Heb 13:17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
The word obey in this verse carries the idea of trust being persuaded by an authority, and to make friends with that authority. Hence when we are told obey them we are in essence being asked to trust them explicitly and to rely on their judgment in matters of the soul.
The phrase rule over is the idea of leadership. The idea is not of a boss and employee relationships especially when coupled with the idea of obey. It is in reality an expression of two very close friends traveling together to a place one of them has already been or across a terrain that one of them is more skilled to transverse. Hence, one of them will take the lead.
You in this instance is not a singular you. The you of this verse is a you of plurality meaning not just one person but all who might fall under that person. Here is the indication that it is a family matter.
Submit yourself is the idea of yielding. I watched a movie once where the police were tracking a fugitive with dogs. One officer was ahead of the dogs and began slipping on the muddy terrain. The dog handler asked him to move back so that he did not spoil the scent. The dog handler wanted the dogs to be able to smell clearly the path they should take. Likewise, when we yield to the leadership of those best equipped and gifted we do not “spoil the scent” that leads to God’s glory.
Why are we to do this? We are to do all that has been mentioned because they watch for our souls. In the original language of scripture this means they spent countless nights in a state of sleeplessness in earnest concern and prayer for your entire life and its eternal state of reward. As a pastor I know this to be true and many nights when sleep does come it comes in intermittent spurts and never really sinks to the deep level of rest.
The reason for this sleeplessness is because they understand that they must give an account for how they tried to persuade you, influence you, guide you, to the truth of how they could best glorify God. Sometimes this means begging God for the special revelation of dormant gifts or the wisdom of how to tweak of gift without discouraging you.
The more yielded you are to this way of leadership the easier it will be for your leaders. Remember our dog handler? I wonder how frustrated he would be if that officer never yielded to those best equipped to track the fugitive. How frustrated would you be if you were the dog handler? That frustration is exactly what is meant with the phrase grievous. It is to sigh in exasperation over a situation. I wonder how many people realize that when only a handful of people heed the sermon of the pastor and the majority do not that they are frustrating and spoiling the scent of their entire church to get to God’s glory.
So, the next time you see a pastor tired, run down, care worn, and doing their best to be upbeat and their for everyone do not criticize them. Instead pray and ask God if you are the one who is in a state of spoiling the scent. If you are not, then would you pray for those who are to realize this important point? If you are…then God says could you move aside and let my guys do their job?
Friday, July 27, 2007
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Gossip
Lev 19:16 Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour; I am the LORD.
Pro 11:13 A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.
Pro 18:8 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
Pro 20:19 He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.
Pro 26:20 Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.
Today most people have lost the real concept of what gossip is in the biblical sense. We have adopted the idea that gossip is a shadow of the truth or an outright lie, but this not the case at all. God’s word reveals to us what gossip is and how it affects the lives of people. His word also tells us how to deal with a gossip.
A gossip according to Proverbs 11:13 is a person who reveals secrets. This person is not trustworthy. Notice the contrasting junction within the verse and how it then indicates that talebearer/gossip is the opposite of the person who is classified as a faithful spirit. Therefore, any divulgence of a secret to anyone and any discussion of that secret with anyone, other than the personal source, is considered gossip by God. When I say personal source I am indicating not the person who told you but whom the secret concerns. It would not do well for me to discuss a secret that John Doe told me about Jane Smith with John Doe. The reason this not well is because I had no business in the original matter. Even if I had part in the original matter I can only confide my personal involvement with whom I choose and discuss the matter in full length with anyone except those who are either involved, witnesses, or authorities. Otherwise I become a talebearer myself.
We have some other strong characteristics of this person the gossip revealed to us by God. This person is usually a seemingly sincere and well meaning person who for the life of them cannot keep out of others lives. With flattering speech and with intentions that appear helpful that gain your trust and you confide in them. This is how the extract information from various sources and become a hub of information rather than a safe that stores information. This person will also generally go up and down looking for someone to either extract information from or someone to share information with despite God’s commands in Leviticus 19:16. This person cannot live their lives without the need know things about other people or what is going on around them, though it does not involve them.
Now, when the person whose confidence has been broken a fire is ignited and they are deeply wounded by one who they thought they could trust. Therefore, God gives us the best advice on how to handle this person. He tells us to have nothing to do with them. Here is the time when God says avoid a person, not be rude to them, but to not invest your time with them.
With this in mind be careful who you confide your secrets. Do not confide them with someone who has shared others secrets with you for they will go looking for someone they can share your secret. The only way to stop this destructive behavior in our churches is to stop the gossips from having information. Where there is no wood there is no fire. So let each of us take care to cease being the wood that fuels their fires and stand strong in obedience to God. If we all do this then maybe they will repent and let God change their nature.
