Christianity

Being Whole versus Being Perfect, Part 3

/ Gina Marie / Leave a comment

This is a continuation and final installment of the sermon I heard at Crossroads Community Church this week, given by Pastor Robert Barker.

In the first two installments of this sermon recap, I shared that my struggles with trying to be perfect creates the need to break this dysfunctional cycle in my life.  Based on most 12 step programs, there are several truths to making this change.

Step 1 – I am powerless

Step 2 – I need the faith that I can be changed by God’s Power

If you’ve ever attended a 12 step program or have access to most lists on the internet, it’s easy to see that Step 3 says something like, “Make a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God”.  Pastor Bob put it this way, “Let God be in charge”.  Wow, what a profound yet simple concept!  And yet, for years I said the words and did little to allow God to guide me (even though I really have no power to stop Him!).

As Pastor was sharing this concept, as well as his own struggle with the presentation of “perfection” that I so resonate with, I allowed my memory to scan the last 20 or so years of my life.  I quickly realize I DID have some growth I could smile about and that was a blessing.  Yet, I also have to admit there have been many more areas where I continue to hold onto the lame comfort of my own efforts at this thing I like to call perfection, but in truth is a very weak film of fakeness.  I’ve been over that in depth the last few days here on this blog.  🙂

And yet, before I could begin to feel dejected by my own shortcomings, Pastor began to preach the Word.  We turned to Romans 12:1-2, which says, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Most of my Christian life has translated this verse like this – do not be like non-Christians.  Present yourself as holy, set a good example for non-believers, be a good picture as God’s Ambassador.

Given my struggle with presenting one thing……of being perfect and all that…….can you see where my translation of this verse was skewed by my dysfunction?  Can you see that it added to the perpetuation of the very thing I KNEW God was trying to break in my life?

But have no fear, Pastor Bob explained this verse to me and the others in attendance Sunday, and it broke so many mental chains for me that I have been shaking my head with joy and appreciation since!

Here is how Pastor explained it – don’t “fit in”.  Don’t conform to our cultures to present what we think we need to be to fit in.  Do not give people what they demand based on their OWN perception of things!  Instead, give all you are INSIDE – give the TRUE YOU – to God!  That’s all we need to do!  And before we know it, the authentic people inside (whether good, bad, or ugly) will begin to realize our powerlessness (step 1), will begin to trust God to take care of our shortcomings (step 2), and will give the reins to God (step 3).  And, I might add that He will NEVER shut His door on ANYONE!  “Come as your are” brings a whole new dimension to this amazing interaction that God is so excited to enter into with you and me!

Wow.  You mean, truly, that the INSIDE of my life can really REALLY match what others see on the OUTSIDE?  It’s not just a happy concept that everyone talks about but no one does?  I don’t have to hide, lie, present anymore? TRUE!

Yes, truly, that is what the Bible says.  That is what Pastor Bob was so wonderful to share with us, with ME.  And the Truth is more than a concept!  The Truth, as most admit, sets you free!

So today, think on the fact that this exodus of your spirit can happen – whatever it is in YOUR life that is holding you back can begin to change with these three steps.  I can’t speak to the amazing transformative areas of the next steps, because I haven’t learned them yet!  🙂  But already my life has changed alarmingly and gloriously in that last few days, and I pray that you can partake in this joy as well!

Being Whole versus Being Perfect, Step 2

/ Gina Marie / Leave a comment

This is a continuation of the sermon I heard at Crossroads Community Church this week, given by Pastor Robert Barker.

I posted yesterday that I struggle with attempting to be perfect, and in large part it started because I needed to create a presentation to the world to hide the struggle of my life from those around me.  Yet, Pastor reminded me that my cycle of dysfunction could begin to change once I admitted I couldn’t do it without God’s help.

Step 2 in the process builds on that – because knowing you NEED God is very different than accepting by faith that God can totally fix things!  Pastor said it this way, “Step 2 is the faith that we can change by God’s Power.”

As a began to realize that my dysfunction was being a perfectionist, the first thing I realized was that I don’t LIKE to rely on others!  I mean, part of being perfect is being able to take care of yourself, and I am sorry……..my solution needs to be BETTER than others!  So why would I ASK for help and why would I EXPECT that help to be better than what I could do on my own in the first place?  So, steps 1 (I am powerless) and step 2 (God can change me) are not concepts that I immediately, truly embraced.  Those concepts were truly – and often remain – in direct conflict with the image and personal ethos that I have carried with me for decades.  Oh, I could nod my head with the best of them, because remember “being perfect” in large part involves presenting an image to those around me.  So, I admit to you that FOR YEARS I said I couldn’t make it without God, and even said I believed He could fix me……..yet I didn’t accept that.  I didn’t WANT to accept that in many areas of my life.  I held onto my perfectionism, held onto my image, and was slowly dying inside because – really – I didn’t believe ANYONE could fix me…….even God!  Again, it was a two sided coin – I had begun to believe the image I presented to those around me (I am perfect and had everything under control) while deep down I loathed myself for the truth I didn’t want to face (you are so NOT perfect, and a fake to boot, and basically a hopeless case).

