1 Timothy 4:1-2 - "Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron (NLT)."
2 Peter 2:1-3 - "But there were also false prophets in Israel, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will cleverly teach their destructive heresies about God and even turn against their Master who bought them. Theirs will be a swift and terrible end. Many will follow their evil teaching and shameful immorality. And because of them, Christ and his true way will be slandered. In their greed they will make up clever lies to get hold of your money. But God condemned them long ago, and their destruction is on the way (NLT)."
One of my biggest “pet peeves” in the Christian church is the disease and infection of legalism. This subject is very personal to me because of what happened to my parents and my family when I was growing up. Let me give you some background.
Definition:
Legalism - (Theology) 1. The doctrine that salvation is gained through good works. 2. The judging of conduct in terms of strict adherence to precise laws. — Legalist, n. — legalistic, adj. (http://www.thefreedictionary.com/legalism)
Ever since I can remember, my parents were going to church. I grew up in a Christian church until the age of 11. I went to many of sermons and heard and saw lots of spiritual things and some things I never understood. My parents were heavily involved in this church. My Dad was a Deacon/Usher and my mother volunteered in many areas. They went there for about 10 years. As far as I have inquired, this church is longer an active congregation.
When I was about 11, my parents decided for us to move to another part of town. We stopped going to church and I asked my Dad, “Why are we not going to church anymore?” He said that there where some things there that he and Mom didn’t agree with. I asked my Dad, “Like what?” My Dad told me that there was a lot of hypocrisy in the church and by the pastor. He told me that the preacher/pastor would preach one thing and then at home the preacher would do the opposite. My Dad told me that he personally witnessed the hypocrisy with his own eyes when we were at the pastor’s home visiting.
I didn’t know what to call it or how to explain it until many years afterwards. But, from all the testimonies I have read over the years from some people who attended this church and from some church members who followed in the same ways as the one I went to, I have discovered what happened to this church. It was a combination of legalism mixed with hypocrisy led by a false prophet with heretical doctrines. When this happens to a church, it morphs into a Christian cult.
Jesus warned us about this when He said, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.” In other words, “in sheep’s clothing” means they look just like every other person in your church. Jesus said that they would be here! Believe it or not, your church can just as easily be infected by legalism as any other church. A self-professed prophet or great preacher can come in to any church and lay down a lot of rules and standards and will insist that everyone must follow them. If they are not followed, then that person(s) is shunned, ignored or asked to leave the church.
Matthew 24:3, 10-11 - “And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age? Jesus said, “And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. “Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many.”
I bought many books and listened to many recorded sermons and have read many statements by this so-called “prophet” that this church was following. Over many years of research and study, I discovered many things that contradicted Scripture. I won’t give any examples now but when a person says one thing and the Bible says the opposite, then it doesn’t take a genius to figure it out (Deuteronomy 18:20-22).
Why am I so concerned with this topic? Why do I feel this subject needs to be publicized? Because I have seen what this kind of thing does to people and how it destroys people’s faith. It destroyed the faith of my parents. My mother did not pray, read the bible or step into a church for almost 25 years. My Dad has yet to step into a church and it’s been nearly thirty years for him. The last time I spoke with him on this topic, he still believed in the old heretical doctrines of what he was taught over 40 years ago. He has not come back to Christ and is backslidden into the world and it hurts me to know that he may never return. All I can do is pray and plead for him that somehow he would return to Christ by divine intervention.
How can my Dad still believe in the doctrines of this church and "prophet" but yet leave because of hypocrisy? My Dad believed in the doctrines but when he saw hypocrisy, he left the church. In other words, it was the hypocrisy of the legalism that caused my parents to lose faith in the church. As a result, they lost faith in Christ. Then after so many years, they lost hope. It was the legalism that was at the core of everything.
If I am silent about this topic, will people know this little fact about Christianity? Maybe, maybe not; but I’m not willing to give them the chance to become the lost sheep that Jesus must leave the ninety-nine and go find. I love the fold too much.
I don’t want people that I have grown to love to fall into these legalistic pitfalls. I have learned from personal experience that it is easy to do and sometimes even the most mature of Christians can fall into it without even knowing until it’s too late. It is subtle and can infect a church faster than the common cold. I have heard the statement by some people, “Satan loves to go to church and see what kinds of things he can stir up.” In other words, be aware! "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy (John 10:10)."
So, what was it about the church that caused my Dad to make the decision to leave this church? First, it was pure hypocrisy. However, it was more; it was pure hypocrisy against the legalistic rules that were made known throughout this church. My Dad saw these legalistic rules that were made up by this church were not being followed by the pastor, his wife or children. I'll go ahead and list a few of these stupid legalistic rules that the church made up.
1. All women must not cut their hair length except in the case of trimming like dead ends, etc. It must be worn in a bun and no other style of hair was accepted. (My mother's hair was as long as she was tall. Her hair was touching the floor, I have pictures to prove it!)
2. Men and boy’s hair must not touch the collar of the shirt or it's considered too long. If a man or boys hair was parted down the middle, you were considered in rebellion.
