Friday, 5 August 2016
Tuesday, 2 August 2016
Missions to China - by Wendy Pointer
The non-sectarian China Inland Mission was founded on principles of faith and prayer. From the beginning it recruited missionaries from the working class as well as single women, which was a new practice for a large agency.
Missiological Distinctives of the China Inland Mission.
1. Priority is given to unreached inland provinces while seeking to evangelize the whole of China.
2. No solicitation of finance, or indebtedness; looking to God alone; pooling support in life of corporate faith
3. Identification with Chinese by wearing Chinese dress and queue (pigtail), worshipping in Chinese houses
4. Indigenization through training Chinese co-workers in self-governing, self-supporting and self-propagating principles
5. Recruitment of missionaries not based on education or ecclesiastical ordination, but spiritual qualification; deployment of single women in the interior and Christian professionals
6. Interdenominational-International Membership
7. Headquarters on the field, director rule; leaders and workers serving shoulder to shoulder
"We wish to see churches and Christian Chinese presided over by pastors and officers of their own countrymen, worshipping the true God in the land of their fathers, in the costume of their fathers, in their own tongue wherein they were born, and in edifices of a thoroughly Chinese style of architecture." (-J. Hudson Taylor)
Hudson Taylor made the first decision to found the China Inland Mission at Brighton, England during his first furlough from China. Like his missionary forebear Karl Gützlaff and contemporary William Chalmers Burns, Taylor was convinced that Chinese clothing should be worn when engaged in missionary work in inland China. On 3 October 1865, Taylor sent John and Anne Stevenson and George Stott to China, where they arrived on February 6, 1866. Including the five missionaries previously sent to Ningbo -James Joseph Meadows, Jean Notman, Stephen Paul Barchet, and George and Anne Crombie, these eight were already in China when Taylor returned in 1866. On 26 May of that year, Taylor accompanied the largest group of missionaries that had ever sailed to China on the Lammermuir. There were 16 missionaries as well as Hudson, his wife, Maria and their 4 children that became known as the Lammermuir Party. This journey took 4 months.
In 1872, the China Inland Mission's London council was formed. In 1875, it began to evangelise China systematically. Taylor requested 18 missionaries from God for the nine provinces which were still unreached. In 1881, he requested a further 70 missionaries, and, in 1886, 100 missionaries. In 1887 "The Hundred missionaries" were sent to China. Taylor travelled across several continents to recruit for the China Inland Mission. By the end of the nineteenth century, the CIM was well known around the world.
Richard Lovett wrote about the practices of the missionaries in 1899:
1. They have an excellent spirit, – self-denying, with singleness of aim; devotional, with a spirit of faith, of love, of humility.
2. Their operations are carried on with great efficiency and economy.
3. They are able and willing to bring themselves into close contact with the people, by living in their houses, using their dress, and living for the most part on their food; in short, "becoming all things unto all men, that they may save some."
4. They are widely scattered, but one or two families in a city.
5. They are having good success; many are doing a great amount of preaching and praying, and souls are "added to the Church," and are, I trust, truly converted.
6. They are not generally educated men, but men from humble labouring classes, converted and brought out by the revivals in England, Ireland and Scotland, and showing zeal and aptness to preach and labour for the salvation of souls. Hence they will not be very likely to fritter away foolishly their time in reading dusty old Chinese tomes, and in making books and tracts that nobody will read.
7. They are willing to "rough it.
| " |
The Cambridge Seven - in Western dress and after their 'transformation' to missionaries in China
In 1900, attacks took place across China in connection with the Boxer Rebellion which targeted Christians and foreigners. The China Inland Mission lost more members than any other agency: 58 adults and 21 children were killed. However, in 1901, when the allied nations were demanding compensation from the Chinese government, Hudson Taylor refused to accept payment for loss of property or life in order to demonstrate the meekness of Christ to the Chinese. In the same year, Dixon Edward Hoste was appointed to the directorship of the mission.
