"Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord" (James 5:14, NKJV).
A few days ago, I saw a brief news report about a father and mother who were arrested and charged with negligent homicide for allowing their child to die of a treatable disease. Apparently, according to the report, the couple did not believe in seeking medical care because of their understanding of the Bible. They called the elders of the church to pray for their child and to anoint her with oil in the name of the Lord, but they believed the Bible passage that they were following also prohibited them from seeking medical care.
Now the parents are grieving the loss of a daughter and facing prison time. Did they love their daughter? I'm sure they did, or they would not have called the elders of the church to pray for her healing. Was their faith sincere? I have no reason to question it. They acted upon it with the expectation that their daughter would be healed. Did they misunderstand the Bible? Yes.
I have a lot of sympathy for the couple. I have made similar mistakes in reading the Bible. I too have read a passage, missed the intent of it, and added a prohibition that was not there. As far as I know, my misunderstandings have not cost anyone his or her life. However, I have missed the intent of God in reading Scriptures at times. I have read prohibitions into a text that were not there.
Faith in Christ saves us, but it does not make us infallible. We can be saved and still make very costly mistakes. That's why it's so important to continue learning the will of God in the Scriptures. We need to have as accurate an understanding of the Bible as possible in order to live as God intended.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Devotional Links
Two good devotionals caught my attention today.
At http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200803/20080330_keeponspeaking.html, you will find encouragement to speak up when you know you should.
At http://www.rbc.org/devotionals/our-daily-bread/2008/03/30/devotion.aspx, you will be reminded of the need for humility in serving the Lord.
At http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200803/20080330_keeponspeaking.html, you will find encouragement to speak up when you know you should.
At http://www.rbc.org/devotionals/our-daily-bread/2008/03/30/devotion.aspx, you will be reminded of the need for humility in serving the Lord.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Would You Like to Have a Black Son-in-Law?
"Then Peter began to speak: 'I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right'" (Acts 10:34-35, NIV).
Janet and I have a goal of raising our son to be a godly man. We would like to see him develop the faith and character qualities of a biblical elder (a.k.a. overseer, pastor, etc.).
In 15 to 20 years, it's likely that he will be married. Who will he marry? We don't know, but we pray for him to marry a young Christian woman who sincerely loves God.
Preparing for that time, I would like to challenge Christian parents of every race to be open to their children marrying someone from another race. Let's not limit the choices of our children based on something as superficial as race or ethnicity.
If your daughter is white, Hispanic, American Indian, Asian, or another race, would you welcome a young black man like our son into your family as a son-in-law? Would you like to have black grandchildren? If your daughter is black, would you welcome him as a son-in-law despite him having white parents? These are questions I would like to challenge every parent to ask himself or herself.
(Baptist minister John Piper, a white man with an adopted black daughter, has a good sermon about interracial marriage at http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/TopicIndex/48_Racial_Harmony/198_Racial_Harmony_and_Interracial_Marriage/).
Janet and I have a goal of raising our son to be a godly man. We would like to see him develop the faith and character qualities of a biblical elder (a.k.a. overseer, pastor, etc.).
In 15 to 20 years, it's likely that he will be married. Who will he marry? We don't know, but we pray for him to marry a young Christian woman who sincerely loves God.
Preparing for that time, I would like to challenge Christian parents of every race to be open to their children marrying someone from another race. Let's not limit the choices of our children based on something as superficial as race or ethnicity.
If your daughter is white, Hispanic, American Indian, Asian, or another race, would you welcome a young black man like our son into your family as a son-in-law? Would you like to have black grandchildren? If your daughter is black, would you welcome him as a son-in-law despite him having white parents? These are questions I would like to challenge every parent to ask himself or herself.
(Baptist minister John Piper, a white man with an adopted black daughter, has a good sermon about interracial marriage at http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/TopicIndex/48_Racial_Harmony/198_Racial_Harmony_and_Interracial_Marriage/).
Sunday, March 23, 2008
My Wife's Legacy of Mission Work and Benevolence
"She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy" (Proverbs 31:20, NIV).
Twenty years ago, my wife was a student majoring in accounting at Missouri Southern State University in Joplin, Missouri. As a part of the campus ministry Koinonia, she persuaded her campus minister to take a group of MSSU students to Juarez, Mexico to help the Iglesias de Cristo in that poverty-stricken area. She and the group spent their Spring Break laying new tile on the floor of a church building.
Today, before attending our services with the Contact Church of Christ, we attended the early services of the Northside Christian Church in Broken Arrow because her former campus minister, Matt Stafford, was leading worship services for the congregation. Today, Matt is a faculty member at Ozark Christian College, but he and his wife continue to take college students to Juarez to work with a ministry to build homes for the poor in Mexico. He and his group were on their way back to Joplin from their Spring Break mission trip when they stopped at the church in Broken Arrow to lead the worship services.