Maybe you have something in your life that you KNOW needs to change.  Maybe it’s a simple thing that’s gotten out of hand.  Maybe it’s a perpetuated image like mine that is 100% false but is 100% ingrained into who you ARE to everyone around you.  Maybe, in theory, you agree with me that you can’t change even though you may admit you need to.  You may even believe, in theory, that God’s Power can be the fuel to begin the change in your life.  But, then you start the implementation of the change and……….falter.  Stagnate.  And the dysfunctional cycle, so close to you and so a PART of you, continues to thrive.

Phil 2:13 says, “for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.”

Today, I suggest you don’t look at the end and perhaps think, “Wow, I have such a long way to go to be healthy.  IT IS TOO MUCH!”  Instead, don’t look at anything but God.  Pray that HE gives you the faith that HE can change you!  Pray that HE wills and acts in you!  And not just for YOUR blessing (which, amazingly, He does care about in great detail!), but for HIS PURPOSE!  And as you begin to grow in faith and maybe stop looking at yourself so much, you begin to realize things ARE changing!  At least, that was my experience!

Being Whole versus Being Perfect, Step 1

/ Gina Marie / 1 Comment

This post was inspired heavily by the sermon I heard at my church, Crossroads Community Church, by Pastor Robert Barker.

Some of you may have heard my testimony before, many of you have not. I accepted Jesus when I was 16, an age that is often difficult for most people as you juggle youth, growing up, fitting in, varying responsibilities. You know what I am talking about because you lived it to some extent, too.

Even at the young age of 16, I had already put on the garments of trying to be perfect. I carried A LOT of responsibility at home (writing checks for bills, cooking dinner, listening to conversations with my mother that I never should have heard, etc.), I carried a lot of responsibility at school (lots of extra classes, always got the good grades, etc) I did side work here and there (cleaning houses, working at my mom’s real estate office) and so on and so forth. Looking back I know that I did that to some extent to cope with many dysfunctions in my life. But yesterday, at church, my Pastor’s sermon brought a whole new level of understanding of my actions.

For, you see, I was desperately trying to cope in a family that had issues – and let’s face it people, everyone reading this had some sort of issue in their family. It may have been parents that lived during the depressions that worked and worked and worked and never spent any money. It may have even been the garments of perfection to the outside world I am describing here!  You get the drill. My family was not BAD. Get it? Anyway, added to the family dynamic was the fact that I was realizing my own issues – attraction to girls. So the pressure to develop an image that people would notice instead of my huge flaw (as I saw it at the time) was subconscious but very real for me. So I worked hard at school, I tried to be the model daughter, I wanted to be perfect so that THIS would be the noticeable feature to all around me.

And, as anyone who has presented to the world a person that was very different from the one that existed INSIDE, you realize that at some point you can’t stop putting on that mask. At some point you may even forget its a mask at all…..you may even start believing the lie that you’ve worked so hard to present to the world. Then there are days where it takes SO MUCH energy to put that mask on, it costs so much emotionally and physically and spiritually, but you’re too far into the lie to turn back. And that’s a painful place to be. And on those days, the self loathing is so overwhelming, because the truth of the lie stares you in the face and you KNOW that there is not one good thing about you! Maybe because the truth makes it so, or maybe because the lie that has been so expertly perfected is so truly horrendous. And good liars/presenters – even necessitated to cope and survive – know that this presentation of the lie is a shame all to itself.

My Pastor reminded me of that.

So that’s where the 12 Step Program comes in. I have touched on this area before in my life, as I walked through one with a beloved family member who broke the chains of addiction over 15 years ago. I learned SO MUCH about myself, my family member, along with my brother who went through the process at that time as well. Yet, often when you think of these steps you think of drug or alcohol addicts needing it. But let’s again agree – EVERYONE can have cycles in their lives that are not healthy. And I am one of those people…….

Step 1 loosely translates for our purposes as “we admit we were powerless over our dysfunction—that our lives had become unmanageable.” I love the way my Pastor put it, “we are powerless.”

