Author: Jon Partlow

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CHURCH: At Odds with the State

The relationship between the State and the Church is tenuous at best. While North Americans are used to a seemingly compatible partnership between the two, history and much of the other world’s kingdoms say otherwise. When Jesus was born, Herod the Great tried to kill him under the guise of wanting to worship him (Mt. 2:8,13). Herod’s son, Antipas, executed John the Baptist (Mt. 14:3-12) for a number of reasons including challenging the king’s immoral marriage. The Jewish religious government with a conspiring Roman government falsely accused Jesus and had him executed. Thus the Christian movement was born with clear battle lines drawn: the Christ was rejected by the State, so that the Church is at odds with the State.

North America has enjoyed a truce with the State, but that doesn’t mean either side really trust the other. Over the years I’ve heard the fears of Christian believers and their rights being taken away by the State. Usually, I hear those fears expressed along party lines: the Democratic Christians distrusts the Republican President while the Republican Christian distrusts the Democratic President.

So just to be clear, I do not believe Christians in the United States are under attack. Maybe our values are being challenged. Maybe our neighbors have tired of our judgmental and condemning attitudes. Certainly people are concerned about how much the Church extends its power into civil and governmental places, while the Church is concerned about its voice being silenced.

As history has shown and the Biblical narrative has proven, God’s Kingdom cannot be overcome, no matter how hard the forces against God’s Kingdom try (Mt. 16:18). The reason is that God’s Kingdom is spiritual and is in no need of the physical for it to grow.

The State only sees the “here and now,” but the Church believes in the “there and then” (Jn. 14:2-3). The State may strip away your rights, but the Church has already given up its rights (1 Cor. 9). The State may outlaw prayer, but cannot stop the Church from praying (Dan. 6). The State may close church doors, but they cannot stop the Church from assembling (Acts 4). The State may carry-out some unforgivable actions, but it only empowers the Church to forgive (Lk. 23:34). The State may rape your spiritual heart-land, but the Church’s soil to grow the Fruit of the Spirit remains rich (Gal. 5:22-23). The State may use its power to make you suffer, but the Church only rejoices at the thought of being worthy to suffer for Jesus (Act. 5:41). The State may threaten you with death, but the Church will only embrace life (1 Thess. 4:13-18). The State may scorn you with hatred, but the Church only responds with love (Mt. 5:44). The State will make us feel destitute, but the Church knows the world is not worthy of us (Heb. 11:38). The State may try to squash our hope, but the Church knows that hope will not disappoint (Rom. 5:5). The State addresses us with cursing, but our comeback is always with blessing (Rom. 12:14). The State will try to persecute to weaken our faith, but the Church finds that persecution only strengthens faith (1 Pet. 1:6-8). The State may claim to rule the land, but the Church knows who sits on the throne (Rev. 4-5). The State may intimidate by fear tactics, but the Church only responds with faith tactics (Heb. 11:11).

No, I don’t believe Christians are being persecuted in North America, and the Church is not directly at odds with the State right now. I also believe that the Constitution is the bumper to protect the Church from the State. That said, it’s always nice to know we have a fallback plan. And honestly, the fallback plan is actually who we are. We just need to keep acting like the Church God intended.

Soli Deo Gloria!
(i.e. only God is glorified!)

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Stone of Sisyphus: Excercises in Spiritual Futility

In the 1966 “campy” Batman movie starring Adam West, Batman finds a bomb. His attempt to defuse the bomb was really about trying to get it over the docks and into the body of water before it explodes. Yet at every attempt to defuse the bomb, innocent people were in his way.

He looked out a window only to find a marching band playing, “Bringing in the Sheaves.” He ran down the stairs only to find a restaurant filled with customers eating dinner.  He headed out the door to the corner of the pier only to find some nuns walking by. Turning down the boardwalk he encountered a mother pushing her baby in a stroller. Rotating around, he headed to the dock only to bump into the band again, still playing “Bringing in the Sheaves.” Running back to the pier he spied a perfect spot beyond a ladder attached to the pier, until a man appeared on the ladder. Changing directions he headed to the corner of the pier only to discover a couple enjoying a romantic afternoon in a rowboat. And just as he found the perfect spot to unload the bomb, he sees a family of ducks swimming in the water.

