closets but no more please – come out into the public and show us by example.
Are we worried about what the neighbors will think? Come on – there are people dragging us to the Web and Newspapers, some complains from the neighbor will not create a huge impact. If need be we should turn off the sound systems since if it actually we as a church praying for deliverance and conclusion.
I want CC to move on, not get more entangled by more legal proceedings or dissatisfied members. The church needs to move on to make reality the desire of God Almighty for the CC.
Let’s march until the walls of Jericho crumbles down.
Finally – I would like to dedicate this song to CC:-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-08YZF87OBQ
Monday, May 3, 2010
May a Christian sue another Christian? Does the Bible permit Christians to file a lawsuit at all?
This article has been reproduced from -> http://www.christian-attorney.net/christians_lawsuits.html. Please note this article is not in reference to any proceedings or legal undertakings of any specific orgnaization profitable or non-profitable.
May a Christian sue (file a lawsuit against) another Christian?
Does the Bible permit Christians to sue at all?
My prayer is that God will guide you and grant you a proper and practical knowledge, understanding, and wise application of the principles contained in First Corinthians Chapter 6 and related scriptures.
A. Summary:
1. Christian Versus Christian Civil Dispute: According to 1 Corinthians 6:1-8, a Christian is not to civilly file a lawsuit against another Christian in a secular court of law. Rather, the disputed matter should be arbitrated or judged by a wise Christian or Christians. However, in our modern societal system, there are exceptional situations that may not fall squarely within this principle. Such special circumstances will be discussed later in this article. Lastly, if a fellow Christian will not submit to a Christian-based resolution system, then a number of commentators believe that, pursuant to Matthew 18:17, as a last resort, a lawsuit in the secular law courts may be permitted.
Sometimes, the issue is not black and white. In those “gray area” cases, ask God and yourself these questions:
“Is a lawsuit in secular court my only reasonable option, or is there another way to remedy my situation?”
"Do I have an improper motive in filing a lawsuit such as revenge, anger, hurt feelings, stubbornness, impatience, or greed?"
“Is the church equipped to resolve this legal dispute with my brother?”
“Are there Christian lawyers, retired Christian judges, or other professionally trained Christian mediators available to negotiate and/or adjudicate this legal dispute with my fellow Christian?”
2. Christian Versus Non-Christian Dispute: Secular Courts are ordained by God (Romans 13:1-7). Therefore, there is no prohibition against a Christian suing a non-Christian in a secular court.
B. Christian versus Christian Disputes
1. Historical Backdrop: Corinthian Christians in Paul’s time sued their fellow Christians in secular court. But, back in those days, not even the Jews used the secular courts. Rather, in those times, the Jews utilized Jewish arbitrators. Further, in Greek culture, watching civil disputes in the public courts was very popular entertainment. Therefore, legal disputes were very public events.
2. Paul's Response: “How Dare you!” (1 Corinthians 6:1-10 ): “How dare you sue a Christian brother in secular court!” (1 Corinthians 6:1-paraphrased). How dare you utilize “unrighteous” Corinthian judges to resolve inter-Christian disputes! (1 Corinthians 6:1). But Paul's point appears to be that the "Corinthian" judges, as a whole, or in general, were either unbelieving or corrupt or both. (Further, many of the judges/arbitrators were 60 year-old or older lay persons performing required civic duty, as I understand it).
“Law” (Verse 1): “[P]apyri discoveries in the last century reveal that Paul's word was used regularly in a legal context to mean a lawsuit.”
Christians will (with Christ) judge the world and angels. Therefore, believers can competently judge lesser (earthly) matters between two believers (1 Corinthians 6:2-4).
For Christians, spiritual and legal issues commingle and intertwine. Secular, government judges are either unqualified or not permitted to resolve the spiritual issues that may be involved in the dispute (1 Corinthians 2:14-16, 6:4). But wise Christians can discern and judge both the legal and spiritual issues (1 Corinthians 6:5).
Judging an openly “Christian versus Christian” legal dispute in secular court creates a bad witness (This conclusion is indirectly inferred in 1 Corinthians 6:6-7). Pagans will see Christians behaving just like they do and NOT demonstrating God’s love, which hurts the cause of Christ (John 13:5). It would be better to be defrauded by a Christian (and suffer financial loss) than to take them to secular Court because the cause of Christ is more important than money or possessions (See 1 Corinthians 6:7-8). This last point will be elaborated on later in this article.
3. Specific Situations: Many of the situations below may be considered “gray area” matters. Therefore, before deciding a course of action, you need to ask God for wisdom and understanding (Proverbs 2:6, James 1:5). You are also admonished to seek counsel from wise Christians (Psalm 1:1, Proverbs 11:14, 12:15, and 15:22). Lastly, before making a final decision, you ought to have God’s peace in your heart about which decision to make (Colossians 3:15).
a. Criminal Matters: The context of 1 Corinthians 6 is civil legal disputes, not criminal prosecution. With few exceptions, the Government prosecutes crimes. Therefore, a Christian may look to a secular court to prosecute anyone (including Christians) who committed a crime against them (Romans 13:1-7, 1 Peter 1:13-14).
b. Christians Acting on Behalf of Others: When Christians undertake certain legally defined positions, they may, in certain circumstances, have a legal duty to pursue secular legal action (which could potentially involve other believers). Examples: Christian legal guardians; Christian executor of a will; Christian trustees; and Christian parents. These representative examples involve fiduciaries acting on behalf of the beneficiary, child or person of whom they are in charge.
c. Christians Covered by Insurance: In many cases, the person who caused your harm or damage is covered by insurance. Example: Automobile accident cases. What if that insured person is a Christian? In some states, you can sue the Christian’s secular insurance company directly. Therefore you don’t have to directly sue the Christian who harmed you. In other states, you must sue the individual even though the insurance company (surety) is paying for the damages and controlling the case. Obviously, a secular insurance company will rarely, if ever, agree to a Christian dispute resolution process.
For example, if you were seriously injured, out of work, and unable to provide for your family, what do you do if the negligent driver who caused your damages is a Christian? Remember, you have an obligation to provide for your family (1 Timothy 5:8). Therefore, in that situation, seeking fair compensation via an out-of-court settlement through a believer’s insurance company would appear reasonable. Moreover, if the insurance company is unreasonable or disputes liability, you may have to file a lawsuit (or go to trial) in order to obtain compensation for your losses. The Christian versus Christian issue is, I believe, incidental in this matter in nearly all of these types of cases.
What if your injuries were temporary and your own health insurance paid for your bills, but the automobile insurance company won’t pay you as much “pain and suffering” damages as you think is fair? There are sections later in this article that may help you make a wise decision.
In general, I believe that a Christian may seek compensation for injuries from another Christian’s insurance company if the claim is pursued without malice or slander or greed. The following advice may be helpful to you: “Do not initiate anything without first saturating the matter with prayer.” God loves you and wants to guide you in the best path.
d. Christian Filing Bankruptcy: A Christian family of four earns $2,000 per month and has $50,000 in credit card debt, and owes $1,000.00 to their Christian auto mechanic. The Christian files bankruptcy and lists their automobile mechanic as a debtor as required by law. Does this violate principals outlined 1 Corinthians 6? I don’t believe so in most cases. This is a situation where the Christian mechanic is (in nearly all cases) incidental to the matter (other than being owed money). See also "Is Bankruptcy Scriptural? What does the Bible Say?" And "May a Christian File for Bankruptcy Relief?"
e. Christian Evicting a Christian From a Residence or Business Property: A Christian versus Christian landlord-tenant dispute, it seems, can be resolved via Christian mediation or arbitration in most cases. However, in some cases, going to the magistrate may be proper if the Christian tenant refuses to vacate, refuses to pay rent, and refuses to immediately seek a Christian mediator and/or arbitrator to quickly resolve the dispute.
f. Christian Versus Christian Divorce: This article does not address what Biblical grounds for divorce are. Here are, however, some scripture references pertaining to divorce: Matthew 19:1-12; Mark 10:2-12; 1 Corinthians 7:10-16.
A divorce proceeding is a civil matter. However, to obtain a “legal” divorce, some level of government court involvement will be required. The government regulates and grants divorces. Accordingly, divorce falls within Romans 13:1-7, and secular courts may be utilized.
Nevertheless, spiritual and legal issues combine and intertwine in divorce cases. Therefore, as between two Christians, a wise, neutral Christian, ought to be utilized, if possible, to assist in the resolution of the matter.
