“You can’t patch up your prayer life when you get to the judgment seat”

~Leonard Ravenhill

“You can delegate many things, but prayer is not one of them.”

~A.W. Tozer

“Yesterdays praying will not suffice for today.”

~E. M. Bounds

“This period we are in now is a dressing room for eternity, that is all it is.”

~Leonard Ravenhill

“In everything by prayer.” ~Philippians 4:6

I intend to write to you on the subject of the significance of a life of prayer. This word can be taken as three things, an encouragement, a challenge or an offense. It has little significance to me, for “if you have the smile of God what does it matter if you have the frown of men?” (Ravenhill). I write to you in obedience to God. If you take it as a challenge, you can potentially lift the quality of your life above what it is now, as you rapidly move in time to that great day of accountability. If you take it as an encouragement, then most likely you are living for and in the means of prayer, effecting your circle of influence and empowering your pursuit of Christ’s kingdom in an honest and fruitful way. If you take this word as an offense, it will profit you nothing but merely add to your hardness of heart storing up for yourself more to give an account for on that great day of judgment. As I stated, all is well with me, for my heart is not to write for the profit of any other than he who desires to reach the heart of God and stand before Him unashamed and confident in the day of reckoning.

The sorrowful truth that such a spiritual employment is largely neglected has negative effects upon more than just our personal standing with God. It dampens what could have otherwise thrived in fire before the Lord. As intercessory prayer remains that which it has always been, we have been tremendously privileged to the ear of God having been justified, encouraged and empowered by His grace to live an obedient life.

The obedient life alone has access to God’s ear (Psalm34:17; Prov. 15:8; James 4:2, 3). Scripture, in no uncertain terms, vastly teaches us the power, significance and details of a prayer life that God acknowledges.

“All our libraries and studies are mere emptiness compared with our prayer closets” (E.M. Bounds)

King David overflowed with prayer in the Psalms he penned throughout his earthly life, seeing not only its privilege but also its importance by praying morning, noon and night (Psalm 55:17). He saw the connection between the enlightenment of the word of God and intimate pleading for the same (Psalm 119; 18, 19). The apostle Paul was moved by the same spirit encouraging us to pray “in everything” (Phil. 4:6). This would entail all our dealings in life, family, money, ministry, study and the like. This great privilege and importance wasn’t something to be active infrequently but rather “at all times”(1 Thess. 5:17). “All times” encompasses the positive, negative and mundane. Jesus encouraged us to not only pray, but to endure with persistence not giving up or “fainting” (Luke 18:1). Christ emphasized the importance of prayer by ignoring the potential of its absence in our life. He simply said, “When you pray” (Matt. 6:6). Christ also coupled enduring temptation with prayer (Luke 22:39-46). Scripture reveals to us the aid in our sufferings is prayer (James 5:13).

Our aid in worthy living is prayer (2 Thess 1:11). Our aid in wisdom is prayer (James 1:5). Oh how our lives would be of such a higher quality if we lived in persistent, fervent prayer when trying situations occur instead of aimlessly roaming about! What greater impact would our counsel, words and life have upon those weak-hearted Christians who surround us, if our hearts overflowed with burdened persistent prayer for them instead of hidden gossip, jesting and squandering of time! Let us not take lightly that he who prays effectually has first lived effectually. In the words of E.M. Bounds, “He who prays must obey.” For the wonder of the availability of God’s ear to His people can be blocked by our living! (1 Peter 3:7; Psalm 66:18; 1 John 3:22). The effective prayer of the righteous man can effect much (James 5:16)! The availability of God’s ear is as glorious of a privilege, power and grace as it is a responsibility in our way of living and use of time.

Christ revealed that prayer for another can keep one “from the evil one”. Prayer can ignite a disciple’s life to be “separated by the world”. This reveals that merely hearing or reading the word may need the service of divine assistance in prayer to effect such a sanctification of a disciple. As well as the great ability to “keep” one “in His name”, prayer can effect unity amongst disciples (John 17:11, 15, 17, 21).

Christ having complete understanding of God’s sovereignty continually imposed upon Himself isolation for the purpose of prayer (Mark 1:35). Do you recall how Christ spent a night in prayer before choosing His twelve disciples (Luke 6:12)? The disciples at Christ’s side were interested in learning, not how to teach or heal, but how to pray (Luke 11:2).

Once the potential of true prayer is understood a man can never return, in right heartedness, to a prayerless life. Samuel connected prayerlessness with sin (1 Samuel 12:23). God Himself is seen in Scripture searching for a man to pray (Isa. 59:16). Where is the man who will stir himself to get a hold of God in prayer (Isa. 64:7)? “Oh, for determined men and women, who will rise early and really burn out for God” (Hodge). True prayer is not a light matter. Nor is it an exercise for the slothful. Christ Himself offered up prayers with loud crying and tears (Heb. 5:7). He burned in agony and fervency in Gethsemane (Luke 22:14). Christ taught us that prayer isn’t a weak hearted matter, nor an exercise for lazy knees. For the key to its effectiveness is importunity (Luke 11:5-13). Hezekiah’s prayers moved God to add fifteen years upon his life (Isa. 38:1-5). God hears. God listens, to the righteous (James 5:16; Psalm 66:18). He who has the ear of God and sincerely applies himself to such a divine employment has access to a fruitful ministry. The writer of Hebrews asked for prayer (Heb. 13:18). Paul asked for such a divine assistance to be added to his ministry (2 Thess. 3:1). Paul knew the power of true prayer could turn events in the spreading of the Word of God (Phil. 1:19).

He saw the aid to his ministry was none other than true prayer (2 Cor. 1:11). Prayer can open doors for uttering the word of God (Col.4:3-4). What a responsibility that will, without question, be one of many things we give an account for before the Judgment seat!

The recorded lesson from the apostolic Church was that dedication of one’s self should be given to the Word of God but equally to prayer (Acts 6:4). Just as Elijah in the Old testament prayed for eyes to be opened to see, Paul prayed for the enlightening of the eyes of our heart that we may see (2 Kings 6:17; Ephesians 1:19). Ignore not the radiant evidence of a praying life. It may well open and enlighten a man’s heart to see what he couldn’t by study alone. The hope revealed in the Scriptures is the anchor of our soul (Heb. 6:19). It must be the center of our life if we are to live a life pleasing to the Lord (Heb. 11:6; 10:39). At times and in many cases, we, dull of hearing, slow of heart people need the grace of prayer to quicken us with grace to walk out that which is currently in our mouths (Col. 1:9-11; Eph. 1:16-19; 3:14-20). The great protection to prayerless praying (a disease rampant amongst the unstudied) is first of all, the honest, humble and correct study of the Scriptures. For nothing else is a lamp unto our feet as we tread down the dark path of a deceptive world and religion (Psalm 119:105). Paul prayed according to God’s working (Eph 1:19; 3:20). Christ eclipsed His will with God’s (Matt. 26:39).

