Now this I say lest anyone should deceive you with persuasive words.For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.

As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.

Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily;and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power….

Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,  and not holding fast to the Head, from whom all the body, nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase that is from God.

 Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations—“Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle,” ²² which all concern things which perish with the using—according to the commandments and doctrines of men? These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.” Colossians 2:1-10, 18-23 NKJ

I’ve had that sinking feeling for two weeks now. You know the kind, when things go wrong? When you feel squeezed and pressured to explain so many things over and over again. I’ve fasted and prayed and had long, long nights of little sleep.

Nothing’s really changed for us as a family. How others see us, that has changed.

Church to us, is our small fellowship and that is all. No dramatic swing or epic explosion caused it, we have always felt that way. We never left the church building to become part of another church movement or something beyond a little house group. This is enough for us: to worship Jesus and be lead by His Spirit.

How can we yoke ourselves with everyone as multiple groups grow larger and larger?

Nor, can we submit to every church denomination for some uptopia of “unity” {which isn’t really unity, but compromise or some other such thing}.

There is only one mind and one body that unites us and that is Jesus. To say we need to submit to other groups for some case of unity, is the epitome of contradictions, when they, themselves don’t “submit” {nor even agree} with other churches in our area.

If “unity” is to be applied their way, we all need to be one for ”unity”. At least that is, our group needs to be one with them or we are divisive in their eyes. But they themselves don’t even apply their “unity” on themselves, but only as they see fit.

We only know in part, prophesy in part, speak in part and so we are parts of Him and He is the One Body that makes us whole. Unity isn’t trying to make everyone agree with us or with eachother. Unity, is only by Jesus, not by groups or men or denominations or churches.

And submission is based on trust relationships and that takes time. Unity isn’t based on how well you submit to someone, it is based on our focus of Jesus Christ as Lord. It’s by the Spirit we are lead to do what He says, and go where He leads, and to speak what He speaks. That is all the unity we have, whether Baptist, or Methodist, or some other Protestant denomination, or Pentecostal, etc. There are various directions which these different churches believe, but the one constant is Jesus.

We don’t see {separate} churches as being evil, but as a way of peacemaking between brothers and sisters, so that we can worship Jesus. It doesn’t mean we can’t ever meet with other body’s of believers if we are focused on the perfect Body.

If I go down to the Baptist church or the Methodist Church, or some multi-denominational worship service {once a month} doesn’t mean I am Baptist or Methodist. It just means I worshipped Jesus with them.

Are there barriers for worship?

I don’t have to be part of your “church” to worship Jesus with you. Because as far as I can see, He is the ONLY perfect body that makes us One body. Why is it so hard for some to understand that we can worship together and still be in separate churches, unless people have taken ownership of us, in some way?

There should always be freedom to come and sit at His feet, no matter where we “church”. All of our homes are eternally in Christ and this is where we meet when together.

These times of adversity for our small group, have brought up the workings of the Spirit which have knit this little organic body more closely together. We aren’t mad. We aren’t angry. Even if others wondered about ulterior motives. We are all fallible. Every last one of us.

And ‘though other people trying to understand this “new” thing about us, feel as if something had to have happened, it didn’t. Really.

We just want to worship and focus on Christ. That doesn’t mean we can’t still see them (as we have) or fellowship with them (as we have), it just means we are separated by relationships that are minimal at best, NON-existant at worst, beyond a brief monthly meeting. It is very simple and uncomplicated.

Our love hasn’t changed. Our ideas haven’t changed. Our “church” hasn’t changed. The only thing that has changed are words. We are speaking from our hearts, what was already there the whole time.

Unity isn’t found by one man, nor is it found in large groups {for us}, nor is it found in multiple groups. It is only found in Love.

Unity doesn’t come and beat us down to agree, but it gives itself up for Love. Unity is having the like-mindedness of Christ where all power to love was Bodily poured out for us.

So to say, a small group IS our church, is enough for us. I can’t speak for them.

Yet we know none of it matters, because Christ is our all-in-all, and there is no more to say. If we have Him, then we can trust eachother to Him. And if we have the Spirit, we leave eachother with the Counselor. If we believe God is big and even bigger than we imagine, then we hand eachother over for His good purposes. And if He is our Father who hears our prayer, then we tell Him to bless them and care for them. And if we have faith, we believe He is able and more abundantly so, to Shepherd His people.

There are only two commandments that sums up the whole law and they are bound by love. We can be separate and still love, if nothing else.

