Those Who Love Me & Those Who Don't

I don't put a lot of credit to my dreams.  

Sometimes my dreams do reveal things that are fears or insecurities that I have. 

I had a dream this morning where I learned that someone was rejecting me for my lack of eloquence and interesting conversation.  

What with brain fog making thinking unclear and never having had any confidence in the skill of conversation making, it is easy to see why this kind of dream would disturb me.

I have less going on in my life than when I was young, and so the quantity of topics I have to share about even online is quite limited.

I realized it was only a dream, and I can't really read the minds of those who choose to not respond to me.

It made me think about how people actually do show partiality and reject others, and so I looked up some verses related to various kinds of partiality as addressed in Scripture.

If, however, you are fulfilling the royal law according to the Scripture, “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF,” you are doing well.
But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors.
James 2:8-9 NASB

James was warning about not holding our faith with an attitude of personal favoritism - giving an example of how someone might ignore a poor person and show favor to the rich.

Opening his mouth, Peter said:
“I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality, but in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right is welcome to Him.
Acts 10:34-35 NASB

God saves people of all ethnicities and colors, and so the Gospel is to be proclaimed to everyone.

Unity in Christ also includes every believer without distinction.

“But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
"For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have?
Do not even the tax collectors do the same?
Matthew 5:44-46 NASB

Even when people reject us and are mean to us, those of us who are Christians should remember that we don't deserve God's mercy and grace.  We must remember that we were once enemies though chosen of God.  God even gives rain and food to those who do not receive His truth and trust in Him.

We are to love our enemies and pray for them.

In many cases, it is often God that people are objecting to the most.

They reject us as we represent Him.

Do I love only my friends and not others?  

Do I love those who do not show love back to me?

Do I forgive people who hurt me?  

Do I love those that I have little in common with outside of their being fellow Christians?  

Do I show love to my enemies?  

Do I love those who say things that make me angry?  

Do I love the lost who are blind to the truth and spew out evil or rude things?  

Do I pray for them?

I'd have to say that I'm not always consistent on this, and I certainly don't always react right immediately.  

I still have a long ways to go in sanctification.

Do you struggle with this?

Christians, please pray for me, and let me know if you would like prayer in this area (or any other).

Love More & Complain Less

It has really bothered me seeing people minimizing the danger of COVID-19 and ridiculing efforts to protect and save lives (and keep hospitals from being overwhelmed).

We still don't know everything about this virus.

Many people have gotten horribly sick (worse than the flu), many have been on ventilators, and many have died (and they aren't all in Heaven). 

Many more would have died if not for the early efforts that some people complain about. 

The family of the 5-year-old in Michigan are going to miss their daughter (in case people don't care about those who die who are older or have other health problems...which they should). 

If you know people who are elderly or have other health issues, do you quickly dismiss their health and their lives?

Most people (if not all) in my immediate family fit into the higher risk category.

A lot of people died in New York, but perhaps some aren't affected by that...if you don't live there. 

I've heard a guy in a live-stream talk about how he was shaking the whole bed being so horribly sick. 

Another lady (another Christian) prayed she would die, it was so awful, and those were cases where they stayed out of the hospital.

Another guy (and this is someone I was acquainted with in the past) was in a coma at a hospital on a ventilator for some time. 

I read about another guy whose organs nearly shut down. 

Then there are those who did not live...husbands, mothers, and others who will be missed by people.

Yes, those of us who belong to the Lord will go to be with the Lord, and God will be with us in our sickness. 

I'll admit that being horribly sick does frighten me.  

I already have a number physical problems.  

I don't like to feel crummy, but I already have feelings of unwellness often (and dizziness).

There are those who are blessed and have coronavirus mildly or are asymptomatic (though they may spread it to others), but a lot of people who get it do not consider it a picnic. 

Even churches have lost pastors. 

Those who have lost loved ones will not be impressed by bravado or mockery of those trying to make decisions to save lives. 

Christians should be willing to sacrifice for the health of others despite knowing that those in Christ who die will have joy and not suffer any more. 

We, of all people, should care about eternal souls, and we as Christians should be patient and good citizens.

If we complain all over social media about temporary rules, does that make us a better witness to the world?

This isn't about persecution for the most part.

Sure, some politicians will not always be consistent, but within their worldview many of them are doing their best.

Now, I realize some people are hurting financially, and that is why it is good to cautiously move toward opening things up when possible.

As Christians, we should pray for authorities to make wise decisions.

If you can help someone else in need, that is a great thing to do.

I realize I've vented a bit on here.  

I still care about those who disagree with me, and I know I need to be more patient with others.

I would like to copy what I saw on another blog for my next post (to be encouraging).

