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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Showing posts with label Accusation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Accusation. Show all posts
Friday, November 17, 2017
Friday, September 29, 2017
Process Or Ignore
Recommendations and accusations are both verbal assessments of something. One is positive and the other is negative. One comes from a sense of 'above and beyond'-ness and the other transgressed a person's sensibilities in such a way that they feel they need to say something in order to balance the scales.
How do we deal with recommendation and accusations?
We can ignore them but that sends a message. People pay attention to those they respect and ignoring something a person says implies a lack of respect for that person (or group).
If we don't ignore the assessment then we have to process it in some way and there are several ways to do that.
"But the serpent said to the woman, 'You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.' So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate." - Genesis 3:4-6 ESV
In one statement 'the serpent' accused God and recommended the fruit of the forbidden tree. Eve was totally unprepared for an accusation. It is the first one ever recorded.She was also unprepared to ignore anything someone said because she never had a reason to do that either.
Accusations have barbs. They trigger a 'knowledge of God and Evil' response.
People must know what God says on a subject. He must become the overriding voice in order for our minds to be whole. Then we can say, 'God said' and ignore without disrespect while at the same time we can recommend from a sound point of view.
If God is better than both of us we can still say, 'You and I are equals.'
That is why the attack on the Bible is so forceful. If people can invalidate that Book truth is up for grabs and no one can ever be equal. Emotionalism or intellectualism will always provide other strong winds of doctrine that blow people off course.
"And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified." - Acts 20:32 ESV
Grace is truly amazing. If we live in it we can 'recommend it' and what we are saying is valid. Grace is only found in God and only communicated by His words. Grace is truly amazing. If we live in it we can 'recommend it' and what we are saying is valid.
"The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost." - 1 Timothy 1:15 ESV
Wow. The Apostle said this and the people who heard it knew it was true. In his former life he hunted Christians. Most speakers list some credentials so that their recommendations (or accusations) will be received. Paul's terrible past was his recommendation. Amazing. Paul is basically saying, 'You shouldn't respect me but I am not recommending myself. I am revealing God's power to save.'
We are surrounded by ideas and groups that say, 'If you don't hear us it is disrespectful.' and they are right... to a degree. If we ignore God it is also disrespectful to Him but He gives 'grace words' and no one else has those.
"Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!" - Psalm 34:8 ESV
"Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool." - Isaiah 1:18 ESV
Accusations may have sunk down deep if our soul but God can take the 'red' and make us 'white as now'. Will we trust His recommendation?
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How do we deal with recommendation and accusations?
We can ignore them but that sends a message. People pay attention to those they respect and ignoring something a person says implies a lack of respect for that person (or group).
If we don't ignore the assessment then we have to process it in some way and there are several ways to do that.
"But the serpent said to the woman, 'You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.' So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate." - Genesis 3:4-6 ESV
In one statement 'the serpent' accused God and recommended the fruit of the forbidden tree. Eve was totally unprepared for an accusation. It is the first one ever recorded.She was also unprepared to ignore anything someone said because she never had a reason to do that either.
Accusations have barbs. They trigger a 'knowledge of God and Evil' response.
People must know what God says on a subject. He must become the overriding voice in order for our minds to be whole. Then we can say, 'God said' and ignore without disrespect while at the same time we can recommend from a sound point of view.
If God is better than both of us we can still say, 'You and I are equals.'
That is why the attack on the Bible is so forceful. If people can invalidate that Book truth is up for grabs and no one can ever be equal. Emotionalism or intellectualism will always provide other strong winds of doctrine that blow people off course.
"And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified." - Acts 20:32 ESV
Grace is truly amazing. If we live in it we can 'recommend it' and what we are saying is valid. Grace is only found in God and only communicated by His words. Grace is truly amazing. If we live in it we can 'recommend it' and what we are saying is valid.
"The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost." - 1 Timothy 1:15 ESV
Wow. The Apostle said this and the people who heard it knew it was true. In his former life he hunted Christians. Most speakers list some credentials so that their recommendations (or accusations) will be received. Paul's terrible past was his recommendation. Amazing. Paul is basically saying, 'You shouldn't respect me but I am not recommending myself. I am revealing God's power to save.'
We are surrounded by ideas and groups that say, 'If you don't hear us it is disrespectful.' and they are right... to a degree. If we ignore God it is also disrespectful to Him but He gives 'grace words' and no one else has those.
"Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!" - Psalm 34:8 ESV
"Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool." - Isaiah 1:18 ESV
Accusations may have sunk down deep if our soul but God can take the 'red' and make us 'white as now'. Will we trust His recommendation?
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Tuesday, November 29, 2016
Inaccessible Paperwork - Colossians - Part 47
"And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross." - Colossians 2:13-14 ESV
Two unique words here and the concept presented is amazing. The first is translated 'legal demands' (cheirographon - Strong's G5498) and it is a handwritten note that signifies a debt.
God has taken this personally signed document and 'nailed' (prosēloō - Strong's G4338) it down in a place that is set aside... Christ's cross.
The bank note that held a mortgage on your life can't be found anymore. They can't find the signed document. It has been put in a permanently inaccessible place.
It is much like the places that require that a person to produce a receipt with an item in order to return it. No receipt. No refund. No signed document. No prosecution.
Does God legally have anything against you? No. His court system lost the paperwork. It has been filed on the cross. You are free.
You may remember the contents but that is not legally binding.
Leviticus chapter 25 speaks of a year of Jubilee when all debts in Israel are forgiven and the land that belonged to families is returned to them if it was sold.
Jesus is our year of Jubilee.
God makes those who have believed citizens with an inheritance and he has lost the signed paperwork that would hold us in bondage.
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Two unique words here and the concept presented is amazing. The first is translated 'legal demands' (cheirographon - Strong's G5498) and it is a handwritten note that signifies a debt.
God has taken this personally signed document and 'nailed' (prosēloō - Strong's G4338) it down in a place that is set aside... Christ's cross.
The bank note that held a mortgage on your life can't be found anymore. They can't find the signed document. It has been put in a permanently inaccessible place.
It is much like the places that require that a person to produce a receipt with an item in order to return it. No receipt. No refund. No signed document. No prosecution.
Does God legally have anything against you? No. His court system lost the paperwork. It has been filed on the cross. You are free.
You may remember the contents but that is not legally binding.
Leviticus chapter 25 speaks of a year of Jubilee when all debts in Israel are forgiven and the land that belonged to families is returned to them if it was sold.
Jesus is our year of Jubilee.
God makes those who have believed citizens with an inheritance and he has lost the signed paperwork that would hold us in bondage.
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Monday, May 9, 2016
Who Did Jesus Trust?
I am thinking this morning about trust. Who do we trust? When do we trust? How far do we trust? A couple of verses come to mind.
"Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing. But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man." - John 2:23-25 ESV
Jesus was and is wise.
"...who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men." - Philippians 2:6-7 ESV
He emptied Himself. His divine ability and knowledge was set aside but as a sinless man He was not cut off from His Father and because He saw the Father He knew not to entrust Himself in certain ways.
"For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them" - Romans 2:14-15 ESV
This is an aspect of trust isn't it? But it is trust based on performance. The word 'Gentiles' could easily be translated 'nations' or 'people that aren't children of Abraham's seed'. In all the variety there is still the commonality of accusing and excusing.
Jesus was a sinless man. He trusted God from the womb. Jesus was full of grace and truth and He grew in it. He also saw very clearly that other people did not operate this way.
Still He took on disciples and trusted them to handle things.
"I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you. For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one." - John 17:6-11 ESV
Wow.
Jesus trusted God. He gave what God gave. He said what God said. He wasn't accusing or excusing in His heart even when He discerned things He gave grace. There are so many examples of this in the Gospels.
Jesus doesn't say what He says in John chapter seventeen in front of successful people. The disciples still didn't understand so many things. They trusted Jesus but their performance was far from stellar. They had already misrepresented God several times. They wanted to call fire down from Heaven and they shushed men who wanted healing who cried out too loudly. Jesus had stepped around them many times.
Jesus knew His words would do a work. They did. His Father was faithful.
Who do we trust? When do we trust? God gave Jesus discernment. He will give it to us also. Jesus trusted God and looked at hearts. We can't afford to be foolish or naive but can we look past performance? Today is another day to listen to our Father and walk by faith.
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"Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing. But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man." - John 2:23-25 ESV
Jesus was and is wise.
"...who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men." - Philippians 2:6-7 ESV
He emptied Himself. His divine ability and knowledge was set aside but as a sinless man He was not cut off from His Father and because He saw the Father He knew not to entrust Himself in certain ways.
"For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them" - Romans 2:14-15 ESV
This is an aspect of trust isn't it? But it is trust based on performance. The word 'Gentiles' could easily be translated 'nations' or 'people that aren't children of Abraham's seed'. In all the variety there is still the commonality of accusing and excusing.
