Notice the focus is on the children in this next passage...
" 'Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child - this one is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 'And whoever welcomes one child like this in my name welcomes me. 'But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to fall away - it would be better for him if a heavy millstone were hung around his neck and he were drowned in the depths of the sea. 'Woe to the world because of offenses. For offenses will inevitably come, but woe to that person by whom the offense comes. 'If your hand or your foot causes you to fall away, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or lame than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into the eternal fire. 'And if your eye causes you to fall away, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hellfire. 'See to it that you don't despise one of these little ones, because I tell you that in heaven their angels continually view the face of my Father in heaven." - Matthew 18:4-10 CSB
I rarely use this translation but it is the only one that came close to what I am seeing as the main point of the passage. Don't cause little ones to be 'scandalized' or 'stumble' (Strong's G4624 - skandalizo) over who Jesus Is and what He has done.
I wish every bitter 'ex-member' who just has to spew garbage everywhere about what they were once apart of would read this and it would sink in deep. Folks may have been wrong. Likely someone was somewhere. 'Offenses will inevitably come.'
I never want to be a person who adds to the offences of others by being offensive myself.
Wrongdoing is wrong. This passage isn't justifying abusers. I see incredible transparency here. God says He knows that this system He has set up for mankind to use free will to receive Him and walk by faith is going have some painful side effects. God's system leaves room for repentance but not everyone is going to use that room as it should be used.
I read this and think, 'It would be better for me to pluck out my 'eye' than to focus only on negatives and then voice my doubts and criticisms in a careless way so that people would get a slanted picture of who Christ Is.'
God will deal with those who use His system to hide. Men should deal with people who hurt and take advantage also. Our leaders are people who should be accountable for their actions and the actions of people they actively endorse. We do what is needed. We have that responsibility but it isn't our 'ministry'. We must focus on Christ. He Is pure. In Him we can worship and have peace and freedom that is found nowhere else.
We must use discretion and shelter the little ones. They are the focus. God's angels are watching over them. We should follow that example.
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Showing posts with label Accountability. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Accountability. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 30, 2018
Friday, November 17, 2017
Abuse Of Power
Like many these days, I've been thinking about the abuse of power. I've been looking at these passages and substituting the word 'brother' and 'elder' for 'powerful and experienced person who has influence.'
"If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector." - Matthew 18:15-17 ESV
"Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear. In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels I charge you to keep these rules without prejudging, doing nothing from partiality. Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure." - 1 Timothy 5:19-22 ESV
In today's climate in 2017, social media seems to be a way that a group gets justice. Going alone to settle a score can be dangerous, can't it? Can you even get an appointment? Will your life be pulled through the mud as a result?
Looking at these passages I see a God who wants to give mercy and to cover matters if it is possible but it all sits on a foundation of justice.
I cringe at the abuse I see across a multitude of industries. I wish I could say the Church was immune but it isn't nor does the Bible say it is going to be.
Paul said this statement to a group just at the formation of the Church within a generation of the cross and the incarnation.
"Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears." - Acts 20:28-31 ESV
There have always been those who abuse power. Nathan had to walk into the court of King David and confront the King about a grave transgression (see 2 Samuel 12:1f). Nathan had a divine covering but what he did was dangerous. I marvel at the courage a person needs to muster up to face a person in power. Powerful people also get accused of things that aren't true and have to deal with those situations on occasion also.
"Yet for your sake we are killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered. Awake! Why are you sleeping, O Lord? Rouse yourself! Do not reject us forever! Why do you hide your face? Why do you forget our affliction and oppression? For our soul is bowed down to the dust; our belly clings to the ground. Rise up; come to our help! Redeem us for the sake of your steadfast love! - Psalm 44:22-26 ESV
The psalmist captures the feeling there doesn't he?
I read these things and say to myself, 'I refuse to take the easy way out in these matters. I must be accountable and if need be make others accountable. Mercy is to great a cause. Love covers but that covering can't become a hiding place for abuse.'
Speaking truth to power has never been easy but we can live in the confidence that Nathan did when he came before his king.
"Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways." - 1 Corinthians 13:4-11 ESV
Let us live in the maturity of love. If God for us who can be against us?
In one of the recent high profile sexual abuse cases the reporters who broke, it said that they spent months interviewing victims but they avoided going to the man directly because they wanted to avoid 'off the record' conversations that might hinder them later. I found it interesting. Of course, the press isn't seeking to 'cover' or reconcile. Hopefully, we are.