The early 1900s saw great expansion of missionary activity in China following the Boxer Rebellion and during the Revolution of 1912 and the establishment of the Chinese Republic. William Whiting Borden, wealthy heir of the Borden, Inc. family, who graduated from Yale in 1909, left behind a comfortable life in America to respond to the call for workers with the Muslims of northwest China. He died in Egypt while still in training.
A musician and an engineer named James O. Fraser was the first to bring the Gospel message to the Lisu tribes of Yunnan in southwest China. This resulted in phenomenal church growth among the various tribes in the area that endured to the 21st century.
The Warlord period brought widespread lawlessness to China and missionary work was often dangerous or deadly. John and Betty Stam were a young couple who were murdered in 1934 by Communist soldiers. Their biography "The Triumph of John and Betty Stam" inspired a generation of missionaries to follow in the same steps of service despite the trials of war and persecution that raged in China in the 1930s and 1940s.
The Japanese invasion further complicated efforts as the Japanese distrusted anyone with British or American Nationalities. When the Japanese invaded China in World War II, the China Inland Mission moved its headquarters up the Yangzi River to Chongqing. Many missionaries were put into concentration camps until the end of the war. One such camp was at Weifang.The entire Chefoo School run by the mission at Yantai was imprisoned at a concentration camp.
As the children and teachers were marched off they sang:
"God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear…. The Lord of Hosts is with us, The God of Jacob is our refuge". (Psalm 46:1,7)
The students were separated from their parents for more than 5 years.
In 1900 there were an estimated 100,000 Christians in China. It multiplied to seven times that number by 1950 (700,000). The Chinese church began to be an indigenous movement helped by strong leaders such asJohn Sung, Wang Ming-Dao, Watchman Nee and Andrew Gih.
Phyllis Thompson wrote that between 1949 and 1952, after the victory of the Communist armies, there was a "reluctant exodus" of all of the members of the China Inland Mission. The leaders met at Bournemouth,England to discuss the situation and the decision was made to re-deploy all of the missionaries into the rest of East Asia. Headquarters were moved to Singapore and work commenced in Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong,
the Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Indonesia. In addition to reducing some languages to written form, the Bible was translated, and basic theological education was given to neglected tribal groups. The publication and distribution of Christian literature were prioritized among both the rural tribes people and the urban working classes and students. The goal remained for every community to have a church in East Asia and thereby the Gospel would be preached "to every creature". The proclamation of the Christian message also included medical work. Three hospitals were opened in rural Thailand as well as a leprosy control programme. Many of the patients were refugees. In the Philippines, community development programs were launched. Alcoholic rehabilitation began in Japan, and rehabilitation work among prostitutes was begun in Taipei and Bangkok.
In 1980, Hudson Taylor's great grandson, James Hudson Taylor III, became General Director of the mission work. According to Taylor in 1989, "The fellowship has no desire to re-establish itself there (in China) in the form it used to have", but he also affirmed that "OMF is still deeply committed to the Chinese people. We can never forget that we came into existence as the China Inland Mission. Ever since our ‘reluctant exodus’ we have called the church worldwide to prayer for our brothers and sisters in China, and to share in proclaiming the gospel and nurturing millions of new believers through radio broadcasts and the provision of Bibles and Christian literature."
Dr. Patrick Fung, a Chinese Christian appointed in 2006, is the first Asian to lead the mission. The work continues to the present day.
https://omf.org/
Monday, 1 August 2016
It isn't Fair! - by Wendy Pointer
How many times have we cried out to God that what is happening to us; to hundreds or thousands of people in some distant country inundated by flood or starving from famine or displaced by war; or to an 'innocent' child dying of leukemia; that it isn't fair? How often have we sobbed in prayer for God to do 'something'? How often have we shouted that it shouldn't be this way? Or as Mark Buchanan in his book 'The Holy Wild' asks "God, how could you stand by, helpless?"
And the answer he gives, as condemning as it is honest, "I have done something. I created you" (Pg 87)
Every one of us can do something to ease our neighbour's pain; to lift their burden if only for a while; to walk with them along the highway of their life to give companionship, to hold their hand, to offer them love - your love and God's love.