What is one way you have seen God using this time for good?

I would like to get responses to choose from.

What Does Christian Love Look Like?

John MacArthur gave some convicting messages on love at The Master's University this week.
I highly recommend them for other Christians to watch.

➧Part 1  
"Pursue Love."
"The loveless person is zero." 
- John MacArthur

➧Part 2  
"Love doesn't demand to be heard."
"Love doesn't insist on its rights."
"True love is always unselfish."
"Love never becomes exasperated with people. 
Love never loses its temper." 
- John MacArthur

➧Part 3
Loving the truth means hating error.  

Loving the truth means hating iniquity.... 

We should live a life marked by joy... 

Some Christians become so negative that they 'find the manure pile in every meadow.'

Love is slow to expose anything...and only does so when it is dangerous to the church. 

It should be exposed for love's sake...not resentment.

(This is from what I heard from John MacArthur.)

Gentle Correction

with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth,
2 Timothy 2:25 NASB

Brethren, even if a man is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, lest you too be tempted.
Galatians 6:1 NASB

Sometimes people need correction...non-believers and Christians as well (in different ways).

The goal of correction should be reconciliation to Christ, and the method should be loving while standing firmly on the truth of God's Word.

Inside the Church, God has prescribed a method of church discipline.

When the issue that is being addressed is a lack of wisdom in a professed believer, we must be very careful not to be crushing in our attempts to address the person.

Sometimes, there may not be a black and white Biblical issue, even though Biblical principles may apply.  

In such cases, the person may have to learn by life experience and Bible study.

Other times, it may be that a person is not as far along in their spiritual growth process or understanding of Scripture.

It may be that they need time to be refined.

Sometimes people learn through making wrong decisions or by trials that show just how far we still have to go in growing.

Public teaching that is error can be addressed publicly (pastors are to address it in a different way than others...direct confrontation of false teachers and teaching may be needed by pastors elders), but there is a fine line between someone who intentionally leads people astray and someone who is in error who needs gentle correction.

Protecting sheep is good, but the difficulty is to do so without harming other sheep or the reputation of the Church at large.

No matter how error or blatant sin is addressed, someone will be offended.

The difficulty is to speak the truth in love.

It should be the Biblical truth we stand on that they have a problem with - rather than how we say it.

This would be true with dealings with Christians and non-Christians alike.

I have seen many believers unwilling to stay friends with each other when they have strong disagreements, though I believe they are likely all true Christians.

This is true of a number of relationships, so don't take this as being only about one situation.

While secondary separation is sometimes necessary, people needn't be unforgiving and harsh when two people are truly Christian brothers (or sisters).

Patience, love, kindness, gentleness, and forgiveness... 

these are all things that should be what Christians exemplify....even if we can't support the behavior or decisions of someone else.

God has been patient with me.  He loved me even when I was His enemy.  He loves me though I still sin and don't want to.

I'm much like the person J.C. Ryle described who struggles with assurance confusing justification and sanctification though I have knowledge of the difference. 

If God is patient with me, I shouldn't shun others (though there may be some I wouldn't publicly endorse).

True Christians have unity around the Gospel, and we can strongly disagree about some things while letting each other know that we still love each other.

Sometimes our behavior seems to contradict what we say.

One day all true Christians will be in Heaven together.

We'd best remember that.

This post is me digging in and thinking out loud.

May it be of some edification for those who read it.

but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him, who is the head, even Christ,
Ephesians 4:15 NASB

When Times Get Tough

When times get tough how do we respond?

We often seek to escape suffering, and try to find an easier way.
Whether dealing with recent court rulings, personal suffering, or a set back or discouragement in serving God,  people either pull back or they endure with patience.

It's normal to desire another way when facing suffering. 
Jesus on the Mount of Olives (garden of Gethsemane) said, “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.” (Found in Luke 22:42.)

The important thing for us is not to react with a sinful response by disobeying when God doesn't take away the trial.  Jesus didn't go to a plan B, even though He was rejected  by His enemies and abandoned by friends.
When we act in obedience and faith and perseverance, we are given grace and God is perfecting us (James 1:4).

Jesus gave us so many examples of obedience and how to endure suffering.
Though He was God, He humbled Himself and became a servant and obeyed to the point of death on a cross (Philippians 2:6-11).

So, what should be my motive for obedience?

Jesus had the motivation of joy set before Him. 
The Father exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the Name that is above every other name, so that at His Name all will bow and confess Jesus as Lord.
We also know that God has love for His sheep, and He laid down His life for those sheep (John 10:11).
I'm sure there are many motives for obeying God....joy, reverence, love for God which spreads to others, thankfulness, etc..
We endure for discipline as true children (Hebrews 12:7).
The joy set before us culminates in being with God, eternal pleasures, reward, and no more sin and suffering. 

