Matthew 10:22 bothered me as a new Christians. It says, " All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved." It was that part of "'stands firm to the end'" that stopped me in my tracks. I reasoned that my failure to continue proclaiming Jesus at any time would negate my salvation. I wondered if I would always be true. I wondered if that meant I could lose my salvation. Thankfully I discovered what salvation is really about. It doesn't make this verse less serious but it assures me of my final destination.
Salvation does not depend upon my works. Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV)8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. Obedience is evidence of salvation but it does not gain us salvation. I am not saved because I have worked so hard to obtain it. It is God's gift to those who will receive it.
God keeps His word. He said that we would be saved by the confession of our mouths and the belief in our hearts. Romans 10:9-11 (NIV)9 That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. 11 As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame."
Some may say that our confession is an act of work but I know that it is an evidence of God's work within us. 1 John 4:2 (NIV)2 This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God,
God's Spirit identifies with us so that we know that we are saved. Romans 8:16 (NIV)16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. I know I belong to Him because my spirit agrees with His Spirit.
It is through my spirit and His Spirit that I receive spiritual things. I understand them because He reveals it through my spirit which has been made alive. 1 Corinthians 2:14 (NIV)14 The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.
I am saved because God loves me and nothing can take that away. Romans 8:37-39 (NIV)37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Therefore I know I am saved because I have received the faith God has for me to believe. I know I am saved because He gave salvation to me as a gift. I know I am saved because He always keeps His word. I know I am saved because my spirit agrees with His Spirit. I know I am saved because I understand spiritual things. I know I am saved because God's love cannot be taken away from me.
Do you know you are saved?
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Do Children Understand a Parent's Devotion?
Yesterday my heart sank as I watched my daughter walk down to her apartment. My wife and I had spent five days in Cairo, Egypt. We saw a lot of incredible sites but she was the real reason we came. My heart hurt because I knew I wouldn't see her again for several months.
I am very proud of her. She teaches school in Cairo. I think she is very brave to leave the security of the US to go to a foreign country that is so very different from what most Americans will ever experience. She will leave and teach in another country next year. I am glad she does this. I only wish I could see her more often.
As she walked away I thought of how God feels when we walk away from Him. Unlike my daughter and me God can always be with His children. The only separation comes when His children walk away from Him. How much of a hurt is it for God if I leave Him for a bad reason if I hurt when my daughter leaves me for a good reason? I can't imagine.
I believe God wanted me to learn this lesson. His devotion to me is immeasurable. I can't really understand it.
I do understand my devotion to my children. I don't think it is possible for them to understand it either. I know I never understood it of my parents but I am starting to grasp a small part of what God feels.
1 John 3:1a (NIV)
How great is the love the Father has lavished on us that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!
I am very proud of her. She teaches school in Cairo. I think she is very brave to leave the security of the US to go to a foreign country that is so very different from what most Americans will ever experience. She will leave and teach in another country next year. I am glad she does this. I only wish I could see her more often.
As she walked away I thought of how God feels when we walk away from Him. Unlike my daughter and me God can always be with His children. The only separation comes when His children walk away from Him. How much of a hurt is it for God if I leave Him for a bad reason if I hurt when my daughter leaves me for a good reason? I can't imagine.
I believe God wanted me to learn this lesson. His devotion to me is immeasurable. I can't really understand it.
I do understand my devotion to my children. I don't think it is possible for them to understand it either. I know I never understood it of my parents but I am starting to grasp a small part of what God feels.
1 John 3:1a (NIV)
How great is the love the Father has lavished on us that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Do People Have Free Will?
Many atheist believe that free will does not exist. They believe that we are merely the products of our environments. If two people had exactly the same parents, the same exact time and date of birth, ate exactly the same things, had the same DNA, the same exact looks, had the same exact experiences at the same time with the same people and had every other experience and stimuli the same, these two people would think the same thoughts, say the same things and make the same decisions. (Of course, this destroys the concept of alternate universes because there would be no variations given exactly the same conditions.)
On the other hand, there are Christians who believe that some will go to heaven and others go to hell because God has chosen to same some. They believe that people have a free will about everything but salvation. They believe that God's grace is irresistible to these people. Those people will come to know Christ do not have a free will to do so. Many of these people deny that God, therefore, condemns others by not choosing them. I don't see how they are able to come to that conclusion. I can't help believing that I would know my choice of who is getting on my lifeboat would also condemn those whom are not chosen. It would occur to me; why not to God?