3. Women must not ever wear pants, slacks or jeans of any kind. You were considered a "Jezebel" if you wore those types of clothing. They must always wear a dress past the knees or a skirt past the knees.
4. You must accept and believe in the teachings and doctrines of William Branham. Anything else other than his doctrinal prophesies is heresy.
5. Women are subject to men and needed permission to do things that were out of ordinary daily routine.
6. Women were not allowed to wear any makeup of any kind.
7. Women were not allowed to work nor have jobs except that of a housewife.
8. Women were not allowed to wear any jewelry of any kind except a wedding ring.
What is the responsibility of pastors, teachers and prophets? "Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ, until we come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature and full grown in the Lord, measuring up to the full stature of Christ (Ephesians 4:12-13)." It's not the job of these to make up stupid rules to follow that do not build up the church.
Subsequently, you see why Christians must be skeptical about churches, pastors and what they teach. Not skeptical in the sense of disbelief or unbelieving but in the sense of what John the Apostle spoke of in 1 John 4:1 (see below). I don’t want you to be misled. I don't want me to be misled and have heretical teachings go through my ears and the ears of my children.
Who is the one to determine what is false or what should be taught or not taught? Answer: The bible is always the answer. If a preacher says one thing and the Scriptures say another or the opposite, then obviously the preacher is in error.
I have to be aware and on the alert every time a sermon is given at any church I attend. It's not because I don't trust my pastor, it's because even the best and humblest of pastors can easily fall into the temptation of heretical and legalistic doctrines. You just have to be careful, especially in these last days we are in now. I’m not saying that this kind of thing is going on right now at any particular church but it could be going on at any church around the world.
1 John 4:1 – “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”
(For more on Legalism go to: http://www.bibletruths.net/Archives/BTAR214.htm)
Revealing God's grace and truth to a confused church, the unbelieving and a dying world.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Monday, January 26, 2009
Obedience
How can a person obey any law without first having respect for the creator of that law? How can a person obey the Ten Commandments without first knowing who God is and what He expects from you? How can a person obey a god he does not know?
Questions about obedience to the Law:
1. Are Christians sanctified by obedience?
2. Are Christians justified by obedience?
3. Are Christians redeemed by obedience?
4. Are Christians saved by obedience?
5. Are Christians righteous by obedience?
6. Should Christians have faith in obedience?
Answers:
1. Christians are sanctified by having faith in Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit, by the Word of God and prayer, through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all and by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ (Acts 26:18; Romans 15:16; 1 Timothy 4:5; Hebrews 10:10; Jude 1:1).
2. Christians are justified by having faith in Christ, by His grace and by His blood (Galatians 2:16; Galatians 3:24; Titus 3:7; Romans 5:9).
3. Christians are redeemed by Jesus, who gave His life as “a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45) and having “redemption through His blood” (Eph. 1:7).
4. Christians are saved by His life, by hope, by Holy fire and by His grace through faith according to His mercy (Romans 5:10; Romans 8:24; 1 Corinthians 3:15; Ephesians 2:5, 8; Titus 3:5).
5. Christians are counted as righteous by having faith in God and they must believe in Him and that He is (Romans 4:3, 5)
6. Christians should have faith in God and in the Lord Jesus, the Christ who is the Son of God (Mark 11:22; Colossians 1:4).
“In the Old Testament covenant between God and human beings, obedience was the basis for knowing God’s blessing and favor (Ex. 19:5; 24:1–8). Samuel emphasized that God’s pleasure was not in sacrifice but in obedience (1 Sam. 15:22). Even the promise of a new covenant emphasized obedience as God’s gift (Jeremiah 31:33).
In the New Testament, the obedience of Christ stands in contrast to the disobedience of Adam. The disobedience of Adam brought death, but the perfect obedience of Christ brought grace, righteousness, and life (Romans 5:12–21).”
1. Obedience is carrying out the word and will of another person, especially the will of God.
2. Obedience is a positive, active response to what a person hears.
3. Obedience is the result of faith in God.
4. Obedience is the evidence of the Christians confession of faith in Christ Jesus.
5. Your faith is proven when you act upon it in obedience.
Can we get to heaven by obeying the Law of Moses, the Ten Commandments?
The problem is that no earthly man or woman can obey all of the Ten Commandments. It is impossible. Well, except for Jesus Christ because He is the spoken Word of God manifested into the flesh of man and only God alone can keep His own standards for righteousness (John 1:1-5,14). However, if we are in Christ (those who are Christians), we are not under the Law of Moses or the Ten Commandments but we are under the law of grace, mercy and truth and all things are possible with God. The only way to be free from the Law is through faith in Christ Jesus.
I love the way that the Apostle Paul illustrates this point in Romans 7:1-6, “Don’t you know that the law applies only to a person who is still living?” “When a woman marries, the law binds her to her husband as long as he is alive. But if he dies, the laws of marriage no longer apply to her. So while her husband is alive, she would be committing adultery if she married another man. But if her husband dies, she is free from that law and does not commit adultery when she remarries.