Are we willing to sacrifice all to follow Christ?

If it means losing our source of income and freedom of speech (as the couple running the bakery in Oregon), if they come to take your children due to teaching them the truth about sin,  if our health suffers, and if our very lives are threatened and even taken....will we take the easy way out?
When others sin, do we pull back and give up or hide?
I think we need to be very careful before we in pride say that we would never run when the going gets tough, but what about the disciples who fled when Jesus was arrested?
Peter even swore He didn't know Jesus.  He was one of the most verbal and brave souls amongst them.  Would I be like Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, & Abednego (only a feminine version)? 
I know that my body reacts terribly to stress.
Then again Jesus' body reacted to a greater stress, and He is the example I want to follow.  I need to fix my eyes on Him (Hebrews 12:2-3). 

So, let's not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary (Galatians 6:9).

I need to love lost sinners, as the only good that is seen in me is really Christ's work and I have no righteousness of my own.

Murderers, homosexuals, gossips, fornicators, adulterers, thieves, liars,  etc. ....those behaviors are not found in the Kingdom of Heaven. 
We also know that such were some of us (Christians), but we were washed (cleansed) by the blood of Christ.  We weren't saved to continue in those sins, but we should see a change wrought in us.  God changes us, and we desire to obey Him.

So, we should have love and compassion though they mock us and prosecute us.

So, let us go out to Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach.
For here we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking the city which is to come.
Hebrews 13:13-14 NASB

Grace To You has a new Bible app!
This should be great for those who like to have access to some great teaching when they are out and about.

Turmoil & Love of the Brethren

There are so many things going on in the world that are stressful. 

Earthquakes, tornadoes, unrest between people, drought, persecution, and apostasy.

Conflicts without and fears within. 

 

If you are Christ's and you are depressed, God is the Comforter of the depressed.  If we are suffering, God will never forsake us as His children.   It's easy to despair if we forget God is working the best for us and that Heaven will be more joyous for those who have been purified and perfected by trials.

 

Sometimes conflicts come from other brothers and sisters in Christ.  Sometimes confrontation is necessary when there is sin and error, but other times we wound each other forgetting that we are all in a process of sanctification.  While we must not compromise Biblical doctrine and false teachers must be called out (especially by church leaders), we can't forget that there are true Christians who are at different levels of spiritual growth.   It may be hard for us to remember Galatians 6:1 even in the times when someone does sin.   We hurt the reputation of Christ in the world bickering about eschatology, Theonomy, etc.  It isn't that those things aren't important, and individual churches should have people willing to be united in their teaching to prevent factions. 

The internet is another world, but even at that - all true Christians should be united on the essentials of the Gospel. 

Sadly, many people do not know what the essentials are and are tossed to and fro, while others act like things are essential that aren't. 

 

People are sinners, and Christians are sinners that have been forgiven by God and in need of patience and grace from God and by other Christians.  I struggle with and strive to forgive other believers.  Christ has forgiven me, and while I may feel I have much knowledge - I still wonder at God not giving up on me with all my sinfulness.  I have a long ways to go in the process of being conformed to Christ's image in my character and in my thoughts.

 

How much do I love enemies?  Sometimes we treat other Christians as enemies when we shouldn't. 

 

Recently I was reminded to pray for enemies, and it helped me in my conversations on Twitter with those who call themselves "atheists."  You actually begin to care about those you pray for.

 

As Christians, did we always know as much as we know now, and in twenty years will we look back and have no mercy on our old selves?

Knowledge can puff up, but love edifies. 

One may say they have love, but they lack knowledge.  Another may have all doctrine right, but if they don't live it and love others they will separate themselves and fall into disobedience.

 

Recently, I was able to do some hobby things when my hands were feeling up to it.

I did some bead hat bands and this painting.  I decided to share the painting with those who look at my blog.

 

 

Are You One of The 15?

Well-known individuals who post and do things publicly should not expect to avoid scrutiny, questions or correction.   The Bible tells us that he who hates correction is stupid and better are the wounds of a friend than the kisses of an enemy. 

While I was not involved in the effort to get "Christian" stores to stop selling heresy, it has often bothered me that they are leading so many astray by the false teaching that they promulgate.
Christians need to stand up and address these issues just as the reformers stood up against heresy in their day.  The distinctions get blurry once people start to compromise.  Do those of us as Christians worship God or popular authors and teachers?  What did Jesus do when He saw the corruption of moneychangers in the temple?  Was He not angry?  There is such a thing as righteous anger, and those who lead people astray will not be ignored by God.
 I plan to not buy from "Christian" bookstores that intentionally sell heresy and profit from it anymore.  Lifeway & CBD (Christianbook.com) both sell these kinds of materials. I'd rather buy from a non-Christian company who doesn't pretend.  I'm hoping that people will come up with a list of offending bookstores.

