20 THINGS I WISH I KNEW BEFORE BECOMING A PASTOR

20 THINGS I WISH I KNEW BEFORE BECOMING A PASTOR

Recently, I came across an intriguing article written by Brandon Hilgemann.  Although many of our devotional readers are not pastors (yet many are), the perspective set forth in Pastor Hilgemann’s article is beneficial for the prayerful consideration of both clergy and laity.  It is a lengthy treatise, but it is printed below in its entirety for your perusal.

Let’s cut the fluff and get real for a moment.  Being a pastor is incredibly difficult.

The church is often guilty of only painting a picture of the wonderful blessings of being called to ministry—like it only gets better and better, day after day.

We somehow forget to talk about the suffering involved.  Did we forget, or are afraid people won’t go into ministry if they know the truth?

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but there are some things we are failing to prepare new pastors for.  Here are some things I wish someone would have sat down and told the 20-year-old me.  I have spent the last decade learning most of these things the hard way:

Things I Wish I Knew Before Becoming a Pastor:

1.        It will be the hardest thing you ever do.  Seriously, it is really, really, really hard! Imagine the most difficult thing you have done and multiply it by a hundred.  That may be close to how challenging ministry can be.  If you want to be a pastor because it sounds fun or easy, do something else.

2.       Integrity and a love for Christ are important but insufficient.  You must be able to lead people.  Your character and love for Christ are the requirements for entry.  These are crucial and more important than anything.  However, no matter how godly you are, if you cannot lead people, you will struggle.

3.       People may avoid you, and act weird simply because you are a pastor.  People will act one way when you are around, and another when you aren’t.  Others will avoid you because you represent God, and they feel guilty.  This is why many pastors dread the inevitable question when meeting someone new: “So, what do you do for a living?”

4.       People will expect you to be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  You will get midnight phone calls and texts.  Some will be urgent; others can wait.  You must set boundaries in your schedule because a pastor’s job is never finished.

5.       Workaholism will be rewarded, but it can destroy your family.  Pastors who work too much get praises and raises…until their family falls apart.  Then we pity them.  All too often, we must choose between doing ministry and being around our families.

6.       When people stop attending your church, it will hurt.  No matter how awesome you are, some people will leave.  It is inevitable.  It may have nothing to do with you, but it will always feel personal.

7.       You must fight the urge to compare your ministry to other churches.  You will always lose in the comparison game.  If you compare yourself to a smaller church, you will feel pride.  If you compare yourself to a larger church, you will feel envy.  Both are sinful.

8.       Attacks from inside your church can be worse than those from outside.  You expect attacks from the enemy outside.  It’s the attacks from within, like Judas’ betrayal of Jesus, which absolutely hurt the most.

9.       You will not be discipled or mentored unless you proactively seek it for yourself.  The people who you want to mentor you are quite busy.  Nobody has ever seen my ‘great young potential’ and gone out of their way to disciple me.  Every mentor I ever had in my life I had to pursue myself.

10.     You must fight pessimism, bitterness, and even depression.  You will have seasons of doubt regarding God’s  provision, resentment towards people in your church, or possibly even depression.  One of the darkest years of my life was the result of a bad ministry experience.

11.      Your success in the eyes of others will be measured by how many people you can get in a room.  I wish this weren’t true, but it is.  If your ministry grows, people will praise you.  If it shrinks, they will blame you.  Like it or not, that’s how people think.

12.     You will never be good enough for some people.  No matter what you do, some people won’t like you.  You will never be good enough to please everyone.  You may also often feel inadequate and unprepared in your own eyes.  You must allow this to drive you to a greater dependence on Jesus.  You are not the savior everyone needs; HE is.

13.     Your family will be profoundly affected either good or bad.  Like it or not, your ministry will greatly impact your family.  Some families grow closer to the Lord together in ministry; others grow farther apart.  Ministry will either make your family better or bitter.  Fight bitterness with all your might.

14.     Without a seminary degree, you will be considered less qualified.  I wish I would have pursued seminary earlier in my ministry.  Not just because of perception, but also because the education has been invaluable to me.  You can argue about whether you need it or not, but you will be judged if you don’t.  And not getting proper education might hold you back.