So this is the point: The law no longer holds you in its power, because you died to its power when you died with Christ on the cross. And now you are united with the one who was raised from the dead. As a result, you can produce good fruit, that is, good deeds for God. When we were controlled by our old nature, sinful desires were at work within us, and the law aroused these evil desires that produced sinful deeds, resulting in death. But now we have been released from the law, for we died with Christ, and we are no longer captive to its power. Now we can really serve God, not in the old way by obeying the letter of the law, but in the new way, by the Spirit (NLT).”
See that? “Now we can really serve God, not in the old way by obeying the letter of the law, but in the new way, by the Spirit!”
Romans 8:2-14 – “For the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you through Christ Jesus from the power of sin that leads to death. The Law of Moses could not save us, because of our sinful nature. But God put into effect a different plan to save us. He sent his own Son in a human body like ours, except that ours are sinful. God destroyed sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. He did this so that the requirement of the law would be fully accomplished for us who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit.
Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. If your sinful nature controls your mind, there is death. But if the Holy Spirit controls your mind, there is life and peace. For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God.
But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them are not Christians at all.) Since Christ lives within you, even though your body will die because of sin, your spirit is alive because you have been made right with God. The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as he raised Christ from the dead, he will give life to your mortal body by this same Spirit living within you.
So, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation whatsoever to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. For if you keep on following it, you will perish. But if through the power of the Holy Spirit you turn from it and its evil deeds, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God (NLT).”
How do we know that what we do is from the Holy Spirit? How are we to be led by the Spirit of God? How do we know that we are obeying the Spirit? How do we know what is fleshly and what is Spiritual?
“When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, your lives will produce these evil results: sexual immorality, impure thoughts, eagerness for lustful pleasure, idolatry, participation in demonic activities, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, divisions, the feeling that everyone is wrong except those in your own little group, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other kinds of sin (Galatians 5:19-21).”
“But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Here there is no conflict with the law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. If we are living now by the Holy Spirit, let us follow the Holy Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. Let us not become conceited, or irritate one another, or be jealous of one another (Galatians 5:22-26).”
Therefore, obedience to the Law or the Ten Commandments does not justify a man in the eyes of God. It is by obeying the Spirit of God that lives inside the Christian that pleases Him. If you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. Obedience to the Holy Spirit proves to God your confession of faith in Christ Jesus. Consequently, “what does the use of saying you have faith, if you don’t prove it by your actions? That kind of faith can’t save anyone (James 2:14).” Love is not just words but is demonstrated in action by good works. As a result, good works are the result of genuine faith.
Notice the first fruit of the Spirit is love; and love is what fulfills “all” the Law and the Prophets (Matthew 22:37-40). Jesus came to fulfill the Law (Matthew 5:14) and it was by His great love that we can be saved (John 15:13). In Galatians 5:14 Paul said, “For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself (NLT).” In John 14:15 Jesus said, “If you love me, obey my commandments.” Moreover, Jesus’ new commandment is “Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other (John 13:34).”
Thus, if you have faith in Christ Jesus and are led by the Spirit, you would obey the Spirit and have love for God and for your neighbor and the fruit of it would be known. To be obedient to Christ is to love God and others as you would love yourself. You will have fulfilled “all” the Law of Moses and the Prophet’s requirements by doing so and you shall counted as being sanctified, justified, redeemed, saved and considered righteous before Jesus at the judgment seat of Christ.
Obedience pays off. Why? Because if we pray, seek His counsel and through careful consideration, we can reach a clearer conviction within us. When such an option is God’s will for us, obedience then requires us to do what we desire, maybe even to follow a long lost dream that God has given us. If we embrace this obedience, God can unlock all kinds of possibilities and potential for our lives and to that, there can be no end to this abundant life we call the great adventure in Christ Jesus.
The simple truth is, you should obey God simply because you love Him.
References: Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary, the New King James Version, King James Version and New Living Translation of the Holy Bible.
Questions about obedience to the Law:
1. Are Christians sanctified by obedience?
2. Are Christians justified by obedience?
3. Are Christians redeemed by obedience?
4. Are Christians saved by obedience?
5. Are Christians righteous by obedience?
6. Should Christians have faith in obedience?
Answers:
1. Christians are sanctified by having faith in Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit, by the Word of God and prayer, through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all and by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ (Acts 26:18; Romans 15:16; 1 Timothy 4:5; Hebrews 10:10; Jude 1:1).
2. Christians are justified by having faith in Christ, by His grace and by His blood (Galatians 2:16; Galatians 3:24; Titus 3:7; Romans 5:9).
3. Christians are redeemed by Jesus, who gave His life as “a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45) and having “redemption through His blood” (Eph. 1:7).
4. Christians are saved by His life, by hope, by Holy fire and by His grace through faith according to His mercy (Romans 5:10; Romans 8:24; 1 Corinthians 3:15; Ephesians 2:5, 8; Titus 3:5).