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We had a travelling minister that came through our area and wanted to hold a meeting. In the interest of avoiding legal consequences and because this is a public forum, I will refrain from naming names at this time.

Admittedly, he is a rather controversial figure but a lot of people really like him and his style of ministry. He is also very confrontational, so some people really, really don’t like him! To each his own, I guess. Eat the meat and spit out the bones we were told.

The minister and his team came into town and held a meeting in the local community square. The mayor, who is also a Christian,  later admitted he should have checked into the minister’s credentials and background. Obviously, hindsight is always 20/20.

The meeting was held on a Sunday afternoon so as not to interfere with anyone’s church or work schedule. Consequently, most of the leaders and elders from our local churches were able to attend too. This was necessary to make sure that those with more spiritual training and insight could provide a “spiritual covering” for the event.

By the time the meeting was over, most of these church leaders weren’t sure what spirit was really in operation in this man’s ministry. In fact, by the end most of them were questioning the travelling minister’s validity altogether!

See, the issue here is, our town is a very conservative town. The churches in this area do not embrace the idea of public displays of religion and all that other charismatic stuff. Please don’t misunderstand me, the people in our town are good people, they love God and attend church every week, but most are very cautious when it comes to area of religion.

The minister had been warned that our town is pretty conservative and the rules for a meeting had been made known to him. He was not to cause any strife by controversial actions or words, just keep it simple and acceptable. Sermons of God’s “unconditional love and universal acceptance” are very well received here and he was exhorted to stick to that kind of message.

He was also informed if he felt led to perform a controversial action or prayer beyond what was acceptable, he would need to get private permission from the local church leaders first. They needed to approve his plans before hand. No one wanted to have a “loose cannon” with no godly oversight!

The object of all this careful planning was to avoid strife and confusion in our community.  And of course, it was in everyone’s best interest that all attendees felt comfortable enough to financially support this area wide event when the offering buckets were passed. Quite possibly at least some of the local churches would be blessed to the point they could consider eliminating their annual fund raisers for the year.

The problem started when a local man who was born with a deformed arm showed up at the meeting. He comes from a family that is not on the membership roll at any of the local churches and was not familiar with the concept of acceptable behaviour at a religious event. He seemed prone to displays of emotion.

The visiting minister noticed this man in the crowd and calls him forward for “healing”. Everybody immediately got very uncomfortable and you could actually feel the atmosphere change in the place. That was the first clue we were going to have trouble and it looked like the enemy was at work.

The ushers immediately sprang to attention and there was a rather heated public discussion on the spot, with the people in charge discussing the minister’s right to continue. Extremely awkward and embarrassing!

Not only did the minister continue and call the man forward, he had him stand right in the middle where everyone could see and watch. He then goes against the expressed wishes of our local leaders and prays for the man that he would be healed. {Granted, the man did get healed but that is beside the point.}

It immediately became quite obvious this travelling minister has huge issues with submission to authority! In many people’s opinion, he almost seemed to relish flagrantly disobeying the stated rules.

Thank goodness he finally did leave town. The local leaders and authorities had a sort of post op meeting to discuss the damage done to the stability and peace of our town.

Here are several of the very valid points that were made in that meeting:

1. If this minister was truly moving in the Spirit why would he go against the express wishes of local church authority? This definitely showed a spirit of rebellion at work.

2. Why would he put the man into the middle of the crowd where it would cause the most damage and confusion when people saw what was happening? This was quite obviously a ploy to exalt himself!

3. Why did the minister not have a private room to the side, ready for such demonstrations of “praying” and avoid all this chaos and controversy? After all, we are told to seek peace as much as is possible with all men. Obviously all this strife and confusion was a work of the enemy!

4. Why not tell the man with the deformed arm he would meet with him later or even the next day, after all the people had gone home? After all, the man was not in any life threatening danger. He had been living with a deformed arm for years, what’s a few more hours or even days? Why give the enemy this opportunity to gain a foothold?

The unanimous conclusion from the post op meeting was that the travelling minister was most likely not even saved based on the total chaos, confusion and strife he caused in our churches and community! He certainly didn’t operate in wisdom or understanding!

You know, I have decided I will tell you the ministers name. Hopefully other towns can be spared this upheaval!

His name was Jesus.  Matt. 12,   Mark 3,   and Luke 6.

Brides (Photo credit: cheriejoyful)

For too many years the collective church has lived for the mountain top experiences. In fact, it has been ingrained that the mountain top is where abundant life awaits, riches and prosperity flourish, and the spiritually sound reside. With a mountain top view, we believe we fully have engaged Life.

