The Only Cause Worth Bowing To

Everyone has a cause; everyone has some cause that he/she strongly believes in. It may not be the cause that you or I do but someone, somewhere, does. Whether it's the environment, social injustice, immigration, or something in the political realm there's a cause, it seems, for everyone. One doesn't have to look far at all to find one to believe in. Some, not liking what they see, start their own. Regardless of which cause-or cause you embrace only one cause is worth bowing ones knees to.  The only cause worth bowing to is the cause of Christ. The only cause worth bowing my knees to is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In the Old Testament the only person Shadrach, Meschack, and Abednego would bow to was God. In the New Testament Jesus was the only person the Apostle Paul was willing to bow his knees to was the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 3:14). That's pretty good company; my kind of folks.

I believe in other causes. There are a lot of good ones out there where you live, where I live. As a Christian I believe in helping other, in getting behind what someone else is doing-as long as it doesn't compromise or become more important than the furtherance of the Gospel; the advancement of God's great Plan of redemption. For the Christian, getting the Gospel out to those around us should that one cause above all other causes that causes us to bow our knees to God.

If you're a Christian, what cause (s) do you support? What cause (s) do you believe in enough to invest your time, resources, and prayers in? Where does the cause of Christ rate among the causes-if any-you support? Share your thoughts.

Which Camp Are You In?

Growing up, our family spent many vacations camping in Colorado, Wyoming, Oregon, Maryland, and Virginia. After our site was secured, there was time to explore our surroundings. One thing to notice was a variety of car tags, indicating folks from other states had chosen to share common interests. God's Church, the Body of Christ is, in some respects, a campground of its own. People of different backgrounds joined together with a common interest: the cause of Christ being pursued over our own aspirations and dreams. In doing so we're exchanging our lives for the Life provided through Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection.

Unlike those inclusive campgrounds of yesteryear I see far too many individual camps in the Church; groups having their own camp just to have things their way. Denominational camps, non-denominational camps, Word-of-Faith camps-the list goes on and on. All because of focusing on what divides us, rather than what unites us.

There are a lot of differences among camps within the Church, the Body of Christ. Some of these differences are extreme, to the point where my only fellowship with people is salvation, based on the shed Blood of Jesus. I know that there's so much more to the Christian walk than just salvation but, after all, isn't that the most important part? Even though I pray in tongues, walk in health, and am prospering financially, I still face a challenge. If I can't fellowship with those who are saved, but think that speaking in tongues is of the devil and that God wants them poor, what does that say about my love walk, about walking in love toward fellow believers? Not much at all. Not much at all.

The only camp that matters is God's camp. His camp has room for every believer-every person who has believed on the Lord Jesus Christ and is following Him-regardless of anything else.  This doesn't mean giving up the rest of our blessings in Christ. It means focusing on the fact that our common bond is the Blood of Jesus Christ, shed for our sins to purchase our salvation.

How about you? What core beliefs have you set aside to fellowship with those who don't agree with you? What happened as the result of finding common "camp" ground?

© Hubert Gardner Ministries 2014-2024

Ten Ways to Destroy a Church

Going through some boxes, I found the following article, with excerpts by George W. Knight. It's about ways to destroy a church. Perhaps you've observed these at one time or another in a church you visited or, perhaps, your own. Over the past 40+ years of being and serving in numerous churches, my wife and I have seen more than a few of these ways being present. My purpose for listing them is to show what the devil uses to destroy churches, and, being aware, use this as a self-checklist to better serve God through our own church.

I don't know when the original article was published, however the points are timeless, regardless of age. The article is entitled, Ten Ways to Destroy a Church:

1. Don't come

2. If you do come, always arrive late.

3. After every service let it be known, loud and clear, that you "didn't get anything out of the service."

4. Never accept a job or leadership position in the church. It's much better to stand on the sidelines and criticize.

5. Let it be known that you visit other churches about half the time, just to show your pastor and fellow church members that you don't need them.

6. Make all the leaders do all the work and blame them if it isn't done right.

7. Sit in the back of the church, talk with others, and never sing or participate.

8. Never give money.

9. Never encourage the pastor or leaders.

10. Be sure to point out any faults of your church to guests. They might never notice these faults without your help

If you see one or more of these where you attend, what can you do to change what is to what can be?

Where's your identification?

I flew on a few business trips last year. Each time I checked in I was required to present valid identification.  As I went through security I also had to show my ticket-proof that I was a passenger that day. Had I not already had my proof of identification out, ready to be shown, a valid question to me would have been, "Where's your identification?". Without it I wouldn't have flown. Identification. It's proof of who we are. Whether it's a driver's license, passport, student ID card, or other valid form, we live in a time where much emphasis is put on who we are. Things like opening up a bank account, obtaining a passport, or buying a house-in each case proof of identification is required. Renting a car? You'll be asked to show proof of identification.