Romans 7:17-20 helps us to see the phenomenon. The Apostle Paul, revered by so many Christians for centuries, understood this as well. He writes, “As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature.[a] For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.” We KNOW what we are doing is wrong, we even THINK about doing right, but yet we still do wrong.

There’s something freeing in admitting all my fake efforts, that really only work at perpetuating a lie that is hard to sustain, have been done before me by others!  And that there is a way to break this cycle!  And the first step in doing so is to say, I can’t break that cycle without God.  HE can help me, because even as I sit here and say I want to break it, I know I can’t.  And it’s hugely freeing to admit that!

So I urge you to take a look at your life today and ask, “Do I need the peace of the Lord in this area of my life?”  Is there a piece of your life that can be hugely replaced by the Peace of God, all by saying, “I can’t do this Lord, I need you”?  Maybe you’re not a perfectionist like I fight to be, but what is stopping you from knowing the wholeness God fully intended for you?  God can help!

Next, Step 2……………………..

Why Did Paul Write Romans?

/ Gina Marie / Leave a comment

Here is a technical piece a wrote a bit ago.

Why Did Paul Write Romans?

For many, Romans represents the plan of salvation in such as way that they rely heavily on the book for reaching unbelievers in the world. Growing up, I remember hearing my mother sharing with non-believers what she referred to as “The Romans Road”. On the site GotQuestions.org, The Romans Road is described as “explaining the good news of salvation using verses from the Book of Romans. It is a simple yet powerful method of explaining why we need salvation, how God provided salvation, how we can receive salvation, and what are the results of salvation.” (GotQuestions, 2007) When I began the study of this amazing Pauline letter, therefore, this was my focus; how to become better acquainted with the message of Romans so that I can more easily describe the power of salvation to those I encounter that do not know Christ. However, it became evident very quickly that, while salvation is an important aspect of this letter, there are many other factors involved.

Karl P. Donfried, editor of The Romans Debate, compiled several academic essays that assess “the impact on subsequent scholarly discussions and also to assist the student of Romans in understanding the neuralgic issues in the current analyses of this Pauline letter.” (Donfried, 1991, p. xi) These essays covered several key categories regarding the letter; to whom the letter was written, what issues were being addressed, and whether Chapter 16 was originally part of the letter. The book presents essays spanning several decades and pulled information from published works dating back to 1832. The arguments presented in these essays will be the basis of this analysis and ultimately the explanation of why Paul wrote the book of Romans. However, the debates revolving around the reason and intent for Chapter 16 will not be part of the analysis for this paper.

The first category of review will be to whom the letter was written. The obvious answer to this question would be the Roman Church. However, several essays argued against this view and provided alternative scenarios, including that Paul was writing to Jerusalem, was focused on his own benefit, or did so to record his last will and testament. Jacob Jervell, for example, argued that Romans was a letter written more for his own benefit as he was seeking support from the Roman Church, which was needed for his impending trip to Jerusalem. He continues by stating there were no concrete issues to address in Rome, especially since Paul had never been there to learn of daily interactions. (p. 54) He further strengthens this stance by showing that Paul was not asking the church for support for his planned trip to Spain. (p. 57) Instead, Jervell shows that the letter was primarily directed to Jerusalem and subsequently to the Roman church for assistance. (p. 56) In contrast to this view, T.W. Manson stated that the letter summed up Paul’s convictions. He argued that Romans is “an elaborate and detailed statement of faith offered by Paul as evidence on which the Roman church might give him a friendly reception and set him forward on his Spanish missionary enterprise.” (p. 14) He also shows that Romans, being the successful church for the time and region, would distribute this message on a wide scale, thus marking the letter as Paul’s manifesto. (p. 15) Gunther Bornkamm, who shared that the letter represents Paul’s last will and testament, presented a similar view. He goes on by saying that Romans doesn’t offer specific issues as other letters by Paul had, but that it provides new and universal meaning to the theology that Paul had been developing. (p. 25) Finally, Robert J. Karris offered data that suggests Romans has no specific reference within the Roman community, but rather is part of a letter to sum up Paul’s missionary theology and to exhort his readers. (p. 83-84) All of these essays provided compelling references and arguments.