In a moment of exasperation Batman looked directly into the camera to speak to the audience, thus breaking the “fourth wall,” and cried out, “Some days you just can’t get rid of a bomb!”

We live in a world where bad things happen and it’s like everyone or everything stands against us. You stub your toe first thing in the morning. Someone pulls out in front of you on the way to work, or worse you’ve totaled your car. You’re overdrawn and still have bills to pay. A friend backstabbed you and all trust is lost. You turned left when you should have turned right and now your GPS is yelling at you as it recalculates. And all the time you’re thinking, “Some days you just can’t get rid of a bomb!”

The Biblical story is filled with events where the world (people or systems) turned on the faithful. Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery, and he’s eventually falsely accused of a crime and thrown in prison. David loses his kingdom to his son and is on the run with Absalom in hot pursuit. The kinfolk of Jeremiah turn on him and his preaching by dumping him in a well. Gomer cheats on Hosea. Jesus heals a man and stirs up conflict because the healing was on the Sabbath. Paul is falsely accused in Philippi and his affliction list in 2 Corinthians 11 is a sober reminder of living a life for Christ. The Hebrews writer may have said it best,

There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated—the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and in holes in the ground (Heb. 11:35a-38, emphasis mine).

Because we’ve all have days where we’ve been left holding a bomb, we have a choice. We can let it explode making a bigger mess. Or we can keep looking for a place to dump the bomb. Do we really have another alternative?

Soli Deo Gloria!
(i.e. only God is glorified!)

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Bringing In the Sheaves! Or What Do You Do When You Can’t Get Rid of a Bomb?

In the 1966 “campy” Batman movie starring Adam West, Batman finds a bomb. His attempt to defuse the bomb was really about trying to get it over the docks and into the body of water before it explodes. Yet at every attempt to defuse the bomb, innocent people were in his way.

He looked out a window only to find a marching band playing, “Bringing in the Sheaves.” He ran down the stairs only to find a restaurant filled with customers eating dinner.  He headed out the door to the corner of the pier only to find some nuns walking by. Turning down the boardwalk he encountered a mother pushing her baby in a stroller. Rotating around, he headed to the dock only to bump into the band again, still playing “Bringing in the Sheaves.” Running back to the pier he spied a perfect spot beyond a ladder attached to the pier, until a man appeared on the ladder. Changing directions he headed to the corner of the pier only to discover a couple enjoying a romantic afternoon in a rowboat. And just as he found the perfect spot to unload the bomb, he sees a family of ducks swimming in the water.

In a moment of exasperation Batman looked directly into the camera to speak to the audience, thus breaking the “fourth wall,” and cried out, “Some days you just can’t get rid of a bomb!”

We live in a world where bad things happen and it’s like everyone or everything stands against us. You stub your toe first thing in the morning. Someone pulls out in front of you on the way to work, or worse you’ve totaled your car. You’re overdrawn and still have bills to pay. A friend backstabbed you and all trust is lost. You turned left when you should have turned right and now your GPS is yelling at you as it recalculates. And all the time you’re thinking, “Some days you just can’t get rid of a bomb!”

The Biblical story is filled with events where the world (people or systems) turned on the faithful. Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery, and he’s eventually falsely accused of a crime and thrown in prison. David loses his kingdom to his son and is on the run with Absalom in hot pursuit. The kinfolk of Jeremiah turn on him and his preaching by dumping him in a well. Gomer cheats on Hosea. Jesus heals a man and stirs up conflict because the healing was on the Sabbath. Paul is falsely accused in Philippi and his affliction list in 2 Corinthians 11 is a sober reminder of living a life for Christ. The Hebrews writer may have said it best,

There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated—the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and in holes in the ground (Heb. 11:35a-38, emphasis mine).

Because we’ve all have days where we’ve been left holding a bomb, we have a choice. We can let it explode making a bigger mess. Or we can keep looking for a place to dump the bomb. Do we really have another alternative?

Soli Deo Gloria!
(i.e. only God is glorified!)

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Lining Up with Jesus Or Jesus Lining Up with Us?

