Take Pride

Take Pride

May 28, 2018

James 1:9  "Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position."

Pride is not recognized as a good thing or a desirable trait. Every time pride is discussed in the Bible it carries a negative connotation. But is pride an actual sin? Is it sinful to be proud and glad about something. Everyone has felt pride at one time in their lives. We know when it is with benign intent like when a parent sees their child walk across the room for the first time as a toddler or ride a bike for the first time. Their heart is full of satisfaction and they say phrases like, "I'm so proud of you." The Bible even makes mention of the difference between earthly pride and heavenly pride. The subtlety of good pride and bad pride is likely outside our full understanding since our nature is sinful and the Lord's is not. Nonetheless, James told his readers to be prideful about their situation. 

James said, if you are in humble circumstances, take pride in it. But if you are in rich circumstances, take pride in that also. But are the reasons for being prideful about your situation the same? He said if you are rich you should be glad and go ahead and revel in your riches because it is actually a low position. Live it up while you can and get every ounce of enjoyment out of your wealth because it won't last forever. And when that wealth is gone, the rich person (suggestive of Godless) will then be brought low into eternal separation from God. But the person in lowly circumstances, he should also have pride in his heart. Why? Why both scenarios?

When reading it, James is making an analogy of perfect opposites. You can read into the text a little and see the opposite of rich and poor, being made high and being made low, and understanding which side of the coin heaven thinks is the correct one. Taking pride in humble circumstances is a almost an oxymoron. There is nothing to be prideful about, in the eyes of man, when your bank account shows a very low balance. Nonetheless, the Bible recommends being prideful about it. The Bible isn't really saying to boast about have a bank account with a low balance, the Bible is saying to be glad that your riches are in heaven, if that is how you chose to live. No one likes being poor, but living humbly without the pursuit of great gain or lavishness is actually wisdom. The Bible says to be glad for this type of humble worldly situation, because it actually shows spiritual maturity and demonstrates to the Lord your wisdom through your chosen lifestyle. But the Bible really isn't saying to be prideful about it, simply glad in your heart that you made the right choice. 

Most of the time, pride is discussed in the context of it leading to sin and there are plenty  of people who actually think they are better than someone else because of their secret wealth. This too, is the lowly situation, because the humble circumstance is not Godliness either. The Bible said it is OK to take pride in humble circumstances, because pride and humility cannot coexist as you and I understand it. If you actually chose a humble circumstance, and maintained a sinless attitude about it, then be glad because your reward is in Heaven. That is a delicate balance to keep in check, not an easy scenario because it can lead to a proud heart. But thankfully, that was not the point James was trying to make. His readership were Jewish Christians, who were scattered about, due to the intense persecution of Christianity at the time. His readers were already Christians, not the Godless that James mentions were living a wealthy lifestyle and destined to hell. James was warning them not to pursue after worldly wealthy, leaving God behind, because of where it could lead. The pursuit of worldly wealthy, with the goal of living lavishly and lasciviously, will not be of any benefit except for the instant gratification in which it is lived. Go ahead and live it up, in that chosen lifestyle, because that is all there is. You might as well enjoy it for a moment, because eternity in hell follows.

Be glad that you know the side of wisdom, in choosing how you live. Be glad if you actually chose to live that way, knowing there is reward in Heaven for it. Heaven knows this is the better situation and you should, too. Living humbly is the better choice.

Don't take my word for it; look it up: Ps 10:4, Prov 8:13, Dan 5:20, Rom 11:13, 2 Cor 5:12, 2 Cor 7:4, Gal 6:4, James 1:9-11, 1 John 2:6 

Practicing Christian

Practicing Christian

May 21, 2018

Hebrews 5:14  "But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves. . . ."

It has been said that doctors, in the fulfillment of their duties, are practicing medicine. That phrase, practicing medicine, can be scary if you truly believe a physician is using you as a test subject. It is called "practicing" because there is never a final knowledge set to draw upon for each specific case or patient. New information comes to light, new discoveries, new symptoms, and an infinite number of unique scenarios for patient application of the current knowledge base. In short, each patient is a new and unique case, as unique as the hairs on their head. The physician has never applied the medical knowledge to the patient being seen tomorrow, what if there is a new symptom, never before studied? Surprises come all too often in the practice of medicine, surprises the physician needs to be prepared to handled if this time is different. Practicing medicine is the exercise of medical knowledge for patient application. It is not exact, as each case is different. Though many are similar, treating each the exact same could prove fatal. Hopefully, your physician continues to improve in his knowledge set and from his own historical application of that medical knowledge. He is further honed in his skill, through practicing it, through using it.