However, I believe Romans was written to the Romans, who were experiencing conflict between the Jewish and Gentile Christians that comprised the church – thus establishing the reason for writing the letter. This view was developed in great detail by many writers, who took great care in addressing the arguments offered by opponents to this view. For example, Wolfgang Wiefel shows, by referencing many historical records outside of the Bible, that there is strong evidence supporting the view that conflict between Jews and Gentiles, regardless of their faith, had existed in Rome for centuries. This included two expulsions of the Jews from Rome and ongoing animosity once they were allowed to return. Christianity initially had a strong reliance on Jewish synagogues, which supports Wiefel’s stance, as the synagogues were the main venues that were used to propagate the Christian message. New problems arose when the Jewish Christians returned to Rome, after the expulsion edict was lifted. They found that their churches had changed from the practices they had always known, for the synagogue and the tainted message it represented was no longer used. Paul wrote to both Jew and Gentile Christians to address the resulting issues. Paul writes to these specific issues and the overall view of Jewish people in Rome, hoping to break the anti-Jewish cycle that existed in the area. (pp. 100-101) Karl P. Donfried, for his part, pulled heavily from Marxsen, who argued, “the theology of Romans – especially the constant interplay between “Jew” and “Gentile” – reflects a concrete historical problem in the church of Rome.” (pp.46-47) These arguments, as well as my review of Romans itself, convinced me that this was the purpose of the letter.

However, there are some real tensions with this view that need to be addressed, especially Romans 15:20/NIV, which states, “It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation.” Many who argue that Romans was written universally or not for a specific Roman issue reference this verse, for it seems that if Paul were dealing specifically with the Romans, he would be in conflict with his own letter. Donfried asserts that, “Romans 15:20 must be understood as an apology as to why Paul has NOT YET been in Rome – his first responsibility was to preach Christ where he had not yet been preached.” (p. 45) Gunther Klein explained it by saying Romans 1:5, 11-15 and 15:15 seem to contradict the statement in 15:20 as Paul says he plans on preaching to the Romans and yet shares his principle of non-interference. Klein explains that the letter to Rome was a “demand of missionary politics” and a “basis of operation in his further work.” (pp.30-31) He goes on to say that Paul established the non-interference clause not for places where Christ had been preached, but where an apostolic foundation had been laid. Since no apostle had established his authority in Rome, Paul was not violating his clause. (pp.37-39) Therefore, the argument that Paul was writing to the Romans and the specific issues there seems credible despite this verse.

If we accept the argument that Romans being written for specific issues that existed, what does it mean for us today? Should we toss it aside as just another letter to issues that no longer affect us? I believe this is a dangerous stance to take, for the issues described in the letter can be at least symbolic for issues that exist today. Historically, Romans has had amazing effects on many recognizable names, including Martin Luther and James Wesley. J. David Hoke writes that Luther was struggling with his faith and the oppressive and impossible weight of being righteous, when he read Romans 1:17/NIV, “For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”” He claims that this verse began Luther’s actions that formed the catalyst to launch the Protestant Reformation of the sixteenth century. (Hoke, 1996) Hoke goes on to write, “Indeed, the entire book of Romans is an explanation of how this Gospel applies to every person. This Gospel is powerful because it has the ability to change our eternal destiny. It is powerful in that it has the capacity to impart the righteousness of God to us by faith. It is powerful in that it can produce a life worth living.” (Hoke, 1996) While many of Paul’s letters addressed specific issues to the recipients, as I believe Romans did, the themes and specifics continue to teach us today. Important concepts can help us in our walk with Christ, including God’s eternal plan, the work of the Holy Spirit, being delivered from the Law, the grace being offered through Christ, and the place of faith in our life. Rich Smith, in his study of Romans based on a study guide published by John MacArthur, says “In Romans 1:18-3:20, Paul talks about how the Law convicts us and ultimately does not offer anything but condemnation. There is not a provision for grace in the Law, as seen in the Old Testament. There is a short-term solution for transgressions under the Law – it is called a sacrifice. In this section of Romans Paul tells us that Christians are no longer under the Law.” (Smith, 2007) This concept, while immediately appropriate for the Romans – especially to the Jewish Christians – still offers amazing worth to us today. It is important, therefore, to study the letter as well as understand why the letter was written in the first place. Therefore, I am grateful that Paul addressed the issues found in Rome so that I can be blessed today.

