Bible Verses – RSV (Revised Senior Version)

(A work in progress as the Lord leads).

Look up, lift up your heads (slowly), for your redemption draweth nigh. Luke 21:28

He that hath an ear (with adjustable hearing aids), let him hear.  Revelation 2:7

Man shall not live by bread (or carrot juice, folates or vitamin B complex additves) alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Luke 4:4

After having done all to (painfully) stand, stand therefore, (try two minutes the first time, then increase the time until you can stand by yourself for five full minutes).   Ephesians 6:13-14

O come, let us worship and bow down (you should be able to do this after some therapy): let us kneel—careful with those knee replacements—before the LORD our maker. Psalm 95:6

And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat (and lay off the sodium, trans fats and hydrogenated oils.)  Acts 10:13

Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is (without special lighting, progressive lenses or cataract surgery). 1 John 3:2

Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat (without my dentures)? Matthew 6:31 (KJV)

And thou shalt have great sickness by disease of thy bowels, until thy bowels fall out by reason of the sickness day by day (no translation necessary). 2 Chronicles 21:15

Can You Control Your Affections?

“Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” Colossians 3:1-4

The advertisement said it all: “Love is love.”  The obvious implication—or more accurately, propaganda—jumped off the page.  “You can’t control who you love.  Humans are helpless pawns in the chessboard of life.  Raw instincts gush up from the unknown sources of the soul and dictate to us the objects of our affection.  You love who you love and you can’t do anything about it.”

This contemporary wisdom shoved down our throats by the media, by academia, by Hollywood and special interest groups have now taken their philosophy to the next level.  They preach at us not to make any attempt to re-route or re-direct anyone’s “natural” affection away from its unrestrained flow.  Not only must we refrain from interfering with it, we should encourage its expression and affirm its consummation.  The real enemies of social evolution, they say, are those extremist moral policemen who keep trying to force outdated mores onto the emerging generation.  (These enemies are better defined as Christians.)

Lest you think this is just another tirade against sexual orientation and the goals of the LGBT crowd, it’s much bigger than that.  Let me state my point another way:  The shrills who say you cannot control who you love have launched a frontal attack against the essence of Christianity.  Why?  Because the primary mission of every believer is simply to love God!  “And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself.” Luke 10:27.  According to Matthew’s gospel, the entire body of scripture rests on this seminal command.  But the insidious corollary of the new philosophy is that no one can be, or should they be, forced to love God against his or her will.  The concise version of this idea is this:  “You cannot tell me who not to love, and neither can you tell me who I should love!”

Therein, ladies and gentlemen, lies the fait accompli of contemporary thought.  For liberal adherents, the argument is over.  It essentially holds that the Bible goes against the very nature of humankind; therefore, Christianity is more than wrong—it is evil!  This thought forms the basis for university policies, professors’ lectures, movie themes, sitcom plots, popular magazine articles, best-seller books, contemporary music lyrics, judges’ decisions, legislative regulations, corporate initiatives, executive edicts and the entire cultural trend of our era.  For the majority of them, Christ and His cross have already been hauled to the dustbin of history.  

Anyone who buys into this thinking, in spite of its pervasiveness, pits a few decades of popularity against millenniums of established principles.  One need look no further than the sexual revolution.  Multiple studies of transgenderism, for example, reveal the deeply troubling post-surgery experiences of those who have gone that route and cite suicide rates of up to ten times of the rest of the population!  One writer says that the only thing that is rare is the media reporting of these conclusions. (www.sexchangeregret.com)

The scriptures teach that the problem has nothing to do with physical anatomy.  The real problem is the condition of the heart.  (Proverbs 4:23)  Affection has always been under the control of the individual.  The Apostle Paul underscores this truth when he directs us to “set” our affections on things above.  The use of the word set speaks to thought processes.  It comes from the Greek word phroneo, which means to exercise the mind, to have a sentiment or opinion, or to interest oneself in a certain thing.  (Vine) 

In other words, each of us has the ability to organize our thoughts and impel our emotions around the subject of our choosing.  The power to reject or deny any entity that makes an appeal for our love is a choice as well.  The only way our affections gain the upper hand over our choices is if we give them permission to exercise that power.  In other words, we have to cede the control of our heart to someone or something else.  While others can use physical restraint over us (e.g. POW’s), they cannot commandeer our love.  That’s why we are told to “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world.”  John 2:15.

