Outcasts

If we’re to decisively, convincingly, truly, effectively serve the Lord as he’s called us to do, we must be comfortable -to some extent- with being different, or at least understand that those who belong to Him are.

It’s not that we should disassociate ourselves from those who displease or who are different from us, or live the life of a hermit.  But we must be prepared to stand even if it’s only with a few (the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; Heb 13:5). 

• On a very basic level, outcasts are people who are despised and refused acceptance for one reason or another (m-w.com).  Exclusion of others is usually based on their failure to conform to what’s considered normal or desirable to an individual or group of individuals -or even perceived nonconformity.  In the Bible, outcasts are identified as those with limited ability, power, or perspective.  Examples are aliens or sojourners (foreign immigrants who were subject to their host nation’s laws, language, and customs, which they probably weren’t familiar with), the fatherless and widows (who were then -and are now, in some cultures- basically helpless without the headship, provision and protection of a man), the deaf and blind, children, and unbelievers (Ex 22:21; Le 19:14; Ps 146:9; Pr 23:10-11; Mt 19:13-14; Lk 15:1-7; Jude 1:22-23). 
• The world views Christians as outcasts, having limited ability, power, perspective, and intelligence (1Co 1:18; 2Pe 2:19).  However, believers are set apart for service, and with the help of the Holy Spirit and the guidance of the Word, we’re to further sanctify and mature ourselves spiritually (Ro 12:2; Php 2:12; 2Ti 2:15; 1Pe 3:15).  I believe honest, self-examination, and study of God’s word are two of the greatest keys in furthering sanctification.  The ‘laws of justice and mercy’ in Exodus chapter 23 is an example of how the Lord has established His kingdom in the hearts of the believer (The Lord’s prayer serves as an example of prayer.  His kingdom has already come; see Lk 17:21).  Here, part of sanctifying ourselves as children of the Lord includes not:  gossiping, following the crowd (in doing wrong), showing favoritism, accepting bribes, etc.  
• Make no mistake about it.  If you’re a believer, you will be persecuted (Mt 5:11; 10:22; 2Ti 3:12).  The world excludes Christians because we’re different.  Although uncomfortable, this is something we should take joy in (Lk 6:22-23)!  Suffering isn’t evidence of wrongdoing -as the world would have you believe.  On the contrary.  It may very well be a sign that you’re doing right (1Pe 3:13-17).  We’re aliens, sojourners (1Pe 2:11).  Our citizenship is in heaven, so it’s no surprise that our ways, motivations, attitudes, behavior, etc. are looked upon scornfully (Lk 22:26; Ro 12:2).  
• The Lord will stand for you if you stand for Him (Mt 10:32-33; Ac 7:54-56).  It takes faith to follow God’s word because in the natural it makes no sense (Mt 20:16; Not to be taken literally and in every situation, but many reversals will occur on Judgment Day; see Isa 55:8; Mt 23:11-12).  We’re not to rely completely on the senses.  When the Bible extends past our understanding we should still be found standing on the Bible.  We are to trust Him.
• We’re to appeal to outcasts and care for them.  In doing this, we show reverence to God and identify ourselves as His children (Lev 24:2).  It’s our job, as believers, to ensure that those who may be considered outcasts aren’t.  Regardless of our position in life, we all know -or have known- what it’s like to be on the outside looking in (Ex 23:9; Jn 15:15; 1Pe 2:9-10).   Although He’s not a respecter of person, we serve a God who cares for, and is the Defender, of the lost, grieving, poor, etc. (Ac 10:34-35; Ro 2:11).  He’s God to all, and Father to the born again.  We’re to be godly, so to care for those whom God cares about is proof that we belong to Him (Mt 18:10-14; 22:39; 25:45; 2Pe 3:9). 

Just a thought; we know that Jesus, while he walked the earth, was fully God and fully man.  But I think it says a lot for him not to even express displeasure when Peter denied him or Judas betrayed him.  I’m sure he saw it coming being God, but I wouldn’t doubt that he was grieved to an extent also.  I’m sure we all know people who have ways that sadden, but don’t surprise us.  We ourselves are sometimes that person, even in our best intentions.