Because of Janet's initiative, Christian college students from the Joplin area have been helping the poor in Mexico during their Spring Breaks for 20 years. Isn't that amazing? I'm so proud of my compassionate wife!
and extends her hands to the needy" (Proverbs 31:20, NIV).
Twenty years ago, my wife was a student majoring in accounting at Missouri Southern State University in Joplin, Missouri. As a part of the campus ministry Koinonia, she persuaded her campus minister to take a group of MSSU students to Juarez, Mexico to help the Iglesias de Cristo in that poverty-stricken area. She and the group spent their Spring Break laying new tile on the floor of a church building.
Today, before attending our services with the Contact Church of Christ, we attended the early services of the Northside Christian Church in Broken Arrow because her former campus minister, Matt Stafford, was leading worship services for the congregation. Today, Matt is a faculty member at Ozark Christian College, but he and his wife continue to take college students to Juarez to work with a ministry to build homes for the poor in Mexico. He and his group were on their way back to Joplin from their Spring Break mission trip when they stopped at the church in Broken Arrow to lead the worship services.
Because of Janet's initiative, Christian college students from the Joplin area have been helping the poor in Mexico during their Spring Breaks for 20 years. Isn't that amazing? I'm so proud of my compassionate wife!
Saturday, March 22, 2008
The Condemnation of Sodom
"Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy. They were haughty and did detestable things before me. Therefore I did away with them as you have seen" (Ezekiel 16:49-50, NIV).
Many people may know that Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed for their homosexual behavior (Genesis 18-19). However, fewer may realize that homosexuality was merely one manifestation of a larger problem: a completely ungodly self-centeredness.
The people of Sodom were arrogant. They believed themselves to be independent and self-reliant. They were wise in their own eyes. They rejected the standards of nature and nature's God in favor of their own selfish standards. Gratitude was a foreign concept to them.
They were overfed and unconcerned. The Sodomites were flourishing. Who cared if others were hurting due to their business practices? As long as they were doing well, oppression was not a concern.
They did not help the poor and needy. If generosity existed at all among the citizens of Sodom, it was the type of generosity that expected to be paid back. A friend could have received a meal because he could return the favor. A disabled beggar could starve before receiving aid, unless it could be written off on their taxes. A prosperity preacher could have received money, if he convinced them that they would be paid back 100-fold by whatever deities they acknowledged.
They were haughty. They were not merely arrogant; they flaunted it. They were self-made men and women, and they let it be known that they worshiped their makers. They celebrated debauchery and condemned as intolerant anyone who told the truth.
They did detestable things before God, not the least of which was attempted homosexual gang rape of visitors to their city (Genesis 19:1-11). Their morality and ethics reflected nothing of the image of God.
Obviously, the people of Sodom are not alone in their sins. If we are going to escape their fate, we will need to become people of humility, compassion, generosity, and high ethical and moral standards. Even more importantly, we will need God's forgiveness because, individually and collectively, we have already failed. Thankfully, God offers his forgiveness to everyone who will trust and follow his Son Jesus Christ.
Many people may know that Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed for their homosexual behavior (Genesis 18-19). However, fewer may realize that homosexuality was merely one manifestation of a larger problem: a completely ungodly self-centeredness.
The people of Sodom were arrogant. They believed themselves to be independent and self-reliant. They were wise in their own eyes. They rejected the standards of nature and nature's God in favor of their own selfish standards. Gratitude was a foreign concept to them.
They were overfed and unconcerned. The Sodomites were flourishing. Who cared if others were hurting due to their business practices? As long as they were doing well, oppression was not a concern.
They did not help the poor and needy. If generosity existed at all among the citizens of Sodom, it was the type of generosity that expected to be paid back. A friend could have received a meal because he could return the favor. A disabled beggar could starve before receiving aid, unless it could be written off on their taxes. A prosperity preacher could have received money, if he convinced them that they would be paid back 100-fold by whatever deities they acknowledged.
They were haughty. They were not merely arrogant; they flaunted it. They were self-made men and women, and they let it be known that they worshiped their makers. They celebrated debauchery and condemned as intolerant anyone who told the truth.
They did detestable things before God, not the least of which was attempted homosexual gang rape of visitors to their city (Genesis 19:1-11). Their morality and ethics reflected nothing of the image of God.
Obviously, the people of Sodom are not alone in their sins. If we are going to escape their fate, we will need to become people of humility, compassion, generosity, and high ethical and moral standards. Even more importantly, we will need God's forgiveness because, individually and collectively, we have already failed. Thankfully, God offers his forgiveness to everyone who will trust and follow his Son Jesus Christ.
Friday, March 21, 2008
He Got Better
"If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith" (1 Corinthians 15:13-14, NIV).
"And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins" (1 Corinthians 15:17, NIV).
"If all we get out of Christ is a little inspiration for a few short years, we're a pretty sorry lot. But the truth is that Christ has been raised up, the first in a long legacy of those who are going to leave the cemeteries" (1 Corinthians 15:19-20, The Message).