You can set your affections on things above, but it requires a conscious decision to elevate your spiritual eyesight to heavenly or eternal goals.  How can believers do that?  We do it in the same way we make all of our life’s decisions.  We weigh the importance of the spiritual over the physical; we judge the value of eternity over time; we understand the superiority of the Word of God over the word of man; we discern the difference between Satan’s subtle lies and God’s proven truths; we examine the lives of faithful believers as opposed to those who reject the Bible. 

The outlier in the formula is called the flesh.  The flesh mitigates against wise choices and rational thought.  Flesh is the force that keeps dopers doping.  It’s the yearning that pulls alcoholics back to the bar.  It’s the lust that drives sexual immorality.  It’s the desire that makes liars lie, gamblers gamble, thieves steal and killers kill.  Freedom from the flesh means crucifying the flesh.  Thus, the Apostle goes on in his epistle to say, “Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” Colossians 3:5.  Do not deal kindly with your flesh: it will not deal kindly with you.

Determining who and what you love is not a random act, the spin of a wheel or the roll of some phantom pair of dice.  It is a choice.  People make choices every day.  Many of them are hard choices, but they make them anyway.  As for me, I choose to love the Lord Jesus Christ.  I do this because He first loved me.  I also do this because out of a world of possibilities, it is absolutely the best choice I can possibly make in this world!

Christmas Faith

The Christmas season is for people of faith.  Without faith, Christmas sinks to the level of a pagan holiday.  Let us then renew our grip on faith so that this season can truly come alive.

“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Hebrews 11:6.

There has to be a beginning point.  In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God.  The beginning of your walk with God calls for faith.

But, before faith comes alive in you, you must believe there is a God. How do you draw that conclusion?  You look at the universe and you see order.  You look at nature and you see design.  You know that all things stay still unless they are put into motion.  But, all things start from a standing position, so something had to act upon something to create the universe.  Order cannot come from disorder. Order is the evidence of a mind.  Therefore, there must be a creator, and the creator must be all-powerful.

The truth of God is inescapable. As Scripture says, only the fool says in his heart, “There is no God.”  Since there is a God, and since He created beings that think, reason, and make choices, then he must have a purpose for people.  Faith builds on that purpose.

True Bible faith is triumphant obedience to God’s Word in the face of circumstances and consequences. Let that sentence soak into your mind and heart. Fabulous faith!

This faith operates on a simple equation:  

• God speaks, we listen.
• We trust His Written Word and act on it no matter what the circumstances are or what the consequences may be.
• The circumstances may be impossible, frightening and unknown; but we obey God’s Word anyway and believe that he will do what is right and what is best.

Faith is that itchy, antsy, rambunctious force that starts in the inner sanctum of your brain, somewhere between the hippocampus and the posterior commissure.  It commands attention, demands release and remands doubt to the sidelines.  Slowly, it rises out of the darkness of your spirit.  The ascent first promises to be easy.  The initial thrust propels it out of the gravitational pull of fear and the status quo—-it is on its way.  I can fly!  I can fly! 

Suddenly, flying faith smashes up against the ceiling of the real world.  Counteracting forces come out of nowhere and beat it back.  This is where your faith energy has a head-on collision with your belief system.  This is where you cry, “Lord, I believe.  Help thou mine unbelief.” This is where the enemies of your faith begin to talk back to you.  “You can’t do this.  This is way too hard for you.  Go back where you came from.  Who do you think you are, anyway? You’re foolish—-no, no—you’re stupid! The facts are against you. Circumstances are against you.  Family and friends are against you.  History is against you. Logic is against you.”

But, God-given faith pauses, regroups and begins anew.  “I will not be stopped,” it breathes. “The power within me is greater than the obstacles that assault me.”  Fabulous Faith!

Faith is the courage to put your beliefs into action.  Faith fills in the blanks in the exam of life.  Faith is the missing link between God and man.  Faith performs like night vision goggles, like cloud-penetrating radar, like extra-sensory perception.  Faith believes what it cannot understand, ventures where it cannot see, and convicts what it cannot prove.

Faith is a song without music, a painting without picture, a poem without words.

Faith flies, but it runs when it cannot fly.  Faith walks when it cannot run.  Faith crawls when it cannot walk.  Faith stands when it cannot crawl. 