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"If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector." - Matthew 18:15-17 ESV
"Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear. In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels I charge you to keep these rules without prejudging, doing nothing from partiality. Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure." - 1 Timothy 5:19-22 ESV
In today's climate in 2017, social media seems to be a way that a group gets justice. Going alone to settle a score can be dangerous, can't it? Can you even get an appointment? Will your life be pulled through the mud as a result?
Looking at these passages I see a God who wants to give mercy and to cover matters if it is possible but it all sits on a foundation of justice.
I cringe at the abuse I see across a multitude of industries. I wish I could say the Church was immune but it isn't nor does the Bible say it is going to be.
Paul said this statement to a group just at the formation of the Church within a generation of the cross and the incarnation.
"Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears." - Acts 20:28-31 ESV
There have always been those who abuse power. Nathan had to walk into the court of King David and confront the King about a grave transgression (see 2 Samuel 12:1f). Nathan had a divine covering but what he did was dangerous. I marvel at the courage a person needs to muster up to face a person in power. Powerful people also get accused of things that aren't true and have to deal with those situations on occasion also.
"Yet for your sake we are killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered. Awake! Why are you sleeping, O Lord? Rouse yourself! Do not reject us forever! Why do you hide your face? Why do you forget our affliction and oppression? For our soul is bowed down to the dust; our belly clings to the ground. Rise up; come to our help! Redeem us for the sake of your steadfast love! - Psalm 44:22-26 ESV
The psalmist captures the feeling there doesn't he?
I read these things and say to myself, 'I refuse to take the easy way out in these matters. I must be accountable and if need be make others accountable. Mercy is to great a cause. Love covers but that covering can't become a hiding place for abuse.'
Speaking truth to power has never been easy but we can live in the confidence that Nathan did when he came before his king.
"Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways." - 1 Corinthians 13:4-11 ESV
Let us live in the maturity of love. If God for us who can be against us?
In one of the recent high profile sexual abuse cases the reporters who broke, it said that they spent months interviewing victims but they avoided going to the man directly because they wanted to avoid 'off the record' conversations that might hinder them later. I found it interesting. Of course, the press isn't seeking to 'cover' or reconcile. Hopefully, we are.
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Tuesday, July 19, 2016
Absence And Presence
We are home on the last day of our vacation preparing to go back to work and emptying suitcases.
My thought was on how Jesus' absence creates opportunities for people and His presence brings in accountability.
"Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country..." - Matthew 21:33 KJV
"And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made [them] other five talents. And likewise he that [had received] two, he also gained other two. But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money." - Matthew 25:15-18 KJV
When the householder is away there is a window of opportunity and people show their true colors. Time is a commodity. It can either be wasted or invested.
"You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore." - Psalm 16:11 ESV
"...And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." - Matthew 28:20b ESV
Jesus is with us even when He is not physically present. He is at least for those that know Him. One day He will return and accountability will come with Him.
Today I sense the presence of God in my life. I am as grateful for that as I am to have eyes that see and ears that hear. Sensing Him brings accountability to holiness. Knowing grace I don't strive because of that accountability I rest in it. God is here and everything is alright in my Father's house.
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My thought was on how Jesus' absence creates opportunities for people and His presence brings in accountability.
"Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country..." - Matthew 21:33 KJV
"And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made [them] other five talents. And likewise he that [had received] two, he also gained other two. But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money." - Matthew 25:15-18 KJV
When the householder is away there is a window of opportunity and people show their true colors. Time is a commodity. It can either be wasted or invested.
"You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore." - Psalm 16:11 ESV
"...And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." - Matthew 28:20b ESV
Jesus is with us even when He is not physically present. He is at least for those that know Him. One day He will return and accountability will come with Him.
Today I sense the presence of God in my life. I am as grateful for that as I am to have eyes that see and ears that hear. Sensing Him brings accountability to holiness. Knowing grace I don't strive because of that accountability I rest in it. God is here and everything is alright in my Father's house.
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Friday, January 24, 2014
The Wings Of The Morning
"Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. If I say, 'Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,' even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you." - Psalms 139:7-12 ESV
What are the wings of the morning?
Heaven and Hell are invisible realms. Places we have heard about in scripture. Places we go in our minds and imagine but the sea is here on Earth. It has two 'uttermosts' also... the foreign land where life is new and different and the people are unknown to us and we to them. That uttermost is filled with new possibilities and in our imagination the things that limit us here don't exist there. We are Sinbad (the pirate not the comedian) or Robinson Crusoe, heroes and adventures... successes. In the other uttermost we sink down, down, down into the quiet depth of the seas.... in our imagination at least... it is quiet there and darkness. We are alone and numb.
