A Touch of Humor - Simplification

Should the issue of membership turn on who we like? Why or why not?

Old Erich Proverb - Not Specimen

God is not a specimen to be examined but a person to be understood.

A Voice from the Past - John of Damascus

And the Son alone is generate, for He was begotten of the Father's essence without beginning and without time. And only the Holy Spirit proceedeth from the Father's essence, not having been generated but simply proceeding. For this is the doctrine of Holy Scripture. But the nature of the generation and the  procession is quite beyond comprehension.

John of Damascus, 676-754 AD, Exposition of the Orthodox Faith, Book I, Chapter VIII, (translated by Rev. S. D. F. Salmond, The Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Philip Schaff and Henry Wace, T & T Clark and Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 1997, Second Series, Vol. IX, p. 8)

Is this the right way to approach this type of issue? At what point do we need to realize we cannot fully understand God's nature?

Learning to Love God's Law

Do we as Christians delight in God’s commandments? And if not, how can we come to do so? Scripture does speak of delighting in God’s law (Psalm 119:97-104; 19:7-10; 1:1,2). Granted, this probably implies the Old Testament as a whole and not just the commandments. But these are clearly included. However, this is not the standard human response to any commandment. Our natural response is to disobey. That is because we are sinners (Romans 3:23; Jeremiah 17:9; Isaiah 64:6) and cannot keep God’s law (Romans 3:19,20; 7:14-25; Galatians 3:10-14). I recall the first time I tried to read the Bible and started in Matthew and reached the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). My immediate reaction was, “I cannot live up to this,” and I closed the Bible for many years. How do I get from there to delighting in God’s law? 

God resolved the issue of the guilt of sin by becoming a man (Philippians 2:5-11; John 1:1-18; Hebrews 2:9-18) to pay the price for sin (1 Peter 2:24,25; Colossians 2:13,14; 2 Corinthians 5:21). He therefore offers salvation freely to all who put their faith in Christ (Ephesians 2:8,9; Romans 4:4,5; Philippians 3:9), apart from anything they can do to earn it (Galatians 2:21; Titus 3:5,6; Romans 11:6). This forms the basis for a new perspective on God’s commands.

We have a new motivation for wanting to live for God: love for Him because of what He has done for us (1 John 4:19; 2 Corinthians 5:14,15; Titus 2:11-14). This is rooted in the fact that God has sent Christ to die for us (Romans 5:6-8; John 3:16-18; 1 John 4:9,10). Christ’s coming also upholds God’s commands as the reasonable and appropriate requirements for human behavior (Romans 7:7-12; 6:15-23; 3:31). Christ’s dying for our sins not only shows God’s love, but also upholds God’s standard (Romans 3:24-26; 8:3,4; 1 Peter 1:17-19). It also means that God now works in His people to change them (2 Corinthians 3:18; Ephesians 2:10; Colossians 1:19). The power to do this is the result of our being in Christ (2 Peter 1:3; Colossians 2:10; Ephesians 1:13). 

This brings us around full circle so that we can delight in God’s commandments. Therefore, far from encouraging people to go out and sin, grace makes it possible for us to approach God’s commandments with the right attitude (John 14:21: 1 John 5:3-5; Galatians 5:13,14). But it is possible that believers may neglect to cultivate this work of God in their lives (Hebrews 5:11-14; 1 Corinthians 3:1-4; Galatians 5:16,17). I am convinced that this is because they have forgotten God’s truth and what He has done for them (2 Peter 1:9; James 1:22-25; 1 Corinthians 11:23-25). There may even be a point where it must be questioned if they have genuine faith (James 2:17; 1 John 2:19; Matthew 7:21-23). But genuine faith loves God, His people, His Word, and even His commandments.

If God Is for Us - Romans 8:31,32

Church Discipline

Correcting those in sin is a difficult thing, whether in an individual or a church context. It is, in fact, so difficult that we tend to avoid it. We are a live-and-let-live society. We have great reluctance to question people or interfere with their lives. But there are also those who take this to an opposite extreme. Who criticize people for every detail in a harsh and condescending manner. Also, in the current divided state of the church, it is easy just to leave if the conflict gets unpleasant, and go to the church down the road. And if we are concerned with numbers, we may be reluctant to drive people away. Now there is no easy solution to the present situation, but it should not be made an excuse for not following God’s instructions as best we can.

The first requirement here is that we need to do it (1 Corinthians 5:1,2; Galatians 6:1; 2 Thessalonians 3:14). Now we are all sinners (1 John 1:8-10; Romans 7:14; 3:23), and there is a point where love covers a multitude of sin (1 Peter 4:8; Proverbs 10:12; 1 Corinthians 13:5). But there is also a point where the sin is clear and blatant and must be corrected. Now the proper approach is to deal with the person directly (Matthew 18:15-20; Luke 17:3; Titus 3:10). This is important, because unless you confront the person directly it is difficult for them to know where they are coming from and if you are satisfied with their repentance. Also, we need to give them a chance to present their case if they have one (Proverbs 18:17; 25:8-10). 

Now we need to do this with gentleness (Galatians 6:1; 2 Thessalonians 3:15; Jude 22), with the goal of reconciliation and restoration (Matthew 18:15; Galatians 6:1; Hebrews 12:13). The word restore in Galatians 6:1 is used for setting a broken bone or mending a net; it pictures setting people back on the right path. Also, we are told to beware of being tempted to sin ourselves (Galatians 6:1; Jude 23). But this implies involvement in the person’s life. We are unlikely to be tempted to participate in another person’s sin simply through confronting them and saying they are wrong. But if we work with them, if we try to help them, if we try to convince them to change, then it is possible they may pull us down rather than us pulling them up. So we need to beware of this; it is a very real danger. But there is also a danger we will evade this by not being involved at all when we should be. There is a balance here. And the ultimate goal should be forgiveness and restoration (2 Corinthians 2:5-11; James 5:19,20; Luke 17:4). This is not always possible, but it needs to be the goal. For the purpose of church discipline is not to drive people away, but to put them back on the right path.

A Touch of Humor - Ducking Responsiblity

Can we avoid becoming members of a church to avoid the responsibilities of membership? Is this an appropriate response? Why or why not?