Faith is building on what you know is here so you can reach what you know is there.  When fear knocks at the door and faith answers, no one will be there.  “Faith draws the poison from every grief, takes the sting from every loss, and quenches the fire of every pain; and only faith can do it.”  (J.G. Holland.)  Faith is not some “feeling” that we manufacture.  It is our total response to what God has revealed in His Word.  Fabulous faith!

Three words in Hebrews 11:1–3 summarize what true Bible faith is: substance, evidence, and witness.  “Substance” means literally “to stand under, to support.”   Faith is to a believer is what a foundation is to a house: it gives his sound assurance that he will stand.  So you might say, “Faith is the confidence of things hoped for.”   Faith is God’s way of giving you confidence and assurance that what is promised will be experienced.

Evidence simply means “conviction.”   This is the inward conviction from God that what He has promised, He will perform.   The presence of God-given faith in one’s heart is conviction enough that He will keep His Word.

Witness is to obtain a good report.   Hebrews 12:1 calls the list of heroes of faith in the eleventh chapter “so great a cloud of witnesses.” They are witnesses to us because God witnessed to them. In each example cited, God gave witness to that person’s faith. This witness was His divine approval on their lives and ministries.

So, faith is substance, evidence and witness.  It is a very practical thing, in spite of what unbelievers say. Faith makes us understand what God does.  Faith makes us to see what others cannot see.  Faith does not panic, even when it appears that all is lost. As a result, faith makes us to do what others cannot do! Fabulous faith!

Only faith has a future.  Faith is the accelerator, doubt is the brake pedal. Faith is confidence that everything will work out, doubt is the sickening feeling in the pit of your stomach that everything will fall apart.  Faith is not guesswork.  It is assurance based on God’s character.

            This blessed Christmas season, your faith lets you say with confidence, “For I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.” 2 Timothy 1:12.

            Because of our faith, we can say “Have a Merry Christmas!”

Things I Used to Know

I used to know that the Christmas season started after Thanksgiving.

I used to know that Thanksgiving was not “Turkey Day” or a day for football.

I used to know that Sunday morning service began at ten o’clock wherever I was in the country.

I used to know what pages of the hymnal “The OId Rugged Cross” and “When We All Get to Heaven” were on.

I used to know how long a man’s hair should grow before he went to the barber shop.

I used to know that getting dressed up for church meant a coat and tie for men and a modest dress for ladies.

I used to know that “platform standards” applied to everyone in the church.

I used to know that marriage came before children.

I used to know that tattoos were only for military men or motorcycle gangs and that they were put on the upper arm and usually hidden from sight.

I used to know that the school day began with prayer and the pledge of allegiance.

I used to know that the whole family ate supper together.

I used to know that a man shaved when the five o’clock shadow got too dark.

I used to know that food and drink were not allowed in the sanctuary.

I used to know that mothers took their babies out of the service when they started to cry.

I used to know how to add up a column of numbers get the only right answer that there could be.

I used to know that chaperones always accompanied teenagers on dates.

I used to know that people could say anything in public as long as it wasn’t vulgar or dangerous.

I used to know that people who disagreed with you couldn’t stop you from expressing your opinion.

I used to know that men always opened doors for ladies.

I used to know that parents could actually discipline their children without interference from the state.

I used to know that preachers could talk about hell and scare people to death, yet no one was offended.

I used to know that there were certain subjects you didn’t discuss in mixed company.

I used to know that lying was wrong regardless of the situation.

I used to know that faith was respected in schools and colleges.

I used to know that boys’ clothes were different from girls’ clothes.

I used to know that boys played with toy cars and toy pistols.

I used to know that girls played with dolls and jump ropes.

I used to know that teachers reinforced the same moral standards that the kids were taught at home.

I used to know that doctors were forbidden to assist in an abortion.

I used to know that office-holders were statesman and not just politicians.

I used to know that a high school graduate earned his or her diploma with passing grades.

I used to know that there was only one vote per person.

I used to know that you could fly the American flag any time or place you desired.

I used to know that it was an honor to serve in the military.

I used to know that America was the strongest nation on earth.

I used to know that your point of view did not disqualify you from acceptance and participation.

I used to know that patriotism was admired, even on college campuses.

I used to know that high school commencement week always included a baccalaureate service.

I used to know that graduation exercise included an invocation and a benediction.

I used to know that congress could make no law prohibiting the free exercise of a religion.