There is always something we can do. Now and then it can be huge, life-changing, world shaking. But mostly it is something small, something that might go unnoticed. And the one thing we can do in every situation, is to pray.
James 5:16-18 tells us "The prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with. Elijah, for instance, human just like us, prayed hard that it wouldn't rain, and it didn't - not a drop for three and a half years. Then he prayed that it would rain, and it did. The showers came and everything started growing again." (The Message)
So the next time you are tempted to cry out to God "Why don't You do something?" ......
.......... Remember that He did - He created YOU
Monday, September 12, 2011
Hindrance of Lies - by Wendy Pointer
Satan aims to hinder us. Every day he tries to turn us from our path of following our Father and Creator. Sometimes his attacks are very obvious and other times they are done by sleight of hand.
I grew up in a family with many ties to the stage, albeit in quite an amateur way. My mother had some friends who belonged to the Magic Circle, and as a young child I was fascinated to see their tricks up close. I have helped out on stage – being sawn in half by a magician; held things; picked cards; seen all kinds of tricks up close. And the cleverest of all the magicians I have seen were those who did a trick when I knew how it was done, when I was close enough to see the trick being performed, and I still didn’t see ‘how’ or when they did it.
Illusion, sleight of hand, puffs of smoke, flashes or bangs, distractions of all kinds. All of these are the tools of the trade to magicians. They are also part of the arsenal of the enemy. If he can distract us from God’s path, from listening to our Father speak to us through His Word, from taking our problems to our Lord in prayer, then he hopes to keep us from God’s blessings.
Like magicians, the liar uses sleight of hand; he uses half-truths (which are all lies, don’t be fooled into thinking they are only half lies they aren’t). He uses smoke and mirrors to confuse us. Sometimes he uses a very obvious lie – one we hear and think ‘ha! Who would ever believe that?” but take care, he may be distracting us, drawing our attention away from where it should be – on God and His Truth.
Satan is tricksy, sly and deceitful, but don’t get him out of proportion. Be careful not to give him too much credit. He is only a fallen angel, and Hebrews 1: 4 tells us about Jesus our Saviour “So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.“ Against our Lord the liar cannot stand.
1 Peter 5:8 tells us “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” And Peter continues telling us “Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”Remember the devil is trying so hard to trick us; he is desperate to make us stumble, because he knows his time is short. Father of Lies though he may be, he knows the truth; he knows what awaits him. Revelation 20:10 tells us “Then the devil, who had deceived them, was thrown into the fiery lake of burning sulphur, joining the beast and the false prophet. There they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.”
“Constantly choosing the lesser of two evils is still choosing evil.” - by Ric Pointer
When it comes to elections, people, especially Christians, more often than not, vote for the candidate who most represents their character, principles and values.
Now that the field of presidential candidates has been reduced to two likely choices representing each of their parties, many Christians are now promoting Trump in order to stop Hillary. This includes those whom Trump was not their first choice. They call it voting for the lesser of two evils.
Here's an example of the rallying cry these Christians are making for Trump:
They say President Barack Obama has brought our nation literally to the edge of death and destruction, which is true. They say that if Hillary Clinton is allowed by the American people to follow him, she will double down. They say if there is a Hillary presidency, there will be full-blown socialistic fascism in America within the next several years—we're talking Hitler-Mussolini style fascism.
Let’s leave the actual candidates aside for a moment. Considered in the abstract, what should a moral voter do? Does we have an obligation to vote according to our conscience — i.e., for the candidate who most closely embodies our beliefs? Or does we have an obligation to vote for the candidate we perceive as “the lesser of two evils,” the one of the two major-party nominees who is more likely to enact policies believes healthy for society?
I urge everyone to vote with his conscience, his heart and a little bit of the brain, instead of classifying all beliefs and placing your vote in the box for the Democrat or the Republican who can “win” the election. If you vote for who you think can win an election, you are doing a disservice to yourself, to your family and to our nation.
