To judge or Not to Judge...

It is often said that the Bible says we are NOT to judge, but is that really true? The truth is, Scripture seems to give a mixed message on this topic. In one place it says we are not to judge, lest we be judged. In another place it states that we should not only judge, but we should condemn and expel others from fellowship based on that judgment.

Can these two teachings be reconciled? I believe so, and rather simply. We are not to judge others on how they worship, but we are to judge others on how they live. The context for not judging others in the New Testament is around religious observation: holy days, unclean food, etc. The context for judging others in the New Testament is on the basis of morality.

Though none in the church are perfect, all should be seeking to live by the guidelines God has established.

Someone caught cheating on their taxes or having a baby out of wedlock should not be shunned. Neither should a homosexual. But all should be counseled on what the Word of God says about their life, their choices, and their sin. The truth should be spoken in love, but it still should be spoken.

I am so grateful that God loves me, unconditionally. He loves you unconditionally too! He loves me, despite the fact that I am a sinner. That doesn't mean he loves it when I sin. That doesn't mean my sin doesn't grieve his heart. It just means that he is committed to me anyway.

Romans 2:1-3
¹You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. ²Now we know that God's judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. ³So when you, a mere man, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God's judgment?
Romans 14:13
¹³Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way.
1 Corintians 5: 1-13
¹It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that does not occur even among pagans: A man has his father's wife. ²And you are proud! Shouldn't you rather have been filled with grief and have put out of your fellowship the man who did this? ³Even though I am not physically present, I am with you in spirit. And I have already passed judgment on the one who did this, just as if I were present. ⁴When you are assembled in the name of our Lord Jesus and I am with you in spirit, and the power of our Lord Jesus is present, ⁵hand this man over to Satan, so that the sinful nature^[a] may be destroyed and his spirit saved on the day of the Lord.

⁶Your boasting is not good. Don't you know that a little yeast works through the whole batch of dough? ⁷Get rid of the old yeast that you may be a new batch without yeast—as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. ⁸Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and wickedness, but with bread without yeast, the bread of sincerity and truth.

⁹I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— ¹⁰not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. ¹¹But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat.

¹²What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? ¹³God will judge those outside. "Expel the wicked man from among you."

A Right Response to Sin?

The following is a post left on a community website I occasionally visit. The first part was written by a member of an ELCA church and is a request for guidance in how to respond to what her local congregation is currently going through in response to the ELCA decision to ordain active, practicing homosexuals for ministry. (for more on the decision, click HERE or just Google it.)

The second part is the response I left on the website, one of 50+ comments, from a fairly wide variety of opinions.

PART ONE
Churches leaving the ELCA
I currently attend a church whose Pastor is working actively to get the congregation to approve leaving the ELCA after the recent acceptance of Gay Pastors. I personally feel that this goes against the Lord as it is against rule number one, Love thy neighbor. This seems so much like people judging others and I say, let he who without sin cast the first stone. I also believe that the Lord created each of us in the manner that he wanted and he or she does not make mistakes. That being said, we are all his children, and we didn't get to decide if we are straight, gay, blue eyed, blonde, transgendered, etc, it was decided for us and we are the way we were created for God's reasons.
So with all this, how can I support my church financially when I cannot agree with their actions. I am going to find another church that loves all of us as we are. So where should I place my financial support until I land? Do others feel as I do

Here is my response:

PART TWO
Great dialogue, what does the bible say about it?
Very interesting dialogue going on here. I commend everyone for the civility with which you have expressed your opinion. This issue is not personal to me, for I am not a member of the ELCA. Nonetheless, I believe that it is important for all to be wrestling with this issue.

For me, the question Rachael raises in her original post is, “What does it mean to ‘love thy neighbor?’.” Is love and accept the same thing? Does love mean we overlook all wrongs? On the surface the answer should be an easy "YES". Yes, we love everyone, the way God has loved us, unconditionally. Yes, we accept people just the way they are, warts and all. Yes, we overlook their shortcomings and offer them grace, knowing that we too need grace and have shortcomings.

But the discussion can't end there.

