The Christian life can sometimes feel like a game with too many rules. We train every service, every Bible study, and in every other meeting to spot what a good Christian looks like and how to avoid looking like a pagan! Of course none of our gatherings and studies are meant to guilt us into loving Jesus. But in reality there actually are a lot of dos and don'ts in the Bible. And they can be a little overwhelming sometimes...But the real weight comes from our own false obligations and expectations of each other and ourselves. We have to admit that grace stands in the way of our condemnation and that sometimes making an exception to the rules is not only ok but good in the right time and place. I hope you see this series as a chance to rethink our misconceptions, enjoy the beauty of sarcasm, and to learn to live through the eyes of Grace.
-"The One"
As Christians in a society of declining morals, its very easy to get caught up in the way our culture approaches romance. I find it odd that soooo many of us remain single. And these aren't weirdos or those with mental problems etc. ... There are so many Wonderful, educated, Jesus-loving, emotionally-balanced, healthy, funny, responsible singles that are still not married...even though they want to be. My personal opinion is that we have too many options and are more selfish than ever when choosing a mate. We are looking for perfection when it doesn't exist along with having convinced ourselves of romantic beliefs that are simply not true...such as believing in "the one." There is only one person who will complete you. Jesus. As for finding a spouse...settle down- choose one that you can love and grow together with- who has the same passion for God and common goals and values. I'm not saying settle...especially not with someone who doesn't love God. I'm saying select one. As Relevant wrote "marriage is much more formed than it is found. You don’t find a good marriage so much as you make one. Happiness doesn’t come from a spouse fitting your every selfish expectation; it comes from you and your spouse working and adjusting to serve each other while rooted in Christ’s love."
- A Date of Jesus' Return
As Christians in a society of declining morals, its very easy to get caught up in the way our culture approaches romance. I find it odd that soooo many of us remain single. And these aren't weirdos or those with mental problems etc. ... There are so many Wonderful, educated, Jesus-loving, emotionally-balanced, healthy, funny, responsible singles that are still not married...even though they want to be. My personal opinion is that we have too many options and are more selfish than ever when choosing a mate. We are looking for perfection when it doesn't exist along with having convinced ourselves of romantic beliefs that are simply not true...such as believing in "the one." There is only one person who will complete you. Jesus. As for finding a spouse...settle down- choose one that you can love and grow together with- who has the same passion for God and common goals and values. I'm not saying settle...especially not with someone who doesn't love God. I'm saying select one. As Relevant wrote "marriage is much more formed than it is found. You don’t find a good marriage so much as you make one. Happiness doesn’t come from a spouse fitting your every selfish expectation; it comes from you and your spouse working and adjusting to serve each other while rooted in Christ’s love."
- A Date of Jesus' Return
Eclipses, Mayans, and Zombies- Oh My! This is all just getting ridiculous. Just stop trying to predict when Jesus will return. You are wasting your time. We should be living every day like He is coming!
Matthew 24:36 says "No one knows the day or the hour, not even the Son, but only the Father." And also 1 Thessalonians 5:4-5 "But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. 5 You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness." Trying to predict His return is prideful...you are supposing that God the Father would let YOU into His plans when He hasn't revealed the date even to Jesus?! Rubbish!Thessalonians 5 continues like this... "since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. " If you are living a God-surrendered life, you've got nothing to worry about!
- In 'Merica!
We have been warned over and over what happens to people when they turn their back on God. Soddom and Gomorrah are easy examples...what about modern day Europe? Churches deserted and turned into bars. Islam growing rapidly. Economic downturn. I'm not saying God obliterates nations when only some of them turn away. Think about Noah- God at the very least, and very mournfully, gives believers a warning about His eminent plans of destruction. What I'm really pointing to is the fact that God's character can not support the nature of sin. If people choose sin and reject God, He also denies them His promises and inheritance. It scares me that America has begun to largely turn its back on God. Stop serving the false God of the American Dream. Its fickle! Rethink why you think America is elite. Is it because we are home of the free and the land of the brave? Does a temporary land have a place in Eternity? No. We need to surrender our dreams and ideals to the Lord. We need to humble ourselves and pray for each other. We need to GO into ALL nations and make disciples! 2 Chronicles 7:14 "If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land."