A number of Christian attorneys in or near your geographical area may offer divorce mediation as a cost-effective option. Alternatively, your church may have a dispute resolution process.
If more than one church is involved, you can have one pastor from each church be involved, and the two pastors can choose a neutral third person to produce a three person panel. Alternatively, you can hire a professional Christian mediator or arbitrator who can negotiate or adjudicate the matter alone or include members of your church or churches in the process. However, there are too many factual variables in a divorce to make one rule to fit all situations. In certain situations, it may be necessary or prudent to pursue the matter through traditional secular court.
g. A Christian refuses to have another Christian evaluate and decide the issue of dispute. What is a Christian refuses to follow 1 Corinthians 6? There are two primary points of view on this subject.
One view believes that if a Christian does not agree to resolve a matter within the Church, then the other Christian is free to sue him or her in civil court in order to seek to achieve justice. The other view is that the Christian should, out of mercy, just accept the wrong done to him or her rather than interjecting a Christian versus Christian dispute into the public area and thereby harming the cause of Christ.
In this matter, pray for wisdom and seek confidential counsel from wise Christians.
h. Wolf in Sheep's Clothing: "What if a person is not truly a Christian?" This is another difficult issue. Some believe that one can sue in secular court if one is convinced the person is not really a Christian even though they profess or claim to be a "Christian. " Others declare that it is dangerous to judge a person as not being a Christian, and that one should play it safe and not sue the alleged wrongdoer.
This may be a factual issue needing to be resolved on a case-by-case basis. However, one should first seek to persuade the wrongdoer to agree to submit to either Christian mediation and/or Christian arbitration per 1 Cor. 6:1-8. If he or she is a member of your particular church, your church may have a dispute resolution system that can be utilized. Pray for wisdom and seek godly advice..
i. "What if I am sued by another Christian in a secular court?" If you are sued by another Christian, you could possibly contact them (or, if they are represented by an attorney, then contact their attorney), and request that, pursuant to 1 Corinthians 6:1-8, this lawsuit be put on hold, or referred by the court to a Christian mediator and/or Christian arbitrator agreed upon by the parties. In any event, in my opinion, you may defend yourself in a secular court in this situation.
If your adversary has a valid case against you, agree to a settlement quickly to avoid further costs, damages and/or attorney’s fees (Matthew 5:25). A speedy settlement will also diminish harm to the cause of Christ by taking the matter out of the public eye.
4. The above examples are illustrative and are not exhaustive. There may be other gray areas as well (e.g. foreclosure, quiet title, and others) while other disputes may fall squarely within 1 Corinthians 6 parameters. Nevertheless, in many or, if not most of these cases, the church or a private Christian mediator or arbitrator (or combination of both) should be able to negotiate and/or judge the matter.
5. Biblical Resolution Method: Matthew 18:15-17 states that a Christian, who is wronged by another Christian, should follow the following four step approach:
Step 1: Address the issue privately, alone with the other believer who you believe wronged you. It that does not resolve the dispute, then proceed to the second step:
Step 2: Repeat Step 1, except, this time, bringing one or two Christian persons to with you seek to help convince the other person of his erroneous ways. If this second step does not solve the problem, then proceed to the third step.
Step 3: Bring the matter before the church. This is where a Christian dispute resolution process comes into play or use of private Christian mediation and/or arbitration. As to this third step (bringing the matter before the church), you normally want to agree with the other party, in a signed writing, that any final decision by the Christian decision-maker(s) is legally binding on the parties. To create a legally enforceable binding agreement, you ought to seek legal counsel to help assure that a valid binding agreement is created. If, after a final decision about the matter is made, the wrongdoer refuses to repent and admit his or her wrongdoing or responsibility, then proceed to the fourth step.
Step 4: Expel the wrongdoer from the fellowship of the church (which modernly, perhaps, means the local fellowship or denomination, as the case may be). (See 1 Corinthians 5:5).
Matthew 18:17 states that "...if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.” A number of commentators take the position that this verse implies or infers that, because all avenues have been exhausted, a believer can now, as a last resort, treat the person like an unbeliever and file a lawsuit against the alleged wrongdoing person in a secular court or law.
If you have a dispute that involves substantial money or property, you should, I believe, in most cases, seek advice from a knowledgeable attorney before implementing these steps above. Seeking legal counsel will build your knowledge base and, in most cases, help you make decisions with greater clarity. Also consider seeking counsel from a Pastor who can further add clarity to the matter.
C. Christian versus Non-Christian Disputes
1. The courts are instituted by God. The government court system is established by God to maintain law, order, and peace in the land (Romans 13:1-7). Christians may, in certain instances, use the secular court system. Even Apostle Paul cited Roman law and utilized secular courts protect his legal rights (Acts 16:37-38, 22:25-29, and 25:10-12).
2. Christians may use secular courts to resolve their legal disputes with unbelievers. 1 Corinthians 6 only applies to Christian versus Christian disputes, but does not apply Christian versus non-Christian disputes.
D. Final Words
God's glory is great gain. Christians still defraud other Christians today. Let assume, for sake of discussion, that a person can’t obtain dispute resolution within the church or by private Christian arbitration. And, after prayer and careful consideration, this person decides to suffer the material or financial loss rather than cause shame to the cause of Christ by suing publicly in a secular, worldly court. Remember this: “Anyone who accepts wrong for the sake of God's glory will not come out the loser.” Recall that Jesus suffered wrongly for us, to the glory of God (1 Peter 3:18, Philippians 2:5-11). “It is far better to lose financially than to lose spiritually.” It is “[b]etter to suffer wrong than to do wrong.” 1 Peter 2:18-25. On the other hand, pursuant to Matthew 18:17, some commentators believe that a Christian may, as a last resort, file a lawsuit in a secular court or law against another Christian who refuses to submit to a Christian-based resolution process.
Wise Christians are available to arbitrate disputes. Today, a believer is, in most cases, without excuse, in failing to find a wise Christian to settle or judge a legal dispute! Today, many Christian conciliation groups exist. Many Christian lawyers and retired judges are willing to provide their services. Many churches have a Christian dispute resolution infrastructure.
"What about justice?" But what if the cheater was not really a Christian, and he or she got away with wronging?
That person will ultimately receive justice. In First Corinthians 6:9-10, Paul turns to the wrongdoer who thinks he got away with his actions. Paul rebukes this person harshly. Some of these Corinthians were preying (not praying) crooks. Paul has a word for them: Practicing "thieves don’t go to heaven!” Those who have not a saving faith in Jesus, and, who, therefore, repent not and have a thieving, dishonest and/or immoral lifestyle will never enter the Kingdom of heaven!
"What about turning the other check?" Matthew 5:39 (“whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also”). Jesus' command to turn the other cheek is radical, but it is not absolute. Turn the other cheek means to allow yourself to be insulted without retaliation. Don’t retaliate or take revenge when you are insulted. However, the government may restrain evil by prosecuting a person who commits a physical assault on another person (Romans 13:4). Further, self-preservation, self-defense from physical harm is, obviously, acceptable.
"What about legal nonresistance?" Matthew 5:40: “And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat [undergarment], let him have thy cloke [outer garment] also.”
If we take these words too literally, Christians would have to institute nudist colonies and other intolerable results. Matthew 5:38-42 is a paragraph and must be taken in context and compared with other scriptures to assure proper, balanced interpretation. A famous and highly respected Bible commentator offers this practical advice:
“If the matter be small, which we may lose without an considerable damage to our families, it is good to submit to it [legal nonresistance] for peace’ sake.” Matthew Henry
Verse 40 must be taken in context with the entire paragraph (Matthew 5:38-42) which corrects how the Pharisees incorrectly taught that "an eye for an eye" allowed personal revenge, when, in the Old Testament, and “eye for an eye” spoke of equitable justice meted out by a governmental body.
The Apostle Paul stood up for his legal rights. But he did not seek revenge or retaliation. Paul and Silas were wrongfully beaten, imprisoned, and chained. Paul defended himself using Roman law (Acts 16:37).
Right Actions With Wrong Motivations: Your motive for taking legal action is crucial. Your motive is wrongful and will cause harm to all if legal action involves greed, revenge, anger, or other ungodly motives.
Christians and Christian Arbitrators may use non-Christian experts. Christians are aptly qualified to evaluate and resolve issues and disputes involving Christian disputants. However, there are times when specialized legal, technical, medical, or scientific knowledge necessary to help resolve the dispute may not be available from a Christian professional or expert. In those cases, it may be necessary to bring in a non-Christian with advanced or specialized medical, legal, scientific or technical knowledge to help the Christian decision-makers make a fair and just decision.