It’s probably good that I don’t know some of these things anymore; most of them I wish I still knew.

Black Lives Matter: The Path Going Forward

Most grass-roots movements that rise up in America publish their reasons for existence, the goals they want to achieve, and the way they intend to reach those goals.  In a brief search of the BLM movement’s literature and internet presence, I have not found these basic directives.  It’s a young group, so it may still be in the process of development.  Their website www.blacklivesmatter.com indicates that more is to come.

In the meantime, I have some questions and thoughts that I would like to flesh out.  I am not an African-American.  I am, however, an American citizen who wants to live in peace and harmony with all other Americans, regardless of ethnic distinctions.  I despise racism, but like most other Americans, I don’t know what to do about it except to act out my convictions in a personal, unilateral way. 

Question #1:  Is the BLM movement a statement about the value of black lives in a generic way, or is it calling for a specific focus on the relationship between the police and African-Americans?  If it is generic, then every instance of the loss of a black person should be headlined, not just those who die at the hands of law enforcement. 

Question #2:  Does the “Black Lives Matter” label imply that the lives of other races don’t matter?  Those who have suggested this have been publically denounced.  This should have been anticipated by the founders of BLM. 

Question #3:  How will the BLM movement impact the perception of law enforcement as a whole?  Will the police be profiled as racist?  Will there be a standard by which Americans will judge particular law enforcement personnel? Just because one wears a uniform or has a badge may not be enough to distinguish between good cops and bad cops.

Question #4:  Does BLM call for the abolition of all law enforcement on the grounds that it is corrupt and racist at the core?  I really don’t need to comment on the impact that decision would have.  No more police and no more prisons would basically mean no more America.

Question #5:  But, let’s hypothesize on the BLM thinking on the last question of no more America.  This may, in fact, really be the goal of those who belong to the BLM or to other groups who sympathize with them.  Is it time for America to be dismantled?  Is racism so rampant and ingrained that the whole country is beyond repair?  Is it, at least, time for the nation to be divided into two or three nations?  Will such an arrangement foment a second civil war?  These are radical thoughts, but I would like to know if they are being entertained by some factions in America.

Question #6:  Does BLM only want to promote awareness of the problem between African-Americans and the police, or does it propose solutions to the problem?  Do these solutions involve education, PSA’s, restructuring of law enforcement agencies or other substantive efforts?  Should we expect more of the execution style of law enforcement officers like the one in Houston on 8/29/2015 or other similar incidents?

These are just a few questions I have about BLM.  The movement may be a necessary beginning to the discussion.  I hope that’s the case.  We desperately need to talk about racism, racial politics and the racial realities of 2015.  To continue to ignore the issue simply because it is so inflammatory and emotional, will only exacerbate the problem. 

I want to know if the core issue is crime or race.  Does criminology have racial overtones, or does the color of one’s skin determine criminology?  I want to know if the problem is a surface issue that can be easily fixed or a deep issue that goes all the way back to our founding fathers and documents.  Is the constitution a biased document because it was written by slave-owners?  Are reparations proposed by BLM?  Are a separate set of laws for the black population proposed?  I don’t know the answers, and maybe my questions are ignorant or out of line, but somehow, we need some answers.

African-American’s have a history of victimhood and pain.  There is no doubt that they are an aggrieved people.  Grievance, however, calls for one of two solutions:  reconciliation or revenge.  For the sake of all, including African-Americans, I hope we can work toward the first solution. 

What If You're Not Called?

 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.  And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 (NKJV)

This is an unusual text for me to read in connection with a funeral, (we typically hear it at a wedding ceremony), but you will understand why I chose this passage in a few moments.  First, I want to say that it is a distinct honor to be able to speak at the home-going service for the sainted lady who lies in state before us, Dorothy Kuhtenia, in her lovely red jacket and beautiful white hair.  She looks like she could sit up and take charge of all of the commotion right now.   Indeed, I halfway expect her to do exactly that and scold us for making such a fuss over her today. 

To which I would say, Yes, we are making a fuss over you today.  It’s about time that the world knows what a fabulous lady and saint of God Dorothy Kuhtenia really was.  (It wouldn’t have done much good to do this while she was still living because she wouldn’t have stood for it!)  She was an exquisite Christian woman, pure, resolute, devoted, conscientious and strong.  There was no aspect of kingdom labor that she spurned, whether administrative, custodial, or some other menial task that invariably requires the unique skill of a pastor’s wife.  She cooked, cleaned, organized, planned, prepared, counseled and was pretty good at giving orders.  She decorated, orchestrated, motivated and adjusted what was happening in the church, and did all of this most of the time without her pastor/husband telling her what to do (or maybe not even knowing what all she did.)  

