Tag: church

The Shepherd's Voice

Unintended Consequences

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In January 2019, I wrote a post that was triggered by New York’s abortion law that legalizes abortion up to 24 weeks (see “The Slaughter of the Innocents: Then and Now”). A year and a half later, I find it necessary to revisit this issue–this time to talk about a law and its implications on the other extreme. Texas recently passed a law (known simply as Senate Bill 8) that bans abortions when a fetal heartbeat is detected. In a novel legal twist, however, the state does not enforce the law. Rather, it empowers private citizens to bring suit against those who “aid and abet” abortions–including providers, those who provide money, even those who drive a woman to the clinic.

Now, before I continue, let me just say that I am staunchly pro-life. (And I’m learning to be more consistently pro-life.) Abortion is simply state-sanctioned murder of the most helpless humans. That being said, this law has wider implications than many realize. By basically incentivizing lawsuits, the law allows people to profit off of the often gut-wrenching decisions that a woman must make (thankfully, the woman cannot be a target of such lawsuits). My question is, how can a follower of Christ claim to support such an action?

Not only that, but this takes us further down the road of “the end justifies the means” thinking. While some Christians may think this is a biblical idea, I disagree. Jesus never taught such a thing, nor is it found anywhere in Scripture. While we must do as our conscience dictates, that must never be allowed to be an excuse to violate Scripture.

Further, has anyone considered that such a bill will only deepen the suspicious nature of fallen humanity? A woman is pregnant and is scared, but she may suddenly feel that she cannot reach out to anyone. Why? Because anyone she reaches out to may, in the event that she has an abortion, become either a target of a lawsuit or (and worse) one who goes after “a bounty” based on that information. Again, I ask, how could a follower of Christ do that in good conscience?

There’s one more implication that we need to consider. This law reminds me of many laws in authoritarian nations that encourage people to take action against or report those who express views that are critical of the government or established policy. Such laws are often used to discourage free speech. While abortion is not a free speech issue, does such a law not open the door to a future wider use of a similar law? This should concern the church at large, but I fear it’s a case of the church being too short-sighted, looking only at the moment, and not at the future consequences. Those worldly ideas that the church thinks are great now will often be turned against us in the future to stop the preaching of the gospel.

My friends, this is not the way. We must not stoop to worldly methods and ways to advance a righteous cause. If we want to see society changed, we will only see that happen when hearts are changed by the power of Christ through the gospel. Translation? If you want to see abortion end along with other injustices and inequalities, preach the gospel. Not everyone will believe, but those who do will be saved and changed. And ultimately that will bring us one step closer to the Eternal Kingdom.

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The Shepherd's Voice

The Fall of Nations

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If you have watched the news recently, you likely have seen the stories of the United States’ withdrawal from Afghanistan after twenty years of conflict. The images that came from the airport at Kabul were as shocking as those from the Vietnam era–and even more so. Desperate people clung to airplanes as they sought to escape the Taliban.

Of course, now we are seeing the Genesis 3 game, “Blame the Other Guy.” President Biden blames the Afghans for “lacking the will to fight” (though in fairness they have been fighting for 20 years–and much longer before we came on the scene). The Republicans blame the President (though in honesty and fairness, the withdrawal was announced by former President Obama and the deal was brokered by former President Trump). In the midst of the wrangling, people have been forgotten about.

This isn’t a post about the Taliban, American politics, or even specifically about the fall of Afghanistan. Rather, this is a post about the bigger and deeper issue that lies beneath–the loss of America’s moral leadership. That statement may shock you, and it both should and should not shock you.

Almost since the founding of this country, America has lauded itself as the great moral leader of the world. America will do what’s right. America will protect the interests of those who are weak. Yet, that moral leadership has been slowly deteriorating. No one event can be said to cause the decline. Though the so-called “religious right” like to assert that America was a “Christian nation,” that has never really been true. Founded on Judeo-Christian principles? Certainly. Christian (as in ‘submitted to Christ’s leadership’)? Never. But I digress…

What we have seen is the result of leadership not submitted to Christ. That is not a political statement. That is a biblical statement. Human nature will always seek life apart from God, and part of that is a loss of a moral compass. It was once said of America and democracy that American democracy was the great hope of the world. Even countries that disagreed with America at least trusted her. Now, America doesn’t keep the promises she made. President Biden said that Afghanistan had lost the will to fight. Could it be rather that America has lost the will to fight? (And not just in a military sense.)

I have long said that there will be a day of reckoning, where the church will have to choose between continuing to Americanize the gospel or be the church and preach the Gospel of Christ. Recent events highlight the fact that this day is coming sooner than perhaps we’d like. Make no mistake, the country that has lost moral leadership on the international level has already lost moral leadership at home. With that, we will see the nation turn against those who claim the name of Christ.

What must the church do? Prepare. We are directed to live our lives in such a way as to give no reason for the world to substantiate any accusations against us. We cannot do this as long as we look to politics to solve problems. We must stop allowing our political viewpoints to dictate how we view Scripture, the church, and others. Instead, we must thrust ourselves onto Christ alone and let Him inform our conscience and our worldview. And I daresay that His worldview will be shockingly different than those who have mixed politics and Christianity. As I wrote in an open letter some time ago, the American church has hitched herself to two horses, the horse of America and the horse of the gospel. These two are fundamentally incompatible with each other. It’s time for the church to decide on which horse she will continue to ride, because to ride on both is no longer possible.

[Read the full text of “The Church in America: An Open Letter“].