“Prayerless praying, how popular! Yet, useless” (E.M. Bounds)

The Pharisees prayed to be heard, seen and recognized with many words and a prideful disposition for the good they have done (Mark 6:5; Luke 18:10-14). Leonard Ravenhill said, “the secret of prayer is praying in secret (Matt. 6:6).” As the culmination of man’s day draws to a close, the sobriety of our secret place will be our secret to preparation (1 Peter 4:7). We must soberly strive in prayer and allow the Spirit of God to move us in intercession and personal longing for Him so as to sweeten the bitter areas of our lives and the lives of those that God has given us, knowing, at times only the Spirit will know the will of God (Rom. 15:30-31; 8;8:26).

A burden is a revelation of a tremendous spiritual need, able to be satisfied by God alone, having no avenue where by it can be expressed, save, groanings which cannot be uttered, explained or understood. “Prayers that cannot be uttered are often prayers that cannot be refused (Spurgeon).”

Leonard Ravenhill challenges,

“No man is greater than his prayer life…let me live with a man a while and share his prayer life and then I will tell you how tall I think he is or how majestic I think he is in God…You may impress others but you can’t impress God. You can show off on the platform, singing, preaching and doing your stuff, but not in prayer…Praying men stop sinning and sinning men stop praying. A man first collapses in the prayer closet…Can he share His sorrow with you? Can you remember the last time you couldn’t go to bed because men were dying without Christ?

When was the last time you pushed the plate away and said, “No, I need more time with God?” God looks for a man, not a seraphim, not a cherubim, not a half man and half deity. God looks for men, not money, not methods, not machinery, not movements…Men! We need to say, “Lord I’m concerned, I am speeding up to judgment, look at my ministry, look at the secrets of my life, look at my fruitlessness, look at my dry eyes, look at my poor spirit that has no ache in it, look at me!” The great day of accountability alone will reveal all that could have been effected through a selfless management of your time to invest in prayer.

Beware to stand not ashamed. You cannot return to live the way you should have. Dr. Michael L. Brown urged us, “Are you spending your time, energy and efforts on things that are just going to burn?” I tell you after a diligent study of God’s Word you will find this common thread, that an obedient life lived in humble intercession avails greatly in the eyes of God. A.W. Tozer at the end of his life said this challenging statement, “I don’t think that I will be ashamed of the things that I have done in my life, but rather what I could have done.” Samuel Chadwick at the end of his life said this sobering statement,

“I have spent two thirds of my life in bible study and one third of my life in prayer. If I had the chance to do it all over again, I would spend two thirds of my life in prayer and one third of my life in bible study.”

The Word of God should never be neglected or despised (thought little of), for without its direction, one will more often than not, spend his time amiss. They together constitute the whole of God’s assistance toward us.

Let us sincerely ask ourselves, in the light of Him who sees through the outward actions and into the motives and intents, (Rev. 2:23; Hebrews 4:12.); what does it matter if we boldly dance in the assembly, pray with eloquence and volume, shamelessly raise our hands amongst others or even speak the depths of the Scriptures if we are bankrupt before God in the quiet place? “The true test of a man’s soul is when he is alone” (Jeremy Taylor). Have you come to the face of others from the face of God (figuratively)? To truly know God is to truly share, in our small degree, His feelings, revealed to us in His Word, experienced by us in prayer. To share not God’s burden is to share not in His heart and He who is most dear to God is he who lays his head upon His breast (John 13:23, 25).

“Nothing will so test and stimulate the Christian life as the honest attempt to pray for others”(Andrew Murray).

“The men who have done mighty things for God have always been mighty in prayer, have well understood the possibilities of prayer, and have made the most of these opportunities… Men who know how to pray are the greatest boon God can give the earth-they are the richest gift earth can offer heaven.”(E.M. Bounds).

A disciple who will give himself to the divine preparation and work of a constant receiving and obeying God’s Word, soaked in personal and intercessory prayer will be more confident at the judgment. Knowing that he not only fed his spirit with the truth of God’s Word but he opened his spirit to share God’s heart. A disciple who will give himself to the divine work of pure ministry of the Word and prayer for others will effect greatly the course and pattern of living of these to whom he ministers (Col. 4:12). Of what greater significance can prayer be than that ministry which makes effective all else? The reward for a correct, sincere and fervent life of prayer will, more so than all others, be most significant in that great day.

“There is no alternative to prayer and obedience” (Ravenhill).

“For it is a great honor to speak to men on behalf of God, but an even greater honor to speak to God on behalf of men” (E.M. Bounds).

Let us not know the guilt of a life that chose to avoid the power, importance, privilege and responsibility of the availability of God’s ear.

Let us not forget that even He who was the Word made flesh lived a life of fervent Prayer. Let us plead for divine assistance for ourselves and others as we pursue the offered Kingdom through conformity to the image of God’s Son through nothing other than interaction with His Spirit!

Based in Orlando with his wife Brooke, Eric William Gilmour is burning with a burden to see a sleeping Church wake up and rise to her calling to prayer, purity, power and life together. He hosts all his compilation mp3s on a new podcast site, which can be found at agonypress.podbean.com.

I love running.

Over the past year I have really enjoyed learning how to run, running and all the benefits that come with it. One thing that I noticed is that it’s a great way to get rid of anxious thoughts and other emotions of turmoil. When you run for an hour you get a lot of time to think through things and pray.

One thing leads to another and the more I grew to enjoy the peace and relaxing feeling after a good run the more I wondered:

“Is there even more than this available?”

I knew a lot of runners love to do yoga to help stay relaxed in a race but also for general health. I also knew that some Christians had serious qualms about doing exercises so closely associated with Hinduism.

What was I to do? I thought about exercises crafted in the Christian realm. Is there any form of relaxing stretching that has been developing and perfecting for a few thousand years in the Christian world like Yoga has? Is there anything even close?

As I’ve studied church history I’ve noticed a far more cerebral bent to our faith. We’ve been more concerned with doctrine, preaching and politics than the more physical aspects of loving and following God.  I even began to hypothesize that perhaps the reason so many Christians are uptight is that they don’t spend time unwinding, relaxing, even doing physical stretches and activities that release the tension of our days.

