Good Liars

S - 1 Timothy 4:1-6 (NIV): "The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer. If you point these things out to the brothers, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, brought up in the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed."

O - Last days, abandoned faith, deceiving spirits, things taught by demons, hypocritical liars, seared consciences … wow what a list! What in the world would follow such a diabolical description? What kind of teachings or lies would such heavyweight forces of darkness seek to foist upon the human race? The information which follows is rather shocking in its humanly tepid description. In fact what follows is often applauded, promoted and required by the religious of our day … the religious who claim the Scriptures as their authority and Jesus as their Lord. Celibate clergy, forbidden to drink parishioners, superior vegan disciples are among the very elite religion puts forward as examples for all to admire and follow. Certainly any of these chosen lifestyles are fine for those who want to live as such. However, to require or forbid and to make an ideal, this is worse than an honest mistake … it is that which is taught by demons. Good ministers are not those who tote and promote such religious "company lines". Good ministers/followers are those who point out the tragic opposition such teachings and ideas have to the awesome realities of God's never ending kingdom and his ever expanding family (cf. Galatians 2:19-21, 5:4 ; Colossians 2:20-23; Mark 7:14-23; Romans 14:1-4).

A - Only one of the foundational Apostles was unmarried. Why is the exception made the rule? Jesus would not qualify to be a credentialed minister or serve as an elder or deacon in many evangelical, charismatic and pentecostal churches because he was a "drinker." To make matters worse, good ministers are labeled by these organizations as those who live and promote such abstinence for "the good of society." Is society's good really in view when the life, words, testimony, teaching and purpose of Jesus is ignored, covered up and (even unintentionally) made less than sufficient? Is there any state other than the righteousness of Jesus which meets heaven's standard? If abuse and addictive concerns are the issues for which the only answer is abstinence, then what about prescription drugs, married sex, and money? Why would God's word identify the basis for a doctrine of demons and then those claiming to represent him embrace and impose such a doctine on others? Romans chapter 14 confirms the Lord's point and assigns all people (me included) the "bottom line" for such issues. Verse 22 says "So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God." How about if we all become good ministers … point out the problem of thinking that we're called to Jesus plus something else and whatever way we feel led to live out our lives we keep to ourselves and God? This would be awesomely good for society and give the Lord a clearer playing field to work his wonderful and redeeming work by amazing grace and defiant mercy. It would reduce the endless judgments Jesus says we should not make and stop creating categories which depersonalize people Jesus died and rose again for. The 2,000+ year old warning remains potently in force: "Be careful," Jesus said to them. "Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees."

P - Lord who is life,

Thank you for your written voice (the Scriptures) and for warning and teaching us according to the real and vibrant life which is your Kingdom. Enable me to live out loud your truth according to love and to refuse the fall from grace (Galatians 5:4) which is so prevalent and natural to my fallen, little mind. You are the living word, the final word and the only hope of all people. Cause your life to come into me and to come out of me … let me be a reason someone else would believe. Thank you for grace, for wanting us at our worst and for giving us clear instructions on how to grow forward with you. Let all who name your name be the good ministers you intend.

Glad to be following,

Steve