You’ve already heard much of the kind of lady she was, loving, compassionate, proper, holy, insistent on excellence, and faithful.  Her Christianity was not a façade, contrived for appearance sake only.  She was an authentic, genuine Christian, forgiving, but always expecting the very best out of everyone. 

Perhaps the reason why there is no gut-wrenching sorrow and grief expressed here today, is because we knew he kind of lady she was.  Nobody who knew her is feeling any uncertainty of her eternal destination. 

But the world does not act this way when confronted by death.  The world’s view is summed up in Dylan Thomas’s oft quoted poem, “Do not go gentle into that good night; rage, rage against the dying of the light!”

For the born-again Christian, there is no dying of the light.  Revelation 21:23-25 says “And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.  And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it.  And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.”

This is why death has no sting and the grave has no ultimate victory.  We do not leave here without hope in our hearts!  1 Thessalonians 4:13-17  But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.  For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.  For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.  For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:  Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”

Just for the record here this afternoon, we do believe that there is life after death.  There is a rapture, a judgment, a place of eternal bliss for those who love His appearing.  There is a reason why we repent of our sins, why we are baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of those sins, and why we receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.  This is not just a creed that makes you Pentecostal; this is a prerequisite to make you rapture-ready! 

So, while I could reiterate all the wonderful attributes of our dear Sister Kuhtenia, I think it is far more useful for us to understand why she was this way.  We cannot capture the essence of her character simply by knowing who she was, or by recounting the many accomplishments of her life, or even by listing all the great attributes that describe her.  We can know the who and the what, but unless we can discern the why, then we have failed to have that necessary epiphany—we would have come and gone from the light, but having our eyes closed to enlightenment.  

Let us begin to peel back the layers.  Dorothy Kuhtenia, a girl from St. Louis, followed her husband to Connecticut to pastor three different churches, to Lincoln, Nebraska, to Van Wert, Ohio.  She threw herself into the work of a pastor’s wife, the wife of a drug-rehab director, a presbyter’s wife, a ladies ministries worker, a Mother’s Memorial fundraiser, plus a lot of other roles she played that most of us don’t know about.  Never once, however, did I ever hear her say that she was called to the ministry.  I do know that she never sought the spotlight, that she never aspired to a pulpit ministry, that she never competed with her husband for a leadership role. 

I speak to you from the perspective of one who is called into the ministry.  I will tell you unequivocally, however, that there are many things I have done in the course of my ministry that I would not have done had I not been called!  There are chores I have done, indignities I have suffered, insults I have taken and jobs imposed upon me that—were it not for the call, would never have happened. 

And yet, here is a lady who probably dealt with more hurts, disappointments, tragic circumstances and tough days than most of us, yet without a specific, definite call to ministry!    

Allow me one comparison from the scriptures.  The Apostle Peter, one of the inner circle that surrounded Christ, received a definite call to be a disciple.  Yet, when Jesus was going through his week of passion, this called man warmed himself by a strange fire and denied that he ever knew the Master—three times, one time using rather salty language!  Even his calling wasn’t enough to keep him faithful.

At the same time, there were the women.  The women who stayed close by Jesus when he hung on the cross.  The women who went to the tomb early in the morning to anoint the body of Jesus.  The women who had no specific call, but hovered over the body of Jesus to make sure it was properly taken care of.  They were there because they were driven by love.

Here is such a lady.  Let the world take note.  Let called men and women of God take note.  Let the saints of the church pay close attention.  Let the family look carefully at the mother, the grandmother, the sister, the aunt and the relative who stood side by side with her preacher husband.  She was a Ruth who said,   “Entreat me not to leave you, Or to turn back from following after you; For wherever you go, I will go; And wherever you lodge, I will lodge; Your people shall be my people, And your God, my God. 17  Where you die, I will die, And there will I be buried. The LORD do so to me, and more also, If anything but death parts you and me.” Ruth 1:16-17 (NKJV)

The question, then, is why?  Why was this lady so dedicated?  Why was she willing to work so hard for the kingdom’s sake?  Why did she treat the things of God with such reverence and respect?  It wasn’t a call.  Her husband was called, but she never professed to a call.