15.     Money might be a problem.  Likely, you will struggle financially—especially early on.  Most pastors are not compensated enough.  You must be ready for this going in.  Will you be OK if you can’t buy new clothes, a nice house, or get your wife and kids the things you wish you could?

16.     You may move many times, especially in certain churches.  The average stay of a pastor at a church varies depending on their role.  However, most pastors I know, including myself, have lived in multiple cities working for multiple churches over their life.  The pastor who works in only one church their entire life is admirable and rare.

17.     When you have to leave a church, you will leave many friends too.  Whether you choose to leave, or the choice is made for you, you will lose more than a job; you lose a church family.  There is always a painful sense of loss when leaving a ministry.  Your wife and kids will also feel it.

18.     Spiritual warfare is real, and the enemy will attack you and your family in ways you never imagined.  Every pastor can tell you stories of crazy things that happen at the worst times.  If Satan cannot derail you, he will go after your family.  My family always gets attacked before God does something great.  Pray often, and ask others to pray for your family too.

19.     You will likely feel discouraged, and think about quitting often.  Most pastors call these days Monday.  Even if things go well on Sunday, the enemy will use just one negative comment to bring you down if he can.

20.    Finally, it will all be worth it!  There is nothing greater than the reward of a life submitted faithfully to Christ.  You may suffer.  It will not be easy, but it will be worth it.  Accepting God’s call to ministry is one of the best decisions I have ever made.  You will have a front-row seat to see many lives changed, marriages healed, and prodigal sons and daughters returning to the faith.  Your ministry impact will outlive your life.  Generations of families will change because you were faithful and did not give up.  If this article sounds too negative, there are also many, many, many reasons I am thankful that to be a pastor.  If this article makes you upset, it should.  Unfortunately, this is the reality most pastors face every day.  Can you relate?  What do you wish someone had told you before becoming a pastor?

It is my prayer that every pastor will have gleaned some measure of comfort in the knowledge that his/her daily ministry struggles are not entirely unique, and that every church member will have gained additional insight into the ‘life’ of your pastor, and thereby offer more consistent and prayerful support.

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!

DO WE BELIEVE GOD...OR NOT?

DO WE BELIEVE GOD…OR NOT?

One’s personal success in this spiritual walk with God is totally dependent upon one’s consistency of trust in Him.  Unquestionably, trust (faith) in God is a manifestation of confidence in (and submission to) His Word.  So…let’s allow The Word to speak to our spirits and to thereby build our faith!

Hebrews 10:23

Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised).

Hebrews 11:6

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Hebrews 11:1-3

¹ Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

² For by it the elders obtained a good report.

³ Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

Matthew 17:20

And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

Matthew 9:29

Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you.

I Corinthians 2:5

That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

John 14:13

And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

John 6:35

And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

John 7:38

He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

Romans 10:17

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Regardless of our situational or sensory perceptions, we purposefully choose to believe God and to stand confidently upon His Word!

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!

EVIDENCE OF THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST (Part II)

EVIDENCE OF THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST (Part II)

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is fundamental and foundational to our faith.  The fact that we serve a RISEN Savior sets Christianity apart, making it (and its adherents) distinctive from all other belief systems.  Most world religions focus solely on philosophical propositions and suppositions.  Of the four major religions that center around personalities, Christianity is the only one that lays claim to an empty tomb. 

Christ and Christianity are FUNDAMENTALLY AND FOUNDATIONALLY unique!  Abraham, the patriarch of Judaism, passed away around 1900 B.C. and was buried in a cave by Isaac and Ishmael, his sons. (Genesis 25:9) Siddhartha Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, died after eating a dish of wild mushrooms in 483 B.C.  Muhammad, the founder of Islam, succumbed to poisoning in 632 A.D.  Nevertheless, anyone who travels to Jerusalem can visit the site of the empty tomb of Jesus Christ.  The victorious echo of the angelic announcement still resonates in our spirits: “He is not here: for he is risen as he said.  Come, see the place where the Lord lay.” (Matthew 28:6) Glory hallelujah to The Risen King!