Yet, the words "predestined" and "chosen" are clearly used in the New Testament. But are these words being taken out of context when talking about salvation? Is it possible that God does not steal our free will when we understand the whole counsel of the word of God? I think so.
God does not see time as we do. He knows it as completed but experiences it in the moment. We know it and experience it at the same time. Therefore, God makes His decisions out of His knowledge of what He knows will happen. He knows all the variances of all the decisions that can be made. He knows what will happen if this computer crashes right now and what will happen if it continues to allow me to write. He knows how to bring me to worship and serve Him if it is possible. But God never violates my will. He will allow me to sin. He will allow some of the greatest atrocities known to be completed because He does not violate my will or anyone else's. He intervenes but does not take over my body or mind to so what He wants. I can resist or I can comply.
However, God is also very persuasive. He will do what will cause me to come to Him. He will work around me to bring others into my life as His grace to me when I allow Him. I can resist His Spirit, resist the environment He works around me and resist His urgings through others to come to Him. These are all grace.
God knows the exact time and date that I gave my heart to Him before the beginning of time. He, therefore, knew what it would take to cause that to happen. He worked to make that happen. I was "predestined" and "chosen" because of His infinite knowledge. God's grace happens for us individually in our own fullness of time.
Should this make me praise God less because I have decided to follow Jesus? Am I less joyful because my grace was resistible? No, absolutely not! I know that He worked to save me. I responded because of His knowledge of what I would do.
God saves people because of His love. There is no other reason. None of us would be saved if He had not worked to save us. He sent Jesus to save us while we were still sinners. He sent people to tell you the gospel story. He worked through media, books, the Bible and other means to have you hear the gospel. You can and could resist but why would you really want to? Its not like the world is offering you a better deal.
Ephesians 1:4-7 (NIV)
4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will-- 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace
On the other hand, there are Christians who believe that some will go to heaven and others go to hell because God has chosen to same some. They believe that people have a free will about everything but salvation. They believe that God's grace is irresistible to these people. Those people will come to know Christ do not have a free will to do so. Many of these people deny that God, therefore, condemns others by not choosing them. I don't see how they are able to come to that conclusion. I can't help believing that I would know my choice of who is getting on my lifeboat would also condemn those whom are not chosen. It would occur to me; why not to God?
Yet, the words "predestined" and "chosen" are clearly used in the New Testament. But are these words being taken out of context when talking about salvation? Is it possible that God does not steal our free will when we understand the whole counsel of the word of God? I think so.
God does not see time as we do. He knows it as completed but experiences it in the moment. We know it and experience it at the same time. Therefore, God makes His decisions out of His knowledge of what He knows will happen. He knows all the variances of all the decisions that can be made. He knows what will happen if this computer crashes right now and what will happen if it continues to allow me to write. He knows how to bring me to worship and serve Him if it is possible. But God never violates my will. He will allow me to sin. He will allow some of the greatest atrocities known to be completed because He does not violate my will or anyone else's. He intervenes but does not take over my body or mind to so what He wants. I can resist or I can comply.
However, God is also very persuasive. He will do what will cause me to come to Him. He will work around me to bring others into my life as His grace to me when I allow Him. I can resist His Spirit, resist the environment He works around me and resist His urgings through others to come to Him. These are all grace.
God knows the exact time and date that I gave my heart to Him before the beginning of time. He, therefore, knew what it would take to cause that to happen. He worked to make that happen. I was "predestined" and "chosen" because of His infinite knowledge. God's grace happens for us individually in our own fullness of time.
Should this make me praise God less because I have decided to follow Jesus? Am I less joyful because my grace was resistible? No, absolutely not! I know that He worked to save me. I responded because of His knowledge of what I would do.
God saves people because of His love. There is no other reason. None of us would be saved if He had not worked to save us. He sent Jesus to save us while we were still sinners. He sent people to tell you the gospel story. He worked through media, books, the Bible and other means to have you hear the gospel. You can and could resist but why would you really want to? Its not like the world is offering you a better deal.