5. Christians are counted as righteous by having faith in God and they must believe in Him and that He is (Romans 4:3, 5)
6. Christians should have faith in God and in the Lord Jesus, the Christ who is the Son of God (Mark 11:22; Colossians 1:4).
“In the Old Testament covenant between God and human beings, obedience was the basis for knowing God’s blessing and favor (Ex. 19:5; 24:1–8). Samuel emphasized that God’s pleasure was not in sacrifice but in obedience (1 Sam. 15:22). Even the promise of a new covenant emphasized obedience as God’s gift (Jeremiah 31:33).
In the New Testament, the obedience of Christ stands in contrast to the disobedience of Adam. The disobedience of Adam brought death, but the perfect obedience of Christ brought grace, righteousness, and life (Romans 5:12–21).”
1. Obedience is carrying out the word and will of another person, especially the will of God.
2. Obedience is a positive, active response to what a person hears.
3. Obedience is the result of faith in God.
4. Obedience is the evidence of the Christians confession of faith in Christ Jesus.
5. Your faith is proven when you act upon it in obedience.
Can we get to heaven by obeying the Law of Moses, the Ten Commandments?
The problem is that no earthly man or woman can obey all of the Ten Commandments. It is impossible. Well, except for Jesus Christ because He is the spoken Word of God manifested into the flesh of man and only God alone can keep His own standards for righteousness (John 1:1-5,14). However, if we are in Christ (those who are Christians), we are not under the Law of Moses or the Ten Commandments but we are under the law of grace, mercy and truth and all things are possible with God. The only way to be free from the Law is through faith in Christ Jesus.
I love the way that the Apostle Paul illustrates this point in Romans 7:1-6, “Don’t you know that the law applies only to a person who is still living?” “When a woman marries, the law binds her to her husband as long as he is alive. But if he dies, the laws of marriage no longer apply to her. So while her husband is alive, she would be committing adultery if she married another man. But if her husband dies, she is free from that law and does not commit adultery when she remarries.
So this is the point: The law no longer holds you in its power, because you died to its power when you died with Christ on the cross. And now you are united with the one who was raised from the dead. As a result, you can produce good fruit, that is, good deeds for God. When we were controlled by our old nature, sinful desires were at work within us, and the law aroused these evil desires that produced sinful deeds, resulting in death. But now we have been released from the law, for we died with Christ, and we are no longer captive to its power. Now we can really serve God, not in the old way by obeying the letter of the law, but in the new way, by the Spirit (NLT).”
See that? “Now we can really serve God, not in the old way by obeying the letter of the law, but in the new way, by the Spirit!”
Romans 8:2-14 – “For the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you through Christ Jesus from the power of sin that leads to death. The Law of Moses could not save us, because of our sinful nature. But God put into effect a different plan to save us. He sent his own Son in a human body like ours, except that ours are sinful. God destroyed sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. He did this so that the requirement of the law would be fully accomplished for us who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit.
Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. If your sinful nature controls your mind, there is death. But if the Holy Spirit controls your mind, there is life and peace. For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God.
But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them are not Christians at all.) Since Christ lives within you, even though your body will die because of sin, your spirit is alive because you have been made right with God. The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as he raised Christ from the dead, he will give life to your mortal body by this same Spirit living within you.
So, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation whatsoever to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. For if you keep on following it, you will perish. But if through the power of the Holy Spirit you turn from it and its evil deeds, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God (NLT).”
How do we know that what we do is from the Holy Spirit? How are we to be led by the Spirit of God? How do we know that we are obeying the Spirit? How do we know what is fleshly and what is Spiritual?
“When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, your lives will produce these evil results: sexual immorality, impure thoughts, eagerness for lustful pleasure, idolatry, participation in demonic activities, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, divisions, the feeling that everyone is wrong except those in your own little group, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other kinds of sin (Galatians 5:19-21).”
“But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Here there is no conflict with the law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. If we are living now by the Holy Spirit, let us follow the Holy Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. Let us not become conceited, or irritate one another, or be jealous of one another (Galatians 5:22-26).”
Therefore, obedience to the Law or the Ten Commandments does not justify a man in the eyes of God. It is by obeying the Spirit of God that lives inside the Christian that pleases Him. If you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. Obedience to the Holy Spirit proves to God your confession of faith in Christ Jesus. Consequently, “what does the use of saying you have faith, if you don’t prove it by your actions? That kind of faith can’t save anyone (James 2:14).” Love is not just words but is demonstrated in action by good works. As a result, good works are the result of genuine faith.
Notice the first fruit of the Spirit is love; and love is what fulfills “all” the Law and the Prophets (Matthew 22:37-40). Jesus came to fulfill the Law (Matthew 5:14) and it was by His great love that we can be saved (John 15:13). In Galatians 5:14 Paul said, “For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself (NLT).” In John 14:15 Jesus said, “If you love me, obey my commandments.” Moreover, Jesus’ new commandment is “Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other (John 13:34).”