E. Conclusion
Know this, that lawsuits can take on a life of their own. Parties often dig in, fix their legal positions, and cases can become very contentious, stressful, and expensive to pursue. “Believers have the necessary resources to skillfully arbitrate the various issues and problems that pertain to life.” Going to court, while necessary in some instances, should, in general, be a rarity, and a last resort.
“We should seek godly, wise, Spirit-filled and directed counsel within the church to resolve our differences.”
"Church" includes any born-again believer, even the "least esteemed" believers (1 Cor. 6:4).
Notes:
Some groups (a minority in number) believe that a literal reading of this passage in the original Greek language does not refer to secular court lawsuits at all but refers instead to the improper use of unfit persons within the Corinthian church to render judgments.
An even smaller group of people believe that civil lawsuits are not “smallest matters,” and, therefore, 1 Corinthians 6 does not apply to lawsuits
A very small set of people believe that “brothers” refers to family relatives, not Christian brothers.
Copyright 2006, 2009. All rights reserved.
About the author: Matthew B. Tozer is a Christian attorney located in southern California.
1 Corinthians 6:1-11
King James Bible:
1Cr 6:1 Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints? 2 Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? 3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life? 4 If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church. 5 I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren? 6 But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers. 7 Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather [suffer yourselves to] be defrauded? 8 Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that [your] brethren. 9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
New King James Bible:
“1 Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints? 2 Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? 3 Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life? 4 If then you have judgments concerning things pertaining to this life, do you appoint those who are least esteemed by the church to judge? 5 I say this to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you, not even one, who will be able to judge between his brethren? 6 But brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers! 7 Now therefore, it is already an utter failure for you that you go to law against one another. Why do you not rather accept wrong? Why do you not rather let yourselves be cheated? 8 No, you yourselves do wrong and cheat, and you do these things to your brethren! 9 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 *homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.”
Romans 13:1-7
King James Bible:
Rom 13:1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4 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. 5 Wherefore [ye] must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. 7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute [is due]; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour
New King James Bible:
13:1 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. 4 For he is God's minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God's minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. 5 Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience' sake. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God's ministers attending continually to this very thing. 7 Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.
Matthew 18:15-17
King James Bible:
Mat 18:15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. 16 But if he will not hear [thee, then] take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. 17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell [it] unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.
New King James Bible:
15 "Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that 'by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.'* 17 And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.”
Matthew 5:38:42
King James Bible:
Mat 5:38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: 39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have [thy] cloke also. 41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. 42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
New King James Bible:
38 "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.'* 39 But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. 40 If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. 41 And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. 42 Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.
May a Christian sue (file a lawsuit against) another Christian?
Does the Bible permit Christians to sue at all?
My prayer is that God will guide you and grant you a proper and practical knowledge, understanding, and wise application of the principles contained in First Corinthians Chapter 6 and related scriptures.
A. Summary:
1. Christian Versus Christian Civil Dispute: According to 1 Corinthians 6:1-8, a Christian is not to civilly file a lawsuit against another Christian in a secular court of law. Rather, the disputed matter should be arbitrated or judged by a wise Christian or Christians. However, in our modern societal system, there are exceptional situations that may not fall squarely within this principle. Such special circumstances will be discussed later in this article. Lastly, if a fellow Christian will not submit to a Christian-based resolution system, then a number of commentators believe that, pursuant to Matthew 18:17, as a last resort, a lawsuit in the secular law courts may be permitted.
Sometimes, the issue is not black and white. In those “gray area” cases, ask God and yourself these questions:
“Is a lawsuit in secular court my only reasonable option, or is there another way to remedy my situation?”
"Do I have an improper motive in filing a lawsuit such as revenge, anger, hurt feelings, stubbornness, impatience, or greed?"
“Is the church equipped to resolve this legal dispute with my brother?”
“Are there Christian lawyers, retired Christian judges, or other professionally trained Christian mediators available to negotiate and/or adjudicate this legal dispute with my fellow Christian?”
2. Christian Versus Non-Christian Dispute: Secular Courts are ordained by God (Romans 13:1-7). Therefore, there is no prohibition against a Christian suing a non-Christian in a secular court.
B. Christian versus Christian Disputes
1. Historical Backdrop: Corinthian Christians in Paul’s time sued their fellow Christians in secular court. But, back in those days, not even the Jews used the secular courts. Rather, in those times, the Jews utilized Jewish arbitrators. Further, in Greek culture, watching civil disputes in the public courts was very popular entertainment. Therefore, legal disputes were very public events.
2. Paul's Response: “How Dare you!” (1 Corinthians 6:1-10 ): “How dare you sue a Christian brother in secular court!” (1 Corinthians 6:1-paraphrased). How dare you utilize “unrighteous” Corinthian judges to resolve inter-Christian disputes! (1 Corinthians 6:1). But Paul's point appears to be that the "Corinthian" judges, as a whole, or in general, were either unbelieving or corrupt or both. (Further, many of the judges/arbitrators were 60 year-old or older lay persons performing required civic duty, as I understand it).
“Law” (Verse 1): “[P]apyri discoveries in the last century reveal that Paul's word was used regularly in a legal context to mean a lawsuit.”
Christians will (with Christ) judge the world and angels. Therefore, believers can competently judge lesser (earthly) matters between two believers (1 Corinthians 6:2-4).
For Christians, spiritual and legal issues commingle and intertwine. Secular, government judges are either unqualified or not permitted to resolve the spiritual issues that may be involved in the dispute (1 Corinthians 2:14-16, 6:4). But wise Christians can discern and judge both the legal and spiritual issues (1 Corinthians 6:5).
Judging an openly “Christian versus Christian” legal dispute in secular court creates a bad witness (This conclusion is indirectly inferred in 1 Corinthians 6:6-7). Pagans will see Christians behaving just like they do and NOT demonstrating God’s love, which hurts the cause of Christ (John 13:5). It would be better to be defrauded by a Christian (and suffer financial loss) than to take them to secular Court because the cause of Christ is more important than money or possessions (See 1 Corinthians 6:7-8). This last point will be elaborated on later in this article.
3. Specific Situations: Many of the situations below may be considered “gray area” matters. Therefore, before deciding a course of action, you need to ask God for wisdom and understanding (Proverbs 2:6, James 1:5). You are also admonished to seek counsel from wise Christians (Psalm 1:1, Proverbs 11:14, 12:15, and 15:22). Lastly, before making a final decision, you ought to have God’s peace in your heart about which decision to make (Colossians 3:15).
a. Criminal Matters: The context of 1 Corinthians 6 is civil legal disputes, not criminal prosecution. With few exceptions, the Government prosecutes crimes. Therefore, a Christian may look to a secular court to prosecute anyone (including Christians) who committed a crime against them (Romans 13:1-7, 1 Peter 1:13-14).
b. Christians Acting on Behalf of Others: When Christians undertake certain legally defined positions, they may, in certain circumstances, have a legal duty to pursue secular legal action (which could potentially involve other believers). Examples: Christian legal guardians; Christian executor of a will; Christian trustees; and Christian parents. These representative examples involve fiduciaries acting on behalf of the beneficiary, child or person of whom they are in charge.
c. Christians Covered by Insurance: In many cases, the person who caused your harm or damage is covered by insurance. Example: Automobile accident cases. What if that insured person is a Christian? In some states, you can sue the Christian’s secular insurance company directly. Therefore you don’t have to directly sue the Christian who harmed you. In other states, you must sue the individual even though the insurance company (surety) is paying for the damages and controlling the case. Obviously, a secular insurance company will rarely, if ever, agree to a Christian dispute resolution process.
For example, if you were seriously injured, out of work, and unable to provide for your family, what do you do if the negligent driver who caused your damages is a Christian? Remember, you have an obligation to provide for your family (1 Timothy 5:8). Therefore, in that situation, seeking fair compensation via an out-of-court settlement through a believer’s insurance company would appear reasonable. Moreover, if the insurance company is unreasonable or disputes liability, you may have to file a lawsuit (or go to trial) in order to obtain compensation for your losses. The Christian versus Christian issue is, I believe, incidental in this matter in nearly all of these types of cases.
What if your injuries were temporary and your own health insurance paid for your bills, but the automobile insurance company won’t pay you as much “pain and suffering” damages as you think is fair? There are sections later in this article that may help you make a wise decision.