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The Shepherd's Voice

Pressing Forward, Not Shrinking Back (Pt. 1)

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Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries. Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the evidence of two or three witnesses. How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace? For we know him who said, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge his people.” It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one. Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. For, “Yet a little while, and the coming one will come and will not delay; but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.” But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls. (Hebrews 10:19–39)

This is the first in a three-part series looking at Hebrews 10:19-39. In many ways this is a follow-up and conclusion to the last several posts on the New Covenant and its implication (see “A Better Word than Abel“, 5/13/21, for the start of this series). Now, the author of Hebrews is going to turn practical. Here, he gives some practical directions based on what he has said before. We can break this passage into three parts:

  • Drawing Near to God and Others (vv. 19-25)
  • The Danger of Shrinking Back (vv. 26-31)
  • Confident Baby Steps and Maturity (vv. 32-39)

Drawing Near to God and Others

Notice that the passage begins with “therefore.” This links back to what has previously been said. Since context is important to understanding any passage of Scripture, we’ll briefly mention that the author of Hebrews has gone to great lengths to show the superiority of the New Covenant and of Jesus. In fact, his two statements beginning with “since” (vv. 19, 21) are really a summary of what he has argued up to this point. He tells us:

Since we have confidence to enter the holy place.

The author starts out by reminding us that we have “confidence” to enter the holy place. First, what does it mean to be able to enter “the holy place”? Simply put, it means that we now have direct access to God. Previously the author of Hebrews had said, “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb. 4:16). We can now approach the very throne of grace. In the Old Testament this was represented by the ark of the covenant. The top of the ark was covered with gold, with golden cherubim on either side. It was referred to as the mercy seat. The ark was in the innermost part of the Tabernacle and Temple, the most holy place (the holy of holies), which was separated from all the rest by a thick curtain. No one was allowed to enter behind the curtain except the High Priest, and then he could only enter once a year.

Now, however, not only can we enter the holy place and approach God’s throne, but we can do so in confidence. On what is our confidence founded? We don’t enter by our own works, but “by the blood of Jesus.” He has opened the curtain, giving us a fresh and living way, “through His flesh,” that is, His death and resurrection. And what does this confidence do? It helps us “receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” We can ask God, our heavenly Father, for help, without fearing judgment or condemnation. In fact, He delights to help us.

Since we have a great high priest over the house of God.

Recall that Jesus is called the Great High Priest, and He is a far better priest than Aaron (see “Jesus, the Highest Priest“). While he can empathize with the temptations and sufferings of His people (as could Aaron), He did not submit to the temptations but lived .a perfectly sinless life. So what advantage is this for us? We have an Advocate, who can say (at the same time) “I’ve been there” (empathizing with us) and “you can do it through My grace” (a statement of encouragement).

Let Us Draw Near and Love

Since we have such a new confidence and new access to God, the author says, we should act in that confidence.

Let us draw near

This is an echo of the verse we already mentioned, Heb. 4:16, which encourages us to “come confidently (some translations say boldly) before the throne of grace.” We are invited to draw near to God, to His very throne. In the Old Testament, God was always at a distance. When He gave the law to Israel at Mount Sinai, there were barriers around the base of the mountain to prevent the people and animals from even touching the mountain. Only Moses was allowed to go up.

Now, though, those barriers have been removed. We can approach God as our heavenly Father. In fact, He desires us to draw near. He delights in us drawing near. He invites us to draw near (James 4:8). We can approach Him in confidence knowing that He, because of His great love, saved us so that we might come near. We can approach Him in confidence knowing that He’s a good father, who has a good plan for us.

We are to draw near “in full assurance of faith” or “with a full measure of faith.” How do experince tha? The author tells us: having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. When we have things weighing on our conscience, it hinders both our faith in and our fellowship with the Lord. Not from His side, mind you, but from ours. We tend to want to repeat Adam and Eve’s behavior. They tried to hide from God, and we tend to draw away also.

But we have the promise of cleansing and forgiveness. John tells us, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9, emphasis added). Not only are we forgiven, but we are cleansed. We can experience a clean conscience, and thus we can again draw near to the Father.

Let us hold fast

Not only are we told to draw near, but because we can now approach the throne of our Father, we are told to “hold fast.” We are told to hold fast to “the confession of our faith without wavering.” To me, this gives the since of holding on with everything we’ve got, holding on for dear life. When we hold to our confession of faith, we are holding on to Him.

Why can we hold fast to our faith? Because “He who promised is faithful.” Our Father has promised to forgive our sins, transform us into His image, use us to impact the world, and ultimately take us to be with Him forever. And He has shown Himself faithful over the centuries. He keeps His word. That is one of the most fundamental characteristics of God: faithfulness. Because He has promised, we have a solid rock to cling to.

Let us consider

As we move toward God and hold fast to Him, we are also to move toward others, specifically our brothers and sisters in Christ. We are to consider how we can stir one another up to love and good works. This isn’t a Christian “pep rally,” though, to simply stir up emotions (as is often common in the modern church). Rather, it’s giving spiritual encouragement, appealing to the desires of the Spiritual Heart (the new heart), with practical ideas.

This encouragement, the author of Hebrews tells us, comes mainly in the corporate setting of the assembly. He contrasts stirring up one another to love and good works with neglecting to meet together. Can we encourage each other outside that setting? Of course, and we should! But there is something deeply strengthening about encouraging one another in the midst of the church assembly. To me, this suggests that the way we “do” church needs to change, allowing for more people to actively participate in such encouragement.

And we are to give this encouragement all the more, the author says, as we see the Day approaching? What Day is he talking about? The Day of the Lord, when He returns in victory and judgment. Often as we run a race, the end part of the race is harder and harder, and we are more tempted to quit. This is why we need more encouragement the closer we get to that Day.