There is something stronger than a call.  There is a commodity that the Scriptures tell us is greater than faith, greater than hope.  It’s called love.  You are looking at the picture of love as it was meant to be.  Dorothy Kuhtenia did what she did because she loved her husband and her Lord.  And because she loved her Lord, she loved His work, His Word, and His church. 

As we contemplate the life of Dorothy Kuhtenia, aspire to be like her if you so choose, but if all you can do is imitate her character, or try to mimic her in her talents and abilities, in her actions and deeds, then you will have missed the whole point.  Grasp her motivation of love, and it will produce all the other attributes that you admire in her.

Hebrews 6:10 (NKJV) 10  For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

When you understand her love, then you will understand her God.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Are Traditions Good or Bad in the Church?

“Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.” 2 Thessalonians 2:15

The two words in question are krateite (hold) and paradoseis (traditions).  The manner in which the Apostle Paul stated this concept goes beyond a suggestion or an implication.  Krateite is a very strong verb and connotes urgency and vigor.  Some scholars have even translated it as hold fast, which adds to the firmness of his intent.  We can take from this statement that there were teachings Paul communicated to the church that were of profound significance.  To ignore or contradict these teachings could be considered insubordination or rebellion.  At the very least, they would be divisive.

The second word is paradoseis which is translated traditions. The range of definitions include transmissions or ordinances.  The simplest definition is “rules or ordinances that have been handed down to you.”  Admittedly, the word “tradition” was also used to convey man-made or uninspired regulations, mainly those contrived by the Pharisees.  Paul, himself, kept those traditions before his conversion.  Afterwards, he disparaged them as carnal and not after the Word of God.  But he makes it clear that there are good traditions and bad traditions.  We must be VERY CAREFUL here to distinguish one use of the word from the other.  Indeed, 2 Timothy 2:15 admonishes us to rightly divide the Word of Truth, indicating that discernment and propriety are essential to understand the true teachings of the Scripture.  It would be presumptuous or lazy scholarship to lump all traditions together as bad when that result was never the intention of the Apostle.  Even worse, arriving at such a flagrantly wrong conclusion would be the height of irresponsibility for those who are charged with the oversight of the church. 

Going further, Paul qualified his use of the word tradition by referring to the source of such teachings as the logos or his epistles.  The probably definition of logos as used here was not the Holy Scriptures, but teaching transmitted orally by the Apostle.  The epistles, on the other hand, have now been canonized as our New Testament, the writings that we receive as the Word of God.  Yet, there is no provable source that informs us to consider the oral teachings as somehow less binding than the written letters.  So, what were these oral teachings?  We cannot know for sure, but we may certainly infer that they were in keeping with Apostolic doctrine, with the many admonitions to the church to be pure and holy, and with the general tone of the written epistles. 

When the Roman church drifted from the Apostolic era and evolved into the age of the church fathers, they began establishing traditions that were definitely at odds with the Scripture, such as infant baptism, the doctrine of the trinity, celibacy of the priests, etc.  These were man-made traditions that were neither based on Scripture nor provable by the Word of God.  Nothing about these traditions enhanced the efforts of the Apostles or the church leadership to move the church toward true holiness, righteousness or to strengthen doctrinal truths.  They were made to forge compromises with the pagan world and make Christianity more compatible and less of a radical departure from religions of idolatry.  They were also devised to further entrench the carnal hold of the leaders on the largely uneducated and gullible laity. 

Any attempt to dismiss the Articles of Faith of the United Pentecostal Church, International as equivalent to man-made traditions that are unnecessary or even burdensome is to say they are not based on biblical teachings.  Whether by cursory reading or by in-depth examination of our Articles of Faith, one must come to the obvious conclusion that they are attempts to bring meaning and application of the Scriptures to our modern existence.  While they may be imperfectly stated, or while they may be inconsistently managed, it is nevertheless true that they were born out of a sincere desire to bridge the gap between Scriptural principles and life as it is in the twenty-first century. 

At this point, the question is begged whether we should try to apply scripture to our lives today.  Some may say that the Scriptures themselves should be enough and that they need no interpretation.  Some may even go so far as to say it is wrong to codify our interpretations or applications to modern society.  I would give two responses to these contentions.