Jesus was a sinless man. He trusted God from the womb. Jesus was full of grace and truth and He grew in it. He also saw very clearly that other people did not operate this way.
Still He took on disciples and trusted them to handle things.
"I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you. For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one." - John 17:6-11 ESV
Wow.
Jesus trusted God. He gave what God gave. He said what God said. He wasn't accusing or excusing in His heart even when He discerned things He gave grace. There are so many examples of this in the Gospels.
Jesus doesn't say what He says in John chapter seventeen in front of successful people. The disciples still didn't understand so many things. They trusted Jesus but their performance was far from stellar. They had already misrepresented God several times. They wanted to call fire down from Heaven and they shushed men who wanted healing who cried out too loudly. Jesus had stepped around them many times.
Jesus knew His words would do a work. They did. His Father was faithful.
Who do we trust? When do we trust? God gave Jesus discernment. He will give it to us also. Jesus trusted God and looked at hearts. We can't afford to be foolish or naive but can we look past performance? Today is another day to listen to our Father and walk by faith.
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Monday, March 21, 2016
The Immeasurable Gift Of God
I have a 'hard saying' in mind this morning and I was taught long ago never to start any communication with a hard saying because the hearer is likely not to have any capacity to hear it. Communication should address the capacity of the hearer or you might as well be talking to yourself.
"I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ... Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil. Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers." - Ephesians 4:1-7, 25-29 KJV
'Neither give place to the Devil' is the hard saying.
Paul has spoken for three glorious chapters before he gets to chapter four and he talks about the gift(s) God has given. The measure of the gift of Christ is an immeasurable measure. It is a gift beyond calculable value.
All anger is not wrong. There is a righteous indignation but it seems that anger is often what leads to people marking off a territory to the accuser.
I like the advice given to the thief. Instead of stealing the thief is advised to work hard and give what he or she has worked for to others. Like wise grace words are the substitute for angry words. Grace must crowd out the place that was formerly given over to accusation.
As we all know anger isn't easily displaced.
"With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace... That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ... That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another... Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." - Ephesians 4:2-3, 14-15, 22-25, 29-32 KJV
Worship, Truth and Fellowship reveal the immeasurable gift of God and that gift displaces anger and accusation. God has not made us to be disappointed people. He has made us to be rich in grace and mercy.
These footholds freeze us in a mindset and no one wants that.
God please help us. We are not going to get introspective about our lives. Secure for us a place of worship for this season of life. Give us a place where truth is flowing and fellowship is real. We pray that also for the people that we love that don't seem to have freedom. Let all bitterness, clamour and evil speaking be far from us and them. We want to live in the measure of the immeasurable gift. We want that to fill up and displace any footholds. Thank You God. We want hearts that are so full of truth that accusation can find no place to land and settle in. Thank You God. Your gifts have no limit. Your love is endless. Your mercy overflows. Thank You God.
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"I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ... Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil. Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers." - Ephesians 4:1-7, 25-29 KJV
'Neither give place to the Devil' is the hard saying.
Paul has spoken for three glorious chapters before he gets to chapter four and he talks about the gift(s) God has given. The measure of the gift of Christ is an immeasurable measure. It is a gift beyond calculable value.
All anger is not wrong. There is a righteous indignation but it seems that anger is often what leads to people marking off a territory to the accuser.
I like the advice given to the thief. Instead of stealing the thief is advised to work hard and give what he or she has worked for to others. Like wise grace words are the substitute for angry words. Grace must crowd out the place that was formerly given over to accusation.
As we all know anger isn't easily displaced.
"With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace... That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ... That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another... Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." - Ephesians 4:2-3, 14-15, 22-25, 29-32 KJV
Worship, Truth and Fellowship reveal the immeasurable gift of God and that gift displaces anger and accusation. God has not made us to be disappointed people. He has made us to be rich in grace and mercy.
These footholds freeze us in a mindset and no one wants that.
God please help us. We are not going to get introspective about our lives. Secure for us a place of worship for this season of life. Give us a place where truth is flowing and fellowship is real. We pray that also for the people that we love that don't seem to have freedom. Let all bitterness, clamour and evil speaking be far from us and them. We want to live in the measure of the immeasurable gift. We want that to fill up and displace any footholds. Thank You God. We want hearts that are so full of truth that accusation can find no place to land and settle in. Thank You God. Your gifts have no limit. Your love is endless. Your mercy overflows. Thank You God.
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