The post-resurrection appearances of Jesus Christ are key confirmations that he indeed (and in fact) rose from the dead.  For your prayerful consideration, His numerous appearances are listed below.

Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene.

--(John 20:14 – Mark 16:9)

Jesus appeared to Mary and Mary Magdalene outside the tomb.

--(Matthew 28:9-10)

Jesus appeared to Peter.

--(Luke 24:34 – I Corinthians 15:5)

Jesus appeared to certain disciples near Emmaus.

--(Luke 24:13-33)

Jesus appeared to 10 disciples; Thomas was absent and Judas was dead.

 --(Luke 24:36-43 – John 20:19-24)

Jesus appeared to the 11 surviving disciples.

--(John 20:26-29 – Matthew 28:16-20 – Mark 16:14-20 – Luke 24:33-52 – Acts 1:1-12)

Jesus appeared to 7 disciples by the Lake of Tiberius.

--(John 21:1-23)

Jesus appeared to 500 believers in Galilee.

--(I Corinthians 15:6)

Jesus appeared to James, his brother.

--(I Corinthians 15:7)

Jesus appeared at his ascension to Heaven.

--(Acts 1:3-12)

Jesus appeared to Saul at his conversion.

--(Acts 9:3-6 – I Corinthians 15:8)

Jesus appeared to Stephen, the deacon-martyr.

--(Acts 7:55)

Jesus appeared twice to Paul in the temple.

--(Acts 22:17-21 – Acts 23:11)

Jesus appeared to John, the revelator, on Patmos.

--(Revelation 1:10-20)

Another positive proof of the resurrection of Jesus Christ is the fact that his apostles were empowered thereafter to work resurrection miracles themselves, i.e. they raised people from the dead.  One such example was Peter’s raising of a deceased female disciple named Tabitha, a.k.a. Dorcas. (Acts 9:35-41)

It is important to note that various claims contradicting the resurrection of Jesus Christ have surfaced from time to time, including the hallucination theory, which suggests that the people who encountered the risen Christ were experiencing some sort of mass hysteria.  This assertion is ludicrous since it is highly unlikely that 500 persons (or even 11 disciples) would experience simultaneous and similar hallucinations.  Other detractors have set forth the wrong tomb theory, stating that the soldiers were actually guarding an empty tomb, and the women who came to anoint him on Sunday possibly visited the wrong tomb.  This scenario is unlikely and illogical since both Mary and Mary Magdalene were present when Jesus was extracted from the cross and buried in Joseph’s tomb.  The Theft Theory alleges that the disciples stole and concealed the body of Jesus before the tomb was guarded by Roman soldiers.  This is also improbable because Jesus had to be buried quickly before the Sabbath observance began that Friday evening, and the Jewish women did not return to the tomb until early Sunday.  In the interim, Jesus’ tomb was well secured and guarded.  The Swoon Theory contends that Jesus did not really die, that he was in a trance state and was later revived by the cool air of the tomb.  This theory is patently absurd.  Not only were the limbs of Jesus cruelly nailed to a cross; he had been beaten mercilessly the night before and his back was a bloody mess; both tortuous acts caused him to experience profuse and deadly hemorrhaging over an extended period of time.  Finally, the Roman soldiers pierced his side with a spear.  Jesus could never have survived these vicious conditions spontaneously, without medical treatment.

The facts of the matter are quite simple.  Bottom-line: JESUS CHRIST ROSE FROM THE DEAD ON THE THIRD DAY, just as He said He would.  (Matthew 26:61 – Mark 14:58 – John 2:19).

Nevertheless…my greatest witness to His resurrection is much more personal and practical:

You ask me how I know He lives?  HE LIVES…WITHIN MY HEART!

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!