Identification is even more important where spiritual things are concerned. As Christians we've been placed into Christ-into the family of God. We've been given new identification papers, so to speak. In 2 Corinthians 5:17 the Bible says that if any (person) be in Christ he is a new creature. Literally, this means that a new species of being has been created in you. If you're a Christan, there's a new "you" in you that wasn't there before. Your identification is now with Christ, not the devil and his crowd. You're under God's dominion, not Satan's.

Spiritually speaking we've been given new identities. We have new identification papers, so to speak, within the pages of the New Testament-specifically the Epistles, letters written to Christians. Examples are the books of Ephesians and Colossians. Each book paints a vivid picture of the believer's new identification with Christ, focusing on that person's  rights and privileges, in Christ.

It was some years after I became a Christan before I learned of my real identity, as a follower of Jesus Christ. I struggles to know who I was in life, my purpose, and my destiny. Having found my true identity I know who I really am. I move about in total security, without fear of detection. When the devil tries to bring up something from my life before Christ I show him my identification papers-God's Word-proving my identity in Christ. That's my true position-in Christ. Knowing my true identity affects my thinking, believing, words, and actions, on a daily basis.

Where's your identification? Is it in the natural things of this world, or in Christ? How important is it to be secure in who you really are, where your true identity lies?

Dry Water

Over the years I've been to a lot of swimming pools, spending many summer hours enjoying doing laps, or simply cooling off.  All of those pools had something in common: in each case the water was wet. In today's post I want to use the relationship between water and wet to make a point about our relationship with Jesus Christ.

When a person receives salvation through Jesus Christ (Romans 10:9,10) that person becomes a part of God's Church, which the Bible refers to as the Body of Christ (Ephesians 1:22,23; Colossians 1:18, 24). Another way to say this is we become in Christ. To be in Christ simply means that we now have in our spirits (hearts) God's very life, nature, and ability. This is good news!

Due to religious brainwashing rather than New Testament teaching, many believers have a hard time seeing themselves as being in Christ. They want Jesus without being in Christ; however you can't have one without the other. Conversely, you can't be a Christian without also being in Christ. To have one without the other is like wanting to go swimming without being in water.

There's no such thing as dry water. If something's dry, it's not water; if it's water, it's wet. Imagine someone going to a pool and asking the lifeguard, "Where's the dry end? I want to go swimming in the dry end." Silly as that may sound that's how some Christians are with the things of God-give me Jesus, without everything He is or has done for me.

In other words, give me dry water.

I know Christians who are extreme, like some swimming pools-either shallow or off in the deep-end. At the same time, too many Christians are trying to swim in proverbial wet suits. They're sincere about swimming (knowing Christ) but just aren't sure about all that wet stuff (being in Christ).

I've been there, having Christ without knowing that I'm also in Christ, in Him. It wasn't fulfilling swimming in dry water, so I started finding out about the water of who I am, in Christ, what I have, in Christ,  and what I can do through Him. What I've learned has revolutionized my life, family, and ministry. I'm enjoying swimming in life more than ever.

No more dry water.

How's your "pool"? Is your water wet or dry? Do you see yourself in Christ, as God does? If not, why not? If so, what steps are you taking-or will you take-to enjoy your "pool" even more today?

Carrying the message

In 1965 a single record, entitled Eve of Destruction, began playing on radio stations. Sung by Barry McGuire, the song quickly rose in popularity. Composer P.F. Sloan's now famous line "You’re old enough to kill, but not for votin" led to passage of the 26th amendment, lowering the minimum voting age from 21 to 18.

Nearly 50 years later this remains a prime example of music carrying the message. What do I mean by this? How can music carry any message? God created music as a means for us to worship Him. While you can certainly worship God without music, there's something helpful about music that can usher us into God's Presence. Someone not given to remembering words by themselves will benefit through hearing those words, delivered through a musical messenger-a song the hearer sings and/or listens to.

My senior year of high school I was part of the school choir. Although not a Christian at the time, I've never forgotten two songs we sang in that public high school. One was based on Psalm 145:15,16; the other was "Alleluia", written by Randall Thompson. The first consists of two verses; the second has, until the ending "Amen", the singular word "Alleluia" Both songs carry messages: the former of God's provision; the latter of praise. Decades later, both messages remain with me due, in no small part, to the musical vehicle of each.

Music alone or music carrying a message, there's something almost undefinable about music that causes us to hear more than notes. Whether for worship, entertainment, or simply influence, music is certainly more than notes and sounds. Whether we disagree about what kind of music is appropriate for us, one thing is certain: Music, more often than not, is carrying the message.

