Sin

Not everyone wants to hear the truth. They will rally against Christian truth-tellers. They will accuse them of being unchristianlike. No one likes to hear that they what they do is a sin. Well, Jesus was a truth-teller. He did not condone sin as some would have us believe. He was not a pushover as some would have us think.

Remember the money changer's tables in the temple that he turned over and then drove those making a profit in God's house out of the temple with a whip? (Matt 21:12; Mark 11:15; John 2:14-15) How meek and mild does that sound?

If you think your pastor or teacher are acting in a manner not befitting a Christian because they call a sin a sin; think again, please. When was the last time one of them actually told you to "get behind me Satan" because you rejected the word and will of God? (Matt 16:21-23; Mark 8:31-38) I can just imagine the reaction if I said that to someone. I confess. I am a wimp. I have thought it. I have even implied it. But, never actually had the courage to use those words (except with a person or two very close to me).

And... please, don't bother using the story of the woman who had been brought before him accused of adultery. No, he did not condemn her. But, he not only confronted her with her sins when he told her to go and sin no more; he confronted the sins of the Scribes and Pharisees when he told them that the one who was without sin should cast the first stone. No one cast that first stone. (John 8:1-11) We are all sinners. That doesn't make sin something to be ignored. Jesus did not ignore it. We ought not ignore it in ourselves or anyone else.

Jesus did not ignore sin. He was tough on sin. In fact, he was so tough on sin that he was willing to hang on that cross for us so that sin would have no power over us. (1 Cor 15:56, 57) Bearing the sins of the world; now, that takes courage! (Rom 5:7-9) Jesus was and is no pushover and he does not call his followers to be, either. He spoke the truth. He lived the truth. He is the truth.

Jesus died for our sins; that is true. St. Paul wrote to the church: "What then are we to say? Should we continue in sin in order that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin go on living in it?  Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? (Rom 6:1-3) 

May God grant that we should acknowledge our sins and live so that we might glorify his holy name.

God's Peace - Pr. J

P.S. Before one accuses another Christian of being unchristianlike in order to justify our own sins; it would behoove us to read your Bibles thoroughly so that we get to know who Jesus really was and is and not just the verses we think might justify our own actions. Justification comes only through Jesus' death on the cross for you.

Matthew 21:12-13 - House of Prayer

"Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. 'It is written,' he said to them, 'My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it ‘a den of robbers.’” (Matt 21:12-13 NIV)

The story about Jesus throwing the money changers out of the temple has always made me just a little anxious. Small congregations (maybe large ones, too) often have fund-raisers to support their budgets. We sell stuff in order to pay the bills. Sometimes, these fund-raisers come in the form of meals or maybe art and craft fairs or even a rummage sale. I worry that maybe we're not trusting God to provide for us through the generosity of His children's offerings to Him and His work through the congregation. I am of the mind that anything that comes in to support God's work through the church should be a free-will offering to the glory of God and not an exchange for services. After all, when Jesus paid our debt on the cross, he did that freely and willingly. I guess, in today's economy, purchasing a product or service could be considered a way of supporting a congregation and mission. At least the world would see it that way. I'm not so sure God sees it that way. Even the U.S. Government does not consider that a charitable contribution. 

We do have traditional fund-raisers at Zion. I call them traditional because they have existed since long before I was born. Events like the Hunter's Supper, Women's Bazaar, or Ice Cream Social can be great times of fellowship and evangelism. I am always praying that everyone involved keeps the focus on welcoming our neighbors; rather than, primarily exchanging goods for money. For the last two summers, I have helped the youth organize a rummage sale at Zion for youth retreats. We do not put a price on anything, which makes the organizing a whole lot easier. We ask for donations of whatever one feels the items are worth to them and that they can afford. The results are very good, indeed. We also have fund-raisers, usually concerts, where proceeds go directly to other charitable organizations, such as St. Vincent De Paul, or Toys for Tots, or to support mission congregations in Russia. Members of the whole community provide the music as well as a light lunch for all of our guests following the concerts, again with no charge. These latter fund-raisers have no entrance fees; free-will offerings are suggested for the concert, but not imposed. The congregation usually over-flows into the narthex and the library with these events. These are wonderful opportunities to welcome and fellowship with our neighbors as we support those in need.

But, I am always on guard to keep the focus of "fund-raisers" on welcoming people to God's house, rather than selling. This is, after-all, a house of prayer. May God help us to continue trusting in Him alone for all our needs. May God help us to continue welcoming people into His house of prayer, in all that we might do for His glory.

God's Peace - Pr. J

P.S. All are welcome at Zion!

Jeremiah 7 - A Den of Robbers?

“‘Will you steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury, burn incense to Baal and follow other gods you have not known, and then come and stand before me in this house, which bears my Name, and say, 'We are safe'—safe to do all these detestable things? Has this house, which bears my Name, become a den of robbers to you? But I have been watching! declares the Lord.'" (Jer 7:9-12 NIV)

This lesson from Jeremiah reminds me of one of my favorite things on Facebook this past Advent Season. It was a picture of Jesus in the temple turning over the tables of the money changers. The caption said, "If anyone asks you, 'What would Jesus do?' Remind them that flipping over tables and chasing people with a whip is within the realm of possibilities." Just in case you doubt that Jesus would do this, see Matthew 21:12, Mark 11:15, or John 2:15.

So often we forget who God really is. Maybe, we never got to know Him in the first place. I have had way too many people tell me that they just can't believe in a God who is this grandfatherly figure who just adores His misbehaving children looking down over us from the clouds with this gentle smile on His face. Today and often, if we're reading the scriptures, we get a different picture. Of course, then I will probably hear that some can't believe in a God who is so violent that He would turn the tables over on the money changers or chase them with whips. 

It seems that there will always be a reason to not worship Him. There will always be another reason for not following in His Way. But, know this, according to the word given to Jeremiah, "But I have been watching! declares the LORD."  We are not safe to do all those detestable things. We have been saved from bondage to them, but we are not safe to do them. The LORD is watching. He does know which gods we serve. He does know whether we live honestly and with integrity. He knows how we treat our neighbors. Just saying.... 

God's Peace - Pr. J.