EVIDENCE OF THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST (Part I)

EVIDENCE OF THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST (Part I)

Even today, some doubters dispute the authenticity of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Nevertheless, Jesus predicted both his death and his resurrection.  His disciples were advised well in advance: “The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.” (Luke 9:22) However, hidden in the pain of loss was divine purpose.  “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.” (John 12:32)  Mere days before, in a public proclamation to members of the Jewish hierarchy, Jesus declared “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”  Jesus was not referring to the Jewish temple (as some bystanders believed), “but he spoke of the temple of his body.” (John 2:19-21) 

Dr. Luke, one of twelve disciples of Jesus and author of the two-part biblical treatise on his life and ministry (Luke/Acts), summarized the testimony of numerous eyewitnesses to this pivotal event in human history.

Acts 1:1-4

1 The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,

² Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:

³ To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:

⁴ And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.

The Apostle Paul further attested to the resurrection in his letter to the church of Corinth, Greece:

I Corinthians 15:3-8

³ For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

⁴ And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

⁵ And that he was seen of Cephas [Peter], then of the twelve:

⁶ After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.

⁷ After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.

⁸ And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.

Caiaphas and Annas, the chief priests, petitioned Governor Pilate to deploy Roman soldiers to guard the borrowed tomb of Joseph of Arimethea, in which the body of Jesus was laid. (Matthew 27:62-66)  In addition to these soldier sentinels who were watching vigilantly, a huge disc of stone (called a “golel” by the Jews) was rolled into place to block the entryway to the tomb.  Apparently, the stone chosen on this occasion was uncharacteristically large.  A 4^th century manuscript (“Codex Bezae” in the Cambridge Library) describes the stone: “When he was laid there [they] put a stone against the tomb…a stone which twenty men could not roll away.”  It must have been a rock that was gargantuan in size and weight.  The Roman soldiers sealed the tomb and set an around-the-clock watch.  The sealing process was performed by first stretching a strong cord across the stone, then fastening the cord to rock on either side with clay, and finally stamping the clay with the imperial seal of Rome.

According to Christian tradition, a trusted Roman centurion named Petronius was given charge of these soldiers.  Such a deployment would be regarded with extreme seriousness by every soldier.  A well known contemporary historian, Polybius, wrote about the severity of punishment for failure to faithfully discharge Roman guard duty, particularly at night.  In important cases like this one, deficient performance would be punishable by death.

However…early Sunday morning, The Supreme Heavenly Commander dispatched an angelic delegation from the celestial throne room. “And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended…and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.”  Matthew describes the awesome appearance of this archangel: “His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow.”  The Roman soldier sentinels fell immediately to the ground and “became as dead men.”   (Matthew 28:1-4) Bottom-line: No grave could hold HIS body down!  Stay tuned…more to come tomorrow.

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!

TENACITY IN PRAISE

TENACITY IN PRAISE

How I love Psalm 92!  Please read it when you have time and opportunity to do so.  It calls us Christians to continual worship, even as we exist in the foreboding shadows of obstacles, oppositions, sicknesses, or setbacks.  What a powerful reminder this Word of God is for us.  It mobilizes trust and praise as we visualize life through the prism of persistent faith, even while our sensory perceptions tend to promote alternative attitudes and actions. 

I have coined two phrases to describe it: tenacity in praise…or…faith-full praise.  Simply put, it means that believers have the capacity to set aside what we perceive and to grasp victory on the basis of sheer faith in what GOD says…as opposed to our sensory perceptions.  “For whatsoever is born of God overcomes the world: and this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith.” (I John 5:4) Let’s take a look at a representative excerpt of Psalm 92.

Psalm 92

1.        It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto Your name, O most High.

2.       To show forth Your lovingkindness in the morning and Your faithfulness every night.

3.       Upon an instrument of ten strings, and upon the psaltery; upon the harp with a solemn sound.

4.       For You, Lord, have made me glad through Your work: I will triumph in the works of Your hands.

Do you trust GOD enough to praise Him when you are under the weather, or while you are walking through a season of grief or temptation, or while you are regrouping and recovering from your most recent storm?