In our next post we’ll talk about the danger that we face in shrinking back from these encouragements and from the faith.

Let us draw near, hold fast, and encourage one another in confidence and faith in the Risen Christ.

Go to Part 2

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The Shepherd's Voice

Who Are We? Christian or American Pt 2

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In the last post (“Christian or American,” 1/12/20), we asked some hard questions about the church and believers. We suggested that many parts of the American church are losing their biblical identity. We further suggested that this is because many churches have bought into the world’s ways of thinking, and that they have tied themselves so strongly to Americanism that they are now dependent on America’s greatness for their own greatness.

This, friends, is nothing less than idolatry. How do we know it is idolatry? Simple. No man, no political system is perfect, nor is he or it the savior of a nation or the world. When we automatically equate “Christian” with “the right,” “the left,” “Republican,” “Democrat,” or any other earthly label, we have begun to cross that line. Another sign is when our favorite party or politician loses and we believe “the cause of righteousness” has been dealt a blow. No man, no earthly system is perfect enough to be equated with God’s cause of righteousness. There’s only one that carries that banner: the Lord Jesus Christ. Not even the church, Christ’s visible representation on earth, is perfect enough to be idealized.

I asked this question on social media a couple days ago, and I’m going to ask it here. (For those readers outside the US, just substitute your own national parties and politicians here.)

If you are a supporter of President Donald Trump, will you accept President-Elect Joe Biden as YOUR President? Will you commit to pray for him and the incoming leadership over the next four years? Will you commit to pray good for them, that they make wise and godly decisions and come to know the Lord Jesus Christ? Will you release any bitterness, anger, and ill will to the Lord in order that your prayers not be hindered?

If you are not a supporter of President Trump and the Republicans, will you commit to pray for the (soon to be former) President and his family? Will you acknowledge that good came out of the last four years? Will you pray for the good of the outgoing administration, including that they come to know Christ? Will you commit to releasing any bitterness, anger, and ill will to the Lord in order that your prayers not be hindered?

If you cannot honestly answer “yes” to these questions from your heart, then it may be time to ask the Lord, 

Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me (Psalms 139:23-24).

Who Are We?

Now we are going to return to the questions at the end of the last post. What does it mean to be a Christian? What does it mean to be the church?

In simple terms, a Christian is one who has been born again by the Spirit of God (John 3:3). He has repented of his sins and trusted Christ for salvation (Mark 1:15; Acts 16:31; 17:30-31). Being a Christian means that one is made new. Not just new in terms of better, but new in terms of something that did not exist before. Totally new. And it’s all of God, from start to finish. Salvation is by faith alone. This is the gospel. It is about sin, repentance, and faith. Any definition of salvation or the gospel that is not based on that is unbiblical.

What does it mean to be a Christian, however? What are the priorities of a Christians? This is really where the rub is, isn’t it? Because so many people say, “A Christian should [fill in the blank].” Whether it’s advocating for social/racial justice, feeding the homeless, witnessing, voting, or whatever, everyone has a thought.

I suggest that this is the central responsibility of a Christian: the gospel. Everything else a Christian does is to be centered around this. Why is this so? Three reasons:

  • Declaring the gospel is the God-ordained means of seeing people come into the Kingdom. God has not chosen to flood the world with angels to declare the message. He has chosen to use earthly, broken vessels to spread and live his message.
  • It is the last recorded command that Jesus gave to His disciples before the ascension. Often, people save the most important things they wish to say until the last. This is no different. And we see that beginning to happen immediately. Jerusalem and the surrounding areas exploded with people telling the good news of Christ. And then the good news spread throughout the known world.
  • No lasting change will ever come to this earth apart from the gospel. The best that can be accomplished is a race of highly educated, self-centered people that strive to outwardly conform to ever changing standards of a fallen society.

Beyond the gospel, a Christian’s first commandment is to love. Love God with all we are, and love our neighbors as ourselves (see Mark 12:30-31). There is little disagreement on this point between Christians. Most of us know on a basic level what these words mean (or at least we think we do).

So, the real questions here are very practical ones.

1) May a Christian engage in social or political activism (or must he do so)? 

My answer to this is, “Yes one may.” But one must not confuse these things with his first responsibility to keep faith and declare the gospel. If we succeed in pushing through a political agenda or feeding the homeless and haven’t shared the gospel, what eternal benefit have we gained? Likewise, if we declare the gospel to a starving person, but do not help him with the basic necessities, are we not simply saying, “Be warmed and well-filled. . . and Jesus loves you”? (See James 2:15-17.)

Is there a must? No. There’s no command in Scripture to actively participate in political or social activism. However, for one who has been changed and called to love justice, mercy, and faith, it is hard to imagine one’s heart and conscience not being stirred.

2) Is it possible for a Christian to support the [fill in the blank] party?

In general, yes. To say otherwise, as I have seen on social media, is to call into question the salvation of a believer, and denigrate him in front of unbelievers. This, for a Christian, is inexcusable. It places a separate requirement for salvation (or at least an evidence of salvation) on the person other than faith. Jesus said the world would know we are His disciples by our love, not by our political affiliation.

A word of caution here (hopefully a balanced word). In supporting a candidate, party, or program, the believer must be willing to critically examine the basis of his or her support. Some Christians think that abortion is the only issue that matters. Thus, if a candidate agrees with 99/100 issues that they do, but is pro-choice, they wil say, “Nope!” Other Christians see other issues just as important and tend to support based on a broader set of criteria (and often those Christians who support a pro-choice candidate are themselves pro-life. Which is right? Both are. For both sides it’s often an issue of conscience. And we are sternly commanded not to judge the conscience of another (Romans 14). Every political party and political system in this world is sin-stained and corrupt because they are led by fallen people.