By the time Jesus arrived in the world, the Jewish nation was hardly a unified people. Their land was divided into three sections: the Samaritans occupied the land between the Galilean Jews and the Judean Jews. Both the Galilean and Judean Jews saw themselves as part of the same people.  The Samaritans were loosely connected to the ancient Northern Kingdom of Israel and were deemed apostates by the Jews.

While the Jews might say they were one people, their fragmented social structure said otherwise. At least five sectarian groups splintered off to themselves. The two main groups were the Sadducees and Pharisees. The Sadducees came from the wealthy, aristocratic Jewish families and were responsible for maintaining the temple duties. Being friendly with Rome, they were to appoint the high priest, but that priest had to be preapproved by the State. The Books of Moses were the only basis for Scripture and they denied the resurrection. The Pharisees were keepers of the traditions. They not only accepted the written prophetic books as Scripture but also treated the oral traditions as authoritative. The Scribes and Teachers of the Law were typically from the Pharisees, and were known as “people of the book.” The Sanhedrin comprised of Pharisees and Sadducees and were the final ruling court for Jerusalem.  

The Essenes viewed Jerusalem and its religion as corrupt (which it was). Many of them occupied property at the base of the Dead Sea and dwelled in its caves. They spent their days copying Scripture and a variety of other scrolls while developing their own piety of poverty, daily washings and asceticism. They had time on their hands as they waited for Jerusalem’s destruction. When Rome did destroy Jerusalem, their moral victory was short-lived. The soldiers turned to the caves around the Dead Sea to destroy any remnant of the Jews.

The Zealots were strongly anti-Rome. It wasn’t uncommon to threaten officials or anyone favorable toward Rome as they hated the Gentile’s occupation of their lands. Jesus recruited a Zealot as one of his disciples, making one wonder what the conversations were like between Simon and Matthew who collected taxes in support of the Gentiles occupying the land?

The Herodians supported the Herod family. Very little is known about this group as extra-biblical accounts are scant on details.

So when Jesus came onto the scene, who did he align with? It’s not always an easy question to answer. For instance, on the divorce question he seems to hold the more conservative or rigid position (see Mk. 10:1-12) that some Pharisees would agree with. However, at the same time he challenged the conservative interpretation of Scripture (Mt. 5:21-47). When Jesus leveled the seven woes against the Pharisees, he agreed that their teaching compatible with Scripture, but their behavior was not (Mt. 23:3).

Jesus was at odds with the religious leaders. Where they were about power and control, Jesus was about self-sacrifice. Where they were about prideful position, Jesus was about humble positions. Where they wanted to be served, Jesus was willing to serve. Where they talked about the good of the people, Jesus acted on behalf of the people’s good. Where they were focused on keeping their rules, Jesus was focused on turning hearts toward God. Where they were about manipulating the people, Jesus was about ministering to the people. Where they were never going to give up anything, Jesus was willing to let go of everything. Where they never trusted, Jesus had faith. They believed that if and when the Messiah arrived, he would naturally line up with them. Jesus arrived and was immediately at odds with the Jewish leaders.

So with all these fragmented splinters of Judaism, who did Jesus line up with? Or maybe a better question might be that if Jesus didn’t line up with his own religious and political structures, why are you so convinced he’ll line up with yours?

Soli Deo Gloria!
(i.e. only God is glorified!)

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More Than A Meal: Reflections on the Lord’s Supper

I grew up with the Lord’s Supper as a staple in worship. I have no memory of the Church assembling on Sunday mornings without passing the trays. I can remember asking my mother why I could not eat the crackers and drink the juice. She explained that the bread and wine were for Christians to remember Jesus, and I wasn’t a Christian. I also remember asking why we ate the crackers first, and she enlightened me with her rich theological response, “We always take a drink after we eat something.”

I remember one time in Tillamook, Oregon how the person serving the Supper accidently passed out the juice first. Before passing the bread, the guy who prayed ask God for forgiveness for doing the Supper wrong.

When I was a teenager, my dad led the Sunday night Communion service. The members who missed Sunday morning were invited to come forward and sit on the front pew. Dad said one single prayer for both the bread and the cup before serving them. I don’t remember anyone ever questioning the procedure.