Pro 11:13 A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.
Pro 18:8 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
Pro 20:19 He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.
Pro 26:20 Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.
Today most people have lost the real concept of what gossip is in the biblical sense. We have adopted the idea that gossip is a shadow of the truth or an outright lie, but this not the case at all. God’s word reveals to us what gossip is and how it affects the lives of people. His word also tells us how to deal with a gossip.
A gossip according to Proverbs 11:13 is a person who reveals secrets. This person is not trustworthy. Notice the contrasting junction within the verse and how it then indicates that talebearer/gossip is the opposite of the person who is classified as a faithful spirit. Therefore, any divulgence of a secret to anyone and any discussion of that secret with anyone, other than the personal source, is considered gossip by God. When I say personal source I am indicating not the person who told you but whom the secret concerns. It would not do well for me to discuss a secret that John Doe told me about Jane Smith with John Doe. The reason this not well is because I had no business in the original matter. Even if I had part in the original matter I can only confide my personal involvement with whom I choose and discuss the matter in full length with anyone except those who are either involved, witnesses, or authorities. Otherwise I become a talebearer myself.
We have some other strong characteristics of this person the gossip revealed to us by God. This person is usually a seemingly sincere and well meaning person who for the life of them cannot keep out of others lives. With flattering speech and with intentions that appear helpful that gain your trust and you confide in them. This is how the extract information from various sources and become a hub of information rather than a safe that stores information. This person will also generally go up and down looking for someone to either extract information from or someone to share information with despite God’s commands in Leviticus 19:16. This person cannot live their lives without the need know things about other people or what is going on around them, though it does not involve them.
Now, when the person whose confidence has been broken a fire is ignited and they are deeply wounded by one who they thought they could trust. Therefore, God gives us the best advice on how to handle this person. He tells us to have nothing to do with them. Here is the time when God says avoid a person, not be rude to them, but to not invest your time with them.
With this in mind be careful who you confide your secrets. Do not confide them with someone who has shared others secrets with you for they will go looking for someone they can share your secret. The only way to stop this destructive behavior in our churches is to stop the gossips from having information. Where there is no wood there is no fire. So let each of us take care to cease being the wood that fuels their fires and stand strong in obedience to God. If we all do this then maybe they will repent and let God change their nature.
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
David and Christ
1Sa 16:1 And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons…..
1Sa 16:6 And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the LORD's anointed is before him.
1Sa 16:7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart……
1Sa 16:11 And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither.
1Sa 16:12 And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he.
I was reading today from a book that Jordan Jackson kindly bought me. I hardly ever read the introduction areas of a book. Instead I normally choose to dive right into the chapters. I am generally impatient with the “background information.” However, I felt compelled to read the introductory stuff in this book. The author was making a case for the background of why Christ came to Earth and His mission on earth. He stated in the political realm the people were looking for the Messiah to come and deliver them from the dominion of Rome. Therefore, they did not understand how one could announce the Kingdom was at hand and then not take the throne but live a life of servitude and suffering. They were unaware of the Messiah’s government being established in two separate phases. This made me think of David and his early years.
David was anointed as the King of Israel at a young age. He was not what the people would have chosen for their king. Indeed they had already chosen their leader, Saul. David was not who Samuel thought the Lord would chose for he was dismayed after all of David’s older brothers had passed before him and the king had not been revealed by God. Even David’s father thought so little of David that he left him in the field caring for the sheep. How could one who came from such humble backgrounds be the chosen one who would lead Israel into a time of greatness? Thing now of Christ’s humble beginnings in an impoverished home, in a city of no significance, and to a mother and adopted father (a carpenter) who held little majesty. Yet these lives show that God elevates the humble and puts down the proud. Never let anyone judge you as insignificant based upon any of your background information.
After being anoint king, David killed Goliath, became a leading general in Saul’s Army, became hated by Saul because he behaved himself wisely, and eventually an outcast of Jewish society. Likewise Christ operating under the power of the Holy Spirit became the slayer of sickness, disease, and death all under the watchful eye of the Jewish leaders. He behaved himself wisely and displayed their wisdom to be foolishness and was therefore, cast from the mainstream of society. Eventually Christ, unlike David, would be put to death, by His own submission, on a cross.