Ephesians 1:4-7 (NIV)
4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will-- 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace
Monday, April 26, 2010
The Narrow Path to God
I tell single adults often, "The only reason that you are not married is because you have standards." These singles have come to me lamenting that they cannot find a mate. I assure them that this is a good thing. Anyone can be married very quickly if they will just lower their standards. However, once married, they still have to live with the person whom they have lowered their standards to.
Standards are values are established within us. They are values we choose. Two unethical parents can produce the most ethical child. An environment of thievery, cons and lies can still produce an honest and trustworthy individual. Nothing makes people choose their values. These values establish standards by which we live.
The lack of many things comes from having standards. More money, a bigger house and a new car are available to those who will lower their standards. There are many opportunities for those who will do that which is dangerous or illegal.
Yet, standards are a good thing. It is because of standards that we keep our word, are loyal to our spouses and can be trusted at our work. It is our standards that keep us who we are. It is our standards that reveal and make our hearts. It is those same standards which can give us joy even when things do not go as we would like.
Peter wept bitterly after denying Jesus because he had violated his standards. He was disloyal when loyalty was something he thought had been established. Judas hanged himself because he had gone below his own standard for thirty pieces of silver. There will be no greater disappointment in your life than when you lower what you considered to be a standard. It will hurt your heart.
Most of us know this pain. Some time we have done something to lower our standards. We have participated in things with others which did not meet our standards. We have felt badly. If we do these things often the pain will go away. Then, our standards will remain low. The fact that it we feel pain means that the value is still in place. We can build a wall around this value so that it cannot affect our lives. If something happens to open that wall the pain of all our violations fall upon us. The pain returns. The standard will either be re-established or we will repair the wall around our value.
Our hearts were built to accept the things of God. They were made for God's values to be placed within them. Those values have established a standard of living for us. We violate the image of God and therefore fall short of His glory when we violate those standards. It is called sin and, when recognized, is painful. It can make us feel worthless when God has established forever our value by giving His only Son as a sacrifice for us. We are immeasurably valuable to God. He has redeemed us from our violations.
Being true to these God-established values are the only way we have joy. This has been built into us. There is no peace without walking a path within God's values. That is what most people are looking for by staying away from these values. That is why they can't find it. That is why, after pursuing a licentious life. will seek to do good in the world. They will seek to feed the children, find clean water or fight disease for groups within the world. They are appealing to the values established by God. Yet, they many of them don't understand. They cannot simply have some values and leave out the others and walk with God.
The road to peace is a narrow path. It is one which God has established within us.
Matthew 7:13-14 (NIV)
13 "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
Standards are values are established within us. They are values we choose. Two unethical parents can produce the most ethical child. An environment of thievery, cons and lies can still produce an honest and trustworthy individual. Nothing makes people choose their values. These values establish standards by which we live.
The lack of many things comes from having standards. More money, a bigger house and a new car are available to those who will lower their standards. There are many opportunities for those who will do that which is dangerous or illegal.
Yet, standards are a good thing. It is because of standards that we keep our word, are loyal to our spouses and can be trusted at our work. It is our standards that keep us who we are. It is our standards that reveal and make our hearts. It is those same standards which can give us joy even when things do not go as we would like.
Peter wept bitterly after denying Jesus because he had violated his standards. He was disloyal when loyalty was something he thought had been established. Judas hanged himself because he had gone below his own standard for thirty pieces of silver. There will be no greater disappointment in your life than when you lower what you considered to be a standard. It will hurt your heart.
Most of us know this pain. Some time we have done something to lower our standards. We have participated in things with others which did not meet our standards. We have felt badly. If we do these things often the pain will go away. Then, our standards will remain low. The fact that it we feel pain means that the value is still in place. We can build a wall around this value so that it cannot affect our lives. If something happens to open that wall the pain of all our violations fall upon us. The pain returns. The standard will either be re-established or we will repair the wall around our value.
Our hearts were built to accept the things of God. They were made for God's values to be placed within them. Those values have established a standard of living for us. We violate the image of God and therefore fall short of His glory when we violate those standards. It is called sin and, when recognized, is painful. It can make us feel worthless when God has established forever our value by giving His only Son as a sacrifice for us. We are immeasurably valuable to God. He has redeemed us from our violations.