The truth is that God loves us and accepts us, but does not overlook our shortcomings. He loves us unconditionally, but he accepts us on the basis of the Son's righteous death. It is the blood of Christ that makes me clean and whole and acceptable in God's sight. And the greater my sin, the greater his grace. Does that mean I should keep on sinning all the more. Of course not (see Romans 6) for in Christ I died to sin. Do we all agree that SIN is always bad? If so,the the real question becomes, "Is homosexuality a sin?" Some say no based on the evidence that people are born that way. I have been told the same is true for alcoholics and drug addicts; that there is a natural propensity to become such based on genetics. If we do something "by nature" does that make it acceptable in God's eyes? Your answer to the question may depend upon your view of the nature of mankind. Are we by nature sinful? In other words, do you have a sinful nature? Scripture teaches that you do. Therefore it is un-biblical to state that because “we are born a certain way” it is acceptable and right to act on. Scripture treats homosexuality as sin that needs to be repented of, just as all sin does. Repentance means we turn from the old way and live in the new way.

Personally, I would welcome some input on how so many can justify accepting homosexuality as a "designed by God and therefore is good" activity.

What do you think about the discussion as a whole and when you form an opinion, what do you rely on as a basis for that opinion: your leaders (government, church, parents, etc.), your experiences, expert testimony, Scripture, or something else?

Does what we watch on TV matter?

September 11, 2009

Donna,

I can’t express how disappointed I am by your comments on today’s show regarding Ellen Degeneres and the TV show American Idol. While I believe that you are entitled to your opinion, I felt strongly that I must also express mine.

In response to a caller who stated that he would no longer watch or support American Idol because Ellen Degeneres is a lesbian, you asked something like, “What about everybody else’s sin. Isn’t it better that she doesn’t hide it? You can dig up dirt on anyone, anyone.”

I commend your desire to love all in Jesus name, but I believe that you have mis-understood the will and desire of God regarding sin, and in so doing have cheapened his grace.

Undoubtedly, if you were to examine my life you would find sin.
Undoubtedly, if we were to examine your life we would find sin.
Undoubtedly, if we were to examine Ellen Degeneres’ life we would find sin.
For some people, we don’t have to look very hard. For others we do. That isn’t the point. Scripture is very clear and truthful that “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Roman 3:23).

So we absolutely agree that ALL are sinners.

How then can anyone enter heaven? Are all saved? Has God just thrown open the gates to let anyone it, no matter what?

No, “But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe” (Romans 3:21-22).

All have sinned, yet God makes available through faith in Jesus Christ a righteousness that qualifies us for membership in God’s kingdom and God’s family.

Since I am saved, since I am forgiven, does that mean that I should keep on living the way I have always lived? Of course not! Though I have sin in my life, and continue to have sin in my life, even after being saved, I do not celebrate my sin, I do not flaunt my sin.

Though my sin remains, so does grace. Here is how scripture says it: “But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?” (Romans 5:20-6:2).

What does all this have to do with Ellen and American Idol. Nothing really. Watching American Idol is not a sin. Supporting Ellen Degeneres is perhaps not a sin. But I, for one, will not watch and support a show that promotes values and lifestyles which I believe are in contradiction to how God would have us live. You get to decide for yourself, I understand that.

But whatever your decision is regarding Ellen and American Idol, know this: There is a difference in God’s eyes between her sin and mine. Mine stands wholly forgiven. Does hers? For all I have heard her say publicly, I have never heard her profess faith in Jesus Christ, who is “the Way, the Truth, and the Life” (John 14:6).

God’s desire is more that just to forgive you, or I, or Ellen, of our sin. God’s desire is to give us victory over sin.

Your comments just said to your audience that you don’t think it matters what kind of a life a person lives before God. Is that really what you believe?
Your comments just said to your audience that all sin is equal in God’s eyes, whether repented of and forgive or not.
Your comments just said to your audience that it is okay for Christians to support others, even those who are openly against the ways of God, simply because Christians have sin in their lives too.

I am grateful that my sin has been forgiven and that God no longer sees me through my sin for he has clothed me in a robe of righteousness won by His son, my Savior, Jesus Christ.

I wonder how different our country and world would be if all those who identify themselves as Christians would remove their support from companies who promote sinful lifestyles. While I believe we should not and can not force morality onto others, I also believe that, as Christians, we should draw lines of distinction between ourselves and the world. Even though we may continue to struggle with sin, we should not support those who promote sin.