After David’s time as an outcast he became king to a small minority of Israel. His authority and kingship was accepted by two of the ten tribes. Likewise, even now Christ is accepted as king by only a minority of people. However, like the time of David’s acceptance by all of Israel, there will come a time when every knee shall bow to Christ in acceptance and recognition of His exalted position. Then like with Israel and David, the best will come into view.
I just wanted to share some thoughts on similarities between David and Christ. I pray that you find yourself as a minority in the Kingdom. I pray that because of your obedience to the King you are being rewarded as a faithful servant. I also pray that your service is such that when Christ arrives in full power and glory you will be counted, like those who served David in the rough years, a mighty man of valor.
1Sa 16:6 And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the LORD's anointed is before him.
1Sa 16:7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart……
1Sa 16:11 And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither.
1Sa 16:12 And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he.
I was reading today from a book that Jordan Jackson kindly bought me. I hardly ever read the introduction areas of a book. Instead I normally choose to dive right into the chapters. I am generally impatient with the “background information.” However, I felt compelled to read the introductory stuff in this book. The author was making a case for the background of why Christ came to Earth and His mission on earth. He stated in the political realm the people were looking for the Messiah to come and deliver them from the dominion of Rome. Therefore, they did not understand how one could announce the Kingdom was at hand and then not take the throne but live a life of servitude and suffering. They were unaware of the Messiah’s government being established in two separate phases. This made me think of David and his early years.
David was anointed as the King of Israel at a young age. He was not what the people would have chosen for their king. Indeed they had already chosen their leader, Saul. David was not who Samuel thought the Lord would chose for he was dismayed after all of David’s older brothers had passed before him and the king had not been revealed by God. Even David’s father thought so little of David that he left him in the field caring for the sheep. How could one who came from such humble backgrounds be the chosen one who would lead Israel into a time of greatness? Thing now of Christ’s humble beginnings in an impoverished home, in a city of no significance, and to a mother and adopted father (a carpenter) who held little majesty. Yet these lives show that God elevates the humble and puts down the proud. Never let anyone judge you as insignificant based upon any of your background information.
After being anoint king, David killed Goliath, became a leading general in Saul’s Army, became hated by Saul because he behaved himself wisely, and eventually an outcast of Jewish society. Likewise Christ operating under the power of the Holy Spirit became the slayer of sickness, disease, and death all under the watchful eye of the Jewish leaders. He behaved himself wisely and displayed their wisdom to be foolishness and was therefore, cast from the mainstream of society. Eventually Christ, unlike David, would be put to death, by His own submission, on a cross.
After David’s time as an outcast he became king to a small minority of Israel. His authority and kingship was accepted by two of the ten tribes. Likewise, even now Christ is accepted as king by only a minority of people. However, like the time of David’s acceptance by all of Israel, there will come a time when every knee shall bow to Christ in acceptance and recognition of His exalted position. Then like with Israel and David, the best will come into view.
I just wanted to share some thoughts on similarities between David and Christ. I pray that you find yourself as a minority in the Kingdom. I pray that because of your obedience to the King you are being rewarded as a faithful servant. I also pray that your service is such that when Christ arrives in full power and glory you will be counted, like those who served David in the rough years, a mighty man of valor.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
How Do I Know I Am Saved?
I was saved at an early age. I was 7 when I began my journey with Christ. I recall that morning in October, 1979, well. Gary Misner asked me to take the “Nestea Plunge” to demonstrate to kids in children’s church what faith is and how we must absolutely trust Christ. No works, no religious experience, nothing of our imagination, we must trust salvation as Christ offers salvation in Him and Him alone. We must trust that He will take our sins from us and help us to begin a life walking away from sin instead of embracing and pursuing sin. For this 7 year old that was the day I heard Christ saying I want to be your savior and I said I want you to be my savior.
However, still having a sin nature I fell into some serious sin growing up. I became so desensitized to God’s voice that I almost ceased to hear His voice. Overtime through His leading I landed in Germany. This time of my life brought many questions, including the question of salvation. Was I saved? During this time of struggle my pastor taught us some of the indicators of salvation. It was through these indicators that I gained assurance of my salvation at the age of 7. Perhaps some of you are dealing with questions of doubt. I hope one of these indicators will help you resolve the issue. There is no number to number 5 in this list. Anyone may be present or absent, to the unlearned heart, mind, and eye, and not one is a definitive yes or no determination of salvation. In the end we know that our heart will judge us wrongly but there is one greater than our heart who is the true and only qualified judge.
The first indicator I will list is the fact that a developing Christian will begin to practice obedience.