The mountain top sums up the “spiritual experience”; anything less is substandard and an outdated religion.

We are taught, maybe not directly, but indirectly that life is not found in the valley and most certainly not in the desert. If we are found in either of these places, then our spirit man must be in want; or worse yet; disciplined.

The valley holds darkness, depression, trials and tribulation.

The desert is a place for the spiritually dry~ not thirsty, just dry. The accommodations are insidious…a place where you proceed in a gradual, subtle way, yet with harmful effects.

The position to be understood is disobedience. No questions need to be asked for your location provides all of the answers.

The valleys are shared by the lonely and only the fallen are scattered to the desert. This desert is a wasteland littered with the “least of these” as seen through the eyes of men.

When we enter into such a place our minds are crushed by guilt, shame, and regret. Our spirituality is shaken and we stagger backwards for we have become the refuse of the church. We must be food for only the vultures; unfit and unfruitful.

Our spiritual survival depends upon scaling the mountain. Once we arrive at the summit and present ourselves to our religious head; we are back in the fold; for at that time we will be fully restored to the church and then to Christ…isn’t that what religion requires; a restoration to the doctrine; and if we meet doctrinal criteria then we meet Christ’s criteria?

What else would we think; after all, look at the Israelites; their disobedience cost them forty years of desert. Jesus was tempted forty days in the desert; surely nothing good can come from such a place!

I am not so arrogant to say that being cast into the desert is not difficult. Nor would I say that disobedience does not bring about discipline. But what I would say is this; it has everything to do with what happens in the desert. That is the summit of the spiritual experience…that is your coveted mountain.

“….and therefore, I am now going to allure her to the desert. There I will speak tenderly to her. I will make the valley of Achor a door of hope. There will I give her back her vineyards and restore her youth. There she will sing, sing as in the days of her youth, the day she came up out of Egypt…and she will no longer call me my Master, but she will call me my Husband.” Hosea 2:14-16

As I attempt to explain this passage, I will use the Hebrew.

It is in this passage we see a relationship forming out of the dust. We see our Creator literally walking us and bringing us into a land of trouble and affliction. All the while speaking tenderly bringing about a life properly arranged by intimacy.

It is in this place, our Creator makes His victorious summons; He thunders His declaration that speaks to the darkness separating us from the one who comes to kill and destroy. He rends His heart as a garment and encloses us with Himself. It is in this enclosure that we find Hope, we find revelation, and most of all we find a bridal intimacy only shared by those that call Him, my Husband.

There is no greater religion than that of a relationship of intimacy with Jesus Christ; the Head of the Body. He alone calls us worthy because of the blood shed while on a cross, positioned on top of a mountain overlooking a valley. Today, this valley is filled with debris and known as a wasteland.

It was the shed blood that brought beauty to the valley. It was the blood that made the wasteland alive again. And now, it is this blood that makes me spiritually sound and restores me to Christ…this was the purchase price of the Bride.

There is only One worthy of the mountain. And so I choose to live in a land of quiet revelation, satisfied eating locusts, forsaking the mountain top experiences and singing a new song; all the while being dressed as a lily of the field, and kissing the dust.

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I have discussed the “help” part of the famous passage in Genesis where God created Eve; now let’s talk about the second word, “meet*for*him”.

I read an author once who pointed out that if God had not added the qualifier “meet*for*him” after the “help”, we would be refuting a false doctrine today that said women should be in charge of men, instead of the other way around.

By saying “meet*for*him,” God put a qualifier of equality on the first woman.  Even though the very powerful “help” word was used to define her role, she was not created superior to the man.

“Meet*for*him” is a single word that means a part opposite, specifically a counterpart.  The best picture of this word is the illustration of a coin.  Which face of a coin is superior?  Although there are two faces to a coin, there is still only one coin.

The female is the opposite, yet completely equal and compatible face of the coin to the male.  Because you cannot see the two faces of a coin at the same time, they are separate; but neither face is “half” a coin – they are both simply expressions of “the coin.”

To really drive this picture home to humanity, God waited to make Eve.  Now, I don’t believe that God made Adam, looked at him, and then decided, “Oops, I guess I forgot something.”  God made male and female together and called them “good”.  He then took Eve out of Adam, leaving only the male behind as He separated out the female. 

Before separating out Eve, the “man” word used to describe Adam is the “humankind” type word.  But the phrase Adam speaks, saying Eve was “taken out of man” uses a new word, one specifically referring to a husband or male.  They were now separate.

