I have a book by N. T. Wright called Simply Christian. My favorite part of the book (and the reason I bought it) is the title. Simply Christian. In an age of complicated and diverse denominational Christianity, simply being a Christian is quite appealing to me. But what does it mean to be simply Christian?
First, it means that I can state quite clearly, “I am a Christian.” I don’t need three or more qualifiers to nail down what I am. Some people have to be described with terms like Protestant, Evangelical or Reformed for you to get an idea of what kind of Christian they are. They might also attach a denominational label to further describe themselves. Jesus didn’t call us to be a part of anything other than the church He would build (Mat. 16:18— “I will build My church”). We’re simply called to be His disciples, His followers, Christians (Acts 11:26— And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians).
Second, it means that I am adhering to the religion Christ established. Some folks need additional official documents and books (creeds, books of order, etc.) to describe what their religion is all about—what they believe, the things they do to express their devotion to Christ, and even how to go about doing it all. Those who are simply Christians only need the Book that contains the word of Christ (John 8:31— “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples”). They are only concerned with keeping His commands (1 John 2:3—And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments).
Wouldn’t it be nice if everyone decided to be simply Christian? It’s possible. That’s how it was in the beginning.
Read the book of Acts. It contains the history of the first Christians. As you read, ask some important questions about them: How did they become Christians? What were they called? What did they do? You’ll notice how they didn’t complicate things. Those who believed in Jesus, repented of their sins and were baptized in to Him for the forgiveness of their sins were counted among the disciples of Christ, added to His church. They were only what Christ had called them to be through the gospel.
Are you simply Christian?
Monday, April 28, 2008
Sunday, April 20, 2008
"Have Thine Own Way"
Today was a good day.
There's something about Sundays that make me feel refreshed and drained all at the same time. It's hard to explain. I pour myself out in preaching the word, but I seem to fill up more on the wonderful truths of who I am in Christ all at the same time. I have this intriguing way of pondering the full weight of a text I've spent the week studying while I'm preaching it. God's word is amazing in that regard.
I've gone through phases in my life where worship had to be done in a certain way for me to be fulfilled. Usually it had something to do with what songs were sung. It's the wrong way to approach worship. Worship is not simply about what we do but why we're doing it and for Whom we're doing it, too. Thankfully, I've grown beyond that juvenile way of approaching worship ... for good, I hope.
I cannot remember a period of worship in the recent past that wasn't refreshing and stimulating to my faith. There's seldom an occasion (if ever...I can't really remember any) in which a song doesn't adequately express my praise to God or encourage me in my devotion to Him.
What's important about this is we're not singing new songs I've never heard before or never thought about their meanings. Most of the songs are quite old. Many of them I've sung nearly all my life. Those old dudes (and dudettes) actually wrote some beautiful pieces of poetry that are able to stir us up to love and good deeds.
Today's hymn was "Have Thine Own Way." That's what I really want in life ... until my way seems more logical or beneficial. Surrending to the will of the Potter in all things, in every part of my life, is a constant struggle I have. The more I see in His word how He wants to shape me the more I realize I'm an unfinished product. So when we sing this song it moves me to want to surrender more and more to His will in my life. It's not sentimentality; it's stirring up by way of reminder.
It's not about the age of the song, and many times it's not even about the theme of the song. It's about the words and about my heart. I like the challege of being able to worship the Lord--meaning what I'm singing or saying--even if the same words have crossed my lips a hundred times before. "Have Thine Own Way" is never get old to me.
Today was a good day.
There's something about Sundays that make me feel refreshed and drained all at the same time. It's hard to explain. I pour myself out in preaching the word, but I seem to fill up more on the wonderful truths of who I am in Christ all at the same time. I have this intriguing way of pondering the full weight of a text I've spent the week studying while I'm preaching it. God's word is amazing in that regard.
