Contend for the Faith
We started our look at the one-chapter epistles of the New Testament by highlighting the importance of truth. A Christian would point to the Word of God as the bedrock foundation of truth. It is from the Bible that we learn and understand the essential elements of the Lord God that define our human understanding of morality and ethics. Our culture, from the constitution of the United States to the legal code that guides our daily life and interaction with each other was founded upon the bedrock truth found only in the Bible.Today, the very definition of absolute truth has become relative. Rather than identifying what is absolute based on the unchangeable Word of God, our culture believes that absolutes can be defined and redefined to accommodate the needs and necessities of society. As a result, absolute truth (the Word of God) does not define and guide culture, culture defines and redefines what is absolute truth!The church is guilty of the same fallacy. Many Christians shy away from hard absolutes because our culture has painted such beliefs as extremist and hateful. Moreover, we have allowed our “pursuit of life, liberty, and happiness” to slowly silence the convicting voice of the Holy Spirit in our life. In a 2009 end-of-year perspective, Christian pollster George Barna noted that “only one-third (34 percent) of [American Christians] believe in absolute truth. This is down from 50 percent in a 2002 survey. The consequences of this slide into relativism within the church is startling. Barna observes,
Americans typically draw from a broad treasury of moral, spiritual and ethical sources of thought to concoct a uniquely personal brand of faith. Feeling freed from the boundaries established by the Christian faith, and immersed in a postmodern society which revels in participation, personal expression, satisfying relationships, and authentic experiences, we become our own unchallenged spiritual authorities, defining truth and reality as we see fit.
Consequently, more and more people are engaged in hybrid faiths, mixing elements from different historical eras and divergent theological perspectives. In some ways, we are creating the ultimate ecumenical movement, where nothing is deemed right or wrong, and all ideas, beliefs and practices are assigned equal validity. Everyone is invited to join the dialogue, enjoy the ride, and feel connected to a far-reaching community of believers. Screening or critiquing what that community believes is deemed rude and inappropriate. Pragmatism and relativism, rather than any sort of absolutism, has gained momentum.It is sobering to realize this is from 2009—six years ago—and the moral decay and confusion within our culture has accelerated at an increasingly alarming pace.This reality makes the warnings from Jude more critical than ever. Jude warns in explicit language that the teaching and acceptance of false teachers leads to destruction (Jude 13b). Jude encourages his readers to contend for the faith and to be people of faith, prayer, and the word. “But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life” (Jude 20-21).How can you tell if you have fallen prey to relativism, the false teaching of our age? Is the Bible your bedrock guide for how you live and conduct your life? Do you find yourself making decision to participate in things and not participate in things based on biblical conviction? Are you more concerned about biblical truth than about being popular or in with the crowd? These are all signs of a Christian life committed to following God and openly identifying with Jesus Christ.If these signs are not evident in your life, do you live a life of self-determined truth and beliefs. Do you find yourself seeking and searching for spiritual guides and teachers who support your view of life? Do you find yourself confronted with biblical truth yet internally arguing, “yes, but…” Do you find yourself listening to voices who say “judge not lest you be judged” when you see society running in the opposite direction of God’s declared truth? If you answer yes to any of these questions, you need to heed Jude’s warning!Oh, beloved, don’t fall prey to the false beliefs of our age. Ground your life and your worldview on the Word of God. Study the Word. Memorize the Word. Let the Spirit of God mold and shape you into the image of Christ through the Word of God. There is nothing of more importance to the Christian than this process of sanctification that produces the outward evidence of one’s salvation. “Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen” (Jude 1:24-25)–Chris EllerThis week’s R2R distinctive Authenticity (John 13:33-34): I know and understand biblical truths and transfer these truths into everyday life. Who I am on the inside and outside is a pure reflection of Christ and His Word.