Bibliography
Donfried, K.P. (Ed.). (1991). The romans debate. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, Inc..
GotQuestions, (2007). What is the romans road to salvation?. Retrieved July 20, 2007, from GotQuestions Web site: http://www.gotquestions.org/Romans-road-salvation.html
Hoke, J. David (1996, February 25). To the church an introduction to romans. Retrieved July 20, 2007, from To the Church An Introduction to Romans Web site: http://www.horizonsnet.org/sermons/rom1.html
Smith, Rich (2007, March 22). Romans 7:1-25 delivery from the law. Retrieved July 21, 2007, from Romans 7:1-25 RichSmith.cc Web site: http://www.richsmith.cc/node/183

Blessings Abound

/ Gina Marie / 1 Comment

So, as often is the case with us stubborn and inadequate humans, we focus on the wrong things.  Our finances, our aches and pains, conflicts in our lives…..the list goes on.  Too often, we are so focused on these things, we lose sight of the beauty and miracles that surround us!  I fall within this area quite often.  So, today, I am taking the time to focus on all that God has done for me and mine………

  • I HAVE mentioned this before, but I will state it again – my current job was a direct answer to prayer.  It was miraculous how the timing was perfect, and I love it.  No amount of time goes by that doesn’t remind me how amazing God is when I consider this.
  • God provided a means to allow me, the kids, and Deana to have our current home.  This was a HUGE miracle and believe me when I say, if it weren’t for direct blessings from the Lord, it would not have happened.
  • Kirstie was laid off from CVS in April.  She also needed to find a new place to live.  She has no immediate family in California with her.  But we prayed and God’s response was better than ANYTHING we could have believed.  Kirstie found a new apartment, then received a call from a different CVS offering her a job.  And said job?  RIGHT next to her new apartment!  Walking distance!  And even more than that, her first week she got 40 hours!  THAT never happened at her other CVS!  Thank you Lord!
  • Deana finished her teaching credential program and is now certified to teach in Texas.  That is a HUGE blessing and a wonderful accomplishment.  Now, we are asking the Lord to provide the perfect job, JUST in time when her unemployment benefits expire!
  • We, as a family, have been blessed by our new church.  In the short time we’ve attended, we have received amazing friendships.  Further, we have all been fed spiritually, which has girded us up for the trials we have had to face in recent weeks.
  • One day this week, while I was driving to work, I was contemplating the issues with my health, the impact all my hospital bills were having on my budget, and such items.  Usually, these thoughts would create great anxiety in me and it would affect every aspect of my life.  And, not to minimize the concern – it definitely is there.  However, it hit me that I felt complete peace.  COMPLETE!  And that seemed remarkable to me.  And I attest that this can only be attributed to my God.

The list goes on and on, but suffice it to say, God is Good, all the time!

Maintaining Focus and Declaring Dependence

/ Gina Marie / Leave a comment

Life has shown me over and over again that it offers many things, and apparently trials are part of that offering.  We seek from life acceptance, success, health, benefits, money, love…….no one really asks for or wants trials.  No one wants to fail.  Not many, especially me, want to NEED.  And yet, when I DO find myself in the midst of a failure, or thrown about by trials, where is my focus?  On whom do I depend?

Too often, I am immersed in the trial, or the failure, and begin to think that they define me.  I even let the situation(s) overwhelm me.  This often leads to tears, or anger, or the rising of my pride in obstinate assault against the fact that I have failed.  And yet, soon follows the acceptance of the failure, defining me in yet another light.

But do you see something here?  Where has my focus been?  What am I depending on?  Right now, all that existed in the mix was ME.  Me, such a broken vessel, drowning in my own efforts, or submerged in the mire of the trial – not quite knowing what is up or down or if there is even an end in sight.  But, my dear friends, THAT IS NOT THE TRUTH – FOR ME OR FOR YOU!

As a Christian, I often hold onto the truth, and I have been humbly but clearly reminded today that the truth is not defined by my circumstances.  The truth is not designed around my health, or my accomplishments in my career, or even by epic failures that are sure to occur in my life.

And I must confess, as a Proud American, I often demand my independence.  It is foundational to our country, and the freedoms afforded Americans feed that – and I suppose rightly so!  We are blessed by these freedoms, yet they often feed us the lie that we are dependent on no one, except maybe ourselves.

Both the view of myself and the view of my independence is flawed.

The truth always has been and always will remain this – I am a child of God, created in His image.  I must focus on Him, and declare my dependence in all things to Jesus.  I am not in control, He is.  And no efforts on my part really change that – or can conquer anything that happens around me.  Nor do trials that surround me diminish the fact that Christ blesses me over and over again in small and huge ways everyday.  Even when I am sitting in the hospital, or raging in anger, or sleeping peacefully.  Even my successes don’t take the place of Jesus……what a novel idea!  And the truth is, I need to rejoice and focus on the REAL truth!