First, God has called teachers to be a part of the five-fold ministry (Ephesians 4:11-12).  All teaching is an effort to explain, to clarify, to instruct and to indoctrinate disciples.  Each teacher is a prism through which the Word of God is refracted into knowable, palatable and manageable concepts for students.  The tools of the teacher are definitions, examples, exercises, expansions, instructions, stories, parables and opinions (which, of course, should be substantiated by the Bible.)  It would be impossible for any teacher to avoid his or her own understanding of the Word in transmitting doctrinal truth to a class.  If this is wrong, if this constitutes addition to or manipulation of the Scriptures, then we should abolish all teachers and simply have readers.  If that be the case, then woe be to anyone who asks the question, “But, what does that mean?”  The answer would have to be, “I’m sorry, I can’t tell you what it means.  I can only read to you the words of the text.”  To impose such a requirement on teaching would reduce it to an absurdity.

My second response is that the increasing complexity of society means that the timeless truths of the Word of God need to be applied in ways unforeseen by the founding Apostles.  How should we deal with drugs, smoking, the many kinds of immorality or immodesty, bizarre fashions, computers or the internet?  How should be deal with transgenderism, tattoos, body piercings, cosmetic plastic surgery, political activism or modern laws that make immoral things legal?  How should we deal with bankruptcy, gambling, divorce, social drinking or rock music?  Should we not establish guidelines, set standards, require minimums of behavior, or demand certain levels of expectations?  Many, if not most of these behaviors or practices are not spelled out in the Scriptures.  Without a common understanding of how to treat these problems, we would descend into chaos. 

If all we needed was the Word of God, without teaching, without explanation, without application, then there would have been no need for Paul’s admonition to the Corinthians.  “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” 1 Corinthians 1:10.  If each of us were left to our own interpretations, we would all be speaking different things and there would be deep divisions among us.  Responsible leadership calls for a common understanding of our positions on as many things as we deem necessary.  On essentials, unity; on non-essentials, liberty.  On the difference between the two, agreement.

Good traditions are not only biblical, they are vital to fellowship.  Those who disagree are those who spurn fellowship.  They will always be loners or mavericks.  We may never know their true motive.  As for me, I want to align myself with the prayer of Jesus, “That they may be one.”

You Are Not Normal

“But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 1 Thessalonians 4:13

I grew up in a pastor’s home, so I had a pretty good idea from the outset that preachers were not normal. I mean, who goes to church four or five times a week—that is, in a “normal” week—because, some weeks we went to church eight or nine times? No television, no playing on sports teams, no dating girls that weren’t in the church? It wasn’t normal.

Then, when I entered the ministry, I found out that missionaries were not normal either. Missionaries have to have mutated genes to pick up and move their families thousands of miles away from their children’s grandparents and hope that Skype or FaceTime will compensate for the distance. And then, deputation for two years? Very abnormal. 

But, guess what? After I had been pastoring for several years and really had a chance to learn people, I found out that Christians were not normal either. I mean, everybody knows that seeing is believing, but Christians walked by faith, not by sight. Everybody knows that when you are in Rome, you do as the Romans do. There are certain customs, mindsets and worldviews that just are—that’s the way it is and you have to go along with it. But, no. Not Christians. They don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but they want God to transform them into a new person by changing the way they think. They say that is God’s will for them, and they believe it is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2 (NLT). 

1. adjective; normal 1. conforming to a standard; usual, typical, or expected.  “It’s quite normal for puppies to bolt their food”; (of a person) free from physical or mental disorders.   2. noun; the usual, average, or typical state or condition. “Her temperature was above normal.” 

I cite these definitions, not that I don’t think you know what the word “normal” means, but because we don’t always evaluate the context of our behaviors, or we are not always aware, or cognizant of the circumstances that evoke certain responses from us. 

In other words, in the wake of certain events, we often react in what we would call “normal” ways. The problem is that we accept the human or secular kind of response in our own lives, and justify them as “normal.” 

Loneliness. This is a “normal” feeling we experience when we are isolated, especially from loved ones. 

Irritation. This “normal” feeling shows up when our peace is disrupted by petty behaviors of other people or events. 

Many kinds of feelings plague us. What are some of the causes of the following emotions?

• Anger.
• Fear.
• Jealousy.
• Resentment.
• Disappointment.
• Depression.
• Confusion.
• Hurt.