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Paul's Thorn In the Flesh
There has been a lot of debate through the centuries regarding the Apostle Paul’s “thorn in the flesh.” He refers to it in 2 Corinthians 12:7: “Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself!”Many believe Paul’s thorn in the flesh was a physical ailment that caused physical suffering and hindered his work as an apostle. Some try and connect Galatians 6:11, in which Paul indicates he is writing large letters with his own hand to point to a potential eye problem or near blindness.I’ve always argued that Paul’s thorn in the flesh was not a physical ailment, it was a person, someone who caused great stress and contention in Paul’s life. John MacArthur argues that Paul’s thorn was in fact a demonic messenger of Satan who used the deceivers within the church at Corinth to cause a rebellion against Paul’s authority. This makes a lot of sense to me.This year I celebrated 25 years in full-time ministry. Over those many years, I can tell you without exception that the times that brought the most personal stress and strife were rooted in interpersonal conflict. During these times the voice of discouragement rings strong within my ears. I often tease my co-workers that I’m tempted to respond to the “Open Interview” sign on the door at the Kum & Go down the street. Nothing sounds better at that moment than to stand at a cash register and ask two simple questions: “cash back?” and “receipt?”In this week’s one-chapter epistle, 3 John, we meet first hand one of these “demons of discouragement,” a man by the name of Diotrephes. We all know him. He’s the man (or woman) in the church who loves the spotlight, hates accountability, speaks unkindly of others, gossips, criticizes others trying to serve, isolates and tries to run off those who resist his or her “leadership.” Yes, the “spirit of Diotrephes” is alive and well in churches all across the world today.As if recognizing that we needed a good example to follow rather than the evil example of Diotrephes, John gives us Gaius. Fortunately, churches see many more living examples of Gaius than of Diotrephes. Gaius focused on a godly spiritual life, was well regarded by other believers because of his life example, spoke truth, showed hospitality to both believers and outsiders, was generous and giving, cared greatly for the missionaries, did not aspire fame or the spotlight.Gaius stands as a shining example of Christian leadership and maturity within the body of Christ. It is my prayer this week that each of us seek to exhibit the qualities John highlights about Gaius as we live and serve together in this great mission endeavor we call First Family.–Chris EllerThis week’s R2R distinctive Faithfulness (Proverbs 3:3-4): I have established a good name with God and with others based on my long-term loyalty to those relationships.
For this week’s devotional study, download this week’s issue of The Compass.
Truth Walkers: Warning #1
We live in an amazing age of advancement. When I was growing up in the 1970s, we essentially had two versions of the Bible, the King James Version and the New International Version. There were other more obscure translations, but these were the two primary translations of the Bible.Today, we have dozens of Bible translations and paraphrases. One I have found particularly interesting is The Cotton Patch Gospel by Clarence Jordan. He has creatively retells the New Testament by resetting it in the mid-20th century American South. Here’s a sample from Acts 1:6-12: 6. So those about him began asking, “Will that be the occasion on which you will take over the government?” He said to them, “You are not to get all worked up about timetables and events which the Father has under his own control. But as the Holy Spirit comes over you, you will get power and will be my agents in Atlanta and said this, and while they were watching, he was carried away and a cloud kept them from seeing him. 10. As he went away, and while they were still staring into the sky, two men in blue jeans joined them and asked, “Citizens of America, why stand there looking at the sky? This Jesus who was carried away from you into the sky will come just as you saw him going into the sky.” 12. Then they returned to Atlanta from “Peach Hill Orchard,” which is in the suburbs of Atlanta. When they got back, they went upstairs where they were living. This included Rock and Jack and Jim and Andy, Phil and Tom, Bart and Matt, Jim Alston and Simon the Rebel, and Joe Jameson. All of them, including the women and Mary, Jesus’ mother, and his brothers, were continually praying together.As you can see, Jerusalem is now Atlanta; Peter, James, and John are not Rock, Jack, and Jim. It provides a humorous, creative retelling of familiar events from the New Testament.With the advent of things like The Cotton Patch Gospel and a multibillion dollar Christian media/publishing industry, Christians today have more