In general, I believe that a Christian may seek compensation for injuries from another Christian’s insurance company if the claim is pursued without malice or slander or greed. The following advice may be helpful to you: “Do not initiate anything without first saturating the matter with prayer.” God loves you and wants to guide you in the best path.
d. Christian Filing Bankruptcy: A Christian family of four earns $2,000 per month and has $50,000 in credit card debt, and owes $1,000.00 to their Christian auto mechanic. The Christian files bankruptcy and lists their automobile mechanic as a debtor as required by law. Does this violate principals outlined 1 Corinthians 6? I don’t believe so in most cases. This is a situation where the Christian mechanic is (in nearly all cases) incidental to the matter (other than being owed money). See also "Is Bankruptcy Scriptural? What does the Bible Say?" And "May a Christian File for Bankruptcy Relief?"
e. Christian Evicting a Christian From a Residence or Business Property: A Christian versus Christian landlord-tenant dispute, it seems, can be resolved via Christian mediation or arbitration in most cases. However, in some cases, going to the magistrate may be proper if the Christian tenant refuses to vacate, refuses to pay rent, and refuses to immediately seek a Christian mediator and/or arbitrator to quickly resolve the dispute.
f. Christian Versus Christian Divorce: This article does not address what Biblical grounds for divorce are. Here are, however, some scripture references pertaining to divorce: Matthew 19:1-12; Mark 10:2-12; 1 Corinthians 7:10-16.
A divorce proceeding is a civil matter. However, to obtain a “legal” divorce, some level of government court involvement will be required. The government regulates and grants divorces. Accordingly, divorce falls within Romans 13:1-7, and secular courts may be utilized.
Nevertheless, spiritual and legal issues combine and intertwine in divorce cases. Therefore, as between two Christians, a wise, neutral Christian, ought to be utilized, if possible, to assist in the resolution of the matter.
A number of Christian attorneys in or near your geographical area may offer divorce mediation as a cost-effective option. Alternatively, your church may have a dispute resolution process.
If more than one church is involved, you can have one pastor from each church be involved, and the two pastors can choose a neutral third person to produce a three person panel. Alternatively, you can hire a professional Christian mediator or arbitrator who can negotiate or adjudicate the matter alone or include members of your church or churches in the process. However, there are too many factual variables in a divorce to make one rule to fit all situations. In certain situations, it may be necessary or prudent to pursue the matter through traditional secular court.
g. A Christian refuses to have another Christian evaluate and decide the issue of dispute. What is a Christian refuses to follow 1 Corinthians 6? There are two primary points of view on this subject.
One view believes that if a Christian does not agree to resolve a matter within the Church, then the other Christian is free to sue him or her in civil court in order to seek to achieve justice. The other view is that the Christian should, out of mercy, just accept the wrong done to him or her rather than interjecting a Christian versus Christian dispute into the public area and thereby harming the cause of Christ.
In this matter, pray for wisdom and seek confidential counsel from wise Christians.
h. Wolf in Sheep's Clothing: "What if a person is not truly a Christian?" This is another difficult issue. Some believe that one can sue in secular court if one is convinced the person is not really a Christian even though they profess or claim to be a "Christian. " Others declare that it is dangerous to judge a person as not being a Christian, and that one should play it safe and not sue the alleged wrongdoer.
This may be a factual issue needing to be resolved on a case-by-case basis. However, one should first seek to persuade the wrongdoer to agree to submit to either Christian mediation and/or Christian arbitration per 1 Cor. 6:1-8. If he or she is a member of your particular church, your church may have a dispute resolution system that can be utilized. Pray for wisdom and seek godly advice..
i. "What if I am sued by another Christian in a secular court?" If you are sued by another Christian, you could possibly contact them (or, if they are represented by an attorney, then contact their attorney), and request that, pursuant to 1 Corinthians 6:1-8, this lawsuit be put on hold, or referred by the court to a Christian mediator and/or Christian arbitrator agreed upon by the parties. In any event, in my opinion, you may defend yourself in a secular court in this situation.
If your adversary has a valid case against you, agree to a settlement quickly to avoid further costs, damages and/or attorney’s fees (Matthew 5:25). A speedy settlement will also diminish harm to the cause of Christ by taking the matter out of the public eye.
4. The above examples are illustrative and are not exhaustive. There may be other gray areas as well (e.g. foreclosure, quiet title, and others) while other disputes may fall squarely within 1 Corinthians 6 parameters. Nevertheless, in many or, if not most of these cases, the church or a private Christian mediator or arbitrator (or combination of both) should be able to negotiate and/or judge the matter.
5. Biblical Resolution Method: Matthew 18:15-17 states that a Christian, who is wronged by another Christian, should follow the following four step approach:
Step 1: Address the issue privately, alone with the other believer who you believe wronged you. It that does not resolve the dispute, then proceed to the second step:
Step 2: Repeat Step 1, except, this time, bringing one or two Christian persons to with you seek to help convince the other person of his erroneous ways. If this second step does not solve the problem, then proceed to the third step.
Step 3: Bring the matter before the church. This is where a Christian dispute resolution process comes into play or use of private Christian mediation and/or arbitration. As to this third step (bringing the matter before the church), you normally want to agree with the other party, in a signed writing, that any final decision by the Christian decision-maker(s) is legally binding on the parties. To create a legally enforceable binding agreement, you ought to seek legal counsel to help assure that a valid binding agreement is created. If, after a final decision about the matter is made, the wrongdoer refuses to repent and admit his or her wrongdoing or responsibility, then proceed to the fourth step.
Step 4: Expel the wrongdoer from the fellowship of the church (which modernly, perhaps, means the local fellowship or denomination, as the case may be). (See 1 Corinthians 5:5).
Matthew 18:17 states that "...if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.” A number of commentators take the position that this verse implies or infers that, because all avenues have been exhausted, a believer can now, as a last resort, treat the person like an unbeliever and file a lawsuit against the alleged wrongdoing person in a secular court or law.
If you have a dispute that involves substantial money or property, you should, I believe, in most cases, seek advice from a knowledgeable attorney before implementing these steps above. Seeking legal counsel will build your knowledge base and, in most cases, help you make decisions with greater clarity. Also consider seeking counsel from a Pastor who can further add clarity to the matter.
C. Christian versus Non-Christian Disputes
1. The courts are instituted by God. The government court system is established by God to maintain law, order, and peace in the land (Romans 13:1-7). Christians may, in certain instances, use the secular court system. Even Apostle Paul cited Roman law and utilized secular courts protect his legal rights (Acts 16:37-38, 22:25-29, and 25:10-12).
2. Christians may use secular courts to resolve their legal disputes with unbelievers. 1 Corinthians 6 only applies to Christian versus Christian disputes, but does not apply Christian versus non-Christian disputes.
D. Final Words
God's glory is great gain. Christians still defraud other Christians today. Let assume, for sake of discussion, that a person can’t obtain dispute resolution within the church or by private Christian arbitration. And, after prayer and careful consideration, this person decides to suffer the material or financial loss rather than cause shame to the cause of Christ by suing publicly in a secular, worldly court. Remember this: “Anyone who accepts wrong for the sake of God's glory will not come out the loser.” Recall that Jesus suffered wrongly for us, to the glory of God (1 Peter 3:18, Philippians 2:5-11). “It is far better to lose financially than to lose spiritually.” It is “[b]etter to suffer wrong than to do wrong.” 1 Peter 2:18-25. On the other hand, pursuant to Matthew 18:17, some commentators believe that a Christian may, as a last resort, file a lawsuit in a secular court or law against another Christian who refuses to submit to a Christian-based resolution process.
Wise Christians are available to arbitrate disputes. Today, a believer is, in most cases, without excuse, in failing to find a wise Christian to settle or judge a legal dispute! Today, many Christian conciliation groups exist. Many Christian lawyers and retired judges are willing to provide their services. Many churches have a Christian dispute resolution infrastructure.
"What about justice?" But what if the cheater was not really a Christian, and he or she got away with wronging?
That person will ultimately receive justice. In First Corinthians 6:9-10, Paul turns to the wrongdoer who thinks he got away with his actions. Paul rebukes this person harshly. Some of these Corinthians were preying (not praying) crooks. Paul has a word for them: Practicing "thieves don’t go to heaven!” Those who have not a saving faith in Jesus, and, who, therefore, repent not and have a thieving, dishonest and/or immoral lifestyle will never enter the Kingdom of heaven!