When I got my driver’s license, I was asked to take Communion to an elderly lady. While I cannot remember her name, I remember going to visit her. With the portable Communion box, I prepared to give her the bread and cracker. The moment of offering the Supper was the first time I felt uneasy about what I was doing, but I didn’t have an understanding for the Supper to properly ground my belief. I had already taken the Lord’s Supper at the worship hour, so I didn’t have to take it with her, right?

When I went to college, I spent my breaks at my brother’s house in Nashville. At the time he was highly involved in two ministries that occupied much of Sunday. Since he was my ride, I’d go with him to worship, then to a local nursing home for worship, then to the local jail for another worship. We celebrated the Supper at the assembly. When we went to the nursing home, we broke bread with the residences, even helping them break the bread and drink from the cups. When we went to the jail and worshiped with the inmates, we broke bread with them as well. It started to hit me. What if I refuse to break bread with my brothers who were in prison? What if I told them, “No thank you, I already ate”? Would my actions have created distance and possibly even shamed them and left them thinking I was better than they? If we’re invited to eat at someone’s home, do we refuse?

So over time my experience has led me to some conclusions about the Supper. First, if Jesus is hosting the meal (it’s the Lord’s Supper), then I’m sitting with him at his table. It doesn’t matter how many times I’ve eaten that day, I’ll eat once more if I can eat with Jesus. Secondly, if anyone wants to join us, I’ll not be the one to stop them. I’m not the host, Jesus is. If they’re taking it in a wrong way, so have I and Jesus never stopped me. I’ve spent most of my adult life with a legalistic and judgmental approach to the Supper and Jesus was patient with me. I can extend that same grace to others. Thirdly, our tradition and practice enforces an individualistic view of the Supper never intended by Jesus nor the Apostles. While the meal is a community event, we’ve convinced ourselves that the meal is between an individual and God (a common misunderstanding of 1 Cor. 11:28).

I’m glad that the Lord’s Supper is a staple in worship. I anticipate our times together with Jesus at the Table because it’s more than a meal.

Soli Deo Gloria!
(i.e. only God is glorified!)

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Rooted in the Soil: Church Growth in America

Jesus tells the story about a sower sowing seeds (Mk. 4:3-9). As he describes the ancient way farmers planted their crops, he stopped focusing on the sower and spent his time discussing the soil. His four descriptions of the type of soil drive the story. One soil never allows the seed to penetrate the surface. Two soils do allow the seed to penetrate but the seed never takes root, either because the sun scorches the growth or is squeezed out by weeds. The final soil is rich and filled with nutrients to allow for growth.

As much as the focus on the sower drives discussion of contemporary church growth, Scripture says much more about the kind of soil for the seed. Looking at today’s soil factors and understanding the ramifications might help in understanding how to tend to the soil for the seed to take root.

The information available tells us that churches in America have stopped growing and are on the decline. I recently read a report that the Southern Baptist Convention lost 200,000 members over the last year or more. One source I read said that Churches of Christ’s growth plateaued in 1980 and started losing numbers in the 1990’s. Since we do not have collectively accurate records of our members, one may argue any statistics about our fellowship. While pockets of growth are seen in individual congregations, most growth is sporadic at best.

If church growth always mirrors the community, then a couple of community facts must be established. The racial demographics have shifted across America. Not only have the number of people in a household has diminished, but society has grown older. An older society means churches are filled with older members, which means attracting younger members becomes more difficult. Along with the aging society is the influx of minority groups. The white community is not only greying but shrinking as well, with the black and brown community growing. Churches committed to homogeneous congregations will find fewer potential members among the white communities. The white community is older and there is not as many of that demographics as there were in the past.

One other dynamic that will negatively impact church growth is the sex scandal of the Catholic Church. Not long ago, it was believed that the corruption was only in America, but further studies have shown that the scandal is a world-wide cover-up. If churches faced scrutiny before this scandal broke, one can imagine what life under the microscope will be like now. The Catholic Church’s conflict will not be self-contained and its siezmic tremors will be felt in all religious bodies.

While many other factors are in play regarding the soil for church growth, a couple of observations can be made about the above information. First, if a local congregation is going to grow it will have to work hard at it and probably need creative approaches to do so. What we’ve done and might have been successful in the past will not easily translate to today. Secondly, the mobility of America still offers local churches the chance to attract new members, as long as churches recognize and open to accepting the nomads who are moving to their neighborhoods. Thirdly, the flood of immigration coming to America means more than opportunities of fulfilling the Great Commission. As long as individual congregations are willing to put skin color and language behind them, the fields may very well be ripe, if only God had workers willing to work. Finally, issues of integrity, authentic faith and a safe environment for children (and maybe for women) will go a long way to bring healing to the hurting and experience growth at the same time.