What are the dangers of Yoga? That was my next question and the obvious answer is that you can open yourself up to demonic spirits. Now, where the real heart of this discussion lies is in the next question. How do we open ourselves up to demons? Here is an interesting passage from the book of First Corinthians:

“Everything is lawful,” but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is lawful,” but not everything builds others up. Do not seek your own good, but the good of the other person.  Eat anything that is sold in the marketplace without questions of conscience, for the earth and its abundance are the Lord’s… So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:23-26, 31)

Pondering whether we are serving our own interests–and not the good of others–might be a good place to start. Here is the past passage that I know of to define the foundation for this discussion,

But I say, live by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desires of the flesh. For the flesh has desires that are opposed to the Spirit, and the Spirit has desires that are opposed to the flesh, for these are in opposition to each other, so that you cannot do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, depravity, idolatry, sorcery, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish rivalries, dissensions, factions, envying, murder, drunkenness, carousing, and similar things. I am warning you, as I had warned you before: Those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God!

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also behave in accordance with the Spirit. (Galatians 5:16-25, emphasis added)

This passage clearly states how easy it is to see whether something is of the flesh, or of the Spirit: by looking at its fruit. It is impossible for the devil to replicate the fruit of the Spirit because he doesn’t have any of them. This passage shows that if you give in to the desires of the flesh then you open yourself to the demonic, and demonic fruit in your life. If you give in to the desires of the Spirit you open yourself to the Spirit and the Spirit’s fruit in your life. This is the litmus test for every single gray area in a Christian’s life.

Coming back to Yoga; I began to understand that I need to always keep a close watch on my heart and the fruit from doing it. The first time I tried an intro to yoga DVD I found laying around, I just kept worshiping God the whole time and just kept laughing at how relaxing it felt. I felt closer to God–and in a way more relaxed and enjoyable mood. Another time I noticed I was more selfish afterward and so I repented and asked for my selflessness and childlikeness.

So, judging by the fruit in my own life I think it can be worthwhile and beneficial. However I need to be very careful to just do the stretches and stay clear of emptying myself to energy or meditative chants.  I downloaded just pictures of the stretches to my iPod to learn about some of the great stretches that they have. I think in everything we need to seek God’s wisdom through His Word and by the Spirit’s witness in our own lives. This is an issue without pat answers but where we need to maintain both caution and also openmindedness to what God could be leading us to.

For some more clarity, here is a really good message by Mark Driscoll which explains how stretching is harmless, but the Hinduism aspect is wrong.

“Yet when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, for I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!” I Corinthians 9:16

The above scripture reflects the heart of a man consumed or owned by the call of God that stems from the message and the reality of the gospel. The Apostle Paul’s divine unction reflects a normal mindset when it comes to what it really means to love the Lord and to be completely His. As we look at his life and the level of commitment that he ascribed to, one must be honest and say that much of what we see and even promote as Christianity and ministry today is in stark contrast to what Paul lived, preached and reproduced while fulfilling his call on earth. Therefore, the question must be asked; “Is there another gospel being promoted and propagated in this hour?” My immediate response to this is, “absolutely yes!”

In much of the industrialized world and especially in the West, there has been a dire phenomenon that has taken place over the last several decades with regard to the gospel of Jesus Christ and the state or condition of His church. It is as if a spiritual decapitation has occurred and the result has been the creation of ministry expressions and accomplishments that are void of the power and presence of God. A beheaded gospel (a social, utilitarian message void of the Cross) has been presented and promoted that has bequeathed a spell of dullness and compromise to fall upon many who name the name of Jesus. In many respects the modern church has become a hollow giant that presents itself as mighty, while in reality in many regards she is empty, emaciated and pitiful in comparison to the scriptural pattern and mandate so clearly seen in the New Testament.

Though it may be painful, the Church must look in the mirror of reality and ask some hard questions in light of the condition of our society and our lack of conviction and power to address it effectively. We must get honest before the “Holiness of the Lord” and allow Him to probe deeply into the core of our existence and exorcise anything within us that aligns us with a gospel that reflects a model of self-fulfillment, personal ministry success (idolatry), an alignment with the spirit of this world, and a message that calls people to social, religious reform void of true repentance and discipleship. The white elephant in the room (the midst of the modern church) has this question written on its side, “How is it that we have gained so much ground socially, politically and economically and still yet we by and large are not having a real impact on this generation?” Some honest answers follow.

1. We have exchanged the gospel of the cross for a gospel of accommodation. (We have learned not to offend man while at the same time condoned grieving the heart of God). Ref. Matthew 10:37-39
2. We have exchanged the anointing and unction for entertainment and the wisdom of this age. (We have learned to use talent, carnal knowledge and performance based ministry to entice individuals to become a part of our social, religious gatherings while neglecting the eternal condition of their souls). Ref. I Corinthians 1:18-25
3. We have exchanged an eternal awareness or consciousness for the passing delicacies and allurements of this present age. (We invest in the things of this world that will eventually be consumed while neglecting the reality of eternity and the world to come). Ref. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
4. We have exchanged prayer and fasting (which begets divine assistance) for furious religious activity. (We focus more on ministry mandates and activities then we do on God’s availability to us through intimacy with Him). Ref. James 5:16
5. We have exchanged the fear of the Lord for the approval of men. (We concern ourselves more with what people say and think about us as believers then we do about what God has called us to be as His children). Ref. Psalm 111:10
6. We have exchanged the burden of the Lord for a life of feel good experiences that oftentimes only breed more of the same. (Even though spiritual, feel good experiences are great, if the burden of the Lord’s heart is not real in the life of the church, we become self-fulfilling while neglecting the great commission). Ref. Jeremiah 4:19, 8:20, 9:1

Lastly, let me say that this is the hour for the Church to arise and shine. We must stir ourselves in such a way that our level of commitment is not just a seasonal or temporal emotional disturbance that leads us to make covenants that are only broken when the emotion of the moment flees. This is the time to allow Jesus to be the head of everything that we are and do. When this happens, He will become more than just our mascot that we use to further our religious, selfish causes. He will be our Lord and leader that directs us into a life of obedience that will bring glory to His name.

More Articles from Keith, click here.

Keith Collins is the Director for FIRE School of Ministry and Founder of Generation Impact Ministries

Visit Keith’s Blog Passionate Ponderings

Did the Lord contradict Himself? Or does the Bible say more about judging than the general public realizes?

Jesus repeatedly taught men to judge rightly, insisting they “judge with righteous judgment” (John 7:24) and He praised a man who “rightly judged” (Luke 7:43). Paul shamed the Corinthian Christians because no one among them was willing to “judge the smallest matters” (1 Cor. 6:2). As the Apostle wrote, “He who is spiritual judges all things” for “we have the mind of Christ” (1 Cor. 2:15‑16).