Chris Leingang
Pastor
Faith Fellowship Lutheran Brethren Church
210 Fishers Lane, Kelso, WA 98632
(360) 425-4390 www.fflbc.org

cc:
Danny Houle, Kelso Station Manager
Bob Augsburg, President/Founder, bob@wayfm.com

Rethinking Church

A great little booklet for those who have given up on Church.

Here is a copy of the Table of Contents:
Reason #1: I don't believe in organized religion..........................3
Reason #2: I have my own way of connecting with God.................5
Reason #3: I got tired of the church always asking me for money.....8
Reason #4: My life situation changed, and I just never went back...10
Reason #5: I don't have to go to church to be a good person..........13
Reason #6: I'm too busy, and Sundays are my only time to rest......16
Reason #7: Church is boring...............................................18
Reason #8: The people tend to have their own cliques-I never fit in.20
Reason #9: Christians are judgmental and hypocritical................22
Reason #10 I don't think I'd be welcome anymore

-I've done some bad stuff......................24

Why People Are Coming Back to Church.................................27
How Do I Go Back to Church?..............................................30
More Tips on Going Back to Church......................................34
Recommended Reading....................................................37

As you can see from the table of contents, each section is very short, easy to read, and deals with many of the reasons why people have left the church.
Were there any that you identified with?
The book can be previewed online at: Rethink Church Booklet
and can be bought HERE.

I'm thinking about buying several to share with friends.

How do you relate to God?

The following is part of an ongoing conversation I am having with a friend via the internet. The friends started the conversation several weeks ago and we have sent messages back several times since then.

While there might be some value in sharing the entire conversation with you, I would not feel comfortable with doing so unless both parties (my friend and I) agreed to do so.

Nonetheless, I feel compelled to share my most recent response. (In order for you to understand the response you must first know that my friend has never made church attendance a priority in their life.)

I would love to hear your comments/thoughts/questions.

You are not bothering me at all. And I didn't mean to leave you hangin'. I really have been swamped and I want my response to be clear, so that means I have to think pretty hard :).
I don't know which questions are burning hotter and need attention, but I will take a stab. Feel free to steer me toward other issues if you would like!
I will start by responding to: "Nobody actually explained to me what it means to be catholic. I was just always told that's what I was."
In your context being told you are catholic means that at some point you were baptized by the Catholic church.
But that is sort of like me saying I'm German. I've never been to Germany. I have no known relatives in Germany. I don't even speak German (though I did take two years of it). And only some of my ancestors are from Germany. It would be much more accurate to say that I am American, but that my family background is German.
Or perhaps it is like saying I am a soccer player. I once was a soccer player. I played for 12+ years, pretty much from the time I was 5 until I was 17. I haven't played on a real team since High School and this year is my 20 year reunion. Certainly it is living in the past, clinging to something old and no longer true for me to say that I am a soccer player. I USE to be a soccer player. I WISH I could still play soccer. Whatever, but I am NOT a soccer player anymore.
You were baptized Catholic. Perhaps you went to Mass/church for a while, maybe you didn't I don't know. Going to Mass/church is about relating to God in a certain way.
Perhaps at one time it was fair to say that you related to God as a Catholic. (you went to Mass, you prayed the rosary, you participated in confession, you took the Eucharist (communion). But you haven't related to Him in that way for a very long time.
So here is the question: "How do you relate to God now?"

The Promise of Baptism

When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”

Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”      -Acts 2:37-39

When God’s word is at work, as it obviously did through Peter’s preaching, there must be a response. God’s word always calls for a response. When the law quickens our spirit and awakens us to our hopelessness, we may respond with indifference, disbelief or repentance. Is repentance enough to be saved? Do we receive the Holy Spirit through repentance? Not according to this passage of Scripture! The promise spoken of by Peter is Christ’s promise of the Holy Spirit, which Peter links directly to the act of baptism. Through baptism we receive forgiveness of sin and the gift of the Holy Spirit. Baptism is a means of God’s grace. In other words, through baptism God delivers the mercy and grace made available to all through the Cross of Christ.

Have you been baptized?
If so, thank God for the grace He has promised you. He is faithful to that promise, even if you have failed Him.
If not, what prevents you from receiving the gift God has promised to give you? The Lord our God is calling you to respond to Him today! Don’t put it off.