Ultimately, growth is not up to an individual or fully in the hands of the local church. Yes, we can prepare the soil. We can plant a seed and water it. But even Paul admitted that ultimately God gives the increase (1 Cor 3:6-8).

Soli Deo Gloria!
(i.e. only God is glorified!)

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Jurassic Faith

The speaker was addressing a movement in the church that promoted the young faith of believers. While the movement was attracting large crowds and the number of baptisms were unprecedented, fallout from the pressure and intensity to live by enforced rules drove these same people away. Sure, the movement made an incredible first impression and sold Jesus like no other church could or did. They targeted college students. They gave up everything, they walked with faith and many sacrificed their futures. All to follow Jesus, or at least the Jesus this movement was advocating.

Within a handful of years the same statistics showed that the young college age people left the movement broken, scared and less than even a mustard seed of faith. The rules and restrictions were so rigid and the burden so heavy, these members buckled under the pressure. Then the speaker lamented, “We should have members whose faith grew over fifty years, instead we have nothing.”

There’s something to be said about faith for a lifetime. The Bible certainly underscores a faith among the aged, a faith that walked with God over the decades. In the great chapter of faith (Hebrews 11) the author specifically points to three individuals whom he considered men of faith at the end of their lives. Note the focus of these three individuals is at the end of their journey, not the beginning or middle part of their lives.

The first is Isaac (v. 20). While the historical narrative tells us very little of Abraham’s son, he does highlight the moment Isaac blessed his twin sons, Jacob and Esau. And while the incident involved the deception of Jacob to get the blessing, Isaac still looked to the future where God’s promises would be made good through his son. He still believed and held on to the promise God made to his father and to himself. He was also convinced that promise would get work out through his son (or sons).

Following the promised line, Jacob’s life is skipped over and we’re given a snapshot of him on his death bed (v. 21). Not only is he worshiping God, he’s blessing Joseph’s two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh. He’s claiming them as his own so that they will be part of the promise of God.

Finally, the author turns to Joseph at a point when the patriarch knew his end was near (v. 22). He points Israel to the day of the Exodus, as many as four hundred years into the future. He not only told them that God will lead them out of Egypt, but that he also had instructions about what to do with his bones. He believed their destiny was the Promised Land and he wasn’t about to be left behind.

Each of these men became men of faith because God never gave up on them. Through their failures and shortcomings, God was faithful. In his faithfulness their faith grew and deepened. In time they were men whose agedness matched their faithfulness.

In order for faith to grow and deepen, the church needs to cultivate a place where an environment for a growing faith is present. Those who are mature need to allow faith of others to be immature. Those mature in faith need to allow failure to be a part of the immature faith. Stop rebuking. Stop humiliating. Stop condemning. Instead, begin walking hand in hand. Always encourage. Guide with wisdom. Be present when they fall because people will fall. Only then will the tender faith of the young turn to the powerful faith of the aged.

Soli Deo Gloria!
(i.e. only God is glorified!)

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Reflections on a Politician without being Political

With the passing of John McCain we’ve seen the closing of an era if not an icon. My senior year in college saw McCain enter the US Senate, representing the State of Arizona to which he held that position until his death last week. He was a decorated Vietnam POW war hero. He championed conservative policies. And he was the Republican pick for the presidency in 2008.

As I reflect on his passing, I can’t help but draw on some of his strengths worth highlighting. He was by no means a perfect man, as noted below, but there were still good qualities about this man who served his country.

● He Readily Admitted His Failures . . . somewhat surprising, his wife of forty years, Cindy, was not his first wife. In 1965 he married Carol Shepp. But seven years after returning from Vietnam they divorced so that he could marry Cindy Hensley. One could easily make a number of excuses as to why his marriage to Carol failed. He was tortured as a POW and surely suffered from what we know today as PTSD. Upon his return to the states he started “acting out” by having one “fling” after another. Yet he readily owned up to his mistakes by admitting that divorcing Carol was his “. . . greatest moral failure.” In a society that downplays such failures, glosses over them, and even defends or denies them, it’s refreshing to hear painful regret coming from the highest levels of our nation.