1Jo 5:1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. 1Jo 5:2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. 1Jo 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. 1Jo 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 1Jo 5:5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
So now the question is your life characterized by active obedience to God? Even in the years of shadowy doubt there was always this draw and desire to choose the path that did not lead down sin. At times this was easier and times harder depending upon the stronghold of sin that was being battled. If I was more given to certain sin then often I lost that battle. If I was not so inclined toward a sin then victory was achieved (for the most part). However, this is the comfort of assurance, there was a battle. You need to worry when there is no battle or remorseful guilt that follows.
The second indicator I will list is that the developing Christian begins to love fellow Christians.
1Jo 3:14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.
For me this was not an easy task. I had to be taught how to love others. Love does not come natural to everyone. Some of us have reasons, of our mind, why we do not love people. Fear of being hurt and rejected was my reason. However, as time passed and as I prayed I began to tolerate people, and then to like people, then love people in a self-centered manner, and now finally I am beginning to love even those who may not love, like, or tolerate me. This is an indicator that is also a developed indicator. However, I trust that the true believer will find themselves in the most infant stage wanting and desiring to trust people even if they are not ready to make that outward movement.
Another indicator of salvation is that a person begins to hear and follow Christ’s voice. Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice.” This is to say that as we approach former sinful lusts something kicks in and says, “Wrong.” This is the reason for the previously discussed battle. Perhaps you like Samuel did not realize that this was the voice of Christ through the Holy Spirit guiding you. Learn to still yourself and become sensitive to hearing that voice and then learn to trust and follow that voice to a joyous life.
One last indicator of many that could be named and analyzed is the ability to overcome the world’s philosophies.
1Jo 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
Here it is simply stated that a true believer will become victorious over the world’s ideas. This is best seen in the internal struggle between the flesh and the spirit. We begin to hear truths from God’s Word and wonder if it is true. Before Christ it could be dismissed and ignored but now for some reason you cannot get it out of your head. This internal struggle is an indication of the Holy Spirit’s presence. Couple this with the idea that at times these truths pop back into your head proving that Satan has lost his power to snatch away that which is planted.
Finally, understand that a new creature (2 Corinthians 5:17) in Christ you will develop as your mind is renewed and your actions are transformed. Also take peace in knowing that those who have repented and trusted Christ and are not achieving as much as someone else need not worry. Ephesians states that He who began this good work within you (saved you) is also the one who completes that work.
So are you saved? I am by God’s grace and faith in Christ.
However, still having a sin nature I fell into some serious sin growing up. I became so desensitized to God’s voice that I almost ceased to hear His voice. Overtime through His leading I landed in Germany. This time of my life brought many questions, including the question of salvation. Was I saved? During this time of struggle my pastor taught us some of the indicators of salvation. It was through these indicators that I gained assurance of my salvation at the age of 7. Perhaps some of you are dealing with questions of doubt. I hope one of these indicators will help you resolve the issue. There is no number to number 5 in this list. Anyone may be present or absent, to the unlearned heart, mind, and eye, and not one is a definitive yes or no determination of salvation. In the end we know that our heart will judge us wrongly but there is one greater than our heart who is the true and only qualified judge.
The first indicator I will list is the fact that a developing Christian will begin to practice obedience.
1Jo 5:1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. 1Jo 5:2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. 1Jo 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. 1Jo 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 1Jo 5:5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
So now the question is your life characterized by active obedience to God? Even in the years of shadowy doubt there was always this draw and desire to choose the path that did not lead down sin. At times this was easier and times harder depending upon the stronghold of sin that was being battled. If I was more given to certain sin then often I lost that battle. If I was not so inclined toward a sin then victory was achieved (for the most part). However, this is the comfort of assurance, there was a battle. You need to worry when there is no battle or remorseful guilt that follows.
The second indicator I will list is that the developing Christian begins to love fellow Christians.
1Jo 3:14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.
For me this was not an easy task. I had to be taught how to love others. Love does not come natural to everyone. Some of us have reasons, of our mind, why we do not love people. Fear of being hurt and rejected was my reason. However, as time passed and as I prayed I began to tolerate people, and then to like people, then love people in a self-centered manner, and now finally I am beginning to love even those who may not love, like, or tolerate me. This is an indicator that is also a developed indicator. However, I trust that the true believer will find themselves in the most infant stage wanting and desiring to trust people even if they are not ready to make that outward movement.
Another indicator of salvation is that a person begins to hear and follow Christ’s voice. Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice.” This is to say that as we approach former sinful lusts something kicks in and says, “Wrong.” This is the reason for the previously discussed battle. Perhaps you like Samuel did not realize that this was the voice of Christ through the Holy Spirit guiding you. Learn to still yourself and become sensitive to hearing that voice and then learn to trust and follow that voice to a joyous life.
