Racism: Would the First Century Jesus Be Accepted in Fort Gibson?
by Barrett Vanlandingham
(for Fort Faith, March 11, 2008)
Have you ever felt threatened by someone just because they looked or spoke differently from yourself? Sometimes I wonder whether Jesus would be accepted today in Fort Gibson or most towns, for that matter. After all, He was a Jewish man who lived between the Mediterranean and the Sea of Galilee. I’m thinking He probably didn’t look like most of us (no matter what his skin color), and definitely didn’t talk like us unless you happen to know Greek, Hebrew, or Aramaic.
I was talking with my wife the other day about conversations with our children shortly after they learned to talk and had become aware of what they looked like. I remember one of our children telling a story about a classmate at pre-school, but she couldn’t remember his name. So, she described him as the “brown boy.” That was the first inkling we had that she had become aware of physical differences. Even so, how sweet it was to hear that innocent of a description of a person in that context. She was only using color to describe which classmate she was talking about. My wife and I have trained our children the same as I try to train kids in Bible class: “When you’re talking about a person, leave out their race.” The exception to that rule is if you need to describe a person you’re looking for.
One time I was teaching Bible class when a student began his story with “There’s this black guy…” I listened to the story which did not need a physical description. Then, I proceeded to ask him to re-tell the story without telling me the person’s color. He said, “What?” I said, “Was it necessary to tell me the color of the boy in your story?” He said, “No.” Point made. Since then, I have listened to many more stories from this young man and I have never again heard him use race as an unnecessary description. God is good.
Racism is nothing new. The Bible makes several points regarding this topic. After all, Jews and Gentiles hated each other. Scripture makes it clear that racism, bigotry, and prejudice are not tolerated. Ever heard of the Golden Rule? “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets (Matthew 7:12).” And that’s just scratching the surface of how God views how we treat and think about each other. He has loved all of mankind from the beginning.
“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. (Genesis 1:27).” Then in verse 31 “God saw all that he had made, and it was very good…”
The Jews, not the Gentiles, were considered God’s chosen people because Jesus would come into the world through this line. That was God’s sovereign choice just as it is God’s sovereign choice today under the new covenant (New Testament) to save people of all races who choose to obey God’s word. Ephesians 2:11-22 makes it clear that Christ’s purpose was to preach peace to both groups and “create in himself one new man out of the two.”
So, what does this mean to us today? It means the same thing as it did to those to whom Peter was preaching in the first century.
“Then Peter began to speak: ‘I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right (Acts 10:34-35).’”
As Christians, we are to be imitators of God. We are to love others selflessly like God loves us.
“If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother (1 John 4:19-21).”
We are told to love everyone increasingly, and to be kind to all people, and to respect others (1 Thessalonians 3:11-12, 5:15, 1 Peter 2:17).
I don’t know what Jesus looked like while He was here on earth. But if He were born in Fort Gibson and looked like one of us (again, no matter what His skin color), would we have anything to do with him, even then? Would we want Him to listen to our music, or watch our favorite movies and TV shows? Would we want Him to listen to our jokes? Would we invite Him to be in on our conversations and business dealings? The answer may lie in just how much you have to do with Him now.
May we always remember and act on these words of Jesus spoken two-thousand years ago: “…Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life (Rev. 2:10).”
Talking to Teenagers about Drinking and Drugs
by Barrett Vanlandingham
(for Fort Faith, March 4, 2008)
Our town is no stranger to tragedy: car crashes, train accidents. Fort Gibson has seen its share of tough times. And although natural death cannot always be prevented, the man-made variety can be. Such is the case with alcohol and drug related deaths. Fort Gibson police and school officials both tell me there has been a drug and alcohol problem among local teens for years, much like the national scene. They say this year is no different, except the biggest problem these days is that kids are stealing prescription drugs from their parents’ medicine cabinets and passing them out to their friends. The sad thing is that only about ten-percent of these occurrences are being reported.
Occasionally, I am asked to teach a Bible class on the topic of alcohol, drugs, and teenagers. Aside from all of the other Biblical reasons not to drink alcohol when you’re a teenager is the fact that it’s a sin. And not only that, it’s a “willful sin.” Unless you’re at least 21-years old, the law of the land says you cannot lawfully drink alcohol. And, adults cannot legally purchase alcohol for anyone under the age of 21. As for illegal drugs and illegally obtained prescription drugs, do I really even need to go there?
Romans 13:1-7 says that we as Christians must submit to the governing authorities. Colossians 3:22-25 echoes this idea and says that we should obey authority and work as if working for the Lord. You see, if we choose to continue living in America we must go by the rules our governing bodies have created as long as those rules do not conflict with God’s rules. So, the issue of illegal drugs and teenage drinking should be a “no-brainer” since it’s a violation of both God’s law and government’s law.