Consider that most of us believe it would be wrong to vote carelessly, without information and with prejudices. As philosopher Jason Brennan argues in his book ‘The Ethics of Voting’ - “Going to the ballot box utterly unprepared and making a minimally informed decision makes a mockery of democracy. If others were to do that as well — and we have an obligation to behave as if our own behavior were the model for everyone’s behavior — then cumulatively, those uninformed votes would elect bad governments. And that would harm society, abandoning our duty of care.”
Many in America believe we are on the right track to “Make America Great Again” while others are convinced the only way to restore America to its rightful place of honor is to acknowledge “I’m with her!”
There are others, however, who believe it’s just not that simple. They are disillusioned with what they see occurring in this country and don’t believe either party has the answer. Bill Cloud, author of “Esau Rising: Ancient Adversaries and the War for America’s Soul” and founder of Shoreshim Ministries, an organization which reintroduces Christians to the Jewish Y’shua through the Hebraic roots of their faith. Cloud says our early framers and founders invited God to enter into a covenant with America. Therefore, he believes, as a result of this covenant, “beyond a doubt, that God has raised this nation up” to serve “His purpose.”
Cloud believes that is why the founders “promoted the concept of choosing and electing virtuous, righteous men who had integrity” and those “whose virtues were impeccable. They weren’t perfect men but believed in perfect principles contained in the Scriptures.”
Cloud believes his “duty to the Kingdom of Heaven supersedes his civic duty to any nation” and that if we aren’t faithful to the duties of the Kingdom of Heaven, then “there won’t be a country” for us “to be faithful to.” Cloud says that “every choice and every decision we make in life matters and we will all have to give an account to God because of the choices we have made,” including how we vote.
“When it comes to spiritual principles…where in Scripture are we given the latitude to endorse what God says is wicked if we think it will help to defeat evil?… You don’t heal the land by trying to save yourself and do it the way you think it should be done. You heal the land by humbling yourself before God and seeking His face, turning from your wicked ways, that’s how the land is healed,” Cloud said.
When considering the question of choosing between the lesser of two evils, we must begin with what voting is within our system of government. In our system, citizen is an office; we too bear responsibility for the actions of the government. Just as the lordship of Christ made demands for public justice on office-holders in the New Testament (Luke 4:15), the same is true for those who rule as citizens.
The apostle Paul taught that the sword of Caesar is given by God to commend good and punish evil (Rom. 13:1-5). The Bible addresses the limits of this role, recounting those who use the sword in unjust ways and are held accountable to judgment (i.e. Revelation 13).
Are Christians content to vote for the lesser of two evils? The Republican Party sure seems to think so. Their battle cry of “Anyone but Obama” has been reverberating across the land for nearly two years now, but is that really the kind of philosophy that should determine the leader of our nation? John Jay, the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, said that “it is the duty as well as the privilege and interest of our Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers.” This election may be the very first election in the history of America in which neither of the presidential candidates from the two major parties can legitimately claim to be a Christian. Should the Christians of America be willing to vote for the lesser of two evils?