Trust is always nurtured and developed via one’s on-going experience and spiritual intimacy.  Therefore, the only way we can authentically trust God is by purposefully participating in an up-close-and-personal, Word-based relationship with Him.  Question: Do our circumstances loom larger than Christ?  If so, we must prayerfully re-evaluate our understanding of who He is.  The only way we can accomplish this is through unquestioning trust, uncompromising Word study, unceasing prayer and unconditional praise.

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!

HOPE BEYOND THIS LIFE

HOPE BEYOND THIS LIFE

I read an inspirational story about a loving mother’s tragic loss of her young son.  While it might not be totally accurate (theologically speaking), it is a true portrait of Christ’s profound love for us and the eternal joy that resides on the other side of our earthly existence.  Read it for yourself, and be encouraged to know that there is hope beyond the grave.

The anxious mother jumped up as soon as she saw the surgeon come out of the operating room.  She said: “How is Jimmy?  Is my little boy going to be all right?  When can I see him?”

The surgeon frowned and said, “I’m sorry.  We did all we could, but Jimmy didn’t make it.”

Realizing her greatest fear had just come true, Sally shouted, “Why do little children get cancer?  Doesn’t God care?  Where were you, God, when my son needed you?”

The surgeon asked softly, “Would you like some time alone with your son?  One of the nurses will be out in a few minutes and you can see him before we transport him to the university.”

Sally asked the nurse to stay with her while she said goodbye to her son.  She ran her fingers lovingly through his thick curly hair.  “Would you like a lock of his hair?” the nurse asked.  Sally nodded yes.  The nurse cut a lock of Jimmy’s hair, put it in a plastic bag and handed it to Sally.

The mother said, “It was Jimmy’s idea to donate his body to the university for medical study.  He said it might help somebody else.  I said no at first, but Jimmy said, Mom, I won’t be using it after I die.  Maybe it will help some other little boy to spend one more day with his Mom.” She went on, “My Jimmy had a heart of gold.  He was always thinking of someone else…always wanting to help others if he could.”

Sally walked out of Children’s Mercy Hospital for the last time, after spending the last six months there.  She put the bag with Jimmy’s belongings on the seat beside her in the car.  The drive home was difficult.  It was even harder to enter the empty house.  She carried Jimmy’s belongings and the plastic bag with the lock of hair to her son’s room.  She started placing the model cars and other things back in his room exactly where he had always kept them.  Then she laid across the bed and, hugging his pillow, cried herself to sleep.

Around midnight, Sally woke up.  Beside her on the bed was a folded letter, which read:

Dear Mom,

I know you’re going to miss me, but don’t think I will ever forget you, or stop loving you, just because I’m not around to say ‘I Love You.’  I will always love you, Mom, and someday we will see each other again.  Until then, if you want to adopt a little boy so you won’t be so lonely, that’s okay with me.  He can have my room and old stuff to play with.  But if you decide to get a girl instead, she probably wouldn’t like the same things us boys do so you’ll have to buy her some dolls and girl stuff.

Don’t be sad thinking about me.  This really is a neat place.  Grandma and Grandpa met me as soon as I got here and showed me around, but it will take a long time to see everything.  The angels are so cool.  I love to watch them fly.  And you know what?  Jesus doesn’t look anything like his pictures.  Yet, when I saw Him, I knew who He was right away.  I got to sit on His knee and talk to Him, like I was somebody very important.  That’s when I told Him I wanted to write you a letter, to tell you goodbye and everything.  But I already knew that wouldn’t be allowed here.  Well, you know what Mom?  Jesus handed me some paper and His own personal pen to write you this letter.  I think Gabriel is the name of the angel who is going to drop this letter off to you.  Jesus said for me to give you the answer to one of the questions you asked: “Where was God when my son needed him?”  Jesus said He was in the same place with me as He was the day He died on the cross.  He was right there, as He always is with His children.

Oh, by the way, Mom, no one else can see what I’ve written except you.  To everyone else this is just a blank piece of paper.  Isn’t that cool?  I have to give Jesus His pen back now because He needs it to write some more names in the Book of Life.  Tonight I get to sit at the table with Jesus for supper.  I’m sure the food will be great.