When Christopher was 2 years old, we were driving along a street as he spotted a church building with a cross on it. He exclaimed, "That's a cross!" Janet and I were a little surprised, but we responded, "Yes, that's a cross." Then Christopher asked, "Jesus died there?" I said, "Yes, Jesus died on a cross. Then what happened?" With full assurance, Christopher answered, "He got better."
"He got better." In his own words, our 2 year-old son had articulated an accurate understanding of the most important event in human history: Jesus Christ had risen from the dead after paying the penalty of death for our sins.
His resurrection substantiated everything he had claimed. He really had fulfilled the expectations of the Law and the Prophets. He really had satisfied God on our behalf. He really was the Son of God.
Now, Christ's followers can look forward to the day he returns (1 Corinthians 15:51-57). Yes. "He got better" and he made it possible for his disciples to get better, too.
"And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins" (1 Corinthians 15:17, NIV).
"If all we get out of Christ is a little inspiration for a few short years, we're a pretty sorry lot. But the truth is that Christ has been raised up, the first in a long legacy of those who are going to leave the cemeteries" (1 Corinthians 15:19-20, The Message).
When Christopher was 2 years old, we were driving along a street as he spotted a church building with a cross on it. He exclaimed, "That's a cross!" Janet and I were a little surprised, but we responded, "Yes, that's a cross." Then Christopher asked, "Jesus died there?" I said, "Yes, Jesus died on a cross. Then what happened?" With full assurance, Christopher answered, "He got better."
"He got better." In his own words, our 2 year-old son had articulated an accurate understanding of the most important event in human history: Jesus Christ had risen from the dead after paying the penalty of death for our sins.
His resurrection substantiated everything he had claimed. He really had fulfilled the expectations of the Law and the Prophets. He really had satisfied God on our behalf. He really was the Son of God.
Now, Christ's followers can look forward to the day he returns (1 Corinthians 15:51-57). Yes. "He got better" and he made it possible for his disciples to get better, too.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
A Bloody Mess
"Just as there were many who were appalled at him---
his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man
and his form marred beyond human likeness---" (Isaiah 52:14, NIV).
Like most people, I have never seen a crucifixion. But I have read enough to visualize the scene as Jesus Christ was crucified.
I see a man who has been beaten nearly to death. His eyes and face are swollen and bruised from the hits. The gaping gashes repulse the onlookers. The crown of thorns leaves streams of blood flowing down his forehead into his eyes before they mix with tears.
He is sweating, yet shivering from the shock his body is enduring. He needs to double over in pain, but the nails in his hands and feet prevent any such movement from his body. He gasps for breath with every once of remaining strength. He hacks and coughs with convulsions, but manages to force out a few words of love and forgiveness.
Finally, the struggle ceases. The end of the torment has arrived.
Those who love him are in a state of disbelief. How could this have happened? Why did he allow this? Where is God? Could they not have left his clothes on at the very least? Why go to so much trouble to humiliate him? How could anyone hate Jesus so much? What's the purpose in this atrocity?
When I think about the cross of Christ, I want to remember how much Jesus endured for me. Although he looked like a victim needing to be rescued, Christ was a hero giving everything he had to rescue me. I want to remember how much pain my sins caused him, and I want it to motivate me to avoid further sins. I want to remember how much Christ loved me and his Father, and I want to duplicate such love for God and people. I want the crucifixion to be a continual catalyst for change that will honor God in my life.
his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man
and his form marred beyond human likeness---" (Isaiah 52:14, NIV).
Like most people, I have never seen a crucifixion. But I have read enough to visualize the scene as Jesus Christ was crucified.
I see a man who has been beaten nearly to death. His eyes and face are swollen and bruised from the hits. The gaping gashes repulse the onlookers. The crown of thorns leaves streams of blood flowing down his forehead into his eyes before they mix with tears.
He is sweating, yet shivering from the shock his body is enduring. He needs to double over in pain, but the nails in his hands and feet prevent any such movement from his body. He gasps for breath with every once of remaining strength. He hacks and coughs with convulsions, but manages to force out a few words of love and forgiveness.
Finally, the struggle ceases. The end of the torment has arrived.
Those who love him are in a state of disbelief. How could this have happened? Why did he allow this? Where is God? Could they not have left his clothes on at the very least? Why go to so much trouble to humiliate him? How could anyone hate Jesus so much? What's the purpose in this atrocity?
When I think about the cross of Christ, I want to remember how much Jesus endured for me. Although he looked like a victim needing to be rescued, Christ was a hero giving everything he had to rescue me. I want to remember how much pain my sins caused him, and I want it to motivate me to avoid further sins. I want to remember how much Christ loved me and his Father, and I want to duplicate such love for God and people. I want the crucifixion to be a continual catalyst for change that will honor God in my life.
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