Being true to these God-established values are the only way we have joy. This has been built into us. There is no peace without walking a path within God's values. That is what most people are looking for by staying away from these values. That is why they can't find it. That is why, after pursuing a licentious life. will seek to do good in the world. They will seek to feed the children, find clean water or fight disease for groups within the world. They are appealing to the values established by God. Yet, they many of them don't understand. They cannot simply have some values and leave out the others and walk with God.
The road to peace is a narrow path. It is one which God has established within us.
Matthew 7:13-14 (NIV)
13 "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
What Is the Church?
The definition of church has gotten fuzzy in the past fifty to sixty years. There are so many parachurch organizations which call on people to give, serve and worship that people have gotten these organizations mixed up with the church. Many of these organizations are worthwhile endeavors. They accomplish a distinct calling of God which accomplishes His will but they are not the Church.
The New Testament had no difficulty in determining what a church was. It is a body of baptized believers who corporately and regularly meet together to worship, grow together in the likeness of Jesus and share the gospel message to the world. It is clear that the New Testament was written for the sake of the church. It calls the local churches by name and establishes them as a group which will comprise the bride of Christ.
Even the early Church had those who separated themselves to share the gospel. Paul, Silas, Barnabus and Mark were examples of what may have been called the early "parachurch" movement. They were commissioned by the Church to spread the gospel. They had the Church's blessing and were obviously supported by the Church. Paul's letter to the Philippians records his appreciation for their support. However, Paul never called the Paul and Silas Evangelistic Association a church. He never called for the churches he contacted to consider what he was doing as such. That may not be as true of all parachurch organizations today.
The Church cares for the whole individual. It is the Church which will be there when counseling is needed. It is the Church that will be called upon for a wedding or a funeral. It is the Church that will help in times of stress. Try calling on that radio station you have been giving to when you need someone to visit you in the hospital or perform a funeral. It will call upon its listeners to pray. It will also probably tell you that you should call your church.
This certainly doesn't mean you should fail giving to that radio station or that evangelistic association or that ministry that reaches certain groups that the Church hasn't reached. Many of these organizations are God-called ministries which accomplish His will. However, they are not the Church.
There will be many people who will sit at home Sunday mornings listening to radio stations which give the gospel. Some will carry worship services from churches. These people could have been in a church worship service but chose to sit at home and listen. They have missed one of the vital elements of the Church. The Church was and is a hands-on experience. You have to show up. That's not true of a lot of parachurch organizations. Giving is the criteria for becoming a part of most of these organizations. Some will call on you to serve but the lion's share of those who participate will do so by financial giving. That is why they have share-a-thons and other fund raising events so frequently.
I urge everyone to be a part of a local church. Remember, Christ will come back for His bride, the Church.
Revelation 19:7-8 (NIV)
7 Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. 8 Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear." (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.)
The New Testament had no difficulty in determining what a church was. It is a body of baptized believers who corporately and regularly meet together to worship, grow together in the likeness of Jesus and share the gospel message to the world. It is clear that the New Testament was written for the sake of the church. It calls the local churches by name and establishes them as a group which will comprise the bride of Christ.
Even the early Church had those who separated themselves to share the gospel. Paul, Silas, Barnabus and Mark were examples of what may have been called the early "parachurch" movement. They were commissioned by the Church to spread the gospel. They had the Church's blessing and were obviously supported by the Church. Paul's letter to the Philippians records his appreciation for their support. However, Paul never called the Paul and Silas Evangelistic Association a church. He never called for the churches he contacted to consider what he was doing as such. That may not be as true of all parachurch organizations today.
The Church cares for the whole individual. It is the Church which will be there when counseling is needed. It is the Church that will be called upon for a wedding or a funeral. It is the Church that will help in times of stress. Try calling on that radio station you have been giving to when you need someone to visit you in the hospital or perform a funeral. It will call upon its listeners to pray. It will also probably tell you that you should call your church.
This certainly doesn't mean you should fail giving to that radio station or that evangelistic association or that ministry that reaches certain groups that the Church hasn't reached. Many of these organizations are God-called ministries which accomplish His will. However, they are not the Church.