Oh, I almost forgot to tell you.  I don’t hurt anymore because my cancer is all gone!  I’m glad because I couldn’t stand that pain anymore and Jesus said He couldn’t stand to see me hurt so much either.  That’s when He sent the Angel of Mercy to come and get me.  The Angel said I was a Special Delivery!  How about that?

-Signed with love from Jesus and Jimmy

This emotional story causes me to think about the children who were tragically killed (December 2012) in a Newtown, Connecticut school.  Their loss is not the end of the story, for we always have hope.  In the midst of death, there is life…and a brighter day lies ahead.  If you have recently experienced the loss of a loved one, be encouraged.  And may the comforting presence of the Holy Spirit surround and sustain you.

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!

GOD'S DISPOSAL SYSTEM (Part III)

GOD’S DISPOSAL SYSTEM (Part III)

The process of sanctification is accomplished through ongoing reflection on and submission to the Word of God.  That is, Jesus Christ not only saves us from our sin (its penalty and power), but He divinely disposes of our sin (its practice) through the ongoing operations of the Holy Spirit.  Although we are called to “be perfect,” i.e. to emulate Christ and strive toward His perfection, we are cognizant of the fact that Heaven’s treasure actually resides within frail, fallible, human vessels…OURSELVES. (Matthew 5:48 and II Corinthians 4:7) 

Nevertheless, in cooperation with the work of the Holy Spirit, we are commanded to sanctify ourselves.  Not only are we to studiously avoid sinful situations and practices, we are also admonished to “abstain from all appearance of evil,” which implies that the gospel message must never by diluted or compromised by any ungodly attitudes or actions over which we have personal choice and control.  The Father extends a precious promise to those of us who are willingly obedient to Him.  As we perform our part, GOD will certainly complete the process, i.e. the “God of peace [will] sanctify [us] wholly.” (I Thessalonians 5:22-23 and Philippians 1:6)

Jesus Christ, our perfect example, modeled this pattern of cooperation with The Father.  In His high priestly prayer recorded in the gospel of John, he intercedes to the Father on behalf of all believers: “And for their sakes I sanctify myself…that they also might be sanctified through the truth.”  Undoubtedly, our process of sanctification is activated and enabled by the Living Word.  Jesus declares, “I have given them thy word.”  And He prays that the Father would “sanctify them [believers] through thy truth: thy word is truth.”  Importantly, he petitions the Father to not “take [believers] out of the world,” but that He would “keep [believers] from the evil.” (John 17:14-19)

This sanctification process is only made possible by “the washing of water by the word.”  It is the intention of Jesus Christ to present us to the Father as “a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that [we] should be holy and without blemish.” (Ephesians 5:25-27) Christ’s ultimate goal is so lofty that it defies human logic and seems to contradict what we daily observe in ourselves and others.  And this is precisely the point in which FAITH comes into the picture. 

Faith is the mover-and-shaker of God’s Disposal System.  In a word, our faith positions us and (then) transports us into the perfect will of God.  The irony is this:  Even though we are not actually perfect, we are positioneD AS PERFECT by virtue of our faithful response to God’s word.  For example, the scriptures tell us that Abraham “believed in the Lord; and [GOD] counted it to him for righteousness.” (Genesis 15:6) This Kingdom truth underscores the foundational fact that “without faith, it is impossible to please” our God. (Hebrews 11:6)

The bottom-line is this: Despite our present human conditions and challenges, faith-filled disciples have already attained the ultimate measure of victory.  That is, GOD has already ACCORDED us victory AND ACCOUNTED US AS VICTORIOUS…current circumstances notwithstanding.  In the words of the Apostle Peter, “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue.” (II Peter 1:3)

Therefore, according to the teachings of the Apostle Paul, despite the spiritual warfare in which we are now engaged, by FAITH…we are already SEATED IN HIM…in total victory!  Prayerfully consider the Word:

Ephesians 1:3

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

Ephesians 1:20

Which he wrought in Christ, when He raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places.