Where did we get the notion that men should never judge? Should child-molesters escape condemnation? Should rapists be free from criticism? Should society refrain from judging those arrested for murder? And why would anyone judge others for judging?

Borrowing characters from C. S. Lewis, imagine this dialogue between a junior demon named Wormwood and his wicked uncle Screwtape. This fiendish exchange could have occurred a century ago:

Wormwood: Believers have so many weapons at their disposal. It is difficult to neutralize them. It takes a huge effort just to slow the work of a single Christian.
Screwtape: Your one-on-one approach is inefficient. This is the age of Madison Avenue and mass marketing. If you can undermine their whole group at once, then you’ve accomplished something.
Wormwood: Unfortunately, I’m not highly productive. In the time it takes me to frustrate one believer, I could tempt a dozen heathens.
Screwtape: Don’t lose heart, Wormwood. We are imple­menting a plan to impair the whole Church with a single ploy.
Wormwood: I don’t see how that will be possible. I see Christians dedicated to warning others about hell. It’s all I can do just to get one of them distracted for a short time.
Screwtape: We are going to use their Leader’s own words.
Wormwood: No! Please don’t. Don’t even joke about using His words. I can’t take it.
Screwtape: If you’re ever going to grow up to be an effec­tive demon, you’re going to have to learn to use the Enemy’s words against Him.
Wormwood: It just seems so dangerous. Which words are you going to use?
Screwtape: “Judge not!”
Wormwood: I don’t understand why He would tell them not to judge. That’s confusing. He commanded His followers to rebuke, admonish, and judge hundreds of times in His Book. And that’s what they’re out there doing. And I might add, it’s causing me grief.
Screwtape: When their Leader said those words, He was speaking to hypocrites. “Judge not… you hypocrite,” as He said later in the same paragraph.
Wormwood: Yeah, but how are we going to use “Judge not” to neutralize the whole Church?
Screwtape: We’re going to get them to ignore the fact that He was talking to hypocrites. He said that hypocrites should not judge, at least not until they stop doing the wrong deed themselves. But we’re going to make them think none of them should judge, ever.
Wormwood: That’s bril­liant… if you can pull it off, that is. I mean, if we can get them to stop judging, then they won’t rebuke the wicked. And they won’t be able to admonish those who are sexually immoral.
Screwtape: It is even more brilliant than you realize. If we can seduce Christians into fol­lowing the instructions for hypo­crites, we will turn them into hypocrites. It’s like government workers who follow foolish rules so precisely they are transformed from human beings into bureau­crats; drones who mindlessly dis­pense red tape regardless of the misfortune they cause. The slave who willingly obeys his master, begins to conform to the master. If believers willingly submit to an instruction for hypocrites, they will conform to hypocrisy. Eventually, with a little evil luck, we might stop them from con­fronting unbelievers altogether because, as you know Worm­wood, to confront requires judg­ing. And if they don’t judge un­believers, they are hypocrites, professing the Gospel but deny­ing its power.
Wormwood: Ha, ha. I’m excited. When do we start?
Screwtape: Everything is underway already. Just do your part.
Wormwood: And that is…?
Screwtape: Make sure your targets read as little of the Book as possible. Don’t get too wor­ried if they stick to their favorite twenty cliché verses. But make sure they remain ignorant of most of the Word.
Wormwood: Master, you are brilliant.
Screwtape: You can call me Master if you want, but don’t let the boss hear you.

A lie paralyzed the Church. God warns against “hypocrisy” commanding men to “abhor what is evil” (Rom. 12:9). Yet to abhor evil, someone must first judge evil. Thus, unable to judge, large numbers of Christians become hypocrites by obeying the Hypocrites Golden Rule. Since the hypocrite doesn’t want to be judged, he judges not, as Jesus said, “Judge not… you hypocrite” (Mat. 7:1, 5 KJV; Ezek. 16:52). For “judge not” (Mat. 7:1-5) is simply a hypocrites application of do unto others as you would have them do unto you (Mat. 7:12). “For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged” (Mat. 7:2). Judge others as you would have them do unto you inverted is Judge not if you do not want to be judged.

Christ repeated this theme in His ministry. “Hypocrites,” Jesus said, “why, even of yourselves, do you not judge what is right?” (Luke 12:56‑57). Still, His own followers have mostly ignored the Lord’s harsh rebuke: “Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to [judge, i.e., to] remove the speck out of your brother’s eye” (Mat. 7:5). “Judge Not” is the Hypocritical Oath.

“Judge Not” is a hypocrite haven. He who lives in a glass house should not throw stones. Such Christians should relocate. They should move into “the temple of the great God… being built with heavy stones” (Ezra 5:8).

Christians live in the “building” for which Christ is “the chief corner stone” (Eph. 2:20). And if that Stone falls on someone it “will grind him to powder” (Mat. 21:44; Luke 20:18; cf. Ex. 32:20). Better to be judged by a Christian than crushed by Christ.

Hollywood, Hillary, and Homosexuals repeat the phrase like a mantra, judge not, judge not, judge not, until the masses are mesmerized. Jesus did not intend this.

Scripture deals with topics that range from simple to advanced truth. Milk is for babes in Christ; meat is for men of God. The question of whether or not Christians should judge is milk. It is preschool. The newest believer taught any of a hundred passages would immediately understand that he must judge. Judging others is fundamental. It is not a difficult concept and should in no way be controversial.

“Everyone who partakes only in milk is unskilled in the Word of righteousness, for he is a babe” (Heb. 5:13). The Church, today lactose intolerant, has trouble even with milk.

Extreme ignorance of the Bible has crippled the Church. And that paralysis slows every denomination by hurting local fellowships. What is the percentage of Christians who have succumbed to the “Judge not” deception? Is there even one percent of believers who have not fallen for that diversion? A quarter century of observation suggests to this author that probably 99 out of 100 believers misquote Jesus by repeating the “Judge not” mantra. Believers need to turn from this sin and ask God for wisdom to keep from being so easily deceived again.

“Curse God and die!” Is that good advice? Word for word, it is in the Bible. Job’s wife counsels her husband to “Curse God and die” (Job 2:9). Many verses, if ripped out of context, can ruin lives. Judas “went and hanged himself” (Mat. 27:5) and as Jesus said “Go and do likewise” (Luke 10:37). The believer who lacks a hunger for God’s word is susceptible to the most absurd dangers.