"What about turning the other check?" Matthew 5:39 (“whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also”). Jesus' command to turn the other cheek is radical, but it is not absolute. Turn the other cheek means to allow yourself to be insulted without retaliation. Don’t retaliate or take revenge when you are insulted. However, the government may restrain evil by prosecuting a person who commits a physical assault on another person (Romans 13:4). Further, self-preservation, self-defense from physical harm is, obviously, acceptable.
"What about legal nonresistance?" Matthew 5:40: “And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat [undergarment], let him have thy cloke [outer garment] also.”
If we take these words too literally, Christians would have to institute nudist colonies and other intolerable results. Matthew 5:38-42 is a paragraph and must be taken in context and compared with other scriptures to assure proper, balanced interpretation. A famous and highly respected Bible commentator offers this practical advice:
“If the matter be small, which we may lose without an considerable damage to our families, it is good to submit to it [legal nonresistance] for peace’ sake.” Matthew Henry
Verse 40 must be taken in context with the entire paragraph (Matthew 5:38-42) which corrects how the Pharisees incorrectly taught that "an eye for an eye" allowed personal revenge, when, in the Old Testament, and “eye for an eye” spoke of equitable justice meted out by a governmental body.
The Apostle Paul stood up for his legal rights. But he did not seek revenge or retaliation. Paul and Silas were wrongfully beaten, imprisoned, and chained. Paul defended himself using Roman law (Acts 16:37).
Right Actions With Wrong Motivations: Your motive for taking legal action is crucial. Your motive is wrongful and will cause harm to all if legal action involves greed, revenge, anger, or other ungodly motives.
Christians and Christian Arbitrators may use non-Christian experts. Christians are aptly qualified to evaluate and resolve issues and disputes involving Christian disputants. However, there are times when specialized legal, technical, medical, or scientific knowledge necessary to help resolve the dispute may not be available from a Christian professional or expert. In those cases, it may be necessary to bring in a non-Christian with advanced or specialized medical, legal, scientific or technical knowledge to help the Christian decision-makers make a fair and just decision.
E. Conclusion
Know this, that lawsuits can take on a life of their own. Parties often dig in, fix their legal positions, and cases can become very contentious, stressful, and expensive to pursue. “Believers have the necessary resources to skillfully arbitrate the various issues and problems that pertain to life.” Going to court, while necessary in some instances, should, in general, be a rarity, and a last resort.
“We should seek godly, wise, Spirit-filled and directed counsel within the church to resolve our differences.”
"Church" includes any born-again believer, even the "least esteemed" believers (1 Cor. 6:4).
Notes:
Some groups (a minority in number) believe that a literal reading of this passage in the original Greek language does not refer to secular court lawsuits at all but refers instead to the improper use of unfit persons within the Corinthian church to render judgments.
An even smaller group of people believe that civil lawsuits are not “smallest matters,” and, therefore, 1 Corinthians 6 does not apply to lawsuits
A very small set of people believe that “brothers” refers to family relatives, not Christian brothers.
Copyright 2006, 2009. All rights reserved.
About the author: Matthew B. Tozer is a Christian attorney located in southern California.
1 Corinthians 6:1-11
King James Bible:
1Cr 6:1 Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints? 2 Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? 3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life? 4 If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church. 5 I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren? 6 But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers. 7 Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather [suffer yourselves to] be defrauded? 8 Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that [your] brethren. 9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
New King James Bible:
“1 Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints? 2 Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? 3 Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life? 4 If then you have judgments concerning things pertaining to this life, do you appoint those who are least esteemed by the church to judge? 5 I say this to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you, not even one, who will be able to judge between his brethren? 6 But brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers! 7 Now therefore, it is already an utter failure for you that you go to law against one another. Why do you not rather accept wrong? Why do you not rather let yourselves be cheated? 8 No, you yourselves do wrong and cheat, and you do these things to your brethren! 9 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 *homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.”
Romans 13:1-7
King James Bible:
Rom 13:1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4 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. 5 Wherefore [ye] must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. 7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute [is due]; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour
New King James Bible:
13:1 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. 4 For he is God's minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God's minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. 5 Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience' sake. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God's ministers attending continually to this very thing. 7 Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.
Matthew 18:15-17
King James Bible:
Mat 18:15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. 16 But if he will not hear [thee, then] take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. 17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell [it] unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.
New King James Bible:
15 "Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that 'by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.'* 17 And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.”
Matthew 5:38:42
King James Bible:
Mat 5:38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: 39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have [thy] cloke also. 41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. 42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
New King James Bible:
38 "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.'* 39 But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. 40 If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. 41 And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. 42 Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
No Real Victory
There is no real victory when the body of Christ is so badly injured. We are all guilty of crucifying Christ again on the cross – for the past two three years, we have done it again and again and again.
We have become Pharisees-tical in our ideologies and theologies. We have boxed God and taught others to do the same. We claim to be better Christians than others who disagree with us and we claim to know God better.
We have been guilty of spreading anger, bitterness, unforgiveness, and our choice of words are full of malice and evil intention – and we did them all in the name of Christ.
We have published our faults for the world to see. We tried garnering as much support as we can and get the world to pity us and talk about us – in a very unChrist-like manner. And we claim that what we do is approved by God.
The TTG came to visit Calvary Church last Friday, thinking they could make a difference perhaps? When the offering bag was passed around, some people were making a mockery out of it.
Didn’t Christ said in Matthew 5:23-24 says, “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. FIRST go and BE RECONCILED to your brother; then come and offer your gift.”
How is it that some can come with long sulky papaya faces? The TTG seems to have ignored that there is a group of people who do not welcome the damages they have done to the church. TTG, if you are reading this, can you just stop whatever you are doing?
To the pastors and leaders of Calvary Church, you did a great job by making personal calls to all your members last week. They all came and attended the prayer meeting – it showed that they are still giving you their support. But did you hear how the church situation is damaging all the ministries across the church?
Some ministries have to be disbanded because there were not enough supporters already by now. The members have left. Some ministries have dwindled so much that it is discouraging everyone in the church. Church members are demoralized. Their support is thinning. At one point or another, the thought crossed their minds, “what am I still doing in this church? Where is my church leaders bringing me to? Shall I stay or shall I leave?”
And they are leaving. Before you know it, an event or an incident would trigger an exodus of people leaving. The pews are emptying at a fast rate. If this goes on for another year, what would happen to us in one year’s time?
Dear leaders, please do something fast. Please care for your declining attendance. Please care for your people. Please do something more spiritually solid. Trying to solve the problem with your secular and management ways have proven to bring you half-baked results. Please consult God and do the right thing. Come on, bang heaven with prayers and fasting. No, not TV-fasting or Internet-fasting, or MSN-fasting. We meant fasting from food! The ones mentioned throughout the Bible – from Genesis to Revelation. Don’t convenient the people so much that you have to dilute God’s teaching in such superficial way. It is quite shallow we felt.
Dear TTG, please, some of us would like you out of the picture. We will deal with our senior pastors our way. We do not need you to bring your new cult into our church. This church is not your home church anymore. Please go away – and stay away. We do not need you to fight for us, in fact, we did not request you to fight for us. You did not get the majority’s vote to fight for us.
Dear TTG, please do not teach others your new ideologies on forgiveness. Forgiveness comes with no condition. Jesus did not teach that at all. It is not in the Bible. If forgiveness comes with some terms and conditions, looks like I do not qualify for God’s gift of salvation either. Based on the comments that you approved, looks like the disciples and apostles would not qualify either. Hey, just a reminder though, Peter denied Jesus 3 times and Saul persecuted the Christian church zealously!
Dear regular worshippers who are still in Calvary Church and you are not happy with our church, please spend more time praying for our pastors and for the deacons as well as for the church. We do not want any bad things to happen to anyone – whether in TTG or in Calvary.
We just want healing and reconciliation.
We have become Pharisees-tical in our ideologies and theologies. We have boxed God and taught others to do the same. We claim to be better Christians than others who disagree with us and we claim to know God better.
We have been guilty of spreading anger, bitterness, unforgiveness, and our choice of words are full of malice and evil intention – and we did them all in the name of Christ.
We have published our faults for the world to see. We tried garnering as much support as we can and get the world to pity us and talk about us – in a very unChrist-like manner. And we claim that what we do is approved by God.
The TTG came to visit Calvary Church last Friday, thinking they could make a difference perhaps? When the offering bag was passed around, some people were making a mockery out of it.
Didn’t Christ said in Matthew 5:23-24 says, “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. FIRST go and BE RECONCILED to your brother; then come and offer your gift.”