Matthew 24:36 says "No one knows the day or the hour, not even the Son, but only the Father." And also 1 Thessalonians 5:4-5 "But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. 5 You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness." Trying to predict His return is prideful...you are supposing that God the Father would let YOU into His plans when He hasn't revealed the date even to Jesus?! Rubbish!Thessalonians 5 continues like this... "since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. " If you are living a God-surrendered life, you've got nothing to worry about!
- In 'Merica!
We have been warned over and over what happens to people when they turn their back on God. Soddom and Gomorrah are easy examples...what about modern day Europe? Churches deserted and turned into bars. Islam growing rapidly. Economic downturn. I'm not saying God obliterates nations when only some of them turn away. Think about Noah- God at the very least, and very mournfully, gives believers a warning about His eminent plans of destruction. What I'm really pointing to is the fact that God's character can not support the nature of sin. If people choose sin and reject God, He also denies them His promises and inheritance. It scares me that America has begun to largely turn its back on God. Stop serving the false God of the American Dream. Its fickle! Rethink why you think America is elite. Is it because we are home of the free and the land of the brave? Does a temporary land have a place in Eternity? No. We need to surrender our dreams and ideals to the Lord. We need to humble ourselves and pray for each other. We need to GO into ALL nations and make disciples! 2 Chronicles 7:14 "If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land."
-Feminism
Ah...a tricky one that some women in the church are scared to speak up about! I personally believe there are 2 kinds of feminists. The first kind is the one that we see in the media a lot...usually shouting about abortion rights or equal pay. They are the ones that tend to define feminism. Although their desire for women to have the same rights as men is noble...their efforts are blatantly trampling over the other women who disagree with them. The 2nd kind is more quiet. I believe these are the ones with a real understanding of how God also made women in His image. They are the ones that believe that ALL are equal and that rights are secondary to value. They believe that the unborn is equal with the mother. And that men and women don't necessarily want the same rights...because they are not of the same design. Their goal is that all be seen with the same value that God placed on us. Galatians 3:28-29 " There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, NOR IS THERE MALE and FEMALE, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise." We are ALL Heirs! We all get the same inheritance!
Sources:
image "African Roots" Mark Rain | CC by 2.0
http://www.relevantmagazine.com/life/relationships/there-no-such-thing-%E2%80%98-one%E2%80%99
https://theartinlife.wordpress.com/2013/07/22/my-husband-is-not-my-soul-mate/
http://www.churchleaders.com/pastors/pastor-articles/139575-7-startling-facts-an-up-close-look-at-church-attendance-in-america.html
Ah...a tricky one that some women in the church are scared to speak up about! I personally believe there are 2 kinds of feminists. The first kind is the one that we see in the media a lot...usually shouting about abortion rights or equal pay. They are the ones that tend to define feminism. Although their desire for women to have the same rights as men is noble...their efforts are blatantly trampling over the other women who disagree with them. The 2nd kind is more quiet. I believe these are the ones with a real understanding of how God also made women in His image. They are the ones that believe that ALL are equal and that rights are secondary to value. They believe that the unborn is equal with the mother. And that men and women don't necessarily want the same rights...because they are not of the same design. Their goal is that all be seen with the same value that God placed on us. Galatians 3:28-29 " There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, NOR IS THERE MALE and FEMALE, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise." We are ALL Heirs! We all get the same inheritance!
Sources:
image "African Roots" Mark Rain | CC by 2.0
http://www.relevantmagazine.com/life/relationships/there-no-such-thing-%E2%80%98-one%E2%80%99
https://theartinlife.wordpress.com/2013/07/22/my-husband-is-not-my-soul-mate/
http://www.churchleaders.com/pastors/pastor-articles/139575-7-startling-facts-an-up-close-look-at-church-attendance-in-america.html