Thus, if you have faith in Christ Jesus and are led by the Spirit, you would obey the Spirit and have love for God and for your neighbor and the fruit of it would be known. To be obedient to Christ is to love God and others as you would love yourself. You will have fulfilled “all” the Law of Moses and the Prophet’s requirements by doing so and you shall counted as being sanctified, justified, redeemed, saved and considered righteous before Jesus at the judgment seat of Christ.
Obedience pays off. Why? Because if we pray, seek His counsel and through careful consideration, we can reach a clearer conviction within us. When such an option is God’s will for us, obedience then requires us to do what we desire, maybe even to follow a long lost dream that God has given us. If we embrace this obedience, God can unlock all kinds of possibilities and potential for our lives and to that, there can be no end to this abundant life we call the great adventure in Christ Jesus.
The simple truth is, you should obey God simply because you love Him.
References: Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary, the New King James Version, King James Version and New Living Translation of the Holy Bible.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
To Tithe or not to Tithe
The first mention of an actual tenth/tithe was given by Abraham in Genesis 14:20. First, notice that Abraham did not give a tenth until after he was blessed by Melchizedek. In other words, Abraham's response to being blessed was to give a tenth of his spoils of war. Second, the tithe Abraham gave to Melchizedek was not even his to give, but spoils of war he stole from his enemies while retrieving his nephew Lot. Thirdly, the bible never mentions that Abraham ever tithed his own possessions or that he ever tithed again after this event.
At the time Abraham gave his tithe to Melchizedek, there was no Law to tithe or give any amount of money or possessions that was instituted by God. Abraham gave a tenth of the gifts that God had given him voluntarily, without any pressure or condemnation from his peers or family.
The same goes for Jacob in Genesis 28:22. Jacob made a vow to give God a tenth of all his property because of the blessing & promise that God had gave him in his dream. It was after Jacob was promised the blessing that Jacob responded to God with a vow of giving a tenth of what God had given him. Jacob also gave voluntarily a tenth to God without the Law of Moses to force him or pressure from family or friends.
Jacob set up a pillar on his land and made a vow to present before God, a tenth of everything God gave him. Jacob did not give the tenth to Melchizedek, a Levite Priest or to the Temple. He presented it before the Lord God and did with it, the will of God. Genesis 28:22 – “And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God’s house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee (KJV).”
Abraham & Jacob were not under the Mosaic Law and as a just response; they voluntarily vowed and gave a tenth of what God had put into their hands and what God promised as a blessing. On the other hand, if they had been under the Law, everything would have belonged to God anyway and they would have been obligated to give a tithe to the Levite priests (Lev. 27:30).
“Tithing is a biblical law. But so is the rite of circumcision and so is the sacrificing of animals. Does this mean that Christians today should ritualistically circumcise their male children or sacrifice animals because these laws were once ordained in the Bible?”
In modern churches today, Christians are not under the Law of Moses but are under the grace & truth of Christ Jesus. Jesus came to fulfill the Law and the Prophets and by dying for us on the cross, He showed us His great love for us. Therefore, as our response to the great blessings that God has bestowed upon us, by giving us His Son, Jesus the Christ, we should give a tithe/tenth of our blessings back to God.
Since Christians are not under the Law instituted by Moses, we can offer our tithe to God by the same ways Abraham & Jacob did. We can give a tenth of our spoils (gifts from God) to Jesus (the church) in response to His wonderful blessings upon us.
Some traditionalists claim that we should give 10% of our income to the church as our tithe. However, I believe that we should give everything that we have to Jesus Christ. Or, we can bring before God a tenth of everything God provides for us and vow to use them for His glory. I have heard of some people even giving their talents, skills & time of service as a tithe.
When God instituted the tithe under the Mosaic Law, the tithe was always food. The tithe was never money, gold or a person’s income. The only time the tithe became money was if the person lived too far away from the Temple to haul it. He would sell his grain or wine, then take the money to the place where the storehouse or Temple was & then buy food there to eat the tithe.
During the time the tithe was instituted by the Law of Moses, the tithe was always eaten! Whatever was leftover went into the Temple & could be used by the Levite Priests & their families (Lev 27:30-33; Num 18:21-24; Deut 12:6,7; 17-19; 14:22-29; 26:162-15).
The bible never mentions that Jesus ever tithed. The bible never mentions Jesus' disciples ever tithed. The one and only time Jesus even mentioned the tithe was when He was rebuking the Pharisees about how much attention they paid to tithing.
Matthew 23:23 - “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith (NKJV)."
You see? There are more important things than tithing.
1. Justice
2. Mercy
3. Faith
Do you have those attributes? Have you mastered them yet? If not, maybe you should work on those and take control over them before you start worrying about the tithe. However, tithe or tithe not as you wish. Give a tenth or a fifth, God will always remember His promises.
References:
http://www.truthortradition.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=883
At the time Abraham gave his tithe to Melchizedek, there was no Law to tithe or give any amount of money or possessions that was instituted by God. Abraham gave a tenth of the gifts that God had given him voluntarily, without any pressure or condemnation from his peers or family.