In Hebrews, the author suggests that you and I are practicing Christians, in similar fashion to a physician practicing medicine. Being called a Christian, means Christ-like. Are you fully Christ-like, or are you simply applying your Biblical knowledge base of Christ into each new and unique scenario of your life? I would suggest it is the latter, that you will never fully be Christ-like in complete perfection, but can be a Christian in the pursuit of implementing your faith into every tomorrow. Physicians with experience, are considered more practiced than those just fresh from studying. If your health was failing and your symptoms stumped many medical professionals, I'm sure you might seek out one who was respected from his vast experienced, for the best chances of success. So, too, with Christianity, from much experience, from much practice, comes maturity and higher acumen. For the trickiest health scenarios, I'm sure you'd consult the expert physician, but he or she cannot be an expert physician without many years of practice.

The author of Hebrews says you are trained by the practice of your faith, by implementing into your life, using it day in and day out. Those who are considered more Christ-like, likely have had more practice, more opportunity to apply their Biblical understanding of Jesus and the instructions for being Christ-like. Faith, without applying it, isn't faith. Having opportunity to apply it, though not always pleasant, is actually a gift from the Lord. But it takes Biblical understanding and intent to apply the knowledge of your faith in each unique scenario. Are you a practiced Christian or are you failing to practice your Christianity? We are trained, by using our faith, by applying it right here and right now, by applying it to the new scenario every tomorrow.

The medical student, fresh from learning but with no application of his knowledge yet, do you want him operating on you? New Christians have a long way to go, but older Christians should be demonstrating their maturity by now. Whichever one you are, though, you cannot put knowledge into practice without having any knowledge. This takes time studying the Word. Unless you can quote the Bible from cover to cover, studying the Word daily will help you with the new and unique faith-patient of tomorrow, the unique situation you've never seen before.

Don't take my word for it; look it up: Rom 14:1,Eph 4:13, 1 Tim 4:7, Heb 5:11-14, Heb 6:1

Need More Seed

Need More Seed

May 14, 2018

2 Corinthians 9:10  "Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness."

Paul, on his missionary journeys needed support. He went out, planting churches, and maintained discipleship efforts over those churches and Christians. They were his support system, more often then not, as the years progressed. While Paul attempted to provide and sustain himself, those churches still sent him support. Specifically, they were financially supporting him. In his letters back to them, he made sure to thank and encourage them; it wasn't without importance or heavenly significance. Their gifts mattered, as it supported not just Paul, but enabled converts to Christianity. Their contributions were a sacrifice at times, from the giver, and Paul wanted to make clear they understood their sacrifice was worth it.

Paul made something else clear, regarding their sacrifice. He was sure to explain how things work in the Kingdom. The principle of sowing and reaping is prevalent throughout Scripture. Paul said their efforts of giving, no matter who small, were still a sown into the Kingdom. Paul said the Lord makes sure to give seed to the sower, for that specific purpose. So often we look at the seed, realizing it is just that, a small portion with the intent it will be used to impact the Kingdom. But Paul's gratitude was expressed to the sower, not to the seed. Paul didn't thank the seed, he thanked the person. The seed could not have done anything without the sower deliberately choosing to sow the seed. Paul said it is the Lord who gives seed to the sower. Paul never said the Lord gives seed to the selfish, or the glutton, or the hoarder. The Lord gives seed to those who are known to sow seed. Are you known as a sower?

Without getting into the nuances of the different types of seed, Paul was thanking the Corinthians for their financial support. They sowed monetary support into the Kingdom. The Lord gave money to the Christians in Corinth, specifically so they could sow it. He does not give seed for purposes of hoarding, and Paul made clear to them they would be receiving more seed because of their willingness to sow it. If you don't have seed to sow, then maybe it is because your intent is to hoard it. The Lord gives seed to the sower. He knows your heart and what you are willing to do with the gifts He has given you. If you have intent to keep it all to yourself, no matter what it is, the Lord is not willing to give you more.

The Lord knows you have your own needs; He does not require you to give it all, sowing every last drop. Some grain is kept to eat, while a portion is kept aside for seed. You are not required to give it all, but you are required to have a spirit of generosity with what you have, being willing to sow a portion of anything and everything the Lord gives you. If  you find yourself lacking, maybe it is because you have turned from a sower into a hoarder. He gives generously to the sower, because the Lord knows the seed will be utilized for the Kingdom. Use it for selfish gains and you're more likely to find yourself getting less and less. If you need more seed, it is because you've sown the seed you had or you spent all your seed on yourself. If you find yourself needing seed, evaluate yourself and figure out which is the reason you don't have any seed right now.

Don't take my word for it; look it up: Matt 6:1-24, 2 Cor 9:6-15, Phil 4:10-19