I've gone through phases in my life where worship had to be done in a certain way for me to be fulfilled. Usually it had something to do with what songs were sung. It's the wrong way to approach worship. Worship is not simply about what we do but why we're doing it and for Whom we're doing it, too. Thankfully, I've grown beyond that juvenile way of approaching worship ... for good, I hope.
I cannot remember a period of worship in the recent past that wasn't refreshing and stimulating to my faith. There's seldom an occasion (if ever...I can't really remember any) in which a song doesn't adequately express my praise to God or encourage me in my devotion to Him.
What's important about this is we're not singing new songs I've never heard before or never thought about their meanings. Most of the songs are quite old. Many of them I've sung nearly all my life. Those old dudes (and dudettes) actually wrote some beautiful pieces of poetry that are able to stir us up to love and good deeds.
Today's hymn was "Have Thine Own Way." That's what I really want in life ... until my way seems more logical or beneficial. Surrending to the will of the Potter in all things, in every part of my life, is a constant struggle I have. The more I see in His word how He wants to shape me the more I realize I'm an unfinished product. So when we sing this song it moves me to want to surrender more and more to His will in my life. It's not sentimentality; it's stirring up by way of reminder.
It's not about the age of the song, and many times it's not even about the theme of the song. It's about the words and about my heart. I like the challege of being able to worship the Lord--meaning what I'm singing or saying--even if the same words have crossed my lips a hundred times before. "Have Thine Own Way" is never get old to me.
Today was a good day.
Friday, April 18, 2008
A Non-Issue?
Instrumental music is a "non-issue." It is? Why are people talking about it so much? Oh...I remember...some churches have started introducing it into their worship assemblies. Ironically, the folks introducing it are the ones who refer to it as a "non-issue." Shame on them for making a "non-issue" a very lively one.
It's actually been a lively issue for some time. The way people were desensitized to the use of instrumental music in worship assemblies was to talk about it being a "non-issue" for years before they ever made it one. Of course, they wanted full fellowship with those who were already using it, which is how the "non-issue" thing reappeared after nearly a century of not being heard.
Alas! As long as people keep on making it an issue by introducing it into congregations where it used to be abhorred, it will continue to be one of the "non-issue" issues.
It's actually been a lively issue for some time. The way people were desensitized to the use of instrumental music in worship assemblies was to talk about it being a "non-issue" for years before they ever made it one. Of course, they wanted full fellowship with those who were already using it, which is how the "non-issue" thing reappeared after nearly a century of not being heard.
Alas! As long as people keep on making it an issue by introducing it into congregations where it used to be abhorred, it will continue to be one of the "non-issue" issues.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
BETTER TO OBEY
Why can't people get it? It's not that difficult, is it? God wants obedience.
How much clearer could he make it than what He said to Saul through Samuel?
So many folks these days seem to think that God will take anything in worship they offer. He won't. He never has. Never will.
He wants a heart of obedience. This is the heart that seeks after Him and desires fellowship with Him.
Did He ask for it? That should be the standard when approaching questions related to worship. Otherwise, we'll be making dangerous presumptions.
I don't get all of this rush to use instrumental music in some Churches of Christ. God never asked for it. He asked for us to sing from the heart. Why do folks feel the need to add to what God said? Some obviously feel like they can do God's will better by doing more than what He said.
"Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice."
How much clearer could he make it than what He said to Saul through Samuel?
"Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices,
as in obeying the voice of the LORD?
Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,
and to listen than the fat of rams.
For rebellion is as the sin of divination,
and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry" (1 Sam. 15:22-23a).
So many folks these days seem to think that God will take anything in worship they offer. He won't. He never has. Never will.
He wants a heart of obedience. This is the heart that seeks after Him and desires fellowship with Him.
Did He ask for it? That should be the standard when approaching questions related to worship. Otherwise, we'll be making dangerous presumptions.
I don't get all of this rush to use instrumental music in some Churches of Christ. God never asked for it. He asked for us to sing from the heart. Why do folks feel the need to add to what God said? Some obviously feel like they can do God's will better by doing more than what He said.
"Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice."
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