Also, I’m reminded of the scripture that tells us that the student cannot be above the teacher.  Just look at what Jesus, and the martyrs endured.  Regardless of how things sometimes seem though, we should have the faith to believe that God is faithful, and we -like them- will be ultimately and eternally rewarded.

Happy 2nd Birthday!!!

Watches of the Night Blog celebrates a bithday today!

Leadership Modeled

Everything was made by God and finds it’s purpose in Him (Jn 1:3, Col 1:16-17).  So, if we’re to please God, we should gain an understanding of how he defines and purposes everything (Ro 12:2).  And more than ever lately I’ve noticed that there’s been a great disparity between how man chooses to define and purpose things compared to how God does.  We’ll look at the subject of leadership in this post. 

I’ve chosen our best example of how to live:  Jesus -God’s Word made flesh. 

I’ll list some examples of how he shepherded as he walked, and continues to, by is living Word. 

But first, to lead means to guide on a way, especially by going in advance, and to direct on a course or in a direction (m-w.com). 

 

1. Make no mistake about it, there is no other way to lead but by example.  The very image of a leader is someone who precedes, someone who is out front.  No effective leader ever took a “Do as I say, not as I do” approach to leadership.  And God bless the fool who would follow such a hypocrite.  A person who has:  a) gone before, and b) been successful, can be trusted to direct another (Jn 1:14; Heb 4:15). 
2. Leadership demands a sincere effort to achieve greatness, to meet the mark (Lk 22:42-44; Heb 12:4; 1Co 9:24-27; Php 3:12). 
3. Leaders must make necessary sacrifices, and with those sacrifices come rewards.  Surely, double honor follows double work [Jn 10:18; 19:30; Mk 16:19; 2Co 5:21; Mt 10:39; 16:25; 1Co 15:55; Rev 1:18; 3:21; 1Ti 5:17]
4. Leaders are held accountable and must understand that the decisions they make have lasting effects.  Everyone has someone or over them that they’re accountable to and someone under them that they’re both accountable for, and yes, accountable to [Lk 2:49; Jn 12:49; 1Co 15:45: Ro 5:12,19].
5. Leadership demands the courage (Mt 8:23-26; 10:28; Lk 22:42).
6. Leaders appropriately delegate authority to subordinates along with the necessary encouragement, instruction, and support in order to reach a defined goal (Mt 4:19; 28:18-20).

 

You may’ve noticed that with the scriptures given, these are instructions intended for all of us, whether or not we have been called into a leadership position in the body, as we’re called to be light of the world and salt of the earth, and by default lead in our own way, for someone (Mt 5:13-16).

 

(Also, I’m positive I didn’t get them all, so go ahead and pull out your own scripture-based examples of Christ-like leadership, and add them in the comments box below.)

Reputation

reputation – 1a:  overall quality or character as seen or judged by people in general 2:  a place in public esteem or regard:  good name

Notice how definition 1a is based on character, but the second doesn’t necessitate a basis of character.  (Definition 1b, I did not include because it refers to some characteristic or ability, which biblical scripture doesn’t site in regard to an individual’s reputation.)

David declared that he’ll praise God forever for what He’s done; in His name he’ll hope, for His name is good.  David vowed to praise God in the presence of the saints. (Ps 52:9)  He clearly views God in a favorable way, as many of us do.  But if at any point things didn’t go as well as David thought they should, and he failed to appropriately judge God’s character or recognize His overall quality, would that mean that God ceases to have that character or those qualities?  Can David’s attitude, or our attitude, towards God -or anyone else- put their reputation in jeopardy?

The author of Ecclesiastes puts the previous book of Proverb’s wisdom to work to examine the human experience.  Or another way to put it is, the wise sayings of Proverbs is what we should conform to our thoughts.  But Ecclesiastes is, kind of, what happens when worldly society gets a hold of godly wisdom.  Proverbs 3:3-4 tells us that if we make love and faithfulness a part of who we are -our character- we’ll win favor and a good name in the sight of God and (then) man.  But in Ecclesiastes 10:1, the fragility of reputation (or good name) is illustrated by the comparison between dead flies ruining a perfume or ointment, and a few mistakes ruining an individual’s reputation of wisdom and honor.  Unless we view the two scriptures as contradictory, let me point out that the sayings of wisdom in scripture are often general statements.  So, generally speaking, if we live as the Lord tells us to, we’ll have a good reputation.  But in the hands of easily persuaded men, our reputations may not stand.  God will always judge or assess our character fairly, but we cannot count on man. 