The same goes for Jacob in Genesis 28:22. Jacob made a vow to give God a tenth of all his property because of the blessing & promise that God had gave him in his dream. It was after Jacob was promised the blessing that Jacob responded to God with a vow of giving a tenth of what God had given him. Jacob also gave voluntarily a tenth to God without the Law of Moses to force him or pressure from family or friends.
Jacob set up a pillar on his land and made a vow to present before God, a tenth of everything God gave him. Jacob did not give the tenth to Melchizedek, a Levite Priest or to the Temple. He presented it before the Lord God and did with it, the will of God. Genesis 28:22 – “And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God’s house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee (KJV).”
Abraham & Jacob were not under the Mosaic Law and as a just response; they voluntarily vowed and gave a tenth of what God had put into their hands and what God promised as a blessing. On the other hand, if they had been under the Law, everything would have belonged to God anyway and they would have been obligated to give a tithe to the Levite priests (Lev. 27:30).
“Tithing is a biblical law. But so is the rite of circumcision and so is the sacrificing of animals. Does this mean that Christians today should ritualistically circumcise their male children or sacrifice animals because these laws were once ordained in the Bible?”
In modern churches today, Christians are not under the Law of Moses but are under the grace & truth of Christ Jesus. Jesus came to fulfill the Law and the Prophets and by dying for us on the cross, He showed us His great love for us. Therefore, as our response to the great blessings that God has bestowed upon us, by giving us His Son, Jesus the Christ, we should give a tithe/tenth of our blessings back to God.
Since Christians are not under the Law instituted by Moses, we can offer our tithe to God by the same ways Abraham & Jacob did. We can give a tenth of our spoils (gifts from God) to Jesus (the church) in response to His wonderful blessings upon us.
Some traditionalists claim that we should give 10% of our income to the church as our tithe. However, I believe that we should give everything that we have to Jesus Christ. Or, we can bring before God a tenth of everything God provides for us and vow to use them for His glory. I have heard of some people even giving their talents, skills & time of service as a tithe.
When God instituted the tithe under the Mosaic Law, the tithe was always food. The tithe was never money, gold or a person’s income. The only time the tithe became money was if the person lived too far away from the Temple to haul it. He would sell his grain or wine, then take the money to the place where the storehouse or Temple was & then buy food there to eat the tithe.
During the time the tithe was instituted by the Law of Moses, the tithe was always eaten! Whatever was leftover went into the Temple & could be used by the Levite Priests & their families (Lev 27:30-33; Num 18:21-24; Deut 12:6,7; 17-19; 14:22-29; 26:162-15).
The bible never mentions that Jesus ever tithed. The bible never mentions Jesus' disciples ever tithed. The one and only time Jesus even mentioned the tithe was when He was rebuking the Pharisees about how much attention they paid to tithing.
Matthew 23:23 - “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith (NKJV)."
You see? There are more important things than tithing.
1. Justice
2. Mercy
3. Faith
Do you have those attributes? Have you mastered them yet? If not, maybe you should work on those and take control over them before you start worrying about the tithe. However, tithe or tithe not as you wish. Give a tenth or a fifth, God will always remember His promises.
References:
http://www.truthortradition.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=883
Thursday, January 22, 2009
The Religion Club
I'm tired of religion. Let me explain, I'm NOT tired of church or being a part of a church family or living the life of a committed Christian. I'm just tired of people thinking that they are better than others because they have been a Christian longer, have been on various missionary trips, faithfully tithe 10% of their income weekly or have been teaching Sunday school for 20 years. Sure, they may be more knowledgeable and more spiritually mature but that doesn't give them a license to "lord" it over people. I'm not angry or trying to offend anyone, I’m just a little frustrated. This is just one thing about Christianity that forces me to search the truths found only in Scripture.
Since when did a certain amount of time qualify someone as having more knowledge, wisdom or a closer relationship with Jesus Christ? The disciples knew Jesus for many years and when the time came to stand, they all chickened out and ran away when the guards came to get him in the garden of Gethsemane. Is it possible that a Christian who came to Christ only 5 years ago is more spiritually mature than a Christian of 30 or 40 years? Sure, any Christian can stop growing spiritually. As a matter of fact, some Christians never get past “baby milk” teaching.
Over the years that I have been a Christian, I have noticed a few things about people who are "religious." First, let me define what I believe being "religious" is.
Being "religious" or "religion" is defined by the act of exchanging inner truths for external performance. In other words, being religious is trying to work, earn or buy your way into favor with God or adhering to certain rules and behaviors that keep people under huge burdens, laws or control.
The Pharisees and Sadducees were famous in the New Testament for being overly zealous religious fanatics, and Jesus couldn’t stand it! Do you know how many times Jesus pronounced "woes" on those religious people in Jesus' time?
For one, they immediately judge people based upon an assumption without knowing the full facts. They will tell people that their not a good Christian because they don't look like they do. His hair is too long, his clothes are not up to “Sunday Best” standards and his family is poor. Jesus hated religious people too. Of course, Jesus never hated the person individually but only what they had become because of it. Religion is like an exclusive club that only certain people can be a part of.