If you would like to be baptized “in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins” give me a call, drop me an email, or leave a comment and let me know how to reach you. Or speak with a pastor in a church near your home. Whatever you do, don’t put it off; don’t miss another day of God’s goodness in your life.

Adult Confirmation: a thorough overview

2009 Adult Sunday School Plan

Topic: Adult Confirmation: a thorough overview

Rationale: Many adults in the church have not participated in confirmation instruction in their youth. Of those who did, it was many years ago, and some have expressed a desire to have a refresher course.

The nature of corporate worship leads us to repeat certain activities (Communion, Baptism) or statements (Lord’s Prayer, Apostle’s Creed) without taking the time to explain and teach what we are doing and why.

Repetition can be useful for low-level learning, but can be counter-productive to higher-level understanding and applying.

Adults need the opportunity to not only hear the teachings of the church, but to evaluate and at times even question them, in order to develop spiritual maturity.

Challenges: Students will likely possess a wide variety of experience with the topics presented. Some may feel they know all they need to know. Others may feel as though these teachings are no longer relevant for today’s world. Still others may feel that they are not ready for this in-depth of a study. In order to overcome these challenges the Instructor must engage the students and not simply present the material. The more involved the students are in the learning process the more they will benefit from the material presented.

And of course, when working with spiritual growth, the course and the students need to be covered in prayer, for only the Spirit of God can move a topic from the head to the heart.

Objectives:

The primary objective of this course is two-fold:

1. To expose students to the basic foundational teachings of the church.
2. To move students from simply knowing the teachings of the church to understanding those teachings so that they are able to apply them to their daily lives

As a result of participating in this course, students will:

• Be able to recite the Ten Commandment
• Understand how the Ten Commandments apply to their daily lives
• Be able to evaluate real life situations in order to discern which Commandment should guide their choices
• Be able to recite the Apostle’s Creed
• Understand what it means to have God as their Heavenly Father
• Understand the redemptive work of Jesus Christ
• Understand their relationship to Christ’s church
• Have a deeper understanding of what they are asking for when they pray the Lord’s Prayer
• Be able to offer prayers that follow the model of prayer found in the Lord’s Prayer
• Know the different views of Baptism within the Christian church
• Understand what God has done for them through Baptism
• Know the different views of Communion within the Christian Church
• Understand what God does for them through Communion

Schedule: 33 Weeks of instruction & interaction

Sept 13	Kick-Off
Sept 20	Introduction to Confirmation, expectations, objectives, schedule
Sept 27	Authority of Scripture
Oct 4	Sacraments – The What, Why and How
Oct 11	The Law – 2 tables, 3 uses
Oct 18	Commandment #1 – You shall have no other gods before me
Oct 25	Commandment #2 – You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God
Nov 1	Commandment #3 – Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy
Nov 8	Commandment #4 – Honor your father and mother
Nov 15	Commandment #5 – You shall not murder
Nov 22	Commandment #6 – You shall not commit adultery
Nov 29	Commandment #7 – You shall not steal
Dec 6	Commandment #8 – You shall not give false testimony
Dec 13	Commandment #9 – You shall not covet your neighbor’s house
Dec 20	Commandment #10 – You shall not covet your neighbor’s spouse (stuff)
Dec 27	CHRISTMAS BREAK – no Sunday School
Jan 3	NEW YEAR’S BREAK – no Sunday School
Jan 10	Introduction to the Apostles’ Creed
Jan 17	First Article – God the Father
Jan 24	Second Article – Jesus, His only Son, part 1
Jan 31	Second Article – Jesus, His only Son, part 2
Feb 7	Third Article – The Holy Spirit
Feb 14	Third Article – The Holy Christian Church
Feb 21	Third Article – Eternal Life
Feb 28	Introduction to Prayer
Mar 7	Addressing your Heavenly Father
Mar 14	Petitions 1-3
Mar 21	Petition 4
Mar 28	Petition 5
Apr 4	EASTER – no Sunday School
Apr 11	Petitions 6-7
Apr 18	Baptism: how
Apr 25	Baptism: why
May 2	Baptism: who
May 9	MOTHER’S DAY –no Sunday School
May 16	Communion – the elements
May 23	Communion – the practice
May 30	Conclusion – WHO YOU ARE