There will be many people who will sit at home Sunday mornings listening to radio stations which give the gospel. Some will carry worship services from churches. These people could have been in a church worship service but chose to sit at home and listen. They have missed one of the vital elements of the Church. The Church was and is a hands-on experience. You have to show up. That's not true of a lot of parachurch organizations. Giving is the criteria for becoming a part of most of these organizations. Some will call on you to serve but the lion's share of those who participate will do so by financial giving. That is why they have share-a-thons and other fund raising events so frequently.
I urge everyone to be a part of a local church. Remember, Christ will come back for His bride, the Church.
Revelation 19:7-8 (NIV)
7 Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. 8 Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear." (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.)
Saturday, April 24, 2010
What Is Worship?
Surveys conclude that most people who attend church do not worship. How can I say this? Because most church attenders say they do not have any real contact with God. Why is that?
I wonder if people are expecting God to be spectacular when He has contact with them. Maybe people expect God to be as Elijah expected Him to be. Elijah had been the prophet of the spectacular and had some amazing encounters with God. Should he expect God in the wind, the earthquake or the fire since he had seen God bring fire from heaven to light an altar? It is easy to expect God to knock you down every time He speaks. Yet, as Elijah learned, sometimes He speaks in a still small voice.
Some people just don't expect to meet God when they go to a worship service. They expect to sing, pray, give and hear a sermon. They want it to be done expediently since they don't expect anything else to happen. They are seldom disappointed since nothing else happens for them. They think they have done enough by showing up. They have never imagined that a prepared heart or an expectation of meeting God is necessary for worship.
Some preachers may support this idea. They may personally think that people came to sing and hear them preach. Therefore, they try to be as spectacular as possible. After all, they are representing God and He should be able to put on a tremendous show.
People gather from everywhere to hear these preachers. Everyone says they are great communicators. Are they? Or are they just great showmen? People can easily miss hearing God when there is one whose actions say, "Look at me! Look at me!" Some people will believe that this is God speaking.
An encounter with God does not need a preacher. . . or a praise band, choir, really catchy songs or killer videos for that matter. An encounter with God happens in the heart. It may come without expectation but it generally comes from someone who is listening for God. God initiates the encounter to ears that are capable of hearing.
You still your heart and listen for Him. You come into His presence. He doesn't have to speak. It is enough that you know He is there. You tell Him that you love Him and that He is your God. Somehow you know that He has heard you. He is pleased with your coming to Him.
And you have worshiped.
Psalm 95:6-7 (NIV)
6 Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker; 7 for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care. Today, if you hear his voice,
I wonder if people are expecting God to be spectacular when He has contact with them. Maybe people expect God to be as Elijah expected Him to be. Elijah had been the prophet of the spectacular and had some amazing encounters with God. Should he expect God in the wind, the earthquake or the fire since he had seen God bring fire from heaven to light an altar? It is easy to expect God to knock you down every time He speaks. Yet, as Elijah learned, sometimes He speaks in a still small voice.
Some people just don't expect to meet God when they go to a worship service. They expect to sing, pray, give and hear a sermon. They want it to be done expediently since they don't expect anything else to happen. They are seldom disappointed since nothing else happens for them. They think they have done enough by showing up. They have never imagined that a prepared heart or an expectation of meeting God is necessary for worship.
Some preachers may support this idea. They may personally think that people came to sing and hear them preach. Therefore, they try to be as spectacular as possible. After all, they are representing God and He should be able to put on a tremendous show.
People gather from everywhere to hear these preachers. Everyone says they are great communicators. Are they? Or are they just great showmen? People can easily miss hearing God when there is one whose actions say, "Look at me! Look at me!" Some people will believe that this is God speaking.
An encounter with God does not need a preacher. . . or a praise band, choir, really catchy songs or killer videos for that matter. An encounter with God happens in the heart. It may come without expectation but it generally comes from someone who is listening for God. God initiates the encounter to ears that are capable of hearing.
You still your heart and listen for Him. You come into His presence. He doesn't have to speak. It is enough that you know He is there. You tell Him that you love Him and that He is your God. Somehow you know that He has heard you. He is pleased with your coming to Him.
And you have worshiped.
Psalm 95:6-7 (NIV)
6 Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker; 7 for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care. Today, if you hear his voice,
Friday, April 23, 2010
Being Real Rather Than Spiritually Dry
I just returned to my hotel from a worship service at Maadi Community Church. It was real. My wife and I are in Cairo visiting my daughter and she took us to her church.