God’s word stands.  Yes, a good name is more desirable than great riches, and to be esteemed is better than silver or gold (Pr 22:1).  But know that men are fickle and your good name among them is in constant jeopardy.  Although successfully serving the Lord is dependent on how we interact with others, I don’t believe that God desires us to be slave of the often unstable attitudes and faulty discernment of man, who often doesn’t allow God’s word to shape their perceptions.  We’re to store our riches in heaven, which is where we should also really care if we have a good name (Mt 6:20-21).    

Again, according to the first definition, reputation is determined by overall character.  So, to accurately determine reputation, people -in general- should be good judges of character.  It’s always best to take a person as they are, and reserve any assessment of people for personal experience.  But a discerning person will occasionally allow a trusted individual to vouch for the character, and speak of the reputation of another.  We don’t trust everyone’s opinion.  

But I believe that God is more concerned about what is, rather than how things appear, and the first definition of reputation basically depends on who a person is, as determined by reasonable people.  I think it’s that definition that best describes God’s viewpoint of our reputation.  We know that He’s just.  And that’s why I assert that reputation isn’t what’s merely said or believed about a person, but what’s known about them.  That’s Proverbial, heavenly perspective, and wisdom, as opposed to the Ecclesiastical, worldly view of wisdom.

Do we have an appropriate relationship with our reputations?  Many have chosen to believe the lie that says, liability is a measure of success.  But based on that belief, Jesus would be considered unsuccessful.  The Bible tells us that a student isn’t above his teacher.  So, if Jesus had his haters, what makes us think we can be hater free?  (Lk 6:40).  It should come as no surprise.  Jesus already forewarns us that if we follow him, WE WILL BE PERSECUTED (2 Ti3:12-14).  Withstanding persecution and still persevering proves a believer’s fitness for the kingdom.  When we’re faced with the temptation to yield under persecution, we should still be found standing with the Lord (Mt 10:32-33). 

An inappropriate relationship with reputation is rooted in pride.  It’ll lead an individual to place public approval over God’s. Saving face will take precedence over sincerity.  The lie of pride that may lead to an extreme concern with reputation will convince a person that, it only matters how things look, not how they are.  Keep putting up that front.  The only person you have to answer to is you.  But don’t believe those lies!  The Bible encourages you not to be afraid of man who can only (harm your reputation by scandalizing your name, presenting you in a negative light, rallying people against you, threatening you with isolation, pointlessly disagreeing with you, and even) kill you, but rather revere the Lord who can do so much worse to you, but desires to do so much better for you (Mt 10:28; Jas 1:17).  Man’s range of power is limited, but God’s is unlimited!  

Because Jesus understood this, he successfully carried out the mission his Father gave him.  Understand that God’s reputation among men was not so much of importance to Him that he couldn’t even set aside His glory and submit to the humiliation of becoming a man (Php 2:5-7).  (Although He maintained His deity, He set aside its prerogatives.)   And surely, the favor of Pharisees and high priests was alluring to Jesus (Heb 4:15).  He was, no doubt, hurt by the rejection of his own people (Jn 1:11; Ps 118:22).  But glory be to God!  He was faithful enough to carry out his high calling!  Jesus’ sight was heavenward.  But imagine if yielded to the temptation to give in and win the favor of man over doing what he knew to be right? 

You may say, of course he could do this with no problem.  He’s God; I’m only human.  But God wouldn’t command us to be Christ-like if it weren’t possible.  Look at all of the people in the Bible who man hated or despised, but was approved by God: Abel, Joseph, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah (bka Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego), Daniel, Lazarus, Stephen, etc. (Ge 4:1-7; 37:1-11; Dan 3; 6; Lk 16:19-31; Ac 7:54-60).    Paul imitated Christ’s example and humbly gave up the good esteem of fellow Jews to embrace him.  He was a Hebrew of Hebrews:  circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Pharisee, (former) persecutor of the church, and righteously faultless (Php 3:4-6).  But I love how he basically says, ‘Forget all of that!’  Compared to knowing Jesus Christ, my reputation among you all is garbage (v.7-8).  Forget about my rep.  I’m choosing Jesus over a “good name” in your eyes.  I know this earthly life is temporal.   I’m making the decision to have a heavenly view!          