"but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck, and to be drowned in the depth of the sea."
Matthew 18:6

I was recently disappointed to see a post by John Piper in which he compared Catholics to Christians in such a way as to blur distinctions.  While I tend to want to believe the best about people and would not question his being a Christian, he has allowed himself to be influenced by and befriended by people who are in error.  I realize that it is possible that Piper did not intend to give credence to Catholicism, but his recent tweet was upsetting and of great concern.  People already are forgetting the reasons for the Reformation and that Catholics are not brothers of Christians without saying this:

@JohnPiper mentions the Pope-- & the same 15 Calvinists who are mad at everyone-- for everything-- are outraged. Again. #SMH
— Ed Stetzer (@edstetzer) December 23, 2014

Since my first response was more indirect, I sent a direct tweet to John Piper yesterday.

@JohnPiper Many Christians are concerned about your Dec 22 tweet about the Pope. Would you clarify your view of Catholicism?
— K T (@KTinHills) December 29, 2014

Who are #the15?  Anybody who stands up for Biblical clarity and truth.  Anybody who dares to point out error, inconsistency, or even sin in a "Christian" business or pastor.
Yes, reproof and correction should be done in a spirit of gentleness, humility and love. 
The goal is not just to blast people out of the water but to restore those who are true believers.
We are to be angry and sin not.  Sometimes anger for the sake of the Gospel and truth is necessary such as Paul confronting Peter and Jesus confronting leaders.  Our zeal should be for God's glory...not to call names and be quarrelsome.  Hypocrisy and true heresy should not be ignored if we love God and His people.

You can find more about #the15 on Twitter by the hashtag or follow @_the15 there.

Believers Baptism Vs. Infant Baptism / Debate & Love

Recently we listened to a debate online on credobaptism (believers baptism) & paedobaptism (infant baptism) that included John MacArthur & R.C. Sproul.

I have some people I consider friends online that hold to paedobaptism who are reformed Presbyterians, but I believe in credobaptism.  

The debate (scroll down a ways to get to the audio or links depending on your browser) did not change my mind about the Bible, but I did appreciate the civil nature that often seems to be lacking in discussions on this subject.
I know that we all hold strong views of our understanding of Scripture, and when we care about people we want them to have the same beliefs that we do.

I have determined in recent times to try to show love and grace toward people that I disagree with on this subject.   I can't promise perfection though!  For either side it puts people off when a respected pastor is attacked or when people call each other sinners when both sides agree that physical baptism does not save / justify.  Disagreements can be polite, can't they?

For the record, I waited until I was 17 to be baptized.  I could have been baptized earlier, but I do think that a lot of churches I've been to make baptism overly intimidating (which it shouldn't be).   They want to interview you which makes you feel like you have to be worthy to be baptized (or have taken a class & made sure you have a testimony they are satisfied with).  I understand that they want to see that you understand what the Gospel is, but they could just ask that.
I felt like my testimony wasn't good enough, because I became a Christian as a young child.  I struggled with sin even as a believer.  My faith has grown over the years, but I have also had times of doubt (because of sin & later long after baptism also getting my focus off God onto what critics say). 
After awhile I felt guilty for waiting so long to be baptized.  So, even as a credobaptist I believe that churches should baptize young children who have professed faith (and weren't forced into it).

I cried the evening I got baptized.  I had memorized what I was going to say (which I would have said differently if it was now and not then).  They were having us practice and mine didn't sound like what I thought they expected of me.  (I did not enjoy making speeches in front of people either even when I had to for school - at one of the times when I wasn't being homeschooled.  I'm not good at it and am rather shy.)

To my reformed Presbyterian friends: I hope that you will also show me Christian love and grace and not attack my former pastor John MacArthur, Jr. within my view or hearing.   
I was willing to listen to both sides, so perhaps you will appreciate that.
I certainly appreciate you and have respect for you guys.
Thank you!

Part 1:  Believers Baptism - John MacArthur
http://www.ligonier.org/learn/series/baptism_debate/credo-baptist-position/?format=audio
 

Part 2: Infant Baptism - R.C. Sproul
 http://www.ligonier.org/learn/series/baptism_debate/historic-paedo-baptist-position/

For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh.
But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God. 
Romans 2:28-29 NASB

For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. 
Galatians 6:15 NASB