By waiting to create the female in this way, God forever settled the issue of equality.  How could they be of different value or rank when they occupied the same body/flesh and were given the same instructions to exercise dominion on the earth before God separated them?

Another reason I believe God chose to create female in the way that He did was because His plan was always that they be joined, that they be one.  You cannot join two living things that are not a match.  In the same way that your body will reject an organ not its own, a man and a woman can only be joined as one because they originally were one.

There are still people who will argue that, although of course men and women are equal in value, they have very different roles.

I have found, however, that many of these role differences are based upon a distinct tier system where women rank beneath men and therefore occupy roles that are beneath and subordinate to men’s roles.

Where the rules of different human relationships are addressed by the apostle Paul and others in the New Testament, including those concerning husbands and wives, they are not complicated.

Believers are commanded to prefer other believers above themselves.  They are commanded to submit one to another.  Husbands are commanded to submit to their wives and wives are commanded to submit to their husbands.

Submission is the mutual service and love lived among equals.  Our pattern is to be the submission exhibited among the Trinity.  Jesus submits Himself to the Father, even though He also calls Himself equal to the Father and One with Him.  The Holy Spirit submits Himself to Jesus, taking of what is Jesus’, given to Him by the Father, and sharing it with us, the Body.  And again, the Holy Spirit is still One with, and equal to, the Father and the Son both.

In the famous Ephesian “submission passage” where Paul addresses husbands and wives for a portion of the letter, talking about submission and joining as one,  it is interesting to note that he concludes that section by saying “This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church.”

If we take the Trinity as our example, mutual submission is a key, if not the key, component of being able to truly become one.  Saying vows does not make you one with your husband or your wife.  A husband and wife truly becoming joined together as one is a mystery; and it is a pattern given to us to help us as humans better grasp what the Father has planned for the Son and His Bride.

A couple of other things to note in conclusion:

Children are commanded to obey their parents, and servants are commanded to obey their masters.  Nowhere are wives commanded to obey their husbands, nor are husbands commanded to obey their wives. 

This should give us a big clue that the hierarchical relationship between children and parents and between servants and masters should not be present between husbands and wives.

Paul also says that in the spirit there is neither male nor female.  Should we not be in the spirit in church of all places? And if we are without male or female labels in the spirit, why are those labels applied in churches when it comes to doing spiritual work?

The refuting of every wrong doctrine about women and an exposition of the full extent of their freedoms in the Christ Jesus is not the purpose of this post.  Such a discussion would (and has) filled many books.  The purpose of this series of posts is simply to lay a foundation of truth.  Now go build on it.

If you find you are having trouble making the doctrines you have been taught about men, women, their roles, and their “place” fit with what you have read here, go do some searching with the Holy Spirit.

Let God be proven true and every man a liar.

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It was an impressive presentation with pictures of people living in terrible conditions and afflicted with demons and diseases. Exciting accounts of the missionary and her team praying and people being healed and delivered.  Accounts of many people “accepting Jesus”.

Let me preface by saying I do believe Jesus loves us and wants to help us. I believe He does heal and deliver yet today. However, I came away empty. I came away very confused. Is that the gospel?

Then “reasoning” kicked in. What makes me think I have any right to question a missionary who is busy and ministering in other nations? Clearly people were responding to her message.

What do I have to show for my efforts? Not much. I couldn’t draw crowd like that, so who am I to question her methods and her results?

Her message of “Jesus loves you!” certainly seemed to bring results!

The net she casts out, “Will you accept Jesus into your heart? He loves you and wants to help you!” was certainly a whole lot fuller then any of my nets ever had been.

She also admonished us “spiritually overfed” American church goers to get busy and do something! Get out there into our neighborhoods where people are waiting to hear about Jesus! Tell them how much “Jesus loves them and wants to help them”!

{I have found most neighbourhoods in America have been saturated with the message they need to “accept Jesus” and don’t want any part of it.}

We were also exhorted to help send people like her to the nations that were “spiritually starving” while we Americans are sitting comfortable in our air conditioned churches.

So what was this lack of excitement in me? What was this emptiness? What was this sadness?

Did I misunderstand her presentation of the gospel?

What does it mean to “accept Jesus”? What does it mean when you say, “He loves you and wants to help you”?

What is the gospel?

Does “Will you accept Jesus into your heart? He loves you and wants to help you!” mean the same thing as Paul’s message of,  repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ? Acts 20:21 or, repent, turn to God and do works meet for repentance? Acts 26:20

Does it mean the same thing as, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me? Luke 9:23

Does it mirror, wide is the way that leads to destruction and narrow is the way that leads to life? Matt. 7: 13-14

Here is my problem, I have found there is this huge divide between my personal experience of salvation and the message of “accepting Jesus because He loves me”. The two are seemingly poles apart. Why is that?