                                                                                                                        

                                                                                          

Pride Police

The Bible tells us not to think more highly of ourselves than we should (Ro 12:3).  What it doesn’t say is, make sure others don’t think more highly of themselves than they should.  God has the humbling department all sewed up.  He doesn’t need you there. Besides, we have more than enough work to do on ourselves.  There’s no need to pile any more onto our workloads.  Our opinions of self -and certainly of others- are to be taken with sober judgment.  They’re to be moderate, not leaning towards extremes. 

The problem with being a pride policeman is the risk of falling into hypocrisy.  One might argue that the preoccupation with checking on another’s pride is a prideful stance itself.  You can find fault without being a fault finder, but a fault finder always finds fault.  One can’t properly discern what’s prideful in another if they are prideful themselves (Mt 7:5).  As long as we’re human, and Jesus has yet to make his second advent, we’ll remain imperfect. 

A person, however, who fearlessly recognizes, addresses, and makes a sincere effort toward correcting their own short comings (as opposed to projecting them on others) is fit to appropriately asses sinful behavior, such as pride (1Co 11:31; 2Tim 3:16).  We’re obligated to correct, in love, not fault find (Lev 19:17; Eph 4:15).  Loving correction, according to God’s word is sometimes necessary.  We may need to accept the wise counsel of someone being led by the Spirit to correct, rebuke, or teach us what is right (Pr 11:14; 15:22; 27:6; Jas 1:5; 1Co 11:31).  And our response to biblical correction will show whether we’re truly caught up in pride or not (Pr 12:15).

Whether intentional or not, perception of others is always effected by perception of self (Ge 4:1-12).  What is often mislabeled as pride is not pride at all.  It’s often the result of a person thinking lowlier of themselves (their abilities, accomplishments, gifts, physical characteristics, etc.) than they ought to, that makes rich soil for planting seeds of jealousy and resentment of others.  Distorted perception of self will cause one to misjudge another’s motives or intent.  It will lead them to call a person who is striving for perfection, someone who thinks they’re perfect.  It’ll lead them to search for another’s wrongs, instead of appreciating what’s right.  It’ll hinder them, and prevent them to serve God freely as they’ve been called to do (2Co 3:17).   

It’s not unusual for children of Cain to throw their own insecurity on others; especially others who are apparently enjoying the benefits they don’t believe they can have for themselves (or even someone they love).  To fittingly bind this evil, divisive spirit, we must identify it, and call it by its name:  jealously (jealous- adj. 2. Hostile toward a rival or one believed to enjoy an advantage [m-w.com]).  Don’t buy into the Tempter’s lie of jealousy!  God is not a respecter of person.  What He’ll do for another, He’ll surely do for you (Ro 2:11; Mt 25:14-30; 1Co 3:3; 2Co 12:20; Gal 5:20).  If we are to live lives pleasing to the Lord, these seeds of envy and jealousy must be uprooted before we become murderous descendants of Cain, whether in thought, speech or deed.     

He's Faithful

God has provided.

God is providing.

God will provide

(Ge 22:8; Jer 29:11; Php4:19)

Unbound and Unharmed

Here's a thought. I'm sitting at work, and a question comes to mind. What is worst feeling? My answer? Hopelessness. A following question. What is the best? Answer? The unfathomable, uncontainable feeling of being loved by God. Now, the revelation that smacked me across the face. Everything is not alright with my life, but when that feeling comes across me -as it occasionally does- IT DOES NOT MATTER. Because the Lord is with me, I can walk around in my fiery furnace unbound and unharmed! (Dan 3) (Oh yeah! The best thing about God's love for us? It's unconditional and present whether we 'feel' it or not.) via iPhone