No System to Work, No Easy Answers

The real problem with these questions and this debate is that Christians assume many of these answers are easy. They are not. How does a nation deal with immigrant children separated from their parents? Can a nation pass pro-choice laws and yet also encourage programs that will have the effect of eliminating abortion? When same-sex marriage is legal in the nation, how is the church to repond to those couples? How can we affirm the uniqueness of individuals without giving in to the LBGTQ+ movement? How do we encourage true multiculturalism in the church without giving into the pitfalls of critical race theory?

The gospel is not a system to work. It is a change of the heart. And that change does not come immediately. It’s possible for one who is saved to not even believe some of the truths that we conservatives hold as “fundamental,” like the deity of Christ and the inerrancy of Scripture. It’s also possible that they don’t immediately change their perspective on issues such as racial justice, abortion, etc. Christians need to think deeply about such issues–that so many often find “easy” answers in Scripture regarding these issues testifies to the fact that their thinking is superficial.

Above all, we must remember that the gospel is not a political system. It is the means by which a holy God is reconciling sinful humanity to himself. The gospel has implications (see above), and believers would do well to think through those implications. But in the end we who follow Christ must place our hope–all of our hope–in Christ alone. Not in the fortunes of America or a political or economic system. Our citizenship in this world is transitory at best. We are aliens and strangers here. This world is not our home. It’s okay to do what we can to make the world a better place (Jer. 29:7), but don’t get too comfortable.

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The Shepherd's Voice

Christian or American?

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I had hoped to start the New Year off with a more encouraging post. In the light of recent events that continue to unfold, however, it became necessary to address these issues for the sake of the church, the Body and Bride of Christ.

Last week, many of us watched a sight we never thought we’d see in our lifetime: What can only be described as a riot at the Capitol. What was most disturbing on that day and in subsequent days was the number of professed Christians who condoned, supported, encouraged, and even participated in the event. If that wasn’t bad enough, there have been many calls for more violent action, including “civil war,” and some self-proclaimed Christians are seemingly in support of such a thing.

The week before those events, I wrote a post about the dangers of taking idols into our hearts. Specifically, the post addressed what was called Christian Americanism (“Idols in the Heart,” 12/29/20). This week’s post is not meant to duplicate that. And again, this is not a post about politics. It is about the role of the church.

Almost two years ago, I wrote the following. It was meant as an open letter to the church, and came from a deep burden. I posted it on the website in January of last year. Though it may not at first seem related, I believe we are seeing the beginnings of what is written in that letter:

My brothers and sisters,

I am so glad to have been born in America, where we can freely declare the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. I believe God indeed raised up America for His own purposes according to Scripture.

Yet, in these last days, the church will soon have to make a choice. For far too long now, she has hitched her wagon to both the Gospel of Christ and the democratic individualism of America.

I tell you by the Word of the Lord that there will come a time, and I believe that time to be soon, that these two horses will diverge, and the wagon will be ripped apart. The horse of individualism and independence will attack the horse carrying the Gospel of Christ. Unable to defeat the Gospel, the first horse will then attack the followers of the Gospel.

There is a day coming in which America will turn upon those who claim the name of Christ. We are already seeing the stirrings of that, both from without and within the church. America will still continue to serve God's purpose, but that purpose will be to help usher in the end of the age. The Father will allow America--and the world at large--to persecute the church. Many will be put in prison and even executed for claiming the name of Christ. This persecution is not to punish but to purify, as a refiner draws the dross off the silver. The Father wants His church to be prepared for the return of Christ.

America's democratic foundation of independence and individualism is not compatible with the Gospel. We who are citizens of heaven do not live in a democracy. We live in a kingdom. A kingdom has a King. The subjects of the kingdom are under His authority. We live in dependence on the Father. Seeking independence from God is at the heart of all sin.

As the apostle John said, "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world" (1 John 2:15-16). Are not these three things embedded in America?

What shall we do then? Pray for America. Pray that she have godly leadership, and that the nation as a whole turn to Christ, that the day of reckoning be postponed. Pray for the church, that she be ready and prepared when that day comes. Mark these words well, that day WILL come.

To return to the picture earlier, above all, get out of the wagon and get on the horse of the Gospel. Remember that you are a citizen of heaven first and foremost. Your citizenship here counts for nothing when compared to that. Resist the temptation to remain comfortable and instead choose to abandon yourself to Christ, no matter what may come.

Grace and peace to you, in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
("The Church in America: An Open Letter")

In the wake of recent events, the church must take a step back and take a hard look at where her priorities are. There is something to be said for being salt and light. Jesus said we were that. There is something to be said for redeeming and restoring parts of culture. Yet, like the church of Laodicea, large parts of the American church (and the larger Western church) are in danger of losing their biblical identity. Why is that so? Because they have bought into the world’s system to the extent that these parts of the church are not much more than another political group. The church desires the wealth of America, and thus rides the coattails of any leader who promises to bring greatness back to America–whether that leader be Republican, Democrat, Libertarian, etc..

As written in the open letter, the American church has hitched itself so long to the horse of America that she is now dependent on America for her perceived greatness. As I wrote in my previous post, this is idolatry. The events of January 6th are the inevitable result of idolatry.

We need to be clear here: For those not in Christ, those who have not been born again, what happened Wednesday is no surprise. We can expect no different from the unregenerate. For the follower of Christ, however, such actions are unthinkable and inexcusable. How are we to redeem the culture if we act just like the culture? How are we to have our minds renewed if we think just like the culture?