I have joy in my heart, peace in my life and His Voice is the only thing that brings me life, nevertheless, it has cost me something to “accept Jesus”.

I have had to surrender my life and say “Yes Lord, your will, not mine,” to have and enjoy His Presence. And this surrender was not a one time thing, I’ve had to do it numerous times and it’s doesn’t always feel good and pleasant.

To “accept Jesus” for me meant I have had to confess and reject all sin in my life as it has been revealed to me. I have had to humble myself and that isn’t always easy either.

For me to “accept Jesus” meant losing status, reputation, friends and family. Not just once but several times. That hurts.

For me to “accept Jesus” has meant the exclusion of everything that’s not Him and everything that’s not for Him. It has meant loneliness and desert experiences .

Is the gospel simply Jesus pleading with me and patiently waiting in the wings for me to “accept Him” so He can “bless me and help me”?

Or does the gospel of Jesus Christ require my submission to His absolute Lordship in my life with no room for my own agenda?

Is the gospel a message that enables me to “accept Jesus into my life” as an addition that will help me be happier on earth and allow me to go to heaven when I die?

Or is the gospel a message that requires me to die to self now and take my place to serve Him and Him alone?

Is the gospel primarily a message with its sole purpose and goal being to bless me, help me and make my life better?

Or is the purpose of the gospel to reveal the Glory of God to all of creation? To reveal the power of God to completely change me and my life so that I look like Him?

I believe much of what is taught as the gospel is actually humanism. Humanism makes the gospel about man. Humanism says the gospel is to help man and mankind. It is to make man happier and less miserable on earth and to save man so he doesn’t have to go to a nasty hell.

Humanism puts the focus on the improvement, betterment and happiness of man both now and in eternity.

However, I believe all those things are wonderful by-products of the gospel!

But, I believe the gospel is about Jesus. He deserves our allegiance and obedience. He deserves to have the complete focus of our lives and be our reason for living.  He deserves to have people hear the story of the cross even if not one person gets saved. He deserves the reward of His suffering!

Humanism has no ability to produce new creations and we are left wondering why our churches are seated full of self focused, blessing seeking, attention requiring people who have no power to live sanctified lives.

The gospel of Jesus Christ produces new creatures that are citizens of another realm! Sons of God who are passionate and care only about pleasing their Father and living in His Presence! Followers who shake the powers of darkness with their radical obedience!

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The new pastor had finally arrived to our church, the one we used to attend. We didn’t know what to really expect but it was kinda exciting to embark on a “new” journey with a somewhat celebrity preacher. You know, the kind with books and all.

Beginnings are always full of infatuation. I’m sure the new pastor had his own little pitter-patter for the congregation too.

How quickly things go south.

We had cell/home group fellowships and the new pastor wanted to continue them (thank goodness). He even hired his own small group “leader” to facilitate them, even though small groups hadn’t fallen apart without a “leader” to guide them, in the past.

It was before the kick-off party for the small group ministry, which was already functioning and operating without any parties, that I began to get the first red flag.

The honeymoon was coming to a screeching halt.

From the pulpit, we were told to consider NOT signing up with our previous small groups. In fact, it was encouraged that we sign up with people we didn’t know, or at least not know very well.

Forget those relationships you had been building in mutual trust. Forget those people you could finally be honest with. Forget about all that time you’ve spent pouring into one another. And most of all, forget about what Jesus has to say about it. Just switch. Anywhere, somewhere, but not where you were before.

Already, I saw what was coming: divide and conquer and steer the new  agenda. Because those “cliques” are dangerous to ideas of where the “church” wants to go.  What’s worse, the small group members (which we stayed in our same group) were asked to partake in a personality survey, of which my family (and many others) didn’t submit.

Why would a church want to depend on man’s understanding when we have a higher understanding called the Holy Spirit? Is Jesus able to guide His people or not?  

Too many times pastors do things with their church and its many programs that have nothing to do with the Holy Spirit guiding them.

As for those of us who wouldn’t submit a personality survey, a slight rebuke was sent to us for not “lean”ing into the process. We were told that by withholding the results of the surveys (which we never even filled out) we were not contributing to the success of the groups. Our withholding prevented them in ascertaining if the groups were personality-compatible.

Since when did my personality contribute to Jesus’ success among His people? What about “lean”ing into Christ and being spiritually compatible?