No! We should not. In Romans 3:7, Paul asks a question that has been the focus of countless debates throughout the whole of human history. If we know for sure that telling a lie would accomplish more for the Lord than telling the truth, would the lie be justified by the good that it could accomplish? Verse 8 of the same chapter gives us the answer to that question in saying that we are not to do evil that good may come. The answer of Romans 3:8 stands in stark contrast to the prevailing philosophy of our day which is based on Voltaire’s pragmatic doctrine of “the best is the enemy of the good.” This philosophy is often reflected in the political dogma of the major parties, but the answer of God’s Word is very clear. “Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught.” (II Thessalonians 2:15)
Consider the instruction given to us in Romans 16:17-20:
Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil. And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
Let’s apply this to the particular topic of politics. In this passage, God tells us to mark certain politicians and avoid them – don’t follow them – don’t vote for them. Which ones? The ones who cause Christians to either divide or offend in a manner contrary to God’s Word. Notice that he doesn’t speak of all those who cause divisions and offenses, for even the Word of God causes division (Hebrews 4:12). It is only those who cause divisions and offenses contrary to God’s Word that we are to avoid. This could be someone who says: “We don’t need to be divided over the issue of whether abortion is right or wrong. We all agree that there should be fewer abortions, so let’s just join together to accomplish that goal. Let’s limit our divisions to things like who we want to win the Super Bowl.” This kind of politician is to be avoided. He serves not our Lord Jesus Christ, but his own belly, and he uses good works and fair speeches to deceive the people into following him. Now, verse 19 has direct application to today’s conservatives. Notice that God begins by praising them for being obedient and having a great testimony, but He said that He would yet have them do something more. He wanted them to be wise unto that which is good and simple concerning evil. Notice that the contrast is between wisdom and simplicity not between knowledge and ignorance. The Bible tells us that a wise man “useth knowledge aright.” (Proverbs 15:2) Therefore, God’s desire for us is that we will use our knowledge of the candidates correctly by casting our vote unto that which is good. We are to be simple concerning evil in that we refuse to use our knowledge in a manner that helps these men who are causing divisions and offenses contrary to the Word of God. Each time that the Christians of our nation give in to Voltaire’s pragmatic approach of choosing the lesser of two evils, we make our plight more difficult. I am reminded of the nations which occupied the land of Israel after it was conquered by the king of Assyria. At first, these nations had no fear of the God of Israel, and they suffered major setbacks as a result, but then they came up with a compromise. They decided to learn about God and tell everyone that they feared Him while at the same time continuing to actually serve their own gods. II Kings 17:40-41 reveals to us the long-term results of that decision:
Howbeit they did not hearken, but they did after their former manner. So these nations feared the LORD, and served their graven images, both their children, and their children's children: as did their fathers, so do they unto this day.
The people of those nations chose a pragmatic compromise, and their descendants were never able to turn back from the course which had been set.
It is imperative that we remember the warning given in Hebrews 3:12-14.
Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called Today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end;
Here we see the true reason in deciding to vote according to God’s Word regardless of the consequences. A Christian who publicly refuses to vote for any candidate that does not adhere to biblical principles will have many people ask him how he can have any hope for the future of our nation when he chooses to vote in such a manner. What better opportunity could there be for teaching others that our hope is in the Lord? A man told me this: he had a friend who is an atheist, and he is a very difficult man to witness to; but “when I told him that I would not vote for a Trump or Hillary, he immediately wanted to know why. My simple stand on the principles of the Bible opened the door for a discussion on the work of God throughout the course of human history.”
Now, perhaps you are wondering why I skipped verse 15 in my quote from II Peter chapter 3. Verse 15 of this chapter provides us with a response to those who insist that we would do more harm than good if we refuse to vote for a liberal Republican candidate. This verse states:
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
How about not voting, increasingly the choice made by a majority of eligible voters? Refusing to vote makes a statement, of course, but it is the statement of losers. It was Leon Trotsky (born Zev Bronstein) who quite correctly said, "You may not be interested in war, but war is interested in you." The same can be said of politics. By not voting, you actually invest those who do vote with greater legitimacy, sway and control than they deserve. Control over you. By not voting, you choose evil, in other words.
If a Christian is not deciding, or helping to decide, an election (and Scripture very clearly tells us he is not), what is the vote to a Christian?
Whatever others may think, whatever the “powers that be” may think, all a vote is to a Christian is responding to an invitation by “the powers that be” to express something of what we believe about government. A vote is a message related to how government should be executed.
That message will be very imprecise. There is no box on the ballot that says, “Govern according to the principles laid out in Romans 13 and I Timothy 2.” That box is not there, I looked on my last ballot. If I vote for a candidate, no one knows WHY I did so. Does that mean it is useless? Again, no. We look to send a message that communicates something of value, a message our Lord and Master wants us to send, trusting Him to use it.
In conclusion, I say again, I urge everyone to vote with his conscience, his heart and a little bit of the brain, instead of classifying all beliefs and placing your vote in the box for the Democrat or the Republican who can “win” the election. If you vote for who you think can win an election, you are doing a disservice to yourself, to your family and to our nation. Look at third Party Candidates. Write some one in if your state allows it.