How is it that some can come with long sulky papaya faces? The TTG seems to have ignored that there is a group of people who do not welcome the damages they have done to the church. TTG, if you are reading this, can you just stop whatever you are doing?
To the pastors and leaders of Calvary Church, you did a great job by making personal calls to all your members last week. They all came and attended the prayer meeting – it showed that they are still giving you their support. But did you hear how the church situation is damaging all the ministries across the church?
Some ministries have to be disbanded because there were not enough supporters already by now. The members have left. Some ministries have dwindled so much that it is discouraging everyone in the church. Church members are demoralized. Their support is thinning. At one point or another, the thought crossed their minds, “what am I still doing in this church? Where is my church leaders bringing me to? Shall I stay or shall I leave?”
And they are leaving. Before you know it, an event or an incident would trigger an exodus of people leaving. The pews are emptying at a fast rate. If this goes on for another year, what would happen to us in one year’s time?
Dear leaders, please do something fast. Please care for your declining attendance. Please care for your people. Please do something more spiritually solid. Trying to solve the problem with your secular and management ways have proven to bring you half-baked results. Please consult God and do the right thing. Come on, bang heaven with prayers and fasting. No, not TV-fasting or Internet-fasting, or MSN-fasting. We meant fasting from food! The ones mentioned throughout the Bible – from Genesis to Revelation. Don’t convenient the people so much that you have to dilute God’s teaching in such superficial way. It is quite shallow we felt.
Dear TTG, please, some of us would like you out of the picture. We will deal with our senior pastors our way. We do not need you to bring your new cult into our church. This church is not your home church anymore. Please go away – and stay away. We do not need you to fight for us, in fact, we did not request you to fight for us. You did not get the majority’s vote to fight for us.
Dear TTG, please do not teach others your new ideologies on forgiveness. Forgiveness comes with no condition. Jesus did not teach that at all. It is not in the Bible. If forgiveness comes with some terms and conditions, looks like I do not qualify for God’s gift of salvation either. Based on the comments that you approved, looks like the disciples and apostles would not qualify either. Hey, just a reminder though, Peter denied Jesus 3 times and Saul persecuted the Christian church zealously!
Dear regular worshippers who are still in Calvary Church and you are not happy with our church, please spend more time praying for our pastors and for the deacons as well as for the church. We do not want any bad things to happen to anyone – whether in TTG or in Calvary.
We just want healing and reconciliation.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Christian Hate
Extracted from Raptureready.com
By Ron Graham
“These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.” Proverbs 6:16 – 19.
Human beings commit the aforementioned abominations all the time. They are nothing new, neither to man nor to God. The writer of the above proverb makes it abundantly clear that God is not at all pleased with these seven weaknesses attributed to us humans. Quite matter-of-factly we’re told God hates them. Strong word hate, especially when attributed to a loving and merciful God. We might be confused after reading such an account about God our Savior; it just doesn’t seem to fit who He is. God hates? I’m perplexed. Yet most Christians know that God’s word is true, and as such we can, and should, realize He does hate all He considers abominations.
Equally puzzling for the non-believer that is, is a reaction of hate or even borderline hate from a follower of Jesus Christ. The analysis of a Christian’s hateful attitude by nonbelievers whenever they encounter said hateful Christian would be one that would most assuredly condemn the whole of Christendom.
Christians should also find all that God refers to as abominations just as offensive even admitting to “hating” all that God abhors. But never are we to hate the people whose lives are consumed with committing these abominations. An attitude of hate displayed by a believer in Christ would certainly be offensive to God.
Was there ever a time during Jesus’ ministry when He exhibited hatred toward another person? What about Jesus’ enemies? “And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him..., Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do...” Luke 23:33a-34a. Jesus, during His ministry, was intent on leading everyone He could into an understanding of what the Kingdom of God was all about. During His ministry Jesus encountered hate everywhere, but since He is God he never displayed the slightest hint of hate. He was adamant about forgiveness even to those who nailed Him to that cross.
What then should we do when people display hatred towards us? “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;” Matthew 5:43-44. If Christian’s haven’t learned this simple truth by the time they are off milk and have moved on to the meat of the word then they had better go back and start again. The command to “love thy enemy” is one of the foundational tenets of our Christian faith. It’s one of the first things we learn as a new believer in Christ, never to be forgotten or half-heartedly adhered to. We don’t go around murdering abortion doctors because they are murdering babies in the womb, that would be repaying evil for evil. We should pray for them and ask God to convict and change their hearts.
Shedding of innocent blood can certainly be referring to the wholesale murder of babies in the womb. Just imagine how this atrocity must grieve God; followers of Jesus Christ should be just as incensed at this evil. We should hate this atrocity and be involved in movements that are trying, through peaceful means, to stop such action. But we should never take such desperate action against a fellow human being as to kill them for their participation in these atrocities. Such an extreme response would mean we were allowing hate (Satan) to have authority over our minds and bodies instead of the Holy Spirit who dwells within us.
Hate is ugly, it’s an ugly word and it’s an ugly reaction. Hate will permeate the body of a believer and destroy their very soul if it’s allowed to fester like an open sore. Many people hate Christians, nothing new in that statement. But how should a Christian react to hatred when it is aimed explicitly at them? The knee jerk worldly reaction is to strike back with everything we have as we defend ourselves.
As believers, if we are being physically harmed or attacked we should defend ourselves and our families; we would be remiss if we didn’t. But hatred expressed verbally is only words, and if that be the extent of our harassment our reaction should be one of piety accompanied with prayer. Even if we find ourselves capable of outwitting an antagonist through superior intellect, love for that person should be expressed through whatever actions we display. Nothing good can be accomplished through an attitude that even remotely resembles hate.
Over the past few years we’ve probably all become painfully aware of a Christian cult based in Kansas which can’t seem to keep their church and its members out of the news. Why? Because they seem to be filled with hate. This group of individuals, who erroneously stake claim to the blood of Christ, continually spew hatred at funerals of fallen military personal as they are being laid to rest. They actually turn up at these funerals of our fallen hero’s and chant and wave ugly hateful signs while disrupting the service and offending the loved ones who are of course grief stricken. This Christian Cult has taken hatred to a whole new level, all the while denying the love of Christ through their deplorable actions. If one can call these folks Christians then they would be the embodiment of Christian hate.
God watched as man beat, spit upon, humiliated, and then murdered His only begotten Son. Most humans would retaliate against those who participated in that horror of hate, but not God. God doesn’t hate His creation, He loves us. People who promote hate towards others are not of God. As a matter of fact they can’t possibly even have read and understood God’s word and still spew hatred. It’s not possible for born again believers to follow God’s precepts and hate anyone. To love our enemies is a commandment not a suggestion.
Some people hate for no reason, others have a ton of reasons yet none of them valid in God’s eyes. If God tells you to love those who hate and persecute you then love must be the key. Have you ever tried to hate someone you love? It’s not possible. Yes you can have arguments, even long disagreements, you can become discouraged and even get mad and frustrated with them, but if you love them you can’t hate them. God knew that simple truth and that’s why He commands us to love our enemies. Hate cannot grow or even survive in an atmosphere of love.
“Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate.” Psalm 34:21. God is our defender and protector and as the verse above states, God will take appropriate action against those who hate us. There can be no continual blessings from God for those who hate the righteous. If they hate us they must also hate God. Imagine the horrible eternal punishment they will receive if they stay in that mindset until death. They need our prayers not hate.
“Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake. Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven:...” Luke 6:22-23. Here Jesus tells us it’s a blessing to be hated for His name sake. Rejoice and leap for joy? How is that possible? By knowing your reward is great in Heaven. God Almighty promises you and me great rewards when we get to Heaven. That should be worth enduring all the hate people can throw at us.
“Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.” 1 John 3:13. The Apostle John is basically saying it should come as no surprise that the world hates those who belong to Christ. Why do they hate us so? Because they hate being convicted of sin and just hearing the word Christian or Jesus Christ convicts them. People want to be able to wallow in the muck and the mire of sin without any consequences. They especially don’t want to be told they are doing something against God.
Without a doubt Christians are being killed every day for one reason, many people hate Jesus the Messiah so much that they need a release for that hatred and Jesus’ followers make for a perfect release. Until they come to realize Satan is behind their hatred manipulating their actions they will remain in that murderous mode.
“Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.” Romans 12:17-18. Love and hate make impossible bedfellows. Hate in a Christians heart will nullify the precious Gospel of Christ. Get rid of hate before it festers. Christians are to live peaceably with all men. How is that possible if we allow hatred toward our fellow man to rule our hearts? Besides that the enemy will build his stronghold in a Christians life where hated is allowed to dwell.
My dad had a great way of contending with people who displayed hatred toward him. I would say “Dad are you going to let that guy get away with that remark?” My dad’s response was always “Just consider the source and forget it Ron”. Great advice but I would go a step further. Consider that that person is probably not saved and pray for them.
“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.” Romans 12:20. In other words, by loving your enemy you might just help bring him to the Lord. It’s all about loving others the way God loves us, unconditionally. People, for the most part that is, will respond to loving kindness with kindness. What’s that old adage? “You can attract a lot more flies with honey than with vinegar.”
The cult I mentioned above would do well to embrace loving kindness instead of spewing hate. There’s no way for Jesus to be found in the middle of such an outlandish attitude. What those folks are doing is convincing the unbelieving world that Christians are full of hate. Witnessing, as we are commanded to do, is our opportunity to promote the Gospel of Christ by sharing it with unbelievers.
Using a false gospel (one filled with hate) as a witnessing tool as the aforementioned cult provides is, simply put, folly. If hate is the message, non-believers will stay away. They already live in the world, which is full of hate, why would they want to jump from the frying pan into the fire? The lost are searching for something different, something set apart from that which they already have.
To feel anger or entertain thoughts of resentment because someone has horribly wronged you is a normal worldly response, but Christians are no longer in that category. For Christians to take a harsh stance against another person who belittles them, even during a fleeting moment of frayed emotions, is wrong. We should pray about any such situation then submit those emotions into the Holy Spirit’s most capable hands and allow Him to take control. Recompensing evil for evil is contrary to God’s word. A believer’s life is to be filled with a loving and caring attitude toward our fellow man, evil hateful attitudes are worldly. We believers have been born from above, from God; we are no longer of the world.
Is there such a thing as Christian hate? Should there be hate in a Christian’s heart? As I’ve just laid out, hate disrupts lives and destroys the love we hold for one another, even our enemies. My answer then is no. If you are a Christian today and you have hate in your heart, repent and ask the Lord for His help in removing that hate. It is God’s good pleasure to fill you with His love and joy, and in doing so He promises you peace, a much greater possession, in lieu of hate.
My final thought is this, even using that offensive word to describe something that you detest should be discouraged. Jokingly proclaiming I hate this or I hate that can give rise to an attitude of condoning instead of condemnation of a more severe and less jokingly hateful attitude. There are plenty of other ways to express one’s self without using that particular offensive word. For example, I love this and I love that. Allow love run supreme in your vocabulary.
God bless you all,
Ron Graham
All scripture is from the KJV
By Ron Graham
“These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.” Proverbs 6:16 – 19.
Human beings commit the aforementioned abominations all the time. They are nothing new, neither to man nor to God. The writer of the above proverb makes it abundantly clear that God is not at all pleased with these seven weaknesses attributed to us humans. Quite matter-of-factly we’re told God hates them. Strong word hate, especially when attributed to a loving and merciful God. We might be confused after reading such an account about God our Savior; it just doesn’t seem to fit who He is. God hates? I’m perplexed. Yet most Christians know that God’s word is true, and as such we can, and should, realize He does hate all He considers abominations.
Equally puzzling for the non-believer that is, is a reaction of hate or even borderline hate from a follower of Jesus Christ. The analysis of a Christian’s hateful attitude by nonbelievers whenever they encounter said hateful Christian would be one that would most assuredly condemn the whole of Christendom.
Christians should also find all that God refers to as abominations just as offensive even admitting to “hating” all that God abhors. But never are we to hate the people whose lives are consumed with committing these abominations. An attitude of hate displayed by a believer in Christ would certainly be offensive to God.
Was there ever a time during Jesus’ ministry when He exhibited hatred toward another person? What about Jesus’ enemies? “And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him..., Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do...” Luke 23:33a-34a. Jesus, during His ministry, was intent on leading everyone He could into an understanding of what the Kingdom of God was all about. During His ministry Jesus encountered hate everywhere, but since He is God he never displayed the slightest hint of hate. He was adamant about forgiveness even to those who nailed Him to that cross.
What then should we do when people display hatred towards us? “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;” Matthew 5:43-44. If Christian’s haven’t learned this simple truth by the time they are off milk and have moved on to the meat of the word then they had better go back and start again. The command to “love thy enemy” is one of the foundational tenets of our Christian faith. It’s one of the first things we learn as a new believer in Christ, never to be forgotten or half-heartedly adhered to. We don’t go around murdering abortion doctors because they are murdering babies in the womb, that would be repaying evil for evil. We should pray for them and ask God to convict and change their hearts.
Shedding of innocent blood can certainly be referring to the wholesale murder of babies in the womb. Just imagine how this atrocity must grieve God; followers of Jesus Christ should be just as incensed at this evil. We should hate this atrocity and be involved in movements that are trying, through peaceful means, to stop such action. But we should never take such desperate action against a fellow human being as to kill them for their participation in these atrocities. Such an extreme response would mean we were allowing hate (Satan) to have authority over our minds and bodies instead of the Holy Spirit who dwells within us.
Hate is ugly, it’s an ugly word and it’s an ugly reaction. Hate will permeate the body of a believer and destroy their very soul if it’s allowed to fester like an open sore. Many people hate Christians, nothing new in that statement. But how should a Christian react to hatred when it is aimed explicitly at them? The knee jerk worldly reaction is to strike back with everything we have as we defend ourselves.
As believers, if we are being physically harmed or attacked we should defend ourselves and our families; we would be remiss if we didn’t. But hatred expressed verbally is only words, and if that be the extent of our harassment our reaction should be one of piety accompanied with prayer. Even if we find ourselves capable of outwitting an antagonist through superior intellect, love for that person should be expressed through whatever actions we display. Nothing good can be accomplished through an attitude that even remotely resembles hate.
Over the past few years we’ve probably all become painfully aware of a Christian cult based in Kansas which can’t seem to keep their church and its members out of the news. Why? Because they seem to be filled with hate. This group of individuals, who erroneously stake claim to the blood of Christ, continually spew hatred at funerals of fallen military personal as they are being laid to rest. They actually turn up at these funerals of our fallen hero’s and chant and wave ugly hateful signs while disrupting the service and offending the loved ones who are of course grief stricken. This Christian Cult has taken hatred to a whole new level, all the while denying the love of Christ through their deplorable actions. If one can call these folks Christians then they would be the embodiment of Christian hate.
God watched as man beat, spit upon, humiliated, and then murdered His only begotten Son. Most humans would retaliate against those who participated in that horror of hate, but not God. God doesn’t hate His creation, He loves us. People who promote hate towards others are not of God. As a matter of fact they can’t possibly even have read and understood God’s word and still spew hatred. It’s not possible for born again believers to follow God’s precepts and hate anyone. To love our enemies is a commandment not a suggestion.
Some people hate for no reason, others have a ton of reasons yet none of them valid in God’s eyes. If God tells you to love those who hate and persecute you then love must be the key. Have you ever tried to hate someone you love? It’s not possible. Yes you can have arguments, even long disagreements, you can become discouraged and even get mad and frustrated with them, but if you love them you can’t hate them. God knew that simple truth and that’s why He commands us to love our enemies. Hate cannot grow or even survive in an atmosphere of love.
“Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate.” Psalm 34:21. God is our defender and protector and as the verse above states, God will take appropriate action against those who hate us. There can be no continual blessings from God for those who hate the righteous. If they hate us they must also hate God. Imagine the horrible eternal punishment they will receive if they stay in that mindset until death. They need our prayers not hate.
“Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake. Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven:...” Luke 6:22-23. Here Jesus tells us it’s a blessing to be hated for His name sake. Rejoice and leap for joy? How is that possible? By knowing your reward is great in Heaven. God Almighty promises you and me great rewards when we get to Heaven. That should be worth enduring all the hate people can throw at us.
“Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.” 1 John 3:13. The Apostle John is basically saying it should come as no surprise that the world hates those who belong to Christ. Why do they hate us so? Because they hate being convicted of sin and just hearing the word Christian or Jesus Christ convicts them. People want to be able to wallow in the muck and the mire of sin without any consequences. They especially don’t want to be told they are doing something against God.
