Your words and God’s words must be on the same page

by Barrett Vanlandingham

September 1, 2015

            I am guessing a few heads would turn, and maybe a few eye-brows and ears would perk up if someone in your friend circle mentioned they saw several dozen naked ladies standing proudly in front of a church building.  But, that’s exactly what this minister is saying! 

            I never expected such a display in our flowerbed, but I guess I was wrong. It is actually peak season to catch a peek at these wonders of nature, also known as the Amaryllis Belladonna, Jersey Lily, Belladonna Lily, Resurrection Lily, Magic Lily, or the Surprise Lily, depending on where you live.

            The website for American Meadow says, “This plant produces green, leafy growth that emerges in spring and dies back by mid-summer. In late summer, leafless stems produce elegant, pink flowers.”  Thus, the term “Naked Lady.”

            Yes, I am going to attempt to make a spiritual application, in spite of my silly lily introductory remarks. Hey, God has a sense of humor. We can, too.

            Accuracy and context mean everything. If we take words or phrases out of context, or misquote, our message can be confusing or even shocking in a way that wasn’t intended. For instance, my word choice of “naked ladies in front of the church building” was accurate. But I totally derailed any attempt to adequately express appreciation for the beautiful display of pink flowers someone had the servant-heart or possibly the humor to plant there. Maybe the term “Resurrection Lily” is more appropriate for this location.

            We’ve all heard people attribute words or phrases to the Bible that really are not there, or are taken out of context, such as “Don’t judge”, even though the context is telling people to make sure they’re not being overly critical of others when they themselves have worse imperfections that need to be addressed before trying to straighten out everyone else (Matthew 7:1-5).

            Example #2:  “Money is the root of all evil”.  The Bible actually says that “the love of money is the root of all evil (1 Timothy 6:10, KJV)” or “the love of money is a root of all kinds/sorts of evils (1 Timothy 6:10, ESV, NIV, NASB).” In fact, when we love anything more than God (including family, self, or even angels), we are separating ourselves from the love of God in exchange for “created things” which is condemned in Romans 1:25.  God must come first, then everything else will fall into place perfectly. Earning a wage is obviously very necessary in day to day life (2 Thessalonians 3:6-10), and is also helpful in reaching lost souls as long as churches do not spend more energy focusing on money than on God and bringing souls to Jesus Christ.

             Example #3:  Paul says in Romans 10:13, “For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”  But in context (v.12), Paul is referring to the fact both Jews and Gentiles can now be saved under the new covenant, instead of only Jews. Demons also called Jesus by name, and certainly believed that He was the son of God. But I don’t suspect that demons will be in heaven. The New Covenant requires that in order to be saved, one must believe that Jesus is God’s son (John 8:24), repent or turn away from worldly ways in exchange for a walk with God (Luke 13:3-5 and Acts 2:38), confess with your mouth and by the way you live that you believe Jesus is Lord (Romans 10:9 and Matthew 10:32-33 and 2 Timothy 2:19), and one must obey the command to be baptized for the forgiveness of sins so God will add us to His number, and so we can begin a new life in Christ (Acts 2:38, 41,47 and Romans 6:1-11, Galatians 3:26-27 and 4:7).  Have a blessed week!

The Bible is not tight-lipped regarding sins of the mouth

by Barrett Vanlandingham

August 25, 2015

            As a group of customers exited the store, a worker on break right outside couldn’t help but overhear their fully involved conversation, heavily peppered with words like “He said…” and “He did what?!” and “She said…” and “You’re not going to believe this!” 

            You get the idea.  The worker later told his buddy about this group of gossips, and that he was glad when they walked away because he is trying to live like a Christian, and it was difficult with so much trash talk around him. What he didn’t know was that his buddy knew the gossipers, and that they were in fact Christians, despite their behavior. The basic facts in this true story play out in communities everywhere.  What an embarrassing reality for Christians whose speech is supposed to be “gracious and seasoned with salt.” (Colossians 4:6)

            Everyone knows that Christians are not perfect.  But we are called to a high standard because of the only perfect One, Jesus Christ, who we represent in our words and actions. How sad it was to hear that a group of Christians, who knows that people are recognized by their fruit (Matthew 7:15-20), were not recognized as Christians by someone who did not already know they “go to church”. 

            The apostle Paul basically says that people who are “full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness, gossip, and slander” (among other descriptive words) will not be rewarded with life in heaven, and neither will those who approve of such actions (Romans 1:28-32).

            Did you catch that last part? Paul says the same consequence awaits even those who do not practice the sins listed above, but who give approval or lend support to those who do.  You see, it’s not good enough simply say, “I didn’t do anything wrong.”   Paul could have used that line as a young man when he went by the name, Saul, and stood by and held the coats of those who stoned Stephen, the first Christian martyr (Acts 22:20 and 7:58).

            The lesson here for Christians is obvious.  The writer of the Hebrew letter in the New Testament summed it up this way: “For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice left for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries (Hebrews 10:26-27).”    The same writer gives this word of encouragement for us today: “You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised (Hebrews 10:36).”