Consider that most of us believe it would be wrong to vote carelessly, without information and with prejudices. As philosopher Jason Brennan argues in his book ‘The Ethics of Voting’ - “Going to the ballot box utterly unprepared and making a minimally informed decision makes a mockery of democracy. If others were to do that as well — and we have an obligation to behave as if our own behavior were the model for everyone’s behavior — then cumulatively, those uninformed votes would elect bad governments. And that would harm society, abandoning our duty of care.”
Many in America believe we are on the right track to “Make America Great Again” while others are convinced the only way to restore America to its rightful place of honor is to acknowledge “I’m with her!”
There are others, however, who believe it’s just not that simple. They are disillusioned with what they see occurring in this country and don’t believe either party has the answer. Bill Cloud, author of “Esau Rising: Ancient Adversaries and the War for America’s Soul” and founder of Shoreshim Ministries, an organization which reintroduces Christians to the Jewish Y’shua through the Hebraic roots of their faith. Cloud says our early framers and founders invited God to enter into a covenant with America. Therefore, he believes, as a result of this covenant, “beyond a doubt, that God has raised this nation up” to serve “His purpose.”
Cloud believes that is why the founders “promoted the concept of choosing and electing virtuous, righteous men who had integrity” and those “whose virtues were impeccable. They weren’t perfect men but believed in perfect principles contained in the Scriptures.”
Cloud believes his “duty to the Kingdom of Heaven supersedes his civic duty to any nation” and that if we aren’t faithful to the duties of the Kingdom of Heaven, then “there won’t be a country” for us “to be faithful to.” Cloud says that “every choice and every decision we make in life matters and we will all have to give an account to God because of the choices we have made,” including how we vote.
“When it comes to spiritual principles…where in Scripture are we given the latitude to endorse what God says is wicked if we think it will help to defeat evil?… You don’t heal the land by trying to save yourself and do it the way you think it should be done. You heal the land by humbling yourself before God and seeking His face, turning from your wicked ways, that’s how the land is healed,” Cloud said.
When considering the question of choosing between the lesser of two evils, we must begin with what voting is within our system of government. In our system, citizen is an office; we too bear responsibility for the actions of the government. Just as the lordship of Christ made demands for public justice on office-holders in the New Testament (Luke 4:15), the same is true for those who rule as citizens.
The apostle Paul taught that the sword of Caesar is given by God to commend good and punish evil (Rom. 13:1-5). The Bible addresses the limits of this role, recounting those who use the sword in unjust ways and are held accountable to judgment (i.e. Revelation 13).
Are Christians content to vote for the lesser of two evils? The Republican Party sure seems to think so. Their battle cry of “Anyone but Obama” has been reverberating across the land for nearly two years now, but is that really the kind of philosophy that should determine the leader of our nation? John Jay, the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, said that “it is the duty as well as the privilege and interest of our Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers.” This election may be the very first election in the history of America in which neither of the presidential candidates from the two major parties can legitimately claim to be a Christian. Should the Christians of America be willing to vote for the lesser of two evils?