I could identify specific issues (mask-wearing, civil disobedience, etc.). If you have followed and/or read much of The Shepherd’s Voice on Twitter, you’ve seen those subjects dealt with at length recently. While they are included, the events of last week and the underlying attitudes go far beyond those issues. They go to the heart of what it means to be a believer.

What does it mean to be a Christian? Can one be a “left-leaning liberal” and be a Christian? Must a Christian always vote for conservative politicians? (Or must a Christian vote at all?) Aer certain political, philosophical, or economic policies automatically off-limits to a Christian? Or are certain of those policies mandatory for a Christian? What does it mean to be a Christian in America? This is the question that the church really needs to answer: “Who are we?”

And that is the question we will delve into in the next blog post.

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The Shepherd's Voice

Idols in the Heart

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Then certain of the elders of Israel came to me and sat before me. And the word of the LORD came to me: “Son of man, these men have taken their idols into their hearts, and set the stumbling block of their iniquity before their faces. Should I indeed let myself be consulted by them? Therefore speak to them and say to them, Thus says the Lord GOD: Any one of the house of Israel who takes his idols into his heart and sets the stumbling block of his iniquity before his face, and yet comes to the prophet, I the LORD will answer him as he comes with the multitude of his idols, that I may lay hold of the hearts of the house of Israel, who are all estranged from me through their idols” (Ezekiel 14:1-5).

As we reach the end of yet another year, it’s time to reflect on the past 12 months. At the beginning of the year, many were talking about “20/20 vision,” and developing a vision for the year. Being an election year in America, many found hope in both major candidates and proclaimed that they were the hope of America. Then COVID-19 hit. Masks. Lockdowns. Isolation. While the year started out with great promise to many, the year has seen America more divided than ever–and the church fares little better.

Don’t worry, though, this is not a post about politics–except to say this: Neither Donald Trump nor Joe Biden are the hope of America (or any other country). 

No, this is a post about what the church has learned (or rather still needs to learn) from this year. There have been some things exposed that need to be dealt with in the church, if she is to reclaim her biblical identity and mission.

Idolatry in the Heart

What is the root cause of such nasty division? How could the church, bought with the very blood of Christ turn in on itself in such dramatic fashion to make many believers ashamed? This goes beyond political stances or even disagreements on non-fundamental theological issues. The root cause of this is idolatry. “Idolatry? Here in America?” Certainly. We tend to think of idols in terms of tangible things. A statue. A crucifix. Something to take to a priest to be blessed. 

The truth is, however, that idolatry is firstly a condition of the heart. Notice what the Lord said to Ezekiel in this passage: “Son of man, these men have taken their idols into their hearts, and set the stumbling block of their iniquity before their faces” (v. 3, emphasis added). The elders that came to the prophet had idols in their hearts. They were not openly worshipping false gods or images. They were outwardly following the rules. Yet, the Lord pinpointed the real truth, that their hearts were full of idolatry.

How does one have an idol in the heart? When one worships, serves, and/or gives primacy of place to the idol. What kind of idols are we talking about? Anything and anyone can become an idol. Money is an obvious one, so is power, fame, etc. There is, however, one big idol that the western church has not only overlooked but has embraced in large measures: the idol of Christian Americanism.

What is that? What does that mean? The idol of Christian Americanism says that to be an American Christian you must think, vote, and act a certain way. It holds aloft the ideals of democracy, freedom, and individualism, proclaiming them as gospel truths–and indeed almost synonymous with the gospel. At the base of this idol is the foundational idea of “my rights.” Americans have rights. Humans have rights. 

What’s wrong with those things? Aren’t they good? In a way, they are very good. All should be treated as equal and treated as image-bearers of God. Yet, the concepts of democratic individualism and “rights” have done more damage to the church than most of the heresies throughout her history.

While we are individuals and the gospel celebrates our uniqueness, we are joined to others in the Body of Christ. Democratic individualism undermines the corporate identity of the church.

While we are never to place another person above (or alongside) God, we are called to give up our rights in favor of the benefit of others.

The idol of Christian Americanism is not much different than the lie of the serpent to Eve: You can do it your own way. You can be your own god. That is admittedly a strong statement. Yet, what else are we to say when believers turn on each other as they have? What else are we to say when a believer judges another’s salvation based on political stances? What else are we to say when a believer flippantly regards proper directives from authority, simply because he or she disagrees with them–or worse yet because he or she refuses to recognize said authority?

Over the past weeks on social media I have witnessed:

  • believers calling for civil war in the wake of the election
  • believers refusing to recognize the President-elect, saying “he’s not and won’t be my President”
  • believers refusing to follow mask mandates in the midst of the COVID crisis because “it’s illogical and doesn’t make sense”
  • believers saying or implying that if one votes for a particular candidate, he or she must not be a Christian (both sides are guilty of this)
  • believers making fun of, mocking, or implying that those who wear masks are silly, babies, walking in fear, or worse yet, duped by the government (and perhaps traitors).

The Stumbling Block of Iniquity

Notice what verse 3 also says about the idols of the heart. The one who has an idol in his heart has set a stumbling block before himself. He will trip and fall because of his own idolatry. And he will fall into iniquity. One cannot avoid falling into sin when they are being led by idols. It’s impossible. In the passage, the Lord says, “Should I let myself be inquired at all by them?” The tone of the question is, “Why would they even think that I’d listen to them when they try to inquire of me while their heart is full of idolatry?” This happened in Israel and it is certainly happening today. Many who profess Christ have set up such idols in their heart. What does the Lord say about that one who does inquire of the Lord with those idols?

I the LORD will answer him as he comes with the multitude of his idols, that I may lay hold of the hearts of the house of Israel, who are all estranged from me through their idols (vv. 4-5).