The wings don't take us into God's realms... they take us into our own because the pressure is too great and the problems too real. We feel powerless and so we create a place of power and relief and go there in our minds.
God's right hand does two things in His realms and in ours. It leads us and it holds us. God's approval because of Christ's substitutionary death, His work on and now off the cross, make us a provision of approval. That approval guides us in spiritual things and out of fictional things.
"And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach and have authority to cast out demons. He appointed the twelve: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter); James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James (to whom he gave the name Boanerges, that is, Sons of Thunder); Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. Then he went home, and the crowd gathered again, so that they could not even eat. And when his family heard it, they went out to seize him, for they were saying, 'He is out of his mind.' And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem were saying, 'He is possessed by Beelzebul,' and 'by the prince of demons he casts out the demons.' " - Mark 3:14-22 ESV
Notice the demonic labeling came after Jesus appointed the twelve. Once Jesus said 'These have special authority' that in when the pressure increased.
'Fly away little disciples' you didn't ask for this. 'Fly away Jesus'... but they didn't fly away. God's right hand was with them and all is bright to the Lord. They could live in delegated authority on Earth and not fly away to some fantasy or get to far ahead of God's plan. God's right hand let them live in the now with purpose and dignity.
God has given each of us authority in the Earth and visible authority to be accountable under in the Earth. If we can't be accountable to what we see how can we say we are accountable to the invisible.
The twelve were not perfect... one of them was a betrayer. Chew on that one. In that accountability our fantasies are put aside. The right hand of God is personal. It does not come because of our accountability. Jesus won it for us as individuals.
"Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, O God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness." - Psalms 51:12-14 ESV
God has His way of dealing with leaders. His right hand leads us and it holds us.
Let's look up at God and around at people today. Let's speak of God's righteousness and the approval available in the Gospel of Grace. Not up and away but in the now as sent ones.
What are the wings of the morning?
Heaven and Hell are invisible realms. Places we have heard about in scripture. Places we go in our minds and imagine but the sea is here on Earth. It has two 'uttermosts' also... the foreign land where life is new and different and the people are unknown to us and we to them. That uttermost is filled with new possibilities and in our imagination the things that limit us here don't exist there. We are Sinbad (the pirate not the comedian) or Robinson Crusoe, heroes and adventures... successes. In the other uttermost we sink down, down, down into the quiet depth of the seas.... in our imagination at least... it is quiet there and darkness. We are alone and numb.
The wings don't take us into God's realms... they take us into our own because the pressure is too great and the problems too real. We feel powerless and so we create a place of power and relief and go there in our minds.
God's right hand does two things in His realms and in ours. It leads us and it holds us. God's approval because of Christ's substitutionary death, His work on and now off the cross, make us a provision of approval. That approval guides us in spiritual things and out of fictional things.
"And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach and have authority to cast out demons. He appointed the twelve: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter); James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James (to whom he gave the name Boanerges, that is, Sons of Thunder); Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. Then he went home, and the crowd gathered again, so that they could not even eat. And when his family heard it, they went out to seize him, for they were saying, 'He is out of his mind.' And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem were saying, 'He is possessed by Beelzebul,' and 'by the prince of demons he casts out the demons.' " - Mark 3:14-22 ESV
Notice the demonic labeling came after Jesus appointed the twelve. Once Jesus said 'These have special authority' that in when the pressure increased.
'Fly away little disciples' you didn't ask for this. 'Fly away Jesus'... but they didn't fly away. God's right hand was with them and all is bright to the Lord. They could live in delegated authority on Earth and not fly away to some fantasy or get to far ahead of God's plan. God's right hand let them live in the now with purpose and dignity.
God has given each of us authority in the Earth and visible authority to be accountable under in the Earth. If we can't be accountable to what we see how can we say we are accountable to the invisible.
The twelve were not perfect... one of them was a betrayer. Chew on that one. In that accountability our fantasies are put aside. The right hand of God is personal. It does not come because of our accountability. Jesus won it for us as individuals.
"Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, O God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness." - Psalms 51:12-14 ESV
God has His way of dealing with leaders. His right hand leads us and it holds us.
Let's look up at God and around at people today. Let's speak of God's righteousness and the approval available in the Gospel of Grace. Not up and away but in the now as sent ones.
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