The bible is the most relevant book in the world; it is the most influential and practical thing that has ever been written. But although it is practical, it does not approach life and practice the way men do.
Men usually focus on solving problems. The central message of the scriptures is to direct us to a perfect man, the Lord Jesus Christ. Yes - the scriptures do provide us with specific, practical information about how to correct us, reprove us and change us. But the focus is always helping us to focus, learn and behave like the perfect man, the Jesus. So if the central message of scripture and life is the God-man Jesus Christ, why do we always try to grow by correcting our own sin? I think it is because we are human.
There is a current movement in American Christianity to segment believers by their type of sin problem. We have divorce recovery ministries, substance abuse ministries, every man's battle (pornography), and battered women's ministry. At one Chicago church, there is even a ministry for homosexuals (unfortunately this church actually does not teach that homosexuality is sin, so I guess, theoretically don't fall into the "sin-ministry" category). The basic thesis is, that if we better understand our sin patterns, we can fix the problems that entangle us.
This thesis is a lie. First of all it fails to understand our common enemy, the devil. He has always lied to us and has always used the same tactics to entrap men. Secondly, and more importantly, it fails to understand our common solution, namely CHRIST Himself. For "great is the mystery of Godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the Gentiles, believed on in the world, Received up in glory." (1 Timothy 3:16).
Jesus IS our Godliness!
He is our righteousness. He is our WAY out. He is our ability to live like Him. What we need ultimately is to gaze, stare at, consider, learn, meditate, rest, trust, obey and abide in HIM. This is how we grow and live. Spending time attempting to better understand our sinful patterns is only a trick of the enemy. Getting together with people with the same problem with the devil, flesh and the world can be dangerous in that it can tempt us to continue the sin stronghold. Contemporary psychology uses this type of technology, but becoming like Christ is achieved by spending time with HIM. He alone can change our hearts and we need only to abide, learn and grow in HIM alone.
Don't believe the lie of sin. You don't need to understand your sin - only learn Christ's way of thinking for every situation. Trust in Christ's deliverance. Run from the flesh and seek Him when you are tempted. Rest in Him, enjoy Him, love Him and learn Him. Re-occupy your mind with the risen savior of Glory!
May 24, 2008
Church Segmentation, Part 5 - Sin based "ministry"
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it is so easy to look at sin, name it and judge it. we have gotten so far away from just plain 'obeying and doing" what Christ want's us to do. i asked a family member who is stuggling a question, and when i didn't get the answer i was expecting i realized somehting a week later. it wasn't about "where you should go or what you should do" about this particular situation, it was clearly about "are you doing what God is simply telling you to do, and if you are not, you need to start. if you then choose to do what you know to be wrong and a sin, don't get mad when the bottom falls from under you. then we want to ask God "what are you doing this to me, what do you want me to do about a, b, and c?" it's so easy to get caught up on "my sin is blah blah blah..." and not recognize who is in control. "Seek ye first the kingdom of God..." is all He has currently told me to do. as long as i earnestly "seek" Him, He will do the rest.. and yet how quickly we forget Him in situations. as long as we do what He tells us in ALL situations.....don't you trust that God's got your back...or don't you.
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