I was reminded something today –  I often take the Bible for granted, even though it is a big part of my life.  I received a Minor in college in Biblical Studies, and although I am not a theologian by any means, the Bible has had an intimate part in my life and education.  Yet, I often forget it is a LIVING THING.  It can and should influence my heart and remind me that Jesus has “got this covered”.  Here’s some of those messages:

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:  “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:35-39 (NIV)

Why my dependence should be on Jesus (emphasis mine)

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:8-10 (NIV)

“But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him.  He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream.  It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7-8 (NIV)

May I be reminded – and remind you as well – when the winds of problems surround me, I am NOT in control, but instead depend on my Lord.  HE will not leave me nor forsake me.  I may have trials, yes, but I can and will rejoice in the fact that He is my Truth.  I am His.  He has me in His arms.  And though I might have scapes or pains or frustrations, He is right there with me.  And the blessing of not only KNOWING that but BELIEVING that, is amazing on my focus!

And, in closing, this truth also remains – even when I am deep in my own focus on suffering or self-pity, God is faithful.  For He supplies those who pray in my stead, lifting their voices to Him when I can’t, and intercede in my behalf.  If that isn’t amazing, I don’t know what is.  And look for more posts that reflect on how God has truly been blessing me, Deana, and the kids.  One such blessing has been our new church – Crossroads Community.  Thank you Lord!

“I Don’t Associate with Sinners!”

/ Gina Marie / 1 Comment

Have you ever been told that by a Christian?  Or have you, more indirectly, felt like that was a Christian’s view of you?  I have been told that directly, by a former co-worker actually – said co-worker still having a job at a prominent Christian organization.  Let me say that, definitely, rejection is never comfortable.  But it can evolk several responses in a person:

  1. Wow, $%(^ you!
  2. Wow, I AM a sinner, what do I need to change?
  3. Wow, you’re right, I am going to go kill myself.
  4. Wow, you holier-than-thou Christians really kind of suck.

Honestly, especially for non-Christians, do you think #2 is often the response?  Doesn’t the Bible suggest that the Holy Spirit is the best at convicting us, and that we should love our neighbors?  But I am not a theologian – I just know the response I got didn’t immediately make me want to repent of “the sin” in my life.  I do not put “my sin” because I believe there is no sin in my life; actually, I am very good at sinning at times.  However, I have a Biblical view of my salvation and changed life thanks to Andrew Farley’s “The Naked Gospel”.  But I am not going to get into THAT today.  However…..

It ALWAYS amazes me how many Christians (and yes, there are some that don’t fall into this category) have this view of Christianity that you become perfect and somehow “untouchable” after years of being a saint and being regenerated by God.  Theology aside, they act as if their poop don’t stink and they have somehow risen above the taint of sin on earth.  They go to their churches, live a “perfect” life without sin, and raise their noses, brush off their three piece suit or their pleated skirts to show us just how high they’ve risen.  They SAY they “sin”, but are saved by grace.  They may even SAY “love the sinner, hate the sin!”  Yet, the minute they are exposed to a “fallen” person who do not meet their earthly measurement of what a Christian should look like, they respond with something like, “I don’t associate with sinners!”  Sometimes they might even justify this response by saying Christ admonished them not to be “of the world”, and by associating with sinners, they would somehow condone the sinful practices and even taint the name of Christ?  “How will they know we are even Christians, if we wallow in the same filth they do?  How will we shine like a beacon on a hill, if we sit with common sinners, partaking in the lust and debauchery that their lives represent?”

They make a great point.  And, as someone who has sinned pretty well, and as one who has sometimes thrown her middle finger at dogma and “God inspired hatred”, I say this – I believe you got it wrong.  How will they even know you are Christians, you ask?  I argue that it would have been that you LOVED the ones that the WORLD (yes, especially the CHRISTIAN world) that convention says you should not.  I argue that, a true beacon cannot be seen when it is standing next to the sun, but when it walks to the dark.  I say to be an ambassador of Christ, you kind of need to act like Him on occasion.  Your fruits will be that you are turning those TO Christ instead of pushing them out of His house!  And what DID Jesus do?

We know that Jesus was accused by the Pharisees of hanging with sinners.  Even DINING with them, a HUGE faux paux!  And most examples in the Bible suggest that Jesus was first LOVING and FILLED WITH COMPASSION when confronted by a sinner.  The woman at the well, the woman caught in adultery, the rich young man who was unwilling to give up his wealth to follow Jesus, even when his OWN disciple rejected Him THREE TIMES…..the list goes on.