No! We should not. In Romans 3:7, Paul asks a question that has been the focus of countless debates throughout the whole of human history. If we know for sure that telling a lie would accomplish more for the Lord than telling the truth, would the lie be justified by the good that it could accomplish? Verse 8 of the same chapter gives us the answer to that question in saying that we are not to do evil that good may come. The answer of Romans 3:8 stands in stark contrast to the prevailing philosophy of our day which is based on Voltaire’s pragmatic doctrine of “the best is the enemy of the good.” This philosophy is often reflected in the political dogma of the major parties, but the answer of God’s Word is very clear. “Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught.” (II Thessalonians 2:15)
Consider the instruction given to us in Romans 16:17-20:
Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil. And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
Let’s apply this to the particular topic of politics. In this passage, God tells us to mark certain politicians and avoid them – don’t follow them – don’t vote for them. Which ones? The ones who cause Christians to either divide or offend in a manner contrary to God’s Word. Notice that he doesn’t speak of all those who cause divisions and offenses, for even the Word of God causes division (Hebrews 4:12). It is only those who cause divisions and offenses contrary to God’s Word that we are to avoid. This could be someone who says: “We don’t need to be divided over the issue of whether abortion is right or wrong. We all agree that there should be fewer abortions, so let’s just join together to accomplish that goal. Let’s limit our divisions to things like who we want to win the Super Bowl.” This kind of politician is to be avoided. He serves not our Lord Jesus Christ, but his own belly, and he uses good works and fair speeches to deceive the people into following him. Now, verse 19 has direct application to today’s conservatives. Notice that God begins by praising them for being obedient and having a great testimony, but He said that He would yet have them do something more. He wanted them to be wise unto that which is good and simple concerning evil. Notice that the contrast is between wisdom and simplicity not between knowledge and ignorance. The Bible tells us that a wise man “useth knowledge aright.” (Proverbs 15:2) Therefore, God’s desire for us is that we will use our knowledge of the candidates correctly by casting our vote unto that which is good. We are to be simple concerning evil in that we refuse to use our knowledge in a manner that helps these men who are causing divisions and offenses contrary to the Word of God. Each time that the Christians of our nation give in to Voltaire’s pragmatic approach of choosing the lesser of two evils, we make our plight more difficult. I am reminded of the nations which occupied the land of Israel after it was conquered by the king of Assyria. At first, these nations had no fear of the God of Israel, and they suffered major setbacks as a result, but then they came up with a compromise. They decided to learn about God and tell everyone that they feared Him while at the same time continuing to actually serve their own gods. II Kings 17:40-41 reveals to us the long-term results of that decision:
Howbeit they did not hearken, but they did after their former manner. So these nations feared the LORD, and served their graven images, both their children, and their children's children: as did their fathers, so do they unto this day.
The people of those nations chose a pragmatic compromise, and their descendants were never able to turn back from the course which had been set.
It is imperative that we remember the warning given in Hebrews 3:12-14.
Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called Today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end;
Here we see the true reason in deciding to vote according to God’s Word regardless of the consequences. A Christian who publicly refuses to vote for any candidate that does not adhere to biblical principles will have many people ask him how he can have any hope for the future of our nation when he chooses to vote in such a manner. What better opportunity could there be for teaching others that our hope is in the Lord? A man told me this: he had a friend who is an atheist, and he is a very difficult man to witness to; but “when I told him that I would not vote for a Trump or Hillary, he immediately wanted to know why. My simple stand on the principles of the Bible opened the door for a discussion on the work of God throughout the course of human history.”
Now, perhaps you are wondering why I skipped verse 15 in my quote from II Peter chapter 3. Verse 15 of this chapter provides us with a response to those who insist that we would do more harm than good if we refuse to vote for a liberal Republican candidate. This verse states:
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
How about not voting, increasingly the choice made by a majority of eligible voters? Refusing to vote makes a statement, of course, but it is the statement of losers. It was Leon Trotsky (born Zev Bronstein) who quite correctly said, "You may not be interested in war, but war is interested in you." The same can be said of politics. By not voting, you actually invest those who do vote with greater legitimacy, sway and control than they deserve. Control over you. By not voting, you choose evil, in other words.
If a Christian is not deciding, or helping to decide, an election (and Scripture very clearly tells us he is not), what is the vote to a Christian?
Whatever others may think, whatever the “powers that be” may think, all a vote is to a Christian is responding to an invitation by “the powers that be” to express something of what we believe about government. A vote is a message related to how government should be executed.
That message will be very imprecise. There is no box on the ballot that says, “Govern according to the principles laid out in Romans 13 and I Timothy 2.” That box is not there, I looked on my last ballot. If I vote for a candidate, no one knows WHY I did so. Does that mean it is useless? Again, no. We look to send a message that communicates something of value, a message our Lord and Master wants us to send, trusting Him to use it.