There are several things we need to understand and heed in this passage:

  • Idolatry in the heart estranges one from the Lord. Notice the Lord mentions “the house of Israel, who are all estranged from me through their idols.” Like Israel, a believer can become estranged from the Lord through idols of the heart. He has set his idols up in his heart as god.
  • The Lord will answer the idolatrous one “according to the multitude of his idols” (NKJV). He will give the idolatrous one over to his idols. This is similar to the language of Romans 1 where the Gentiles are said to be given over to their idols and the lies that they have believed. What does that mean? It means the idolatrous one will become more and more set in idolatry.
  • The Lord does this because He wants the whole heart. The Lord tells Ezekiel, “that I may lay hold of the hearts of the house of Israel.” The NET says “in order [that I may] capture the hearts.” How does this work? As with all sin, in order to truly repent of it, one must come to the end of self. The Lord gives over the idolater to the iniquity of his idols so that he may eventually see the emptiness of those idols. That is not a pleasant journey. Solomon took a similar journey, and he said, “Vanity! All is vanity!” 

A Call to Repent

What must the church do? The answer to idolatry is always repentance. We must be willing to ask the Holy Spirit to identify and expose the idols of the heart so that we may repent of and forsake them. We must distance ourselves from the idol of Christian Americanism.To do that we must remember:

  • we are first and foremost citizens of heaven and that we are aliens and strangers here
  • this world–let alone this country–is not our home
  • we are citizens of a kingdom–with a King; though he does not physically reign yet, his rules still apply to his subject
  • we are called to look out for others first; if wearing a mask is to the advantage of another then we should lay down any supposed rights and do so

Above all we must repent and repair the breaches within the church. We must go to brothers and sisters that we have hurt through our idolatry. And we must be willing for the Lord to show us those people. For those of us who have been hurt, we must find the grace to forgive.

Let 2020 pass away. Let 2021 mark a new beginning, where the Bride of Christ reclaims her identity.

Behold, I am doing a new thing;
    now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
I will make a way in the wilderness
    and rivers in the desert.
The wild beasts will honor me,
    the jackals and the ostriches,
for I give water in the wilderness,
    rivers in the desert,
to give drink to my chosen people,
    the people whom I formed for myself
that they might declare my praise. Isaiah 43:19-21

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The Shepherd's Voice

Last Words: A Divided Church

Posted on by The Shepherd's Voice

And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: “The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword. I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality. So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans. Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it” (Rev. 2:12-17).

Often, even those congregations who have been faithful to Christ can and will go astray. At such times, a course correction is needed. It is during such times that the Word becomes even more valuable, as it highlights the problems–and gives the solutions. The church at Pergamum was one such church.

Pergamum was located about 65 miles from Smyrna. It was the official capital of the province of Asia (though Ephesus and Smyrna claimed the title as well). It was known for its beauty and wealth, it’s great library (almost 200,000 volumes), sculptures, and temples. Notably, there were three temples dedicated to the emperor cult, along with temples to Dionysus and Asclepius, and an altar to Zeus. The city got its name from its invention of vellum (Greek, pergamene, “from Pergamum”), a writing material made from animal skins.

Christ identifies Himself to the church as the one “who has the sharp two-edged sword.” This is particularly appropriate for several reasons, not the least of which is that Rome had given the rare power of capital punishment to this city. At that time the symbol of state authority was the sword. Christ is reminding the church that the are first and foremost citizens of His kingdom, and that He needs no other sword other than His mouth (His word). It’s also a reminder to the church that:

[T[he word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart (Heb. 4:12).

The word of Christ penetrates to the very core of the believer’s being.

Words of Commendation

As in all the messages, Christ begins with His knowledge. In this case, He knows their faithfulness in midst of what He terms “Satan’s throne” and where “Satan dwells.” With the many temples to pagan deities and mandatory emperor worship, proclaiming the Gospel of Christ was a risky thing indeed.

Yet the church had not abandoned the faith: “You hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you.” We are not told who Antipas was, whether the first or the most notable of those to be martyred. Martyrdom for one’s faith always strikes close to home for the ones left behind, and causes a deep soul-searching. What would I do if it were me? That the church held fast to faith is answer enough to that question.

Words of Warning

At the same time, Christ through His knowledge reports that all is not well: “But I have a few things against you.” The church had in its midst some who were leading believers astray. He names two groups:

  • Some there who hold the teaching of Balaam. This pagan prophet was paid to curse Israel, but was unable to do so (Num 22-24). Instead, he devised a plan to draw the Israelite men after pagan women and entice them to sacrifice to pagan gods and thus incur the wrath of the Lord (Num. 25:1ff; 31:16).
  • Some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans. Little is known of this group, outside of John’s references to them (here and in 2:6). As I mentioned in a previous post (Last Words: Our First Love), it’s best to see them as a group who sought to mix the true faith with pagan religions and even attempting to contact the demonic realm. They thus lived immoral lives.

It could be that the groups are closely related. In any case they are causing some in the church to be led astray from full and pure devotion to Christ. Since Balaam is mentioned, it may be that some in the church continued to celebrate pagan holidays, or even attend events at pagan temples, which often involved sexual immorality. It’s also probable that such people cited their Christian freedom to live in this manner.

Christ doesn’t say the church officially approved of such teachings, but the sense is that the church allowed or tolerated it. This is certainly the case in many churches today, where almost anyone can teach, and the teachers are held to low or no standards of conduct.

The church, then, is to repent of this toleration–and the implication is that the church should discipline and/or remove those teachers. If the church does not repent and act, the Lord Himself will come and fight against these false teachers “with the sword of my mouth.” The sense of this seems to be that He will send judgement against them, and since the church is told to repent, there may well be discipline for the church as well.