            The topic of “sins of the mouth” is a difficult one for most of us I think because it hits most of us square between the eyes.  This is not a new revelation. It has been a problem for thousands of years, and God knows it. James 3 compares the tongue to the bit of a bridle, the rudder of a ship, and a spark that starts a forest fire!  This is why it is important for us as Christians to focus more on God and being his eyes, ears, arms, legs, and his heart filled with love and compassion. When we strive for that kind of life, people are less likely to confuse us for someone who has nothing better to do, such as bringing lost souls to Jesus who gives us all hope of heaven.

            Have a great week!

Back to school success is a team effort

by Barrett Vanlandingham

August 18, 2015

            It’s time to begin another school year.  For young Christians, this also means new opportunities to spread the good news of Jesus Christ.  Unfortunately, the devil also sees new opportunities to seize with the opening bell.

            So, what can those of us in the faith-based community do to make a difference for some of the most spiritually vulnerable in our town, our children?

The short answer is this: Prayer is without a doubt the most important thing we can do. It is not a last resort.  It is the first thing of importance. God answers prayers of righteous people (James 5:16). So, we should be in constant prayer. The other thing is to get involved in the lives of young people (since surveys show that kids who have close connections with older church members tend to have a stronger faith later in life). Mature Christians must be good listeners, give sound advice, but also show by our example God’s word is important. It is always inspiring to see someone living for the Lord no matter what age.

The long answer is this:  The way I see it, mature Christians must do the same thing to save children spiritually as we would do to save them physically if we knew someone was planning to do them harm.   The fact is, if any of us knew we had to ability to stop someone from hurting a child, we would do anything within our power save that child from being victimized.  The same should be true spiritually.

Over the years, I’ve heard people joke about locking kids in their rooms with a Bible and a hymnal to keep the devil away from them. That might shield them from outside influences to an extent, but it would not help them apply the Bible to their daily walk, and it would definitely not help them carry out the Great Commission of saving souls (ref: Matthew 28:19-20).

The fact is, we live in a broken world, and we must teach our children to apply Christian values wherever they are, in the locker room, in the lunch room, in the class room, when hanging out with friends, or when making choices on appropriate entertainment. Our faith in God initially comes from the word of Christ (ref: Romans 10:17). But as with any kind of knowledge, it must be put into practice before we or our children can grow to be wise and strong in that area.

Practically speaking, mature Christians must never take it for granted that young Christians cannot be tempted or struggle with major league issues. We must remind our children that spiritual war is a huge part of the Christian life.  The apostle Paul frequently took opportunity to remind new Christians of this.

Paul said, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places (Ephesians 6:12, ESV).”

We must equip our children with spiritual armor. Paul says this includes staying alert to the devil’s schemes, studying your Bible, praying for self and others, righteous living, and experiencing the peace that comes from obeying the Gospel.  Paul says practicing these things will keep anyone, young or old, ready to avoid traps the devil has set for us.

Have a blessed week!

Even the best prizes have to be claimed

by Barrett Vanlandingham

August 11, 2015

            I listed some of my daughters’ homecoming dresses on Craigslist this past week, and I found that people are reluctant to pay my asking price, no matter what it is.  So, the haggling begins.  The original price was $150 for a size 2 princess dress worn only once in a homecoming parade. The person who wanted to purchase the dress from me wanted to pay only $110.  I responded with a figure of $140 because I knew the price I paid for it.

            Finding a bargain online is one thing. However, bargaining with God’s word is very much another thing. Jesus has already paid the price for our salvation. He only wants us to believe that He is God’s son, and to prove our belief by our obedience to His word. What He asks of us is non-negotiable. We can either accept the deal, choosing to walk in the light, or reject the offer, choosing the way of the world, to walk in darkness. 

You see, the devil believes that Jesus is the son of God.  The demons also believe this, as do a lot of people. Most will not choose to obey the One they believe to be the Savior.

Jesus says, “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it (Matthew 7:13-14).”

The problem with the idea of “belief only” is that the price of salvation for us was the life of Jesus Christ, the only perfect sacrifice. Our souls have been paid for. The only question is whether or not we are willing to do what it takes to claim our prize.

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil (2 Corinthians 5:10).”

You see, if someone throws a life preserver to a potential drowning victim flailing in the water, there is effort on both ends in order to reach a successful conclusion. At the very least, the victim must allow himself to be helped.

The apostle Paul explained the price of salvation in this way: “14 For the love of Christ controls us (or compels us, NIV), because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; 15 and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised (2 Corinthians 5:14-15, ESV).”

As humanity, we must understand that there is only one way to the Father in the heaven, and that is through Jesus Christ (ref: John 14:6).  Jesus has earned the right to judge us. And even then, He chooses to judge us by the words of His Father (ref: John 5:22, 30). 

Taking on the name “Christian” implies a willingness to whole-heartedly follow Christ, the one who paid-in-full the price for our salvation.  Have a blessed week!