In conclusion, I say again, I urge everyone to vote with his conscience, his heart and a little bit of the brain, instead of classifying all beliefs and placing your vote in the box for the Democrat or the Republican who can “win” the election. If you vote for who you think can win an election, you are doing a disservice to yourself, to your family and to our nation. Look at third Party Candidates. Write some one in if your state allows it.
Be Content - by Wendy Pointer
Being content, being satisfied, is something we are not very good at in general these days. We are bombarded daily, sometimes continually, by messages from the world telling us we need to have MORE! To be a Success we must have bigger, better, MORE of every material thing. The world tells us we should be striving for this Success. Even if you can resist these messages, these temptations from the world to strive for more material wealth, we can still be caught by its message in a more subtle way. We can so easily make this dissatisfaction with our lot enter into our prayers; “Father give me…”, “Lord bless me with….”, “God you know my need”.
Wait isn’t that what we are instructed to do? Take everything to God in prayer? What about the Lord’s Prayer, our example of how to pray and what to pray for? Doesn’t that say “Give us this day our daily bread”? Aren’t we therefore supposed to be asking God to give us the things we want?
Well what exactly did Jesus mean by daily bread? There is the spiritual bread to sustain us daily in His service, and we would be correct to pray for that of course. But does it mean material things? Jesus spoke of the clothing compared to the flowers of the fields, so surely he meant material things? If he did, then asking for our daily bread is not asking for much is it? Can we stretch the point so far as to suggest this means asking God to bless us with a new car, a new flat screen TV, or other fripperies of the world? And if God doesn’t provides all these things we think we ‘need’ can we remain satisfied or content? I would suggest not, and not being content we strive by our own strength to obtain them rather than trusting God to provide for us.
Our satisfaction, our contentment is from being not from having. Being God’s Children; Being Saved by God’s Grace; Being joint heirs with Christ of Eternal Life. While it is also appropriate to thank God for what we have, it is equally if not more appropriate to be thankful for what we are. We are chosen by God, since before the beginning of the world, to receive His Grace. What could be more marvellous than that?
Friday, June 3, 2011
Pet Sins - written by Wendy Pointer
Imagine if we all had our own Pet Sin which followed us around everywhere; Little demons who's job it was to tempt us often and whose temptations we gave in to as if they were mere foibles.
One lady might point to her pet and say "Oh that's my Pet Chocolate Sin... isnt he cute? I know I shouldn't eat so much but I just have no self control when he tempts me"
Or perhaps a man is heard to say "Sure this little devil is my Pet Speed Sin - you know, when he tempts me I just cant help myself, my foot hits the gas pedal and I simply can't stay under the speed limit"
Some of us might have two or even more Pet Sins following us around, prodding us regularly with their 'oh so tempting desires'.
And as I look around I wonder if this is really as fanciful as it appears? Perhaps they are invisible but don't many of us have a Pet Sin we tolerate, pander to or downright encourage?
I wonder what God thinks of all them - and perhaps worse, what He thinks of us?
(Psalms 69:5) God, you know my foolishness. My sins aren’t hidden from you.
(Psalms 90:8) You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence.
(Romans 6:23) For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
One lady might point to her pet and say "Oh that's my Pet Chocolate Sin... isnt he cute? I know I shouldn't eat so much but I just have no self control when he tempts me"
Or perhaps a man is heard to say "Sure this little devil is my Pet Speed Sin - you know, when he tempts me I just cant help myself, my foot hits the gas pedal and I simply can't stay under the speed limit"
Some of us might have two or even more Pet Sins following us around, prodding us regularly with their 'oh so tempting desires'.
And as I look around I wonder if this is really as fanciful as it appears? Perhaps they are invisible but don't many of us have a Pet Sin we tolerate, pander to or downright encourage?
I wonder what God thinks of all them - and perhaps worse, what He thinks of us?
(Psalms 69:5) God, you know my foolishness. My sins aren’t hidden from you.
(Psalms 90:8) You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence.
(Romans 6:23) For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
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