The dilemma of caregivers is that they attempt to help people overcome the very emotions and feelings that they themselves are battling. If we justify these feelings as normal or human, as though they are legitimate, then we degrade our ability to truly help others. 

Before we go any further, let me issue a disclaimer. I am not saying that we are immune to these emotions, or that, if we experience them, we have somehow lost our Christianity. I am saying that we do not have to be conquered by these feelings. 

The closest analogy I can give is to picture two swaying bridges across a deep and dangerous ravine. One has handrails, the other does not. Which one would you like to cross? We need to understand that God does not pick us up and miraculously transport us across to the other side. Rather, He provides something to hang on to while we are slowly making our way from one side to the other. 

When circumstances elicit certain responses from you, do know why or do you just say “I’m only human! I can’t help it. It’s just a normal response.” 

Let’s look at a familiar passage of scripture to illustrate what I mean, Psalm 23. But let’s not read it for its face value. Let’s do some analysis and dig deeper. Each statement David makes is predicated upon a condition of need. When he says, for example, “The Lord is my Shepherd,” he presupposes that the reader understands that he is in a wild and dangerous wilderness, with hazardous conditions all around. “Danger” is normal; having a “Shepherd” is not normal, at least for those in the world. 

Psalm 23:1-6

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. (Normal response: Worry. I need something and I don’t know where I’ll get it.)

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: (Hunger; everything is brown and barren) 

he leadeth me beside the still waters. (Thirst; the water is too turbulent to drink) 

3 He restoreth my soul: (I’m a mess; I don’t have the strength to take another step) 

he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. (Nothing is good; impossible) 

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. (I’m overwhelmed with sadness; no joy) 

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: (Frustrated; enemies triumph) 

thou anointest my head with oil; (I have no spiritual authority, no touch of godliness.) 

my cup runneth over. (I am empty) 

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: (I don’t see any way out of evil and vengeance) 

and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. (I don’t belong here.) 

Let’s look at some “normal” responses in the lives of the disciples.

35 And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. 36 And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. 37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. 38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? 39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? 41 And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him? Mark 4:35-41. 

If you have ever been on the high seas in a storm, you know what fear is. A man in our church was in the US Navy. He told of being in a storm when eighty foot waves beat against the ship. He prayed, “Lord, if you get me through this I’ll go to church when I get home.” He got home and missed very few services until the day he died, even though he didn’t get the Holy Ghost until he was in his seventies. You see, fear of storms is normal. Jesus wasn’t normal. He didn’t want his disciples to be normal. 

Our beginning text spoke of the normal response to death: sorrow. All of you here today have been touched by the death of a loved one. It makes us sad. Depending on who has died, it may also evoke feelings of anger, resentment, bitterness, doubt and fear, along with sadness. Those are the “normal” responses. But Paul said, “We do not sorrow as others which have no hope.” In other words, we’re not normal. Oh, we have the tendency to be normal. Normal is our default position. Normal makes us feel like we are at least human. Normal puts us on the same plane as everybody else. And, therein, lies the problem. 

It is when we cave in to normal feelings that we lose all the advantages of being a Christian. 

Let’s just go ahead and say we are to be abnormal. When we reach out and grasp the abnormal position as a response to the vicissitudes of life, we increase our ministerial effectiveness exponentially! It is when we keep our heads on straight when everyone else is losing control that we exercise quiet power. 

The New Testament is dedicated to teaching us how to be abnormal in a normal (and sometimes sub-normal) world. 

7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. 2 Corinthians 12:7-10  

That’s not a normal response. Normal people don’t take pleasure in infirmaties, reproaches, etc. They get mad, bitter, disillusioned, outraged. They develop toxic attitudes, they complain loudly, they draw comparisons between themselves and others in the same profession. 

12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters. 16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. 1 Peter 4:12-16 

That’s not normal. Normal human beings don’t rejoice or break out in a glad dance when they get beaten down. They withdraw, they pull in their horns, they say “never again.” 

We know what the “normal response” is to these feelings. But, what are the abnormal responses? 

“To live is Christ; to die is gain.”  

“And at midnight, Paul and Silas prayed and sang praises unto God…”  

Don’t be normal. Normal people wallow in self-pity and defeat. Normal people quit and have good reason to do so. Abnormal people hang in there against all odds. 

Be peculiar. 

6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. 7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, 8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. 9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 1 Peter 2:6-9 (KJV)