Now, back to that idea of “sin” versus “willful sin.” An example of sin for a man might be the thoughts that come into his head after he accidentally sees a woman whose skirt is too high or the neckline too low. It becomes a willful sin when he chooses to take a second or third look at her in a lustful way. Willful sin for a woman could also include lust. It could also mean going to the mall knowing her checking account is too low, and then choosing to purchase a cute purse while knowing the check will bounce or at the very least she will not have money to buy groceries or diapers. I knew a young lady who couldn’t afford diapers, but managed to pay for a $300 tattoo and a monthly trip to the nail salon.
So, while Romans 3:23 says, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” Romans 6:1 says that we should not intentionally sin just because we know that God’s grace saves us in the end. Yes, we all continue to sin simply because we are human and are not capable of being completely perfect. However, to use this as an excuse for willful sin puts us in grave danger since the Lord doesn’t listen to those who do evil (1 Peter 3:12).
We know from the story of the lost son (Luke 15:11) that our heavenly Father will always accept us back when we truly repent. We also know that God is patient and does not want anyone to perish, and wants us all to turn to Him (2 Peter 3:9). But make no mistake about it, God know your heart.
Nevertheless, there are consequences in this life, and in the life to come for those found intentionally not walking on God’s path. 1 John 1:7 says, “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.”
There’s no getting around it, teenage alcohol and illegal drug use are examples of willful sin, and in some cases with approval of parents. These behaviors can lead to lifetime chemical dependency, rape, pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, death, and other tragic consequences such as car collisions with innocent victims.
But more importantly, even though nothing can separate us from the love of God that can only be found in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:28), we ourselves can turn our backs on God and choose to commit willful sin which results in spiritual death (Romans 8:13, Hebrews 3:12-13, James 5:19-20, 1 Corinthians 10:12, 2 Timothy 2:16-18).
We can rationalize all we want. One thing is for sure: If you never start drinking or taking drugs, you will never have to quit. Just how close to the edge are you willing to go, and is it really worth the eternal risk?
Complaining: What a way to waste a good life!
by Barrett Vanlandingham
(Fort Faith, February 19, 2008)
A man came into my office with a smile and I asked him, “What do you think should be the topic of my article?” Without hesitation, his smile turned to a frown as he said, “Complaining!” “Too many people complain about EVERYTHING!” he said. “Just the thought of a complainer is enough to turn a good day into a bad one.”
The Bible says quite a lot about this negative quality of complaining possessed by so many people these days (and apparently even in the first century and before). The Apostle Paul talked about it in the book of Philippians 2:14-15.
He said, “Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe…”
What’s he talking about? The entire second chapter of Philippians is a note of encouragement to the local church. Paul is reminding them and us to imitate the humility of Christ, to stay away from selfish ambition, and to know that God is working in us as we work out our own salvation. And then he immediately tells us that if we’re going to represent God like Paul does, we need to have a good attitude even when things don’t go our way. He says, “So you too should be glad and rejoice.” Scripture tells us that Paul was beaten, shipwrecked, hungry, and needy. But because he was looking beyond his present circumstances, he was able to remain joyful and not turn into a habitual complainer. If Paul was able to keep from complaining, well, you get the picture.
Two chapters later in 4:8 Paul tells us, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.”
That description of a Christian hardly resembles that of a complainer. Paul goes on to say in the next verse that if we think on positive things and put them into practice, “the God of peace will be with you.” That’s one big reason to dwell on the positive.
Here’s another reason: Ephesians 5:15-16 tells us to “Be very careful, then, how you live-not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” The writer is simply saying to not waste your time with things that are unproductive (like complaining) when there are so many other positive things you could be doing.
A few verses earlier in 4:29 Paul says, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” He even says in verses 31-32 to “Get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger, brawling and slander, along with every kind of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
Now there’s a slice of reality. Jesus could have seen the world’s behavior as an opportunity to grumble or complain, or just destroy it immediately. But instead, He chose to come to this Earth to show us how to live, and how to get to Heaven. He demonstrated the heart of a servant in everything from washing his disciples’ feet, to even submitting to His Father’s will of becoming the ultimate sacrifice for the sins of mankind. And He did it without grumbling or complaining.
May God bless you as you bring honor and glory to Him with your positive attitude.
Prayer: It’s Not Only A Good Habit
It’s a Command Worth Obeying
by Barrett Vanlandingham
(Fort Faith-February 12, 2008)
When you think about all the privileges we have in this life, what comes to mind? Freedom of religion? Freedom of expression? Freedom of family and friends? These are all wonderful things to be able to enjoy. But did you ever think about just how incredible of a gift it truly is to be able to pray to the Creator Himself? Did you ever think about just how awesome it is to be able to approach God with your thoughts, concerns, and thankfulness? Most of us will never meet a President, a King, or a Prime Minister. But have you ever thought about the fact that we all have the opportunity to meet with the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, the Creator of the Universe, the God who fashioned each of us in His own image?
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says, “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.”
You may be thinking, “What in the world would I say to God all day long everyday?” Something tells me that today’s fast paced, high stressed culture may not be all that different from what a lot of people experienced in the first century. The Apostle Paul knew that well. He encouraged Christians in Thessalonica to focus on their blessings. That message applies to us today as well.