An October 1996 letter in the Rocky Mountain News expressed a typical judge-not sentiment. It advocated incarceration and not the execution of murderers, who are made “in the image of God” as it would be “wrong to put the image of God to death.” However, the writer never addressed the incongruity of putting the image of God in jail.

“Judge not” is the prayer of those who want to hide light under a basket. The cliché describes salt, which has lost its flavor, which no longer seasons or preserves. This seductive lie takes its victims out of ministry. As spectators on the sidelines, they only watch the spiritual battle. But they are in a comfort zone. Apathy is the craving. “Judge not” is the shirking of responsibility.

To the Jews God said, “If you will walk in My ways, and if you will keep My command, then you shall also judge My house” (Zech. 3:7). Are members of the Body of Christ today less capable than Israel whom God commanded to “judge righteously” (Deut. 1:16‑17; Lev. 19:15)? Moses appointed the head of one out of every ten households as a judge (Ex. 18:25; Deut. 1:15). Should Christians toss out the entire book of Judges? Should America eliminate all judges, or should just the Christian judges resign? Should believers ignore Paul’s admonition:

“Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life? I say this to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you, not even one, who will be able to judge between his brethren?” (1 Cor. 6:2‑5).

Notice that Christians “will judge the world!” (1 Cor. 6:2). For Paul said, “if the world will be judged by you…” God the Judge delegates judgment to His people. Even spirit beings will submit to believers: “Do you not know that we shall judge angels?” Then and now, believers should “judge… according to My judgments” (Ezek. 44:24) as God said. The Almighty commits judgment into the hands of His obedient servants (Rev. 20:4).

If God were the only judge, the sins of all men would be “clearly evident, preceding them to judgment” (1Tim. 5:24a). But because human beings will judge their fellow men on Judgment Day, therefore the sins “of some men follow later” (1Tim. 5:24b). The human judges will already have been aware of the sins of notorious men. But they will not learn of the sins of obscure men until they are revealed at Judgment Day. Also, these human judges will then become aware of the sins of leaders, celebrities, and even family members who had carefully concealed their wickedness.

Enoch, the seventh from Adam, may have known of this. For he said “the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints to execute judgment on all” (Jude 14‑15). The Lord with His saints will judge the world!

Jesus too said, “The men of Nineveh will rise in the judgment with this generation and condemn it…” (Matt. 12:41). And as Solomon wrote, “jealousy is a husband’s fury; therefore, he will not spare [the adulterer who violated his wife] in the day of vengeance. He will accept no recompense nor will he be appeased” (Prov. 6:34‑35). God gives the responsibility for vengeance, condemnation, and judgment to His servants for “every tongue which rises against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord” (Isa. 54:17).

Today, many believers are effectively saying, “Lord, thanks but no thanks. I’ll pass on that judgment duty.” But Paul responds, Start judging now, because you will need the practice (1Cor. 6:2‑5). Remember, “He who is spiritual judges all things. For… we have the mind of Christ” (1 Cor. 2:15‑16). And God will reward those who judge, and do the hard work: “Those who rebuke the wicked will have delight, and a good blessing will come upon them.” (Prov. 24:25).

Would slain Columbine high school student Danny Rohrbough be forgiving or judgmental toward his unrepentant murderers? A People Magazine photo in Nov. 1999 shows his family and friends answering that question. They quote Rev. 6:10 in which martyred Christians in heaven ask God to “avenge our blood.” Judge-not Christians condemn the martyr’s call for vengeance, but never the murderer.

Hopefully the Church will see Judge Not headed for retirement replaced with Judge Rightly. For as Jesus said, “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment” (John 7:24).

Bob Enyart
Pastor, Denver Bible Church
PO Box 583
Arvada CO 80001

“The LORD reigns, let the peoples tremble;
He is enthroned above the cherubim, let the earth shake!
The LORD is great in Zion,
And He is exalted above all the peoples.
Let them praise Your great and awesome name;
Holy is He.” -Ps. 99.1-3

How delightful and awe-striking that we should be invited to commune with the God who shook Sinai, and whose presence causes the heavens and the earth to tremble!

Psalm 99 sounds the note of a most happy contradiction, that God is utterly holy, that creation itself cannot bear His presence, but that He calls us to press in, not only to a slight experience of His presence, but into a living communion with Him. He wants us to be “among His priests,” and to “call on His name.” He will purge and purify the sin from our lives, and enable us to walk on the heights of worship and true praise. All of this catapults the Psalmist (and those who hear him rightly) into an outburst of joyous declaration, “The LORD reigns!” Are we being gripped and thrilled along with the Psalmist?

Hear Spurgeon:

Let the chosen people feel a solemn yet joyful awe, which shall thrill their whole manhood. Saints quiver with devout emotion, and sinners quiver with terror when the rule of Jehovah is fully perceived and felt. It is not a light or trifling matter, it is a truth which, above all others, should stir the depths of our nature.

(The Treasury of David: Vol. 4, Charles Spurgeon: Funk & Wagnalls Co., 1881, p. 385)

The Psalmist uses language that resurrects thoughts of the Sinai theophany (when the Lord actually appeared on the mount), but gloriously engages all the saints with a call to the same kind of worship that Moses himself experienced.

The portrayal of the divine epiphany exhibits the features of the Sinai theophany. When God appears in his majestic power a tremor runs through the whole world; the nations tremble and the earth quakes- an involuntary indication of the terrible and sublime power of the God of Mount Zion over the whole world. The poet discerns the holiness of his God in this pre-eminent and comprehensive power which causes everything that is created to tremble. And the involuntary witness which the trembling nations and the quaking earth bear in the presence of the holy God constrains the poet, too, to call upon all men to praise the holy name of God, the revelation of which had taken place in the course of the theophany and which is therefore present in the poet’s mind in all its greatness and terrifying power. Fear and trembling and respectful joy here jointly represent the spiritual atmostphere which is created in the congregation by the advent of God.

(The Psalms: The OT Library, by Artur Weiser; Westminster Press, 1962; pp. 641-642)

Whatever induced this burst of joyous praise and reverent worship in the psalmist, it brought to him the same sense of awe that he imagined to have been the experience of Moses and the ancient Israelites at Sinai. He was gripped with the fear of the Lord, gasping over the glory of God’s goodness, and he called out for the saints to tremble, praise, and worship. He was seized by a “fear and trembling and respectful joy” as his heart was jolted by the holiness and mercy of the Lord.

I think it’s fair to say that the common boredom, dullness of heart, moral compromises, addictions to entertainment, paralyzing depressions, and other ailments in the Body of Christ can all be attributed to the fact that we are not setting aside ample time to behold the God of Sinai, the God of the Psalmists, the God of the prophets and the apostles, the God of creation.