Words of Promise

Christ closes by encouraging the believers who remain faithful to Him (“the one who conquers”). He promises to give “some of the hidden manna.” Instead of attending pagan feasts and eating spiritually contaminated food, Christ will give the overcomer the true manna that will satisfy. The white stone mentioned here may be an allusion to the practice of giving a white stone as an invitation to a pagan temple. Thus, Christ extends the invitation to the conqueror to come to His temple and eat at His banquet.

The “new name” Christ mentions may be an allusion to an Egyptian story that many ex-pagan Christians would be familiar with. the goddess Isis plotted to learn the secret name of the supreme god Re to gain his hidden power for herself. The one who knew the hidden name would receive the power and status of the god who revealed it. Hence the name was jealously guarded by the god. In the context of this message, then, Christ is offering Himself and the power of His name to Christians tempted to compromise their loyalty to Christ to gain the favor of the pagan gods.

This is a strong word of warning and hope. The church at Pergamum was divided, as we are today. There are many in the church who have strayed from Christ, committing spiritual adultery as it were. Yet, the Lord never leaves Himself without a witness. There is always a group within the church (as there is today) who stands faithfully with Him. Let us be in that group, drawing the rest to Christ, endeavoring to hold fast to His name til the end.

Next: Tolerance in Thyatira

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The Shepherd's Voice

Not of This World: Social Media and Discipleship

Posted on by The Shepherd's Voice

In this first installment of #MissionMonday, we are going to think about the goal of the church (making disciples) and the place of social media. in that process. I often wonder what Paul and the other apostles would have thought of our world today, with it’s great technology. Judging by what they wrote, I have a sneaking suspicion.

If you have read much of this blog, you will have noticed a frequent theme: change. Those of us who have encountered the gospel and have been born again are new creations. The gospel brings change to a person’s life. We are to believe, think, and act differently than the world because we are different. If, then, we are different, why would we use the world’s methods in accomplishing God’s stated purpose for us?

Now before you click the “close” button on me, let me explain. There’s a difference between using the world’s means and using its methods. The means that we use are those things that are simply available. Some of those means include word of mouth, books, newspaper, television (*gasp* I know), radio, and now the internet and social media. In and of themselves, none of those things are evil. They are simply tools.

The world’s methods, however, are how those tools are used. What strategies are employed to deliver the message?  What message is, in fact, delivered? These are the questions that must be asked when talking about methods. What we are going to do, then, is ask some questions, look at how the disciples and apostles spread the message, and hopefully draw some principles out. Of course, the biblical world of Jesus and Paul differs markedly from ours today. However, the same principles, we will find, still apply in the modern age.

“Friends and Followers, lend me your ears.”

Today, there is the tendency to reach the widest audience possible in the shortest amount of time. Given that the platform we use tends to cost money, that makes sense. But there is another trend embedded in that. It is the trend that pushes us to gain “friends” or “followers” quickly, so that within 6 months someone might have 10,000 followers. And that trend exists outside of social media—it exists in our churches also. Bigger congregations, bigger buildings. When does the desire to spread the gospel cross over to “get more followers for my ministry to show how influential I am”?

Jesus constantly tried to weed out His followers by reminding them what His call was really all about. He started with 12, and by the close of His public ministry, He had maybe 120 followers who were true “disciples.”  Since God “desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Tim. 2:4), no doubt Jesus desired that all would follow Him. But, He would not compromise His message to see that happen. If He were on earth today, I don’t think He would be trying to amass hundreds of friends on Facebook or followers on Twitter, just to say “look how big my following is!” He would instead be sticking to His message, and as it was back then, many would turn away from Him. He certainly would not, I believe, play the games that abound online: “follow me and I’ll follow you back,” “for each follow I’ll [fill in the blank].” We should, after all, be careful of who we “follow,” and what it says or portrays about us.

Is it okay to have a lot of followers? Certainly. As ambassadors of Christ, we should pray that the message reaches far and wide—as many as possible. And we should pray that they receive it, embrace it, and act on it. But the goal must remain the same—to truly see people be saved and become disciples—followers of Christ, not me.

What kind of gospel?

If the apostle Paul walked our streets today, I believe he would be appalled at how we “sell” the gospel. By “sell,” I mean that we use slick advertising, cool and colorful banners and signs to get people’s attention to get them into church. When/If they do make it to our church, we give them a feel good, ego stroking message that tells them of God’s love, but neglects to call them to abandon themselves to the cross. Our church sermons and groups are about learning to live a life of blessing and teaching people how to make the gospel relevant to today. The gospel will always prove relevant, and does not need any help from us.

Paul reminded the Corinthian believers:  “And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God” (1 Cor. 2:1-5). We would do well to heed Paul’s call. Preach the gospel. Keep it simple. It’s the Spirit’s job to convict and convince. Our job is simply to be a witness and teach.

When that person comes to a meeting of the church, then, what should he or she be hearing? The gospel. Not only the call to come to the cross and be saved, but also a call to surrender their lives to the cross on a daily basis. Within the gospel lay the answers to every human question and condition. Preaching the gospel is about making disciples—those who follow Jesus and become like Him.

Those of us who have a following—whether through TV, radio, books, or an online presence, must evaluate our motives and our ministry. Am I doing this to gain approval or recognition? If God declared that He was moving me into a new season, a new place, with no online presence, would I be willing to forsake that which had been established? Does my online ministry cause me to feel more important, or does it cause me to diligently seek His face, knowing that I am a shepherd of a flock?

Let him who ministers do so by the Holy Spirit and His power, whether it be in the online community or whatever place the Lord has placed him. May we each be sensitive to the position He has placed us in, as a steward who will one day give account to the Master when He returns.