● He Was Guided By Principles, Not By Party . . . while McCain was a Republican, he often broke with his party for what he believed to be “a greater good.” It earned him the nickname, “Maverick.” He pushed to cut spending, he pressed for campaign finance reform, and he voiced his displeasure for the strategic approach to the Iraq War. All of which came in opposition to his own party, alienating himself from his own fellow Republican Senators. In a time when party loyalty trumps the American people, McCain put the American people’s needs above party loyalty.

● He Reached Across the Aisle . . . two ways exist to get things accomplished in D.C. The first is to hold a majority where you never need bi-partisan support. Since that rarely happens, the second way is to implement a more honorable approach: work with both parties for a solution. McCain was often conciliatory with the Democrats including reconciling with John Kerry over the Vietnam War and readily praising his opponent in the 2008 election as being an honorable man whom he disagreed with on policy. In an era of villainizing opponents, it’s been refreshing to see someone intentionally work with liberals and conservatives alike.

● He Suffered Worse than Any of Us . . . he spent five years as a POW with two of those years in solitary confinement. He suffered a broken leg and both arms when his plane was shot down, and after being “rescued” by the enemy, they crushed his shoulders. While in prison, the Vietnamese refused to offer any hospital care for him. And when they discovered that he was the son of an Admiral, they were willing to release him. McCain refused preferential treatment but insisted those imprisoned the longest get released first. Next time you’re having a bad day, just remind yourself that “John McCain had it worst.”

McCain was far from perfect but he modeled virtues embraced by the Christian faith. We confess our sins (James 5:16; 1 John 1:8-9). We uphold principles over party loyalty (1 Corinthians 1:10-17; Philippians 3:4b-11). We seek unity (1 Corinthians 12:12-13; Galatians 5:13-15; Ephesians 4:11-13; Philippians 2:1-4). And finally, the One we follow calls us to suffer for his Name’s sake (Luke 9:23; Acts 5:41; 9:16).

Soli Deo Gloria! |
(i.e. only God is glorified!)

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CHURCH: The Rules for the Rules

The struggle for rule-followers to accept a life of grace is real. At every turn we look to rules to redeem and rescue us. But God keeps reaching into his deep pockets of grace to reach us. However, rules do play a role in the life of the church, and we grace-filled members need to feel the tension. After reflective consideration I’ve come to these five rules that play a role in guiding the church.

Rule #1 We are saved by God’s grace and not by the rules we keep. We can be looking at Ephesians 2:8-10, which reminds us that if salvation came by following rules then it’s accounted to us as wages, or we can study Galatians 2:16 where by nature the law condemns. No matter how good we are at keeping the rules, we cannot keep them to the level where we are sinless. And even if we kept the rules perfectly, rule-keeping cannot compensate for our own sinfulness.

Rule #2 The only law that matters is the law to love. The first century Jews had numbered and ranked some 600 laws, then they debated which the important ones were. When Jesus was asked about the greatest commandment (Mt. 22:23-40; Mk. 12:28-34; Lk. 10:25-28), he was invited into a local debate. His answer was a combination of the Shema in Deuteronommy 6:4-5 and Leviticus 19:18. Simply put, love God and love your neighbor. Jesus claims that every other rule emerges from our ability (or lack there-of) to love God and to love our neighbor (Mt. 22:40).

Rule #3 Never neglect the weightier matters of the law. Jesus seems to draw from Micah when saying there are some laws more important than others like justice, mercy and faithfulness (Mt. 23:23). Micah says that God wants us to “act justly, love mercy and walk in humbleness” (Micah 6:8b). Some laws are more important than others, and the most important ones seem closely tied to loving God and loving each other.

Rule #4 Those bent toward following rules are spiritually immature. When Paul discussed the role of the law, he depicted it as a “babysitter” until Christ came (Gal. 3:24-25). When we grow and mature, we no longer need rules to guide our lives because the Spirit’s work takes over. If we argue for rules then chances are we’re not the mature Christian but the baby who is demanding his/her own way. Because of our immaturity we may need some rules or boundaries in place to protect us, but we should never confuse wisdom with Scripture authority by binding our opinion on everyone one else.