Oh, friends! He reigns! Clear the debris and clutter from your schedules. Plow through the blockades that keep you from the secret place. Shut off the computer if need be. Unplug the T.V. Take the phone off of the hook. Nothing else is more crucial than this: That we, as the people of God, would come into the vital revelation of the greatness of God in His holiness and love. Broken cisterns are easy to come by, but the fountain of Life can only be experienced when we forsake all the other diluted waters. God will meet you in the secret place, the reward will be beyond description, and your joy will be full. He waits for you, even now.

“Exalt the LORD our God
And worship at His holy hill,
For holy is the LORD our God.” (v. 9)

“From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” (Mark 13:28-31 ESV)

We’ve been looking a lot in my articles lately about the kingdom of God, the Word of God specifically in the context and imagery of seed,  which is the Word of God (Luke 8:11).

In my studies and meditations on this concept of ‘seed’, I was compelled to think even further on how seed–including sowing and reaping–works in the natural realm.  Even though fruit for example, is delicious, and different ones have different uses for our healthy diets, the primary purpose of the flesh on a fruit is not to add potassium or fiber to the human body, though that is obviously a good use for it.  But at the core of an apple, you find more seeds.  If the fruit were left on the branches of the tree, eventually the fruit falls to the ground, rots, and the seeds are sown into the ground.  Those seeds don’t give forth life or reproduce after their own kind until a death has taken place.  Only when the seed dies, and a rupture happens, leaving the seed to give forth life and take on a form it wasn’t previously, will a new plant emerge, and produce fruit again.  And in the next generation of fruit, will be contained therein the same DNA of the seed that was sown.  This cycle perpetuates itself indefinitely until or unless something stops it.  When nature is left to its course, the seed is never lost or destroyed despite the death and decay around it when the fruit falls to the ground off the branches and even if the tree itself rots or is intentionally destroyed by an outside source, the seed will remain.

Likewise, the Word of the Lord never perishes even though heaven and earth will pass away (Mark 13:31).  I was recently talking to a missionary friend of mine telling me how much he’s upset other missionaries and other established Christian ministries in the area he’s called to.  When he leads people in the baptism in the Holy Spirit, casts demons out of the oppressed, or heals the sick with the power of the seed implanted in him , other Christians get nervous and tell his disciples and followers to ‘be careful’.  We’ve had no problem passing on doctrines and dead works down through the ages of the Church, but those things are usually that which rots and decays–the flesh.  But he notes that whenever people need a miracle or a devil cast out of someone, they don’t hesitate to call on him.  The law kills but the Spirit gives life, therefore it’s this life we should be imparting.  Not the flesh that protects the seed, but the seed itself.  People will notice and be able to tell the difference.

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)

It is this living word that is intended to be passed on.   Genesis 1:11 mentions how the earth sprouts vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind, on the earth.  If the church can exist in certain areas of the world and all that’s being produced is dead works and dry religion, then it’s because that’s the seed that’s being sowed.  As a leader of mine in Holland says, we can’t give what we don’t have.  If the living breathing Word of God is not resident in us, it won’t come forth in others.  If we’re not seeing The Spirit move in others, it’s because He’s not moving in us either.  Simple as that.  Many theologians can write books, blogs, or just plain be armchair critics about what is the proper way to minister this or teach that.  But the fruit they are producing tells what they really sow.  We can all teach what we know and think, but we reproduce who we are. So who are you?  And what seeds are you sowing in others?  What fruit are you reproducing?

Don’t hinder others’ seeds from sprouting

A rut we believers tend to fall into when sowing the seed–the Word of God–into peoples’ lives, is to not let it do its own work.  I’m not against, nor am I contradicting the efforts made towards discipleship and helping other believers mature in Christ.  I’m not even against confrontation and rebuking where specific sin is present that the Bible admonishes us to deal with in both our lives and those of each other.  What I am talking about is digging up the seed to see if it’s doing anything under the surface or to see why progress we may be expecting hasn’t happened yet.  Sometimes when we lead new believers to Christ, we tell them all the things they now can’t do, but don’t teach them what they can do.  We start accountability structures and relationships that are fear-based and revolve around consequences if one messes up, because deep down we’re afraid the Holy Spirit really isn’t going to bring other people into maturity as well as we believe we could.  Of course we don’t admit it to ourselves or even believe that’s what we think.

“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout,  giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;  it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55: 10-11)

God knows what He’s doing, and if we’ve been faithful in sowing the seed of His Word, we don’t need to add extra fleshly rules to that soil, of what we can and can’t do as believers.  Another friend of mine was just chatting with me on MSN and reminded me that there are fewer basic non-negotiables to the Gospel and the message of Christ in the believer that most of us like to admit.  However, we have made up lots of other stuff that boils down to personal convictions (personal preferences) that we’re not willing to die for in order to ‘be right’ but that’s another blog entry or podcast show altogether!  The Spirit of grace inside us, along with the implanted Word of Christ will bring forth the fruit if that’s what we’ve sown in them, and had sown and watered in us.  If the seed has the basic elements it needs to grow, then it will.

One time as a child, a buddy of mine and I were at our other friend’s house on a hot summer day to go swimming in his family’s above-ground swimming pool.  I can’t remember if we were 8 or 9 years old, but we somehow got the brilliant idea that we’d do this friend’s mom a favor and water her flowers in the backyard.  We didn’t realize that using the pool water was actually bad, as it contained chlorine and such chemicals designed to neutralize and kill certain bacteria to help keep the pool clean.  What was good and healthy for that pool’s usage, was NOT good and healthy for my friend’s mom’s garden plants and flowers.  In our immaturity, we had good and well meaning intentions, but it was a deadly idea, and his mom saw us out the window and came outside and stopped us and explained that though she saw the intention of our hearts, our effort would actually kill, and hinder any fruit from being produced.

Sometimes we do likewise when we try to water other peoples’ seeds using conditions and standards that aren’t applicable to every plant in the garden.  We actually spread death when we try spreading certain religious concepts onto each others’ lives from the outside, instead of letting the Holy Spirit within water the implanted Word of Christ.  We are only overcomers of the flesh (soul) when we are strong in our spirit.  We are just picking rotting fruit off the tree when we try fixing problems using fleshly/soulish and external solutions, rather than going to the root:

Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind, and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God. If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations— ”Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch”  referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings? These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh. (Colossians 2:18-23)

Usually the self-made regulations we add in order to try watering that seed are of no use in actually doing the work we’re attempting to accomplish with it.  If we understand that flesh in Scripture doesn’t just specifically and only represent the more obvious and outrageous sin, but categorically those seemingly ‘good’ deeds, though noble, but not birthed of the Spirit, then we can chalk up good intentions and personal disciplines to that which leads to death like Paul talked about in Romans 8:

“For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” (v. 7-8).