One last indicator of many that could be named and analyzed is the ability to overcome the world’s philosophies.
1Jo 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
Here it is simply stated that a true believer will become victorious over the world’s ideas. This is best seen in the internal struggle between the flesh and the spirit. We begin to hear truths from God’s Word and wonder if it is true. Before Christ it could be dismissed and ignored but now for some reason you cannot get it out of your head. This internal struggle is an indication of the Holy Spirit’s presence. Couple this with the idea that at times these truths pop back into your head proving that Satan has lost his power to snatch away that which is planted.
Finally, understand that a new creature (2 Corinthians 5:17) in Christ you will develop as your mind is renewed and your actions are transformed. Also take peace in knowing that those who have repented and trusted Christ and are not achieving as much as someone else need not worry. Ephesians states that He who began this good work within you (saved you) is also the one who completes that work.
So are you saved? I am by God’s grace and faith in Christ.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Who Are You Restricting In Worship?
Mar 9:34 But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest.
Mar 9:35 And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.
Mar 9:36 And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them,
Mar 9:37 Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.
Mar 9:38 And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us.
Mar 9:39 But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me.
Mar 9:40 For he that is not against us is on our part.
Mar 9:41 For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.
Mar 9:42 And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.
There is a great concern for Christians in these verses. The idea of this verse is that where you serve and with whom you serve is not as important as whom you serve. There are two things we must realize in connection with this idea.
The first thing is that our idea of service is not the best way of service for all people. Here we have the diverse group of apostles being corrected for believing that their way of service was the only way to serve Christ. Christ was very specific in stressing that we are not to judge, restrict, or hinder another servants service to him because they are performing that service in a way that does not align with our ideas. When we reject these people we are not receiving one of these little ones in His name and we are in essence rejecting Christ. All who profess Christ are a part of His body and we cannot reject a portion of His body without rejecting Him. Do we serve only a portion of Christ? To do this is to join the Pharisees in prescribing worship based upon tradition and not Holy Spirit guidance.
The second thing is that our idea of service is not more important than the spiritual growth of the other person. The idea of offending one of these little ones is to say that anyone who comes behind you is one of these little ones. We are to be very careful about harming their growth or desire for growth. We do not allow sin when it is sin but is not sin to perform a service to Christ in a way that we would not perform the very same service. You see Christ did not dwell outwardly as the apostles when they were concerned that they do not walk with us. Christ said leave them alone because they do walk with us in spirit and truth. After all did He not say this is how the true believers would worship Him?
Therefore, let us take care to worship and serve Christ as God leads. Let us take equal care to not hinder those who are different. After all Jesus chose twelve diverse men to get this point across and He is still forming the body as He chooses despite the wishes of the 21st Century Pharisees.
Mar 9:35 And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.
Mar 9:36 And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them,
Mar 9:37 Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.
Mar 9:38 And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us.
Mar 9:39 But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me.
Mar 9:40 For he that is not against us is on our part.
Mar 9:41 For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.
Mar 9:42 And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.
There is a great concern for Christians in these verses. The idea of this verse is that where you serve and with whom you serve is not as important as whom you serve. There are two things we must realize in connection with this idea.
The first thing is that our idea of service is not the best way of service for all people. Here we have the diverse group of apostles being corrected for believing that their way of service was the only way to serve Christ. Christ was very specific in stressing that we are not to judge, restrict, or hinder another servants service to him because they are performing that service in a way that does not align with our ideas. When we reject these people we are not receiving one of these little ones in His name and we are in essence rejecting Christ. All who profess Christ are a part of His body and we cannot reject a portion of His body without rejecting Him. Do we serve only a portion of Christ? To do this is to join the Pharisees in prescribing worship based upon tradition and not Holy Spirit guidance.
The second thing is that our idea of service is not more important than the spiritual growth of the other person. The idea of offending one of these little ones is to say that anyone who comes behind you is one of these little ones. We are to be very careful about harming their growth or desire for growth. We do not allow sin when it is sin but is not sin to perform a service to Christ in a way that we would not perform the very same service. You see Christ did not dwell outwardly as the apostles when they were concerned that they do not walk with us. Christ said leave them alone because they do walk with us in spirit and truth. After all did He not say this is how the true believers would worship Him?
Therefore, let us take care to worship and serve Christ as God leads. Let us take equal care to not hinder those who are different. After all Jesus chose twelve diverse men to get this point across and He is still forming the body as He chooses despite the wishes of the 21st Century Pharisees.
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