Ephesians 2:5-7

5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

7 That in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

In order to walk in this legacy of absolute victory, believers are advised to remain wide-awake, vigilant, sober and steadfast, which means that we must always approach the things of God with conscientiousness and consistency. (I Thessalonians 5:6-8 – I Peter 5:8 – I Corinthians 15:58) To wit, believers should never stress, worry, doubt or become anxious about God’s method of bringing us into relational and practical perfection. 

Why?  In effect, there is an invisible sign hanging upon the shoulders of each and every believer.  It reads, ‘Under Construction!’  So ultimately, “it is GOD who works in [us] both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13) Be watchful; be prayerful; be Word-full; be consistent; be committed…and know that your salvation and sanctification have been carefully and completely crafted by your Creator.  On Golgotha’s hill, when Jesus Christ declared, “It is finished,” He proclaimed that the salvation process was complete, and (by faith) that WE are complete in Him. (John 19:30) Therefore, every issue in your life that needs adjustment is already handled…via God’s Disposal System.  EVERY ISSUE!  Wow!  Double Wow!  Triple Wow! 

Hear what The Word says about those of us who believe:

“For we are God’s [own] handiwork [His workmanship], recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined [planned beforehand] for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live].” (Ephesians 2:10, The Amplified Bible)

TRUST THE DIVINE ARCHITECT.  And never allow the apparent messiness and disarray of THE CONSTRUCTION ZONE to cancel out (in time) that which has already been completed (in eternity).  "Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ." (Philippians 1:6) Prayerfully consider the Word of the Lord.

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!

GOD'S DISPOSAL SYSTEM (Part II)

GOD’S DISPOSAL SYSTEM (Part II)

The grace of God is continuously operative, both in and around us.  GOD does not throw people away.  Graciously and mercifully, HE transforms us.  How so?  Love is God’s essence and the modus operandi by which He graciously and mercifully liberates us from the shameful and destructive forces of sin.  However, divine love also has the necessary component of justice, so sins are remedied and sinners redeemed by the CREATOR who hates sin (UNQUESTIONABLY) but loves people (uNCONDITIONALLY). 

Therefore, it is a practical necessity that GOD would provide us 1) the means to be saved from the power and penalty of sin, and 2) the means to be delivered from the dominant sinful influences of the world system in which we live.  These two salvation operations are commonly called conversion and sanctification.  Both operate through grace AND faith, which “work by love.” (Galatians 5:6)

We understand that Grace is God’s unmerited favor.  We could never deserve salvation, neither could we labor to attain it, but it was freely afforded to us as a loving act of human redemption. 

Ephesians 2:8-9

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Grace is a divine operation that can only be initiated by GOD; nevertheless, it requires a human response, which is fully and ably assisted by God.  God’s post-conversion activity within the lives of believers is the process known as sanctification.  It is an operation that is largely divine, but simultaneously human.  That is, life is imparted to the believer by the Holy Spirit and s/he is released from the compulsive power of sin and guilt and thus enabled to love God, to strive to please Him, and to commence Kingdom service. It is GOD that purifies and sets believers apart for service, but WE must be cooperating partners in this divine process.

The Apostle Paul offers a practical admonition to young Timothy, his protégé.  “No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.” (II Timothy 2:4) This is a direct echo of Christ’s claim that believers must be “IN the world,” yet not OF the world. (John 17:11) Indeed, this is a paradox.  We are commissioned as the “salt” and “light” of the world. (Matthew 5:13-14) Yet, despite our close proximity to the world system, we are strongly admonished to avoid adopting worldly practices.  To wit, we have been divinely dispatched as human transformers.  This is our mission, but it is also our greatest challenge – that we be IN…but not OF…the world.

Utilizing the metaphor of Christians being part of a noble or “great house,” Paul instructs us Winner-Believers to “depart from iniquity.”  He contends that even noble houses contain both vessels of “honor” and “dishonor.”  Our task, via the divine purging process, is to identify with (and assimilate the characteristics of) honorable vessels that are “sanctified” and “meet” [fit] “for the master’s use.”  (II Timothy 2:20-21) In effect, “the husbandman” (God) continuously prunes and purges “every branch…that it may bring forth more fruit.” (John 15:2) This is the process of sanctification by which believers are divinely prepared and divinely pOSITIONed for Kingdom service.  In the words of Jesus Christ…

John 15:1-8

I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. ³ You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. ⁴ Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. ⁵ I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.  If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.