The solution is found in the two verses preceding it:

“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.”

A lot of works of ministry and a lot of personal disciplines are just works of flesh, and not of the Spirit.  If you want to overcome the deeds of the flesh, then sow to your spirit and whatever you sow you will reap (Gal 6:7).  If all flesh is like grass and will fade away, then why use that fleshly grass to enhance our personal disciplines and water the seed with substance other than the Word which abides forever (1 Peter 1:24-25)?

When we eat a fruit, say an apple for example, the fruit’s flesh itself that we eat is useful for food, but itself is of no use toward reproducing more apples.  It protects the seeds found in the core, which are then used for reproducing more apples.  The human male body’s flesh substance itself won’t produce new life, but the seed inside him being protected by his body used in the reproduction process will.  Therefore if it’s so in the natural, why do we operate in the opposite fashion so often in the spiritual, and as Colossians 2 states, do things that in and of themselves are of no use in stopping the gratification of the flesh?

That being said, whether you’re a leader in the church or someone who edifies others in the Body of Christ, you will reap what you sow, and can only give what you have.  Let’s fan into flame the Spirit in the lives of one another, and not the deeds and not self-made religion, and other such things we think are of living water, but are actually loaded with poisonous chlorine and hinders growth and life.

Attached is a humorous video I found on YouTube of the effect I’ve seen some Christian ‘sheep’ have on others in the Body of Christ that although not specifically related to this topic shared, I thought was amazingly accidentally profound in showing the same concept, for what is a skeleton mask representing other than that which is dead and lifeless?  Well, you get the lighthearted point.  I think like this sheep, we have the same effect on others in the flock of God when we are trying to spread our ‘dead’ works.

Steve Bremner is a missionary to Peru, called to raise up disciples who flow in the power of the Holy Spirit. He is general editor of Fire Press, and also produces & co-hosts its podcast called Fire On Your Head. Visit his personal site at http://stevebremner.com 

As I was trying to sleep I kept thinking about two topics: love, and church structure.   I wanted to write about what I understand the love of God to be–within the character of the believer; for we all know that God’s greatest definition of Love is that He made us for Himself and loved us so much that he sent Jesus here to earth to live and die an honoring life of sinless obedience to God and then pave the way to reconciling us with our Maker and Completer. The following could be looked at as an outline from Gods word about how the manifestation love is to have in us on top of the joys which come from knowing Christ :

In God’s word it says there are only four reasons to cut someone off from fellowship, these being:

“Sexual perversion, sexual Immorality, Godlessness, or that the relationship takes away from your faith in Christ as your savior.”

So the reason I write this is because over the last 3 years I have heard many preachings and doctrines about love.   But what I have heard is an exclusive explanation of love.   The requirements differ depending on the view point, but all have conditional love based on a set of social requirements; either intelligence, social grace, certain regulatory things–such as a way of devotion and expressing God–but limiting how that is done. I am not saying that these views are wrong, I just see them too much as falling into that rebuke Jesus made concerning loving only those who do good to you, which is what got me up in the middle of the night to write this. As I look through the word of God, I notice not only a guideline for exclusion of people based on the four above, but I also see a guideline for unconditional love spelled out for us plainly:

Love  “Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;”
“Love suffers long [and] is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up”
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.”
The three quotes above are the KJV, NKJV and NIV versions of 1 Cor 13:4

Patient.  Gentle.  Kind.  Long suffering (patient endurance of pain or unhappiness, patiently bearing continual wrongs or trouble)
It goes on to say in the NIV:
“It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.”
“Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.”
“It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
The passage goes on to say that love never fails which I believe means that love is supposed to be so inclusive and unconditional and pure that the very nature and revelation of it never leaves someone lacking astonishment at its makeup, but not only this for it is this state of this character which is imperishable and of which heaven will be based, or as close to it as we can understand.

My point is this: if we are called to an inclusive love that does not create a distinction between the great and the weak but in which we have the great (understanding the nature of love) serving and building up the weak–and if this is the case and we are trying to build God’s church properly–then why do we posture like the world?   Is it the world making us feel that we have to have a cool front to be included or relevant, and if so should we really care?

I also wanted to add the verses Mathew 5:43 and Romans 12:9-21.  In these passages it etches more things that are done because of love.   They speak of equality within the dictates of love defined from 1 Cor 13:4 and relates almost as a command on how we should act towards people, and if we look at it as a whole picture it obviously speaks of a general well being with people.  This verse even instructs on how to avoid unnecessary conflict, and tells us guidelines just as the ones from 1 Cor 13:4 that should be used with all people and all brothers who do not fall outside of the guidelines listed at the top of the page.

I think the reason we fall short of this is self seeking, and self observation before Christ.  All people want to be on the “right” track and therefore compete against their siblings in Christ consciously or subconsciously, and this however leads to horrible judgments that only Christ should and can make. Judgment therefore is the finite tool I believe that draws us to make classes and form exclusive churches… for lets be honest with ourselves: a church which practices conditional love and has a class system–within a belief which is going to bring trouble to the newly born, as well as the aged–cannot sustain life, because it becomes a social system and is based of the popularity of the circle.   A lot of people in North America born into the church upon seeing these inconsistencies are going to revert back to their regular circles because the dynamic is not properly different and the popularity matrix of the group within the church system–no matter how fun–can’t compete with one where there is no condemnation from the world.  Even worse so if the church body the person is being born into bares condemnation for things that are based on conditional standards.

At another point in Scripture, there is a verse that says something along the lines of “I would rather be harmed and cheated then do wrong to another and cheat someone else”. I think we need to take the advice of Romans 12:16 and not be conceited for conceit is not just “Oh I am so much better than you”, but it can also be “Oh well I am more right than you, I am more this, my time is more valuable, if you are not this type then I cannot fellowship with you”.

This edged it’s way into my mind, because like a lot of the verses I pointed out in my note, or in others where it states we are to love our enemies, I think about how great a love we are called to.   For while men like the apostles (assumption here) and like the Martyr Stephen, when they were being pelted by rocks for their faith still had the compassion to not be offended and yet loved those who pelted them, those who rejected everything they believed in and wanted nothing more but to tear him(them) apart and end him, not believing he would pop up in resurrection life but excluding him from what they believed was the only life…

And what did he do (and Jesus for that matter)?  His heart was torn for them and yet still he loved them. I must admit this for years has sifted the perishing part of me, and called me to re-evaluate my heart whenever I think on it.