Ah, but you say, what about the time he threw tables over in the Temple?  He was SO MAD and let everyone around know it!  THIS proves that we can say, with the authority of God, that we will not put up with the sin that is all around us!  Let’s think about that.  The Temple was considered holy.  Yet, the religious leaders of the time were taking advantage of those that wanted to do what their God commanded, and only in the name of making money.  Many would trek to the temple with their sacrifices (animals), only to be told their goat was marred or their calf was not perfect.  So, conveniently, there the leaders were there with GOOD animals that could be bought and the sacrifice could be accomplished!!!!!  And wow, such a deal too!  Or the money changers were gauging the people, all in the name of God.  THAT is what ticked off Jesus – that these supposed holy men were using God to make a profit.  And that is NOT how it’s done!  (But, alas, perhaps it’s still happening today?  Another post for sure!)  I won’t even get into the story of the Pharisee’s prayer vs the pauper….

Finally, especially to the person who told me they will not associate with me because I am a sinner…….what makes my sin any bigger than yours?  Are you truly suggesting that you have risen to a higher level than me somehow?  Because, again sorry to bring up the Bible, I am a Christian and I am saved by the same Jesus as you.  Are you implying that His blood was less effective on me?  Because I know with certainty that the Bible said I would continue to sin – not that it is giving me license to sin – but it’s pretty darn clear that it also says the blood of Christ – and Christ himself – is the same Yesterday, Today, and Forever.  And it also tells me nothing I can do can get me into heaven.  And that suggests that nothing I can do, once I have been saved by the awesome power of my Savior, can keep me out of it.  Unless, of course, I reject Jesus……which is highly unlikely, despite the crap I’ve been thrown by those of some of His followers!

So, to recap – have fun hanging around those people you deem as “righteous” enough or “redeemed” enough to meet your standards.  As for me, I am REALLY going to do what Jesus does, and love my neighbor as myself without adding criteria that shouldn’t be there.

Please, I welcome your comments.  If you think I’m off base, please let me know.

Ruminations of the mind

/ Gina Marie / Leave a comment

Yes, I know some of you will be shocked, but I OFTEN ruminate! 🙂

It’s been a while since I’ve written here. There are myriad reasons for this, which I won’t elaborate on now, as they aren’t relevant to today’s post. But my silence of sorts is not indicative of lack of thought on my part – in fact, I often “write” posts in my mind and then am too busy to put them here. So, today I thought I’d try to recreate some of that.

First Rumination (a theme here) – Inconsideration for Others

Okay, most will admit there seems to be more people in the world that spend less time noticing other people around them. Maybe it’s that I am getting old, but seriously, is it hard to leave the door open behind you if someone is entering a door right after you? Does it kill you to stop rolling when a pedestrian is crossing the street in the crosswalk? How hard is it to acknowledge that some people might be having a hard day and a smile from you might make even a small difference?

But being considerate takes many forms, and I fully acknowledge I lack consideration for others at times, too. I was at a concert the other night and witnessed something that made me a little sad. It wasn’t a big deal at all, yet I felt sorry for a girl. You see, two ladies walked by us (including the “girl” I mentioned) who were meeting a group that had already been at the concert for some time. One of the girls obviously knew everyone (I will refer to her as Girl #1), and “the girl” obviously did not (I will call Girl #2). Girl #1 excitedly joined the group, totally leaving Girl #2 alone on the fringe. Never once did Girl #1 even THINK about her friend; never introduced her, never included her in the larger group, never even looked back at her. Girl #2 tried once or twice to “break into” the group, introduced herself to one person on the fringe, but was obviously feeling awkward and left out. I almost offered to buy her a drink, it was so bad!

Why am I mentioning this? Well, for me, it made me realize how self-centered we as a whole have become. NO ONE in the larger group seemed to have noticed ANY of this going on, especially Girl #1 who was her friend! And then I wondered – if I were in the same situation, would I do the same thing to my friend? I am sad to say I hope I wouldn’t, but I am not sure. I guess I am saying, we could all work a little harder thinking about others more and less about ourselves.

Second Rumination – Keeping up with the Jones’

I have been mega guilty of this in my lifetime – buying things I didn’t need to keep up with my friends, having the big house and the fancy cars, etc. Life circumstances, especially this economy, have humbled my attitude if in no other way then taking away my ability to act this way. So I am starting off by saying I am more than guilty of this area…..probably more guilty than most I know.

But now that the economy has gone south for many people, and now that I can’t even PRETEND to keep up with the Jones’, seeing “the game” played seems so much more offensive! Some use Facebook as well as their lives to promote their indulgences while others are struggling to keep their houses, feed their kids, etc. I have an acquaintance who modified their home loan after not paying if for three months on purpose (they COULD make the payments, but knew they could get their loan modified in this market), the wife went on disability because she “could not even sit”, and they have taken three major vacations this summer (Hawaii, Mexico, and back to Hawaii). They refinished their swimming pool after the loan modification. Oh, and the person on disability is having no problem partaking in very physical activities such as jet skiing, etc. This family has friends that are losing their houses, have lost their jobs and are barely making it by on unemployment.