"Did you ever have a club when you were in elementary school? Remember how it works? Two or three people decide to start a club and they think of a name and a place to meet and then they think of who they're going to let in. Only certain people can be members of the club. You have to be smart enough or tough enough or you have to wear clothes from the right overpriced store. Nobody ever questions whether the leaders of the club even deserve to be in it, they just are. So a club is exclusive. And then come the rules.
When kids make clubs they come up with the most arbitrary and stupid rules; rules that are designed to exclude some people and include themselves. And that's what religion is like, too. Some people get into the church and then they get the idea that no one else is good enough. They take it upon themselves to make sure that people don't get into the club unless they wear a suit or a dress, know all about the Bible, never cuss, chew or go with girls who do. Those are the people who are telling you that you can't smoke a cigarette out on the church lawn. They're saying that if you drink on Saturday night, you better not show up for church on Sunday morning. Religion is about saying the right things and acting the right way. Religion is about always showing up for the club meetings on Sunday and Wednesday.
Religion is about doing things and excluding people, being proud of yourself and looking down on other people and enforcing rules on other people. In a word, religion (as I've defined it) is about FEAR. And I'm tired of religion. Do you who else was tired of religion? Jesus. The religious people of his time were always ticked off at him because he didn't follow their rules. They said if you want to be in the club, you always have to wash your hands a certain way before you eat. They said if you want to be in the club you have to take Saturday off (and they had detailed rules about how much work you could do).
If you want to be in the club, stay away from certain people, like hookers, crooks. But what did Jesus do? He ate with dirty hands. He healed people and did other work on the Sabbath. And those people club members (Pharisees) avoided, he hung out with them."
"The church is not a place for perfect people to come and all act the same. It's not a place to enforce rules on each other and judge each other. It's a place for people to come when they're sick, scared, ashamed, worried, sinful, hateful, drunk, crooked, slutty, stoned, prideful or dishonest. And all of us who are sick come so we can meet the doctor, the only one who can help us. The saddest thing is when we finally get the courage to come to the hospital and get some help and all some people find is a snobby club." The church is a family and we need to stick together and never let favoritism, tradition and legalism become an infestation in our church congregations.” (Reference: http://personman.com/i_m_tired_of_religion)
The Pharisee of Jesus' day was the worst kind of religious person. They were just like some of the “religious” people in today's Christian churches. The Pharisees were zealous of the Law (Acts 15:5), outwardly moral (Luke 18:11), rigid in fasting (Luke 5:33), active is proselytizing (Matthew 23:15), fond of distinguished titles (Matthew 23:7-10) and very particular in paying all dues (Matthew 23:23). Don't be a Pharisee! I know a man who was once told that if he didn’t tithe faithfully, he could not be in a position of servant hood in the church and that his finances would be cursed.
I love Jesus and he loves me. He died for people like me. He died for those who know they are sinners and who aren't afraid to tell people about Jesus. When Jesus looks at me, does He see me the way other Christian do? No, Jesus sees the heart of a man and knows all things. There is nothing hidden from Him. Who are you to judge me except for the one who sits at the judgment seat? I will let Jesus Christ be my judge, for I was created to please Him and not men. I am free in Christ Jesus and He shall guide my paths. I have been set free from the chains of religious bondage.
Galatians 5:1 - “Christ has really set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law (NLT).”
I simply desire truth, fellowship, family and freedom in Christ Jesus. Years ago, I used to attend a church that seemed to only care about money and I hated it. Every week there was a sermon about giving money to the church or tithing and it really bothered me. I believe tithing is a good principle but just like anything good, the devil can turn tithing into something bad, like greed and extortion. I didn't hate the people or the church, but I did hate what some of the people had become because of the money and greed.
These "religious" people were friendly at first but when they found out that I was poor and didn't tithe or give regularly like them, they stopped associating with me and shunned me by leaving me out of things and events in the church. They treated me as if I had the plague and no matter how I wanted to serve the body of Christ, they ignored me and left me out of church activities. I was really hurt and it has bothered me throughout the years.
Jesus exemplified this whole issue with the woman and the two mites. She gave what she had and Jesus counted it as all. It was more than all the others who gave out of their excess. As for myself, I have given all I have back to Jesus. I have given my family, my life, my job and everything that God has given me.
Since when did a certain amount of time qualify someone as having more knowledge, wisdom or a closer relationship with Jesus Christ? The disciples knew Jesus for many years and when the time came to stand, they all chickened out and ran away when the guards came to get him in the garden of Gethsemane. Is it possible that a Christian who came to Christ only 5 years ago is more spiritually mature than a Christian of 30 or 40 years? Sure, any Christian can stop growing spiritually. As a matter of fact, some Christians never get past “baby milk” teaching.
Over the years that I have been a Christian, I have noticed a few things about people who are "religious." First, let me define what I believe being "religious" is.