Rule #5 Churches need operational rules. Because churches are comprised of varying levels of spiritual maturity, church leaders may need to make policy regarding a number of issues. For instance, what is the benevolent policy? Do they help everyone who asks? How much are they willing or capable of helping? Some of the rules may be harmless like how long the morning assembly should last. Some rules may very well violate the law to love or the weightier matters of the law, like whether or not to accept into membership a person of a different race. Important clarification is needed in regard to church policy: do not confuse the need for policy to guide an individual congregation with actual teaching from Scripture.

The irony of trying to live by grace is that we continue to create rules to guide our lives. So as I reflect on my proposed lost, I don’t know if I’m on to something or I’m just as immature as the next person. Nevertheless, those are my rules for having rules in the church.

Soli Deo Gloria!
(i.e. only God is glorified!)

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Go Greyhound! Unless It’s a Knight

I must have been about eight or nine years old. Dad had worked some 16 years for the company he loved, Greyhound Bus Lines, when they updated their logo to a colorful and patriotic red, white, and blue wave behind the famed dog (their new logo may have been influenced by the nation’s bicentennial celebration). That same Christmas, Deanna, David and I were given Greyhound t-shirts with the oversized logo, and printed across the front were bold words, “Go Greyhound.”  It was a touch of old and new. The logo was newly revised, but the tag line maintained the campaign started in the 1950’s, “Go Greyhound, and Leave the Driving to Us.”  

The t-shirt quickly became one of my favorites, rivalling wearing time with my Cincinnati Reds t-shirt of “Mr. Red Legs” running through the wishbone “C,” a shirt I have packed away in a box. I wore my Greyhound shirt proudly, partly because my dad worked for the company, and partly because my dad gave me the shirt. So it was no surprise that when the first opportunity to wear the shirt publically presented itself, I jumped at the chance to wear it. 

Steve and Tim were playing a high school basketball game, in which hundreds (?) of people were certain to show up for the game. Our gym was always packed, loud, and exciting. We were the Knights and our colors were black and white. I should have worn black and white. Mom had crocheted me a granny-squared, black and white vest that I usually wore to the games to show my support (yes, it’s in the same box as the Reds t-shirt). But that night, I wanted to show everyone my new, cool t-shirt.  So I put it on and planned on going to the game. Instead, I was told in no uncertain terms to change my shirt. Mom, Steve, and Tim, in very strong words of warning, telling me I was not to wear that t-shirt to this game. 

I was a little shocked. I didn’t understand why, but I thought I knew better. I went upstairs and grabbed my heavy coat. I put it on, zipped it up, and thought that when I got to the game, I could take my coat off and parade around in my new colors.  With mom running the scoreboard and my brothers playing in the games, I was free to do as I pleased. And I did exactly that. I paraded my shirt with the bold lettering, “Go Greyhound,” written across my chest. Within five minutes, all my friends were laughing at me and the adults who knew better were smirking. Suddenly, mom and my wiser brothers’ warning came clear. They weren’t against me wearing the shirt to a ballgame, they were against me wearing the shirt to that ballgame: we were playing the Gaston Greyhounds, and my shirt in bold lettering was cheering, “Go Greyhound(s).” I went to the bathroom to turn my shirt inside out, and then hid the rest of the night under the bleachers. 

We might expect an eight year old to mistakenly wear the wrong shirt in support of the wrong team. But in your walk of faith, have you ever wore a shirt that ended up supporting Satan and his cause? Yes, you’re loyal to Jesus, but your actions deceives your heart. Greed, lust, slander, hate, bitterness, anger, unforgiving, apathy, and divisiveness are all actions that betray your loyalty to Jesus.  Paul might say it like this, “We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?” (Rom. 6:2b). 

I no longer have the Greyhound t-shirt, though I do wish it was packed away in a box of mementos. I think about that shirt every now and then, and even more so about the man who gave it to me. Even more important is that Jesus gave us something to wear (Col. 3:12), are we wearing it or choosing to wear his enemies colors?                                                                                                              

Soli Deo Gloria!
(i.e. only God is glorified!)