I am NOT suggesting that people should stop taking vacations, should not enjoy life, or anything like that. But it seems especially hard to swallow blatant “booyas” to others, especially when they are so very vocal about the way they are working the system to finance their activities! Even if they WEREN’T working the system, in this economy I would hope that more people would at least be sensitive to the struggles others are facing when broadcasting their third international vacation or whatever. And, with all sincerity, I hope my acquaintances don’t hit the bottom like so many others have…….

Third Rumination – Politically Sanctioned Hatred

I am a registered Republican, although I at times agree with and vote for Democratic initiatives. I research all areas and don’t vote “only Republican”. I know that some people vote down party lines exclusively and get fighting mad at the mere MENTION of the opposing party. This has been a theme for many of my friends on Facebook as well. Politics are a very personal and emotional area of our lives and far be it from me to tell anyone how to think. That is what is so so wonderful about this country; we have a right to think for ourselves and vote and not be persecuted for it.

However, the last part is my true area of rumination – how come there is so much hatred regarding politics? I mean seriously, it’s one thing to say “I don’t really like Obama – I really feel his plan is to make this country socialist and that makes me ANGRY!” It’s another to say, “Obama is a communist, not even an American Citizen, and illegally gave government money in the bail out.” Let me just say here, the bail out started with Bush and hello, do a little research……the House and Senate were involved people!

ANYWAY, I have to laugh a little at my Republican friends on Facebook (and remember, I am a Republican too). They post over and over all these hate-filled articles against Obama, but NOTHING about U.S. Senator John Ensign resigning for having an affair. Nothing about Mark Sanford and his fiasco. More importantly, they are ignoring the recent revelations that Bush and Cheney appear to have broken law with illegal activities under the guise of fighting terrorism. My view is, POLITICIANS ARE, IN GENERAL, GONNA BREAK THE RULES. IT IS NOT A REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT PROBLEM. However, when I mention that to many of my Republican friends, they pretty much attack me to the point that, if their words were rocks, I would be dead right now!

So, yes USE your right to vote. Use your free speech to criticize actions you find reprehensible. But please, all I ask, is to also use your brain a little with the issues AND do not be mean to those that do not agree with you. It is NOT fair to say that Republicans are Christian and Democrats are not (and yes, I have been told that and chastised for voting along Democratic lines…..as that is “voting for Satan”). And I don’t believe it’s EVER fair or productive to spew hatred when you’re trying to make your point.

And for the Christian readers out there, who profess to have a Biblical world view, I add this: Ephesians 6:5-8, which says, ” Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.” In Gina’s words – you might hate that Obama is President, but you need to honor him as your President……..and I would say the same thing if it were McCain!

Final Rumination – Christians “In the World”

I fully acknowledge that the whole Michael Jackson media frenzy was, at times, too much! But a friend recently got into a huge debate regarding his memorial. My friend (Friend #1) was heavily chastised by Friend #2, who happens to be a very conservative Christian. Friend #2 said “nothing about the memorial or Michael Jackson’s life can be contributed to God and no Christian should have anything to do with Michael Jackson, his music, his memorial, or any secular music at all.”

Friend #1 argued that the name of Jesus was proclaimed several times throughout the memorial – even HONORING Him – exposing Christ to MILLIONS (if not billions) throughout the world who watched the memorial. Friend #1 further suggested that Friend #2’s stance was pharisaical in nature, as to be truly effective in spreading the Word of God, you need to sometimes “touch the Samaritan”. Scripture was provided to point out how Jesus criticized the Pharisees and their legalistic view of others and their high opinion of their own godliness. Friend #2 retorted “The Pharisees were not Christian.” Well, so much for seeing that BEHAVIORS are what is wrong and that, perhaps, behaviors by today’s Christians can be very pharisaical……

I am NOT suggesting that everyone be FORCED to listen to secular music, but I WILL argue that Christian can and do listen to secular music and that has no bearing on their salvation or their walk. And I will NOT EVER limit the power of God, who uses those who profess Him as their savior and those who do not. I also assert that no one can really know if someone is a Christian or even that sin in our lives (and let’s face it, we all sin Christian or not) automatically ends our usefulness to God, OR that it limits the Power of God to work……I mean, all those years Ted Haggart was having an affair, people were accepting Christ in his church! So please – stop the hatred and what not!

So, I am now tired from all this ruminating! Gina OUT!