There are plans which are always being implemented or deconstructed to set up new ideas and new programs. And it all seems fine and dandy, until you think about Jesus. It is not until you really let His people BE His people that you realize how much Jesus is left out of the whole thing.

Letting God lead goes against how men lead, or how governments lead, or how the world would lead. It’s the very opposite.  If you’re trying to be the best little church then you’re off-track already because it’s not about you, but Jesus. The Pharisees thought they were the best too.

Christ doesn’t want our best, He wants our all.  We must die to ourselves so He can live and have His way in us.

It ain’t pretty. In fact, it’s quite hard.

This dying business, it’s more than just laying down what you want and it’s more than following and submitting to any ol’ thing. This will require going against the grain of the world because Jesus swam up the river of it.

If we are pressured or coerced to submit to a “spiritual authority”  or to following a leader/pastor, we end up forsaking Christ. If we are pistol-whipped into swallowing some pastor’s authority, then we know it’s not God. Jesus didn’t force anyone to follow Him, in fact, many abandoned Him until they were persuaded of His truthworthiness.

This is about standing with Christ, even when it seems we are standing against the whole world.  Each member of His Body, must be guided by His Holy Spirit into all things.  We shouldn’t be impressed to do something just because a man ordained it. We must only be impressed by Jesus.

We must remember Christ and not be afraid to say “NO. I will not move, not budge, not move my big fat toe, not one iota unless Christ leads me.”

We must not be subverted with man’s thinking, with man’s newest exciting plan, unless Christ lights our fire for it. Our flesh wants to jump on the band wagon and ride with the next “greatest” thing that our church is doing.

Oh but Jesus!

All for Him is all we need and so we must be careful to not be enticed by our feel-good emotions.

Man can wrap his ideas around a Jesus box and say “See, it looks all Jesus-y so lets go and do it! All aboard this Jesus train!” But what of you? What if you haven’t heard that from Him? What if the “let’s go” means going without you? Are we ok with being the one person not going because someone slapped Jesus on it?

In other words, are you willing to swim upstream? We must support what Jesus supports. We must go where His Spirit leads us. We must find His heart beating in ours and that means each, individual person must seek their own leading by the Holy Spirit.

Standing for Jesus may mean you do not stand with your church denomination, doctrine, or yes, even your pastor. Christ must be all in all because there are too many foxes which come to spoil the vineyard.

Keep a death grip on the Vine.

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Now, this is not a “marriage” message at all, but it is difficult to clearly define a woman’s place in church without understanding her place in other arenas of life.  And a major arena of many womens’ life is marriage.

It is interesting to me that, when talking about women, people often start pointing out the distinction between a woman’s “role” in church and her “role” in the home.  But when talking about men, they do no such thing.  A man is just a man.  But a woman, apparently, can change her spots.

In fact, many of the limits placed on women in the church setting would not exist without the foundation laid by wrong beliefs about womens’ role in their homes and marriages.

To understand what a woman can and should be doing anywhere, one needs to first fully understand who she was created to be.

We all know how “the LORD God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone’” after He created the first person.  Now, “good” means simply a blessed state of being.  The word “man” here is the term for a human being, or referring to the species mankind, while the word “alone” means “separation, strength, apart, only, by self.”  (All definitions taken from the Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible).

It seems the Lord was saying that it is not a blessed state of being for a human being to be separated out, to be strong apart, and to be a self-sufficient island.

The Lord already knew all of what psychologists now know.  To prevent this “non-blessed” state of being, God declared that He would make a Help for Adam that was meet (suitable/comparable) for him.  Many people make the English translation “helpmeet” into one word.  It is not so in the original Hebrew.  It is divided into two words – “help” and a combo word, “meet*for*him”.

The “help” that God made for the first human being is just that – help.  It is “to surround, to protect or aid, help, succor”.  In fact, the word that God used to describe the first female’s role in relation to her husband is the same word God uses to describe His aid to His people in the Old Testament.

It is the word writers use throughout the Psalms when referring to or appealing to the Lord.

Psalm 115:9-11 “ Oh Israel, trust in the LORD; He is their help and shield.  O house of    Aaron, trust in the LORD; He is their help and shield.  O You who fear the LORD, trust    in the LORD; He is their help and shield.”

Moses, when blessing the tribe of Judah, said of the Lord, “May you be a help against his enemies.”

While prophecying over all of Israel, Moses said,

Deut. 33:29 “Who is like you, a people saved by the LORD, the shield of your help and the sword of your majesty.”