I will soon write on church structure and tithing, but I would encourage everyone who reads this to make the burdens of love light.  Not that you have to be everyone’s best friend, but a general good will and inclusive spirit into righteous things is a good thing I think.  To each his own though.

Have you ever noticed the glaring difference between Paul who said this in the New Testament, compared to those of us who say this about ourselves today?

I’ll give you a hint right away as to where I’m going with this: We misquote Paul all the time to justify our carnal lifestyles, whereas Paul said he becomes all things to all men, through self-DENIAL of things, as a means to not be a stumbling block to others.

I’m all about being relevant (another overused Christian catchphrase losing its relevance the more it’s used), but I think the manner in which many ministries and individuals are doing it is nothing short of glorifying carnality in order to not come across as out of touch and too traditional to the culture around us. But in the process of achieving our society’s acceptance of us as a movement or force, have we in fact lost our relevance? I think so, but only in many cases.

I hear people tell me things, in justification of places they go, activities they participate in, things they watch, stuff they listen to, and things they drink–and they often quote this passage (maybe not even knowing the book or the author who said it). And for some reason, I couldn’t really figure out why it hardly ever jives with me.

Let’s take a look at a chapter of Scripture and I can tell why (I hear some of you moaning that I’d post that much, but hey, if you’re a Christian, you should LOVE the Word of God). First Corinthians 9:

Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are not you my workmanship in the Lord?
If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you, for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.
This is my defense to those who would examine me.
Do we not have the right to eat and drink?
Do we not have the right to take along a believing wife, as do the other apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas?
Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working for a living?
Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard without eating any of its fruit? Or who tends a flock without getting some of the milk?
Do I say these things on human authority? Does not the Law say the same?
For it is written in the Law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain.” Is it for oxen that God is concerned?
Does he not speak entirely for our sake? It was written for our sake, because the plowman should plow in hope and the thresher thresh in hope of sharing in the crop.
If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap material things from you?
If others share this rightful claim on you, do not we even more? Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ.
Do you not know that those who are employed in the temple service get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in the sacrificial offerings?
In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel.
But I have made no use of any of these rights, nor am I writing these things to secure any such provision. For I would rather die than have anyone deprive me of my ground for boasting.
For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!
For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward, but not of my own will, I am still entrusted with a stewardship.
What then is my reward? That in my preaching I may present the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel.
For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them.
To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law.
To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law.
To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.
I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.
Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.
Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.
So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air.
But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

OK, I won’t make this exhausting, but notice some things (such as CONTEXT).

• Paul talks of freedoms he has because of freedom in Christ and from being an apostle, but he doesn’t use these freedoms. (v. 1, 4-6,11-12, 15)
• Paul doesn’t want to be an obstacle for anyone else’s salvation or faith in Christ (v.12)
• Paul has made himself a servant (certain translations say slave) in order to be relevant to others. (v.19)
• The context of this passage, especially as detailed toward the end of chapter 9, is one of self-discipline and refrain, not one of indulging and engaging [in freedoms]

There are places where Paul talks of things like how there’s nothing wrong with doing certain things, but if they would offend others who knew of him partaking in such, he would never do it again if it caused someone to stumble (eating meat for example, Romans 14:20-22). A modern example we could use is alcohol–a gray area where some abstain, and others find nothing wrong. I will not reveal my side of the issue here, but I will say I usually am disappointed with the arguments those in favor use, and the defense people use when confronted or someone indicates they’re uncomfortable with the idea Christians drink. In fact, I hear the “it’s my freedom” card all the time, but can you imagine Paul–who talked of his freedoms–arguing with a weak believer why he won’t give something up even though there’s “nothing Scripturally wrong with it?”

When Paul writes he’d rather die than cause another to stumble, I think it leaves little argument as to what he thinks of that attitude. Yet many Christians would label you legalistic or judgmental if you even suggest some “gray area” offends them. In fact, the “all things to all men” stuff, Paul is usually giving up and abstaining from things, not indulging in them, in order to be relevant and not a stumbling block to others. We’ve got it backwards?

I hear people say to me all the time (just so you know, I hardly ever ask or suggest not going, but other people bring it up more than I do)–that going clubbing with unsaved co-workers or school-mates is “the only way to reach them or share something in common with them and that’s how you’ll share the Gospel”. Too funny, and too lame. For one thing, if you want to go clubbing, do so, but don’t pretend it’s for spiritual reasons. When I hear this, I always ask the person if they can introduce to me someone they’ve led to Jesus from going and getting hammered with them. I’m not bluffing either–nor do I ask it to be difficult or holier than though, but I’ve never been introduced to any “bar hopping ministry” converts.

In a tragic example of how come this doesn’t work, and that it’s always easier to get sucked into sin than it is to rescue people out of it, I remember before going to FIRE years ago, a deeply passionate and intense brother in the Lord started going to parties and bars as a witness to a sport team he was on–which going to a bar in and of itself I’m not against–like setting foot in a pub is not a sin, and I don’t crap my pants when I hear of men of God going out for a drink with their friend or shooting pool, but I hardly believe social dancing really ever benefits many with the Gospel. Just my humble opinion after a few years of observing–for the simple reason that believers need the same dope from the world in order to unwind, then we show we really aren’t satisfied with what we’ve got, so why should they want our Gospel?

Anyway, there’s this particular night club in Peterborough, known for having a booth on stage where a random guy and girl enter it together, and are given something like 30 seconds to disrobe on the inside of it, and trade as much clothing as possible, and whatever stage of dress or undress they are in, they come out of the booth before the audience. This bar’s trademark contest was common knowledge to me since I worked across the street at a Subway franchise for almost a year, but what was not common knowledge–or expected was when someone sent me a web link showing me that the particular brother I mentioned a moment was one of the people who participated in that the week earlier and won the contest they have! Yikes.

For some reason seeing him in his boxer shorts with a girl topless with blurry lines covering her upper body doesn’t strike me as what the apostle Paul had in mind when “becoming all things to all men”.

Friends, let’s get real and not twist Scripture to fulfill the lusts of our flesh, but give them up and live above board on every matter, even grey areas. I don’t mind tattoos and piercings on believers, or styles of MODEST clothing that resemble current trends and styles, but I think I’d rather wear a suit and tie to reach the lost more than pierce myself in eighteen different places to become “relevant” to a certain peer group. Much of the reasons we come up with for doing certain things is usually to defend the fact we WANT to do certain things, and hardly ever to reach anyone or anything.

Isn’t that the truth? Be honest now.