The writers of the Psalms must have spent much time contemplating the privilege of getting into the mind of God and communicating with Him. It was no doubt important during the days of so many false gods to have as much time alone with God as possible and to stay in His word.
Psalm 1 says, “Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.”
It has been said that it takes 21 days to make a habit. My challenge to each of us is this: Talk to God continuously for 21 days, not just when you wake up, not just when you go to sleep, not just at meal time, and not just when you have a crisis. Talk to Him continually. Ask His advice on everything. Thank Him for everything. Express your joy to Him in everything. See if it changes how you approach life. See if praying continually helps your behavior while watching a basketball game, or while you’re conversing with a restaurant worker. See if having a prayerful attitude gives you more patience in your homelife. Just like holding hands with your wife while arguing is next to impossible, so is misbehaving while talking to God.
Romans 8:26 says, “…the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.”
Talking to God continually will obviously take lots of practice. There will likely be many times you will get side-tracked and forget to include Him in your thoughts. But just like any other goal worthy of accomplishing, having a good relationship with God is worth the effort.
Christian Leadership
There is enough work for all men and women to do.
But there are defined roles even in spite of political correctness.
by Barrett Vanlandingham (Fort Faith, February 5, 2008)
I recently fielded a concern from someone who took exception to my use of the phrase “Christian leadership” when referring to spiritual responsibilities of men and women, boys and girls. The person was afraid that I was violating the Bible’s commands, in particular, the sections that deal with women’s roles in the church.
Let me first say that if it were not for Godly women, there would be a lot fewer Godly men to lead Christian familes, and to lead churches. I am so thankful for my mother and for all the women who taught me in the ways of the Lord starting at a very young age. Even as I matured, I learned so much from them by the way they conducted themselves and continued to exhibit the Spiritual fruits of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).
It is possible for families to serve God with a woman as the spiritual leader, but how much more effective is God’s word when the husband also places God as his top priority? The fact is, God created everything with purpose and order. And when we are in step with God's purpose, things always work much more smoothly than when we allow culture to dictate order and morality.
When Jesus washed the disciples’ feet (John 13:1-16), He showed us how to lead others to Christ through serving.
In reading Biblical examples of women who took the lead in various circumstances, it is easy to conclude a few simple things about women in the Bible: They not only took seriously their feminine and submissive roles as wives and nurturing mothers, but they also possessed great leadership skills and were encouraged to use them.
In fact, the role of a Christian woman, wife, or mother requires great leadership skills and wisdom. Proverbs 31 says that the wife of noble character is worth far more than rubies. It goes on to describe her as having a good reputation for making wise household and business decisions for her family. Titus 2 says that older women are to teach the younger women in the ways of God. The book of Judges tells of a female judge named Deborah. The prophetess Miriam led a group of women in song after the Pharaoh’s army drowned in the Red Sea that Moses and the Israelites had just crossed. Esther saved God’s people from destruction by risking her own life by approaching the King on their behalf. The Apostle Paul wrote about Timothy’s sincere faith that was passed down from his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice. In Acts 18:26, we’re told of a great preacher named Apollos who apparently didn’t have his facts straight until Priscilla and her husband Aquila invited him to their home and taught him the “way of God more adequately.”
It would be difficult to count the number of instances in the Bible where women took-on extremely important leadership roles in furthering the cause of Christ or helping God’s people accomplish certain tasks.
This does not mean that it would be appropriate for a woman to go against 1 Timothy 2:11-15 or 1 Corinthians 14:33-35 which require submission to the man’s role during a worship service that includes men and women. Conversely, it would also be inappropriate for a man to barge in to a situation that requires leadership skills possessed by a woman. Men who have tried this would know all too well.
It is just as important today as it was in Bible times for men and women of all ages to recognize the urgency of using our God-given talents to carry out His will. Men are to lead in worship, as well as be spiritual leaders in the church and at home. The overseers or elders of a congregation are to be the husband of one wife, manage his own family well, and possess Godly qualities listed in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1:5-9. That being said, men and women are to share in Godly responsibilities as Bible history points out time and time again.
1 Corinthians 11:11 says, “In the Lord, however, woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of women.” Ephesians 5:25 says, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.”
In a marriage, when men shirk their responsibilities as spiritual leaders, the entire family suffers. When women fail spiritually, the same is true: the children and the husband are adversely affected.
As for spiritual leadership in general, Christian men and women, boys and girls are all called to lead through service, the same way Jesus did. We are all called to teach the world everything God has commanded (ref: Matthew 28:18-20). Not everyone has to do the same exact job, but every job leads towards the same goal and is of equal importance in the church (ref: Romans 12:4). As the Apostle Paul said, “If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be?... As it is, there are many parts, but one body.” (ref: 1 Corinthians 12:12-27)
May God bless each of us as we bring honor to Him with whatever talent God has given us and expects us to use in accordance with His plan.