No new churches can be built in Egypt so the church meets under at tent. It is a fancy tent with ceiling fans, special lighting, a sound system and video projection. People sit in plastic stacking chairs. They had some trouble with their computer projection. It neither played a song the preacher wanted us to hear nor would it project the last song (How Great Is Our God) but everyone seemed to know it, so it was still okay.
The congregation was very international. So were the musicians who played and sang. There was a special unity that transcended their backgrounds. The Apostles Creed was recited or read. It was obvious that some knew it by heart. It meant they came from denominations which recited it so often that they had memorized it. The fact that some knew it and some didn't was further evidence of the congregation's diverse background. They didn't point out their differences. They worshiped together.
Sometimes Christians are so conscious that they act in the proper way with the correct doctrine that they forget that it isn't about how we look or how hard we hold to our specific doctrine. We can worship with others without calling them heretics because they fail to agree with us on every jot and tittle.
It is what occurs on the inside of us that counts. It is here that we meet with our Lord. We go into the secret room of our hearts and worship. It is here we are to pray. It is here that we listen to our God. It doesn't matter if we are alone or in a group of thousands because we are truly in our own secret place. We are by ourselves even though there may be others brushing up against us.
Often we are so worried about how we look that we can't worship. We notice if there are those who are putting money in the offering plate and we do or don't because of how we appear. We notice that there are those who do or do not sing and we do or don't because we don't want to stand out. We can be embarrassed about how little we have put in the offering or proud of how much we have placed in the offering and be just as unreal in the practice of our faith either way.
Actions that do not follow a changed heart will make you very spiritually dry. You are trying to grow fruit without any water. The Spirit changes and grows our hearts so that we produce fruit. Outward actions without an inward change will be a shell with nothing inside.
Being unreal is denying that I know Jesus in my heart while trying to show others how much I know Him with my actions. The people at Maadi were truly worshiping their Lord. What was going on in their hearts was appearing on the outside. That is very real.
I suppose Maadi Community Church is not a perfect church. I am sure they wouldn't have let me come in if they were. They were real. I was privileged to have worshiped with them today.
Revelation 3:8-9 (NIV)
I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.
No new churches can be built in Egypt so the church meets under at tent. It is a fancy tent with ceiling fans, special lighting, a sound system and video projection. People sit in plastic stacking chairs. They had some trouble with their computer projection. It neither played a song the preacher wanted us to hear nor would it project the last song (How Great Is Our God) but everyone seemed to know it, so it was still okay.
The congregation was very international. So were the musicians who played and sang. There was a special unity that transcended their backgrounds. The Apostles Creed was recited or read. It was obvious that some knew it by heart. It meant they came from denominations which recited it so often that they had memorized it. The fact that some knew it and some didn't was further evidence of the congregation's diverse background. They didn't point out their differences. They worshiped together.
Sometimes Christians are so conscious that they act in the proper way with the correct doctrine that they forget that it isn't about how we look or how hard we hold to our specific doctrine. We can worship with others without calling them heretics because they fail to agree with us on every jot and tittle.
It is what occurs on the inside of us that counts. It is here that we meet with our Lord. We go into the secret room of our hearts and worship. It is here we are to pray. It is here that we listen to our God. It doesn't matter if we are alone or in a group of thousands because we are truly in our own secret place. We are by ourselves even though there may be others brushing up against us.
Often we are so worried about how we look that we can't worship. We notice if there are those who are putting money in the offering plate and we do or don't because of how we appear. We notice that there are those who do or do not sing and we do or don't because we don't want to stand out. We can be embarrassed about how little we have put in the offering or proud of how much we have placed in the offering and be just as unreal in the practice of our faith either way.
Actions that do not follow a changed heart will make you very spiritually dry. You are trying to grow fruit without any water. The Spirit changes and grows our hearts so that we produce fruit. Outward actions without an inward change will be a shell with nothing inside.
Being unreal is denying that I know Jesus in my heart while trying to show others how much I know Him with my actions. The people at Maadi were truly worshiping their Lord. What was going on in their hearts was appearing on the outside. That is very real.
I suppose Maadi Community Church is not a perfect church. I am sure they wouldn't have let me come in if they were. They were real. I was privileged to have worshiped with them today.
Revelation 3:8-9 (NIV)
I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.
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