Being "religious" or "religion" is defined by the act of exchanging inner truths for external performance. In other words, being religious is trying to work, earn or buy your way into favor with God or adhering to certain rules and behaviors that keep people under huge burdens, laws or control.
The Pharisees and Sadducees were famous in the New Testament for being overly zealous religious fanatics, and Jesus couldn’t stand it! Do you know how many times Jesus pronounced "woes" on those religious people in Jesus' time?
For one, they immediately judge people based upon an assumption without knowing the full facts. They will tell people that their not a good Christian because they don't look like they do. His hair is too long, his clothes are not up to “Sunday Best” standards and his family is poor. Jesus hated religious people too. Of course, Jesus never hated the person individually but only what they had become because of it. Religion is like an exclusive club that only certain people can be a part of.
"Did you ever have a club when you were in elementary school? Remember how it works? Two or three people decide to start a club and they think of a name and a place to meet and then they think of who they're going to let in. Only certain people can be members of the club. You have to be smart enough or tough enough or you have to wear clothes from the right overpriced store. Nobody ever questions whether the leaders of the club even deserve to be in it, they just are. So a club is exclusive. And then come the rules.
When kids make clubs they come up with the most arbitrary and stupid rules; rules that are designed to exclude some people and include themselves. And that's what religion is like, too. Some people get into the church and then they get the idea that no one else is good enough. They take it upon themselves to make sure that people don't get into the club unless they wear a suit or a dress, know all about the Bible, never cuss, chew or go with girls who do. Those are the people who are telling you that you can't smoke a cigarette out on the church lawn. They're saying that if you drink on Saturday night, you better not show up for church on Sunday morning. Religion is about saying the right things and acting the right way. Religion is about always showing up for the club meetings on Sunday and Wednesday.
Religion is about doing things and excluding people, being proud of yourself and looking down on other people and enforcing rules on other people. In a word, religion (as I've defined it) is about FEAR. And I'm tired of religion. Do you who else was tired of religion? Jesus. The religious people of his time were always ticked off at him because he didn't follow their rules. They said if you want to be in the club, you always have to wash your hands a certain way before you eat. They said if you want to be in the club you have to take Saturday off (and they had detailed rules about how much work you could do).
If you want to be in the club, stay away from certain people, like hookers, crooks. But what did Jesus do? He ate with dirty hands. He healed people and did other work on the Sabbath. And those people club members (Pharisees) avoided, he hung out with them."
"The church is not a place for perfect people to come and all act the same. It's not a place to enforce rules on each other and judge each other. It's a place for people to come when they're sick, scared, ashamed, worried, sinful, hateful, drunk, crooked, slutty, stoned, prideful or dishonest. And all of us who are sick come so we can meet the doctor, the only one who can help us. The saddest thing is when we finally get the courage to come to the hospital and get some help and all some people find is a snobby club." The church is a family and we need to stick together and never let favoritism, tradition and legalism become an infestation in our church congregations.” (Reference: http://personman.com/i_m_tired_of_religion)
The Pharisee of Jesus' day was the worst kind of religious person. They were just like some of the “religious” people in today's Christian churches. The Pharisees were zealous of the Law (Acts 15:5), outwardly moral (Luke 18:11), rigid in fasting (Luke 5:33), active is proselytizing (Matthew 23:15), fond of distinguished titles (Matthew 23:7-10) and very particular in paying all dues (Matthew 23:23). Don't be a Pharisee! I know a man who was once told that if he didn’t tithe faithfully, he could not be in a position of servant hood in the church and that his finances would be cursed.
I love Jesus and he loves me. He died for people like me. He died for those who know they are sinners and who aren't afraid to tell people about Jesus. When Jesus looks at me, does He see me the way other Christian do? No, Jesus sees the heart of a man and knows all things. There is nothing hidden from Him. Who are you to judge me except for the one who sits at the judgment seat? I will let Jesus Christ be my judge, for I was created to please Him and not men. I am free in Christ Jesus and He shall guide my paths. I have been set free from the chains of religious bondage.
Galatians 5:1 - “Christ has really set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law (NLT).”
I simply desire truth, fellowship, family and freedom in Christ Jesus. Years ago, I used to attend a church that seemed to only care about money and I hated it. Every week there was a sermon about giving money to the church or tithing and it really bothered me. I believe tithing is a good principle but just like anything good, the devil can turn tithing into something bad, like greed and extortion. I didn't hate the people or the church, but I did hate what some of the people had become because of the money and greed.
These "religious" people were friendly at first but when they found out that I was poor and didn't tithe or give regularly like them, they stopped associating with me and shunned me by leaving me out of things and events in the church. They treated me as if I had the plague and no matter how I wanted to serve the body of Christ, they ignored me and left me out of church activities. I was really hurt and it has bothered me throughout the years.
Jesus exemplified this whole issue with the woman and the two mites. She gave what she had and Jesus counted it as all. It was more than all the others who gave out of their excess. As for myself, I have given all I have back to Jesus. I have given my family, my life, my job and everything that God has given me.
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