Fluency

Have you ever read a passage of Scripture or heard a message or been teaching a passage that causes the “Ya but” reaction?  You know, that passage is true, “ya but… my situation is different” or “ya but…that can’t really be true” or “ya but…I can’t do that and God knows I only human”

Well, Christ’s instruction to love our neighbors probably created and continues to create many “ya but…” exclamations like:

I have often stated that teaching is information for transformation.  But what is the opposite?  What happens when we teach or when we learn but are not transformed?

In a conversation with George May (Pastor of Counseling and Family Ministries at Calvary Church), he used the following quote (I need to find the author):

Information without Application leads to Deception.

We are reminded in James 1 that God’s goal for us is not comfort or happiness but completeness and maturity (James 1:2-4).

So, when we face trials our primary response should not be “get me out” but “grow me through.” Our prayer should be, “Give me wisdom and grow my faith through the circumstances of life” (James 1:5-8).

The more God grows our faith, the more steadfast we will be under trials (James 1:12).

The challenge is to continue to trust God even when the trial seems endless or unbearable. We should not be deceived, God is the giver of all good gifts (James 1:16-18) and is not the One tempting us to sin (James 1:13). It is our own strong desires that when not surrendered to God lead to sin, lack of self-control and all sorts of evil (James 1:14-15, 19-20).

In contrast, the individual who in meekness received the implanted Word of God (James 1:21) is to be a doer of the Word, not just a hearer only which leads to self-deception.

Therefore, information without application (the “doing”) leads to deception.
Deception of ourselves—we are not who we think we are and therefore tend to be judgmental of others
Deception of others—we are not who they think we are, but are wearing a mask of information to impress

James 1:22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. (ESV)

James 1:23-25 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. (ESV)

Information without Application is Deception

What then honors God and gives evidence of a growing faith?—obedience. An obedience that is evident in how we speak and react (James 1:19-20) and how we reach out (James 1:26-27).

James 1:26-27 If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. 27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. (ESV)

Information without Application is Deception

So we must engage with God and His Word and extend to others as a means of growth and evidence of growth.

Found this at Miscellanies

What is the “main thing” for church?

Is it the main worship service?
Is it the main teaching time?
Is it the main fellowship time?

Surely the main thing is not the size of our building.
Surely the main thing is not the quantity of our programs.
Surely the main thing is not the history we treasure.
Surely the main thing is not the doctrine we revere.
Surely the main thing is not our attendance.

What is the main thing?
What we consider the main thing will dictate what kind of church we are and the kind of people we produce.

Our main thing should not be what we do on Sunday, but what people do the rest of the week.  Or rather, what we do on Sunday or Wednesday is to inspire and inform so that the rest of the week there can be application.

Where is this application done? In all relational contexts. Relationships with others in the church, others in our homes, others in our neighborhood, workplaces, schools, wherever we encounter people.

Knowing the main thing should cause us to ask: How is attending church helping individuals love each other in the church in spite of differences?  How is it helping them love their families in spite of knowing all the flaws?  How is it helping them love their neighbors in spite of, well, the way their neighbors act?  How is it helping them love their boss and coworker even in the job they don’t like? How is attending church helping individuals live with eternal perspective and yield eternal fruit?

Matthew 7:24-27 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” (ESV)

Romans 12:9-14 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. (ESV)

James 1:22-25 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. (ESV)

1 John 3:7 Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous. (ESV)

1 John 4:7-8 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. (ESV)

So, what do we need to do, so that the main thing is always the main thing?

Make the main thing clear—Preach it, Teach it, Affirm it, Celebrate it.
Make the main thing the priority—Teach for it, Program for it, Encourage it, Empower for it.

Help individuals develop an intentional growth plan with a goal—to live with influence for the glory of God.

The main thing is having engaged with God and His people to extend to others for the glory of God.
The main thing is engaging with God and His people so that we can and do extend to others for the glory of God.

I’ve just started at least a ten-part series on the Sermon on the Mount (for the audio click here).  An incredibly rich and challenging message from Jesus.

The beatitudes are promises/statements not commands, but the thrust of promises should motivate us to desire transformation so we too may be the blessed.

The Characteristics of the Righteous: The Beatitudes

The poor in spirit are those who understand their own lack of righteousness (bankruptcy) and need apart from God—they trust Him alone and His will—they experience the current reality of the kingdom
Because of their own lack of righteousness they mourn—but will be comforted with eternal riches
The clear understanding of who they are and sorrow causes them to be meek, not seeking their own—but shall inherit it all
Because they are meek they are then able to take their eyes off themselves and hunger and thirst for righteousness—they will be satisfied with perfect righteousness in the kingdom
Those who desire to be righteous will develop mercy toward others, because they see their own need for mercy
This lack of a judgmental spirit leads to being pure in heart—they shall see their heart’s desire, God Himself
They then are peacemakers because they are not seeking their own benefit but that of others—God takes notice
Which will cause others to be convicted and persecute them—the ultimate judge will reward them in the eternal kingdom with everlasting comfort

The Influence of the Righteous

As our character develops, the purpose is not just for us.  Our character enables us to be an influence in the world.  God is not satisfied with us being who we should be, He wants us to leverage who we are becoming so that others can see our visible acts of righteousness and see Him.  Our “good deeds” should be so counter-cultural, that no one would give us credit, but would glorify God.

We are to be the salt of the earth, we are to be the light of the world.  How do we hide it?

We may try to hide it by seeking anonymity—”If they don’t know I’m a Christian then they will leave me alone, won’t challenge my beliefs, won’t be offended by my actions…”

We may try to hide it by seeking isolation—seeking to be only around others like us but not allowing the light to shine in the dark places

We may hide it by indifference—living for ourselves, living with a limited perspective, living like the world

We may hide it by distortion— rules and regulations (religiosity),  rather than relationship and reality, hide the real light or at least distort it

We may hide it by dilution—watering down the reality

We may hide it by division—not standing together in unity and love

Let your light shine! Let your God be praised!

We need fellowship with others to be alone safely.
We need solitude to be with others meaningfully.

Mike Bullmore as posted by Between Two Worlds.