Without a doubt Christians are being killed every day for one reason, many people hate Jesus the Messiah so much that they need a release for that hatred and Jesus’ followers make for a perfect release. Until they come to realize Satan is behind their hatred manipulating their actions they will remain in that murderous mode.
“Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.” Romans 12:17-18. Love and hate make impossible bedfellows. Hate in a Christians heart will nullify the precious Gospel of Christ. Get rid of hate before it festers. Christians are to live peaceably with all men. How is that possible if we allow hatred toward our fellow man to rule our hearts? Besides that the enemy will build his stronghold in a Christians life where hated is allowed to dwell.
My dad had a great way of contending with people who displayed hatred toward him. I would say “Dad are you going to let that guy get away with that remark?” My dad’s response was always “Just consider the source and forget it Ron”. Great advice but I would go a step further. Consider that that person is probably not saved and pray for them.
“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.” Romans 12:20. In other words, by loving your enemy you might just help bring him to the Lord. It’s all about loving others the way God loves us, unconditionally. People, for the most part that is, will respond to loving kindness with kindness. What’s that old adage? “You can attract a lot more flies with honey than with vinegar.”
The cult I mentioned above would do well to embrace loving kindness instead of spewing hate. There’s no way for Jesus to be found in the middle of such an outlandish attitude. What those folks are doing is convincing the unbelieving world that Christians are full of hate. Witnessing, as we are commanded to do, is our opportunity to promote the Gospel of Christ by sharing it with unbelievers.
Using a false gospel (one filled with hate) as a witnessing tool as the aforementioned cult provides is, simply put, folly. If hate is the message, non-believers will stay away. They already live in the world, which is full of hate, why would they want to jump from the frying pan into the fire? The lost are searching for something different, something set apart from that which they already have.
To feel anger or entertain thoughts of resentment because someone has horribly wronged you is a normal worldly response, but Christians are no longer in that category. For Christians to take a harsh stance against another person who belittles them, even during a fleeting moment of frayed emotions, is wrong. We should pray about any such situation then submit those emotions into the Holy Spirit’s most capable hands and allow Him to take control. Recompensing evil for evil is contrary to God’s word. A believer’s life is to be filled with a loving and caring attitude toward our fellow man, evil hateful attitudes are worldly. We believers have been born from above, from God; we are no longer of the world.
Is there such a thing as Christian hate? Should there be hate in a Christian’s heart? As I’ve just laid out, hate disrupts lives and destroys the love we hold for one another, even our enemies. My answer then is no. If you are a Christian today and you have hate in your heart, repent and ask the Lord for His help in removing that hate. It is God’s good pleasure to fill you with His love and joy, and in doing so He promises you peace, a much greater possession, in lieu of hate.
My final thought is this, even using that offensive word to describe something that you detest should be discouraged. Jokingly proclaiming I hate this or I hate that can give rise to an attitude of condoning instead of condemnation of a more severe and less jokingly hateful attitude. There are plenty of other ways to express one’s self without using that particular offensive word. For example, I love this and I love that. Allow love run supreme in your vocabulary.
God bless you all,
Ron Graham
All scripture is from the KJV
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Knowing God
I have read some comments written on the CT blog and I am VERY PERPLEXED at how some people made comments such as:-
“God doesn’t work this way”
“God’s righteousness is tainted by those in CC”
“let’s have a prayer meeting outside…… let’s inform the international pressmen”
“PG is a rogue pastor who sees himself beyond reproach….”
I am even more perplexed that the administrator at CT actually allowed some of these badly constructed comments to be published. Some of these comments actually leave a very very bitter after-taste when you close your browser!
Many people who commented at CT claimed that they know God’s way. Show me a brother who disagree with the post at CT and I will show you perhaps 50 other brothers who come attacking that gentle brother! I can even list down the names these 50 brothers would use on that one gentle brother:-
- blind follower of PG and BOD
- pro-PG supporter
- spiritually immatured
- brainwashed by PG and BOD
- lacking in faith
- have faith in PG instead of God
- trusting in PG instead of God
- and the list goes on…
How sure are we that the people who left these comments at CT are truly people who really know God?
Can that person who claimed that “God’s righteousness does not work this way” really do know God’s righteousness? Can God trust him enough to be His ambassador here? Does he read God’s Word from cover to cover at least once a year? Does he spend time in quietness and stillness before the Lord everyday? Or, does he read his Bible everyday? Or pray everyday?
People who practice all these spiritual disciplines DO reflect more of Christ in their lives.
When things go wrong, they would instead go to God in prayer and would not spend their time blogging and commenting and contributing further negative remarks on some public blogs on the Internet.
Sure, the leadership of Calvary Church, Rev Prince Guneratnam and his family, the Board of Deacons, the associate pastors, and etc, they are not perfect people, but are we perfect ourselves?
We do know one thing, that the people who commented at CT are people who have been genuinely hurt and are deeply disappointed at the leadership of CC. But what differentiate us from them is that, we choose to forgive the leadership of CC, and we choose to pray along with them till God bring about the desired breakthrough and revival to the church.
Yes, there are times when we know the anointing was absent and sometimes may have left us to fend for our own in some meetings, but it does not mean that God does not care. There are many times too, that our meetings are just mere programs that have been planned to the very minute of what to say and how to say them, but it does not mean the church will continue to be like this in the next few years, nor does it show that God is not at work.
So, we just need to continue to pray for the leadership at Calvary Church. They need fresh anointing, new revival, genuine breakthrough and spiritual awakening too. It is time we pray for them to experience all these, and not complain about them. It is seriously time we pray for them to go down on their knees and let God dictate every prayer meetings, every Sunday services, every Christian meetings in the church. Let’s pray for humility for them and for those who have been hurt and for those who want to have a proper closure to this whole thing.
But in the mean time, let’s not our speech divide further the body of Christ. Let our choice of words draw one another closer to reconciliation – and not away from it.
Let us pray.
-
“God doesn’t work this way”
“God’s righteousness is tainted by those in CC”
“let’s have a prayer meeting outside…… let’s inform the international pressmen”
“PG is a rogue pastor who sees himself beyond reproach….”
I am even more perplexed that the administrator at CT actually allowed some of these badly constructed comments to be published. Some of these comments actually leave a very very bitter after-taste when you close your browser!
Many people who commented at CT claimed that they know God’s way. Show me a brother who disagree with the post at CT and I will show you perhaps 50 other brothers who come attacking that gentle brother! I can even list down the names these 50 brothers would use on that one gentle brother:-
- blind follower of PG and BOD
- pro-PG supporter
- spiritually immatured
- brainwashed by PG and BOD
- lacking in faith
- have faith in PG instead of God
- trusting in PG instead of God
- and the list goes on…
How sure are we that the people who left these comments at CT are truly people who really know God?
Can that person who claimed that “God’s righteousness does not work this way” really do know God’s righteousness? Can God trust him enough to be His ambassador here? Does he read God’s Word from cover to cover at least once a year? Does he spend time in quietness and stillness before the Lord everyday? Or, does he read his Bible everyday? Or pray everyday?
People who practice all these spiritual disciplines DO reflect more of Christ in their lives.
When things go wrong, they would instead go to God in prayer and would not spend their time blogging and commenting and contributing further negative remarks on some public blogs on the Internet.
Sure, the leadership of Calvary Church, Rev Prince Guneratnam and his family, the Board of Deacons, the associate pastors, and etc, they are not perfect people, but are we perfect ourselves?
We do know one thing, that the people who commented at CT are people who have been genuinely hurt and are deeply disappointed at the leadership of CC. But what differentiate us from them is that, we choose to forgive the leadership of CC, and we choose to pray along with them till God bring about the desired breakthrough and revival to the church.
Yes, there are times when we know the anointing was absent and sometimes may have left us to fend for our own in some meetings, but it does not mean that God does not care. There are many times too, that our meetings are just mere programs that have been planned to the very minute of what to say and how to say them, but it does not mean the church will continue to be like this in the next few years, nor does it show that God is not at work.
So, we just need to continue to pray for the leadership at Calvary Church. They need fresh anointing, new revival, genuine breakthrough and spiritual awakening too. It is time we pray for them to experience all these, and not complain about them. It is seriously time we pray for them to go down on their knees and let God dictate every prayer meetings, every Sunday services, every Christian meetings in the church. Let’s pray for humility for them and for those who have been hurt and for those who want to have a proper closure to this whole thing.
But in the mean time, let’s not our speech divide further the body of Christ. Let our choice of words draw one another closer to reconciliation – and not away from it.
Let us pray.
-
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