Probably the most famous passage in which the word is used is in Psalm 121:1-2

“I will lift up my eyes to the hills – from whence comes my help?  My help comes from     the LORD, Who made heaven and earth.”

When Jesus tells His disciples in John 14 that He will be leaving them soon, He reassures them by saying that the Father, “will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever.”

This word is not the traditional church’s “assistant” role for women.  God was not Israel’s “assistant,” He was not David’s “assistant,” and the Holy Spirit is not the believer’s  “assistant” today – He is our Helper!

And a wife is not her husband’s “assistant”.

An assistant is someone who only functions under the direction and supervision of a superiorly ranked person.  An assistant follows orders and acts as a mere extension of the person they are assisting – being and acting in that person’s stead.

A scriptural helper, on the other hand, is an independent entity who steps in and supplies whatever it is that the first person lacks in a given situation.  They are not in anyway beneath the person they are helping.

Was God beneath the Israelites?  Is the Holy Spirit beneath us?

In fact, the helper can only help if they are coming from a position of strength.  God is a rescuer, He is a strong tower of refuge in time of trouble.

In the same way, women were never created by God to be simply a support figure for some “spiritual leader of the home”.

I am NOT implying that females are superior to males.  I will address later the scriptural evidence that men and women are perfectly and completely equal; and that men are no more expected to be the spiritual leaders of the home than women are.  They are to be one as they follow the one true spiritual leader, the Holy Spirit.

What I am trying to do now is to completely kill off every last remnant of that disgusting demonic doctrine that is being peddled around, the one that lies against God and His reasons for making women; the one that does so much damage to the Lord’s Body.

Further reading:

Part 1 of this Post is here: http://eatinglocusts.wordpress.com/2012/01/25/a-womans-place-and-doctrines-of-demons/

Grace has been explained in many different ways in the church. I have already addressed the hottest, newest and latest definition of grace in, The False Grace of Bondage [Part 1 of 2].

One thing it seems all erroneous definitions of grace have in common is the rejection of Jesus as Master and Lord. Not necessarily a rejection of Him as Saviour but an unwillingness to obey Him as Lord.

I have not heard every sermon nor have I read every book written on the subject of grace, thus I can not speak on every definition out there. However, there are a few more definitions I do have personal knowledge of.

In the so called “word of faith camp” grace has been explained as the favor of God. Favor as in the favorite child of God.  Repeated quoting of a sentence like, “ I have the favor of God!” is taught as a means and method of keeping and increasing that favoritism.

This grace or favoritism is described as an “extra” that helps you get the best deals, open the best doors or get you that promotion everyone else in the company or “ministry” is vying for. This definition of grace is narcissistic and self glorifying.

In yet another of the many religious circles of my past, grace is described as a mysterious mercy that basically goes into operation when you die.

Your responsibility is to obey all the man made rules of the denomination while you are alive and trust in the grace of God to cover the distance between you and God when you die. However, only as a member of that denomination can you have assurance this grace will work for you.

This convenient definition not only insures that people remain in bondage to man made rules as a means of pleasing God but also insures an entrance to heaven for all the obedient folks in that denomination, no matter the what fruits of their life are.

So what is the true grace of God or rather, what does it look like? What does it do?

For God has revealed his grace for the salvation of all people. That grace instructs us to give up ungodly living and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in this world,  Titus 2:11-12

Of course I cannot describe the multi-facets of the manifold grace of God. What I can do however, is speak of some of the grace of God that I have personally experienced. Here are only a few of the results of grace that many people can identify at work in their lives.

It was the grace of God that influenced my heart to repent of my sins and believe the Gospel. Without that work of grace I would still be dead in my trespasses and sins and on my way to hell.

It is the grace of God that cleanses me from worldly lusts and fleshly desires. Without that work of grace I am reduced to white-knuckling any resistance of sin, if I desire to resist at all.

It is the grace of God that turns me into a servant of righteousness and delivers me from dominion and slavery to sin. Without that work of grace I will secretly resent the Lord’s commands to be holy as He is holy and look for ways to convince myself that’s not what He really meant.

It is the grace of God that transforms my soul and purifies my agenda to seek only the glory of Jesus Christ and God the Father. Without that work of grace I will exalt myself, even in “my ministry” as it’s often referred to.

It is the grace of God that enables me to know the difference between the voice of the Shepherd and the voices of the hirelings. Without that work of grace I am reduced to my own understanding to navigate the maze of a thousand versions of Truth and I will be deceived.