This process of sanctification is accomplished through our ongoing exposure and submission to the Word of God.  That is, Jesus Christ not only saves us from our sin (its penalty and power), but He divinely disposes of our sin (its practice) through the ongoing operations of the Holy Spirit.  This does not mean that Christians are perfect.  Any realistic self-examination would preclude such an unrealistic conclusion.  Although we are called to “be perfect,” i.e. to emulate Christ and strive toward His perfection, we recognize that Heaven’s treasure resides within frail and fallible human vessels. (Matthew 5:48 and II Corinthians 4:7) Stay tuned…more to come tomorrow!

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!

GOD'S DISPOSAL SYSTEM (Part I)

GOD’S DISPOSAL SYSTEM (Part I)

It is of paramount importance to understand that the grace of God is continuously operative throughout all of our lives.  GOD never throws people away, as we might be prone to do.  Since love is the very essence and nature of God, it is His M.O. (His modus operandi) to graciously and mercifully purge people of sin, along with its addiction, shame and destruction.  Simply put, God hates sin; God loves people.  So we must strive faithfully to emulate His divine attitudes and actions.

The Wesley brothers (John and Charles) spoke often of “prevenient grace,” which is the supernatural power that ignites and assists the growth and development of our initial faith in God.  Prevenient grace is clearly verified in scripture.  God’s confirmation to Jeremiah: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.” (Jeremiah 1:5) Indeed, the grace of God was operative – both prior and subsequent to Jeremiah’s birth – to shape his faith and spiritually align divine purpose and personal destiny.

In this same manner, ALL are summoned to salvation.  (John 3:17 and II Peter 3:9) Before, during and after this universal call to at-one-ment with The Father through Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit operates graciously, seamlessly and imperceptibly (behind the scenes) to forge and focus our faith, i.e. to create innumerable opportunities so that eventually “Christ [will] be formed” in us. (Galatians 4:19)

Today, we exist in an age where faith is almost universally embraced, at least verbally.  As such, the majority of Americans purport to be adherents of the Christian faith and proponents of Christian values.  This is incredibly ironic and completely controverted by the attitudes and actions that are so prevalent in our society. 

Two key questions are begged:

1)  How shall we contend for faith, i.e. the genuine and God-given faith? (Jude 1:3) 

2) How shall we continue in faith once it is delivered to us? (Jude 1:3)

The Apostle Paul offers definitive scriptural solutions for these challenging questions:

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9) And along with this Kingdom truth, he issues a mandate for all believers to live in accordance with the Word and will of God.  “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” (II Corinthians 7:1)

In sum, The Word states positively that grace is a divine operation initiated by God, which requires a definite human response.  Furthermore, The Word identifies God’s post-conversion activity within our lives.  This is a process called sanctification.  What is sanctification?  It is an operation that is largely divine, but also human.  That is, once spiritual life is imparted to the believer by the Holy Spirit and s/he is released from the compulsive power of sin and guilt and thus enabled to love God, to strive to please Him, and to serve his neighbor.  It is GOD that purifies and sets believers apart for service, but WE must become cooperating partners in the process.

Is there biblical evidence for this process?  Prior to participation in the sacred feasts, this divine mandate was issued to all Israelites: “Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the Lord your God.” (Leviticus 20:7)  “Kill the Passover, and sanctify yourselves, and prepare your brethren, that they may do according to the word of the Lord...” (II Chronicles 35:6)

What is God communicating via these scriptures?  Divine grace reaches out to lost people and provides the vehicle for spiritual restoration.  Nevertheless, a human response is required, which means our willful participation is absolutely necessary.  As we come “boldly to the throne of grace,” we become cooperating partners in God’s disposal system, i.e. His ongoing process of purging, purifying, preparing and positioning us for effective Kingdom service. (Hebrews 4:16) Stay tuned…more to come tomorrow!

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!