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The Shepherd's Voice

The Slaughter of the Innocents—Then and Now

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Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men (Matt. 2:16).

In the wake of the recent passage of an abortion bill that will legalize abortions past 24 weeks, we in the church are right to be heartbroken. No society can long survive when the murder of infants and children become acceptable and commonplace. History shows us that time and time again. Abortion was allowed in Ancient Rome and Greece, and look where those societies are now. The ancient cultures that practiced child sacrifice are gone. America and other countries that allow, practice, and encourage abortion will fare no better, for God is impartial as well as just.

I have often asked the question, and I ask it again, “What more can we expect from the unregenerate?” We have men and women in leadership that, even though they may claim Christ, their actions show different. The church must shed the long-held myth that America is a Christian nation and embrace the truth that America is run by those who oppose Christ and His teachings. For too long, the church has made America its home, getting comfortable in, and thus being conformed to, a society that shows less and less regard for the truths of the Bible.

Jesus warned us that it must be so: “And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold” (Matt. 24:12). When the nation as a whole (through its leaders) supports the murder of the innocent, is that anything other than cold, hardened hearts? God has and will continue to use America for His purposes, that is certain. Those purposes now seem to be moving quickly toward the end of the age.

This is no call for revolution on the part of the church. “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Eph. 6:12). This is rather a call to do what the church was created to do—spread the Light. Not by angry picket signs, yelling and screaming at women who have abortions and the medical staff who perform them. Not even by writing your elected representatives—there will come a time (soon, I believe) that the Christian voice will be silenced. No, we are to spread the Light by praying for those people and counseling them in the light of His love. Yes, love. Though they are guilty of the most heinous crimes against God, we must remember this: So were we. I’ll repeat that.

So were we.

You might object, “I’ve never murdered anyone!” To which I reply, “Murder begins with hatred in your heart and words that tear down instead of build up” (Matt. 5:21-22). And again, I remind you, “For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it. For he who said, ‘Do not commit adultery,’ also said, ‘Do not murder.’ If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law” (James 2:10-11). In God’s eyes, any stain is worthy of hell. And we were all stained with sin. Yet, when we trusted Christ, He put our sin away from us, washing us white as snow (Isa. 1:18). Therefore, we are no better than they. The only difference is that we have found the freedom of forgiveness.

We will not see lives changed, people set free, crime decrease, abortions stopped, by the force of law or political solutions. We will only see those things change when the heart of stone within people is replaced by the heart of flesh through the Gospel. They need no more condemnation, for they are already under His condemnation. We must be the church. We must be His hands, feet, and voice.

Our hearts must break, yes, for the innocents who are slaughtered. But, until our hearts break for those who are caught in the grip of sin—even this sin—we have no idea what it is to love like Jesus loved.

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The Shepherd's Voice

All Are One: No “Ism” in the Gospel

Posted on by The Shepherd's Voice

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus (Gal. 3:28).

Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all (Col. 3:11)

We have heard a lot over the months and years about such words as sexism, racism, and anti-Semitism. America specifically has a history of racism and sexism (as many countries do), unfortunately, and the scars of those times still linger—those seeds still linger within the church even (and even the seeds of anti-Semitism are still present). If we are to be salt and light to our nation and the world, we must first see our own wounds healed.

The question is, what does the gospel of Christ say about such things? We must take a hard look at the counsel of God and ask the Spirit to correct us when we stray—and gladly accept His correction. So, let’s start with the two verses quoted above, Galatians 3:28 and Col. 3:11. What do we learn from these verses?

All are on equal footing at the cross.
First, we learn that we are all on level ground at the foot of the cross. The cross of Christ lays a claim—the same claim—on all, regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, nationality, or socio-economic status. This statement applies both before and after salvation. Jesus looks at each one in the same light, seeing the same need for salvation and providing salvation in the same way—through His blood. Once saved, all are equal in the church, with the same rights, privileges, and access to God. God has obliterated those distinctions when it comes to salvation and spiritual growth.

All are image-bearers of God.
We are reminded from these verses that all bear the same image—His image. Though marred by sin, it is still present in each person. The implication of this? When we define someone first by their color, gender, race, or nationality first, we ignore the image of God within them. Jesus said that we are to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Luke 10:27). When pressed on the question, he defined everyone as our neighbor—even the ones we dislike most (the Samaritan, remember, was hated, being considered half-breeds and traitors).

While the sinfulness of humanity is bound to scream “Me first!” in all its forms, the gospel leaves no room for such thinking. That’s what racism, sexism, and all the other ‘isms’ boil down to: one person or one group thinking more highly of himself or themselves than they ought (and then usually resorting to twisting and co-opting Scripture or some other recognized authority to prove their point.)

So now, the hard questions we must ask ourselves. There are no answers given here, as these are questions that we must face within ourselves.

Do I think some people are less worthy of the gospel? or conversely Do I think some people are more in need of the gospel than I am?

We tend to stereotype everyday. Is making such quick judgments okay, even if I have “proof’ to back up that judgement? And does that judgment have implications for the first questions?

Am I afraid of or anxious about certain people because of the color of their skin or their chosen lifestyle? is that fear (unfounded or not) okay in the context of the Gospel?

Do I tend to shy away from others in the group because “we just don’t have that much in common”? (And how such a statement can be true for those who follow Christ stretches the bound of reality.)

There are more questions out there. The Holy Spirit will ask them to those who need it. Let us pray that the Father will bind us together in love—His true love. Not to display a false, paper-thin unity to the watching world, but to truly be one as Jesus prayed we would.

Let Him who has ears hear what the Spirit is saying.

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