What are we listening to? More importantly, what is the message-and are we hearing it?

Do You Speak in Christianese?

Speaking in tongues is an experience, subsequent to salvation, where Christians receive the ability to pray in an unknown (to them)  language, as enabled by the Holy Spirit. The one doing the speaking has no idea what he/she is saying, although someone listening might recognize the words as being in the hearer's native language.

Over the years I've seen-and experienced-a phenomenon that is just the opposite: the language being spoken is seemingly understood by the one doing the speaking.  Too often, however, the words being spoken are either not being understood at all or (worse) are being misunderstood by the hearer. It's called "Christianese".

What is "Christianese"? Christianese is a compilation of words, phrases, and expressions used by Christians to describe experiences and/or events relating to one's walk with God. These experiences/events often refer to something happening in a church service-on the platform or at the front of the auditorium, for examples. Right or wrong, good or bad, well intended of not, Christianese can be confusing to those new to the faith-especially those with little or no church background. Why is this?

Such phrases as "slain in the Spirit", words like "anointed" and "sanctified"-these are everyday expressions for those who've walked with God for a while. For those, however, who are fresh out the womb, spiritually speaking, this may be as unknown as speaking in tongues was to those in the Upper Room on the day of Pentecost.

I touch on this, briefly, in my book Born To Win: A Study Guide for the New Believer, available on kindle and ibooks, or through our office. In the book I offer definitions for some phrases most Christians will hear at some point, including "slain in the Spirit." Since the Holy Spirit isn't going around killing people, it would be more accurate to say "fallen in the Spirit" to describe someone having fallen under the power of the Holy Spirit. Even accuracy, however, can be misunderstood by those new to the faith.

There's a real need among those in leadership to simplify their words, phrases, and expressions when teaching, in and out of the pulpit. Don't expect everyone to understand all those Christianese words you're tossing around. Don't assume that someone over 40 knows what you mean. Some folks come to the Lord with absolutely no church background, whatsoever. For some, coming to Christ in a service was that person's first venture through church doors.

Without compromising let's work to keep our words simple and clear. Let's keep them void of unexplained phraseology that confuses, rather than clarifies our message.

It worked for Jesus. It will work for us.

Do you speak in "Christianese?" I know I have, and I'm working to do better. What are some ways you can simplify your words, without compromising your message?

Codependency

In the broadest sense, codependency is where each person in a relationship offers something that the other person in that relationship is dependent upon. Marriage relationships often fall into this category: each spouse depends on the other for spiritual, emotional, and/or physical fulfillment. Taken to an extreme, being codependent leads to selfishness, abuse, and regret.

Being codependent can be healthy when all parties forgo what they want, to meet the needs of the other person. We see this in our relationship with Jesus, the Head of the Church-those who have believed on Him as Lord.

The book of Ephesians illustrates our relationship to Jesus using body parts. Ephesians 1:22,23 portray Jesus as the Head of the Church, the Church being us. Ephesians 3:29, 32 points this out as well. Colossians 1:18 states that Jesus is "the head of the body, the church:..." You get the picture.

We all agree that our physical body is helpless without our head. As believers we, the Body of Christ, are just as helpless without our Head, Jesus Christ. At the same time we need to recognize that Jesus, as our Head, is helpless without us believers, His Body. If our physical head cannot function apart from our physical body, how can we expect Jesus, our spiritual Head, to accomplish His will, plans, and purposes for mankind apart from the Church, His spiritual Body?

As impossible as this may seem this is still true, which is why the devil fights so hard to keep believers like you and me from finding this out. Why? Because he knows that the Body of Christ-the Church-will put him on the run at every turn, once they see themselves as possessing the same life, nature, ability, and authority as Jesus, its Head.

As the Body of Christ, we are His hands and feet taking the Good News of the Gospel to the ends of the earth. Is that something we do apart from Jesus, our Head? No, the body is dependent on the head for instructions, direction, and guidance. At the same time the head is equally dependent on the body for carrying out the head's orders. Your head may tell your body to go to the store, however it needs its body to get there. Ever seen a head drive without its body? I haven't either, not even in the movies.

Do you see why there's a codependency between Jesus, the Head of the Church, and us, His Body? It's a relationship that's mutually beneficial: God accomplishes His will for Mankind through Jesus and His Body. In return are to enjoy God's abundance in every area of life right here on earth, even before we get to Heaven. Heaven on earth.

If not already, it's time for all of us to see the codependency Jesus and us have on each other. Not selfishly but, rather, in ways beyond our natural reasoning.

Have you ever thought of God being dependent upon you, about Jesus needing you as much as you need Him? How has your viewpoint changed from reading this post?