opportunity than ever to learn from different voices within the church. On your smart phone you can listen to the podcast of almost any pastor in America, regardless of the size or location of the church. You can download apps that have complete Bible libraries only a couple of touches away from your smart phone home screen. It really is amazing.Yet, with all of this information, the need for discernment has never been greater. False Teachers have greater access to the church today than at any time in history. A key factor in maintaining purity and unity within a church is the need for fellow church members to hold one another accountable. This is the thrust of 2 John. He is encouraging his readers in this short letter to “walk in the truth” and to “love one another.”At First Family, this kind of personal accountability and love for one another is found within our Lighthouses. None of us is infallible, and we must keep watch over one another to ensure that we don’t inadvertently fall victim to a false teacher. As you study and read the lesson this week from 2 John, prayerfully ask the Holy Spirit to protect you and your family from the false teachers of our day, while at the same time to give you courage and boldness to lovingly caution a fellow believer if you sense he or she may be wandering into doctrinal error.–Chris EllerThis Week's R2R DistinctiveThe Church (1 Corinthians 12:12-13; Ephesians 4:15-16): We believe in the church as the body of Christ, which is composed of all believers who have accepted Christ as Savior. We believe the church is God’s primary way to accomplish His purposes on earth today.For this week's devotional study, download this week's issue of The Compass.
Paul's Postcard to Philemon
No one likes conflict. When we are at odds with those we love, it can create a lot of stress. Sometimes, we’re not the one at odds, but we are stuck in the middle between two friends or family members who are at odds with each other. Negotiating that kind of relationship can often feel like a high wire act—one wrong step and you’ll go crashing down.This is the context of Paul’s letter to Philemon. This epistle is unique within the New Testament for several reason. First, it is the shortest of Paul’s epistles. Second, it is not directed specifically to a group or church, but to one person—Philemon.In this letter we get to see the true heart of the great Apostle. He is writing to his friend and disciple Philemon on behalf of Onesimus, Philemon’s slave. Onesimus ran away from his owner and stole from him in the process of doing so. Originally from Colossae, Onesimus likely made his way to Ephesus and traveled the well-known route to Rome. Within Rome, it would be easy for a slave to disappear into the population.After arriving in Rome, Onesimus met Paul, heard the gospel, and was saved. Some would call this a chance encounter, but Paul is clear in his letter to Philemon that perhaps this was God’s plan for Onesimus to escape only to find true freedom through the gospel (Philemon 15-17).As a Christian, Onesimus wants to make right the mistake he made in running away. With this desire to return to his master to make amends, Paul intercedes on his behalf, appealing to Philemon to accept Onesimus as a brother, and not as a criminal. This may sound like an easy request, but it placed Philemon in a difficult spot. As a slave owner, he had to maintain order and authority over his slaves, or one runaway becomes many runaways. The Romans were harsh with runaway slaves, and it was within Philemon’s legal right to have Onesimus put to death for his crime. Yet, with this knowledge underlying his appeal, Paul graciously and humbly asks Philemon to accept Onesimus back into his household and to make use of him as a fellow Christian servant, not a slave. That’s a big request.How do you feel you would respond to a request like this? Not only may it grind against your own personal values, but it creates a leadership vulnerability that could impact your business and management practices. What if all of Philemon’s slaves suddenly heard the gospel and became Christians? Should he treat them all as brothers and fellow servants? If so, how would his household function? Keep in mind, the question is not whether slavery was right or wrong. Paul makes no appeal to Philemon arguing that slavery as an institution was wrong. This was an accepted part of Roman culture, and the New Testament takes a careful approach to how it addresses the issue of slavery. The decision is a personal one for Philemon. Have Onesimus executed or receive him as a brother? What would you do?For the rest of the story, be sure to attend your Lighthouse this week and find out what happened to Philemon and Onesimus.This Week's R2R DistinctiveHumanity (John 3:16) We believe all people are born separated from God by sin, but God in his love sent his Son Jesus Christ as their savior.For this week's devotional study, download this week's issue of The Compass.