It is the grace of God that works in me the gifts and abilities I carry to further His Kingdom. Without that work of grace I am reduced to programs, eloquence and entertainment of the masses as a means of winning some.

It is the grace of God that causes me to be content with the leading given to me by the Spirit and the doors opened for me. Without that work of grace I will be swayed by results and numbers as a measure of success instead of the peace of His approval.

It is grace of God that spurs me and motivates me to seek and lay hold of an ever increasing measure of God’s nature and character as my own. With out that work of grace I do not know Him!

Christ in me the hope of glory!

One of the hottest “new revelations” sweeping the church today is the “Grace gospel”. Those who by practice have exercised their discernment will recognise it for the deception it is. This “new gospel” is sweeping  mega churches and small churches alike and people are embracing it in defensive fervour, buying up the books and attending the conferences.

In the interest of keeping this as short as possible, I have added links to scripture verses through out this article that refute this “grace gospel” doctrine. Please take the time to read them. They are by no means the only scriptures relevant to this subject but they do show the contrast.

A very short synopsis on the basics of this so called “new revelation of grace” includes the following:

Grace is reduced to a kind of Divine benevolence extended to any “believer” that is in sin or continues to sin. We are assured since Jesus already paid for all sin, past, present and future, God is basically oblivious, in fact He “can not see” any sin we may be involved in. We are told He legally can not punish sin and will not judge the sinner because Jesus already took ALL punishment, for ALL people, for ALL time.

The sacrifice and blood of Jesus are reduced to something like a magic blanket, if you will, that obstructs the view of God to any wrong doing or lack of holiness in people’s lives. If not His view, certainly His hand of chastening.

Besides, we are informed, the correct Greek translation for “chastening” doesn’t mean what we’ve been taught either. Oh no, it simply means child training, it does NOT mean to punish. {We’re still waiting on their correct Greek translation or an explanation on how “ SCOURGES every son whom He receives,” pertains to “child training” versus chastening.}

According to this new gospel, God is not judging America. We are emphatically informed all of America’s sins have already been judged on the cross and God is not punishing America or any other nation in the world. In fact, if God were to judge America today He would have to apologise to Jesus because of what He accomplished on the cross!

People are encouraged to become more “grace conscience” instead of “sin conscious”. Sounds impressive, doesn’t it? We are told “sin consciousness” is the result of hearing the preaching of law for decades in the church. Anyone telling us that God requires something of us, is spouting law and legalism and that type of preaching will only produce more sin in our lives. Who knew?

Continuing with the “grace gospel” doctrine-  Choosing to focus on the fact that you have already been forgiven before you were ever born, will produce less tendency toward sin and even more enlightening, eventually this new belief or “grace consciousness” has the power to produce right living in your life!

There is much excitement about the new “truth” that righteousness really has nothing to do with right living. Again, who knew righteousness had nothing to do with your lifestyle or actions? That’s right. If you “believe” you are righteous, you are righteous! Done deal. That simple!! This as clear as mud to me and just as palatable.

The decision to believe this important new “truth” is what seals the deal between you and God. To refuse to believe this “truth” is the only thing God judges as sin.

Of course you are encouraged to live right but rest assured, there is no condemnation if you don’t.  We have been informed, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, period, not comma! The rest of Romans 8:1 was added by a translator who was legalistic minded and is therefore not considered to be scripture. {Since Romans 8:4 has the same message, I’m not sure how that is explained either.} But, not to worry.

The “grace gospel” is excited to declare that, when people find out God loves them, no temptation can succeed against them! The reason people give their lives to sin is because they feel so rejected, unwanted and unloved. To come to the revelation that God does not judge you or your “performance”  based on law is touted as a breakthrough of “true repentance”!

Should you come home from a time of riotous living and experience some “sin conscience” pangs, you need to boldly declare you are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus!  The torment of guilt in your  conscience is not from God, but the result of a lifetime of exposure to law and legalism and must be rejected to experience true freedom! Once again, who knew?!

We are informed we have been taught incorrectly concerning the Holy Spirit as well. The “good news” is He  NEVER comes to convict God’s people of sin or bring their faults to mind.  He comes to convince and convict them of their righteousness! If someone has a word that brings your sin to mind you need to reject that word soundly.

Is there some actual truth mixed into all this drivel? Of course there is! Sometimes lots of it. The “grace gospel” is also liberally sprinkled with partial and out of context scriptures and raving testimonies of success! What would you expect? An admission of error and deception?

This new kind of “grace” keeps people in slavery and bondage. The true grace of God brings freedom. But that is another post on another day.

Coming soon, “the true grace of freedom”.