Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.--Ephesians 4:15-16 (ESV translation)
Jesus commanded his followers to love one another. (John 13:34) But not only is Christian love a duty, it is also like a steroid for Christ's body. The body (the church) "builds itself up in love." When I wonder why our churches seem stagnant, I have to answer there is not enough love. You really want to see church growth? Inject some love.
How do we apply this? Here's one way the early church did it: "There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need."--Acts 4:34-35 (ESV) Right now, American Christians have an excellent opportunity to love one another now by providing financial aid. How will we respond? I'm praying we take the steroid.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
President Obama
Last night was historic: a Black man was elected (by a landslide) to the most powerful position in America. How should Christians respond to this event?
1) With prayer. Prayer for President-elect Obama, prayer for our federation, prayer that the Gospel will spread during his reign. (Yes, I use the term reign in regard to presidents.)
2) With hope. President-elect Obama is a smart man who has great potential to benefit America. Not only that, but we can have real hope that we have put the stain of racism behind us. His pro-abortion positions are morally repulsive but thanks to the beauty of the Constitution, his power to apply those positions is very weak. It appears that Republicans (the more consistently but not perfectly pro-life party) will keep over 40 seats in the Senate. With more than 40, they can kill liberal legislation with a filibuster. There is no need to cry, "Save us, God!"--any more than usual, at least.
3) With a change in direction. Support for John McCain by Evangelicals was hypocritical: 8 years ago, he was anathema to conservative Christians. Not only that, it was not support of a great man but futile struggling against Obama. In the next election, we should try working towards pro-life policies, not against pro-death policies.
May God bless America and her new ruler.
1) With prayer. Prayer for President-elect Obama, prayer for our federation, prayer that the Gospel will spread during his reign. (Yes, I use the term reign in regard to presidents.)
2) With hope. President-elect Obama is a smart man who has great potential to benefit America. Not only that, but we can have real hope that we have put the stain of racism behind us. His pro-abortion positions are morally repulsive but thanks to the beauty of the Constitution, his power to apply those positions is very weak. It appears that Republicans (the more consistently but not perfectly pro-life party) will keep over 40 seats in the Senate. With more than 40, they can kill liberal legislation with a filibuster. There is no need to cry, "Save us, God!"--any more than usual, at least.
3) With a change in direction. Support for John McCain by Evangelicals was hypocritical: 8 years ago, he was anathema to conservative Christians. Not only that, it was not support of a great man but futile struggling against Obama. In the next election, we should try working towards pro-life policies, not against pro-death policies.
May God bless America and her new ruler.
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