Just Bloggin' by Wardo

A God-Centered Life

2010-03-03T14:02:00.003-05:00

In choosing a God-centered life, I choose to put God first in all aspects of my life.

In choosing a God-centered life, I choose to love God above all else.

In choosing a God-centered life, I choose to love my neighbor as myself.

In choosing a God-centered life, I choose to love other Christians in such a way as to show the love of Christ to a lost and dying world, even those Christians with whom I disagree with!

In choosing a God-centered life, I choose to follow the precepts of the Bible and not man's interpretation or man's tradition of Biblical teaching.

In choosing a God-centered life, I choose to place my complete faith and dependence upon the Sovereign God who knows best for me and my life.

In choosing a God-centered life, I choose to die to self and allow the Spirit of God to live through me, the only possible way to live a spiritual life.

In choosing a God-centered life, I choose to be motivated by God's love in word, action and deed.

Matthew 7:1-6

2009-11-19T13:29:00.002-05:00

Matthew 7:1-6 Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye. Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.

Here is a passage that the modern day fundamentalist does nor care for. As God continues to take away the layers of motes from our eyes it enables us to see clearly and in love and compassion want to help those trapped in modern day fundamentalism. It is not an aurora of superiority and arrogance that permeates us, but that of humility and hurt for those trapped in a deceitfully well crafted man-made religious system. But if you notice at the end of this passage he says "neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you." which seems to be their response.

How long should we actively engage them? I think as long as the Holy Spirit burdens us. But when the wheels come off the wagon (and we know they will) in their man-made system. Then by God's grace we will be there to help pick up the pieces. We will not rejoice in the calamity or that we now have a new sermon illustration (as the modern day fundamentalist would) but we know that our patient, long suffering God is working in the life of his saints and helping them change. Just like He continues to work in our lives and helps us to change by dying to self.

Numbers...numbers...numbers

2009-10-01T09:19:00.003-04:00

I was reading on a forum that I post on regularly about a church that had set a goal of having over 2000 people at their church on a given Sunday. At first glace it seems good and plausible, but as I began to ponder deeper on this I wondered 'but is it scriptural'? Having spent 17 years in the world of IFBx and always pushing for numbers, numbers, numbers...my mind went back to the philosophy that taught about numbers. The problem I saw was that it just isn't scriptural.

I know there were 3000 baptized on the day of Pentecost. I also know there is a book in the Bible called numbers. I am aware of the feeding of the 5000 men along with many other accounts in the Bible. But where in the Bible is the goal of having 3000 baptized? I can't find it. Where in the Bible is the goal of feeding 5000 men? I can't find it. Where in the Bible is the goal of personally having 10 saved in a week or 100 in a day? I can't find it. Where in the Bible is the goal of outdoing the numbers from the previous year? I can't find it. It sure seems that the secular philosophy of goal setting has become a sacred part of our spiritual endeavors.

Strange that this phenomenon of goal setting numbers, number, numbers is not contained in the Scriptures. One would think that Baptist people would have clear scriptural teaching on such an important philosophy of ministry of numbers, numbers, numbers. But once the goal has been set then the give-a-ways and the promotions and the incentives are placed out there for people to win. Promotions to ride the bus and incentives for the workers to win. Things like money, a big screen TV, the Wii, a PS3, a large appliance, a car, "The trip of a lifetime" all designed the appeal to the flesh in order for one to gain this worldly object and yet we call this spirituality. Can someone point me to a Scripture please?

Of course in this system of numbers, numbers, numbers...the first question Pastors ask each other is "How many did you have Sunday" or "How many were baptized Sunday" these are common questions one hears. Or maybe the question of "How many did you have saved" or "How many did your bus have?" So in order to look good, keep the ego inflated and bask in the limelight, people work hard in the flesh to accomplish the "goal" of numbers, numbers, numbers.

I wonder if God has anything to say about numbering the people? I know when David did this it was sinful. It cost the lives of many people in Israel because of his pride of numbering the people. Instead of relying on God he relied on how many they had...it seems the same today in the world of IBFx and numbers, numbers, numbers.

2 Samuel 24:10 And David's heart smote him after that he had numbered the people. And David said unto the LORD, I have sinned greatly in that I have done: and now, I beseech thee, O LORD, take away the iniquity of thy servant; for I have done very foolishly.

2 Samuel 24:15 So the LORD sent a pestilence upon Israel from the morning even to the time appointed: and there died of the people from Dan even to Beersheba seventy thousand men.

Preach the Word

2009-08-07T13:17:00.006-04:00

2 Timothy 4:1-2 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

The veteran preacher Paul is giving instruction to his 'young preacher-boy' as to how and what he should preach. Much is made of the latter part of verse 2, (reprove & rebuke) but most gloss over the statement "Preach the word". Why is that? Maybe many think that the statement is so self explanatory and simple that it needs not to be discussed. Although I must say that the modern fundamentalist preacher likes to apply the 'preach' part of this verse by going to Isaiah 58:1 Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins. The reason for this is so that those who are "apt to teach" (NT pastoral requirement) are put down by those who want to make a show in the flesh and call it preeeechin'. By the way the overlooked thing of Isaiah 58 is that this chapter is to reprove the Jews for a vain dependence on the performance of the outward forms of worship or in the IFBx world outward forms of service. The irony of misapplying a biblical hermeneutic to this verse would be humorous if not for the sad outcome and improper application among fundamentalist preachers.

But I believe that many overlook the simplicity of Preach the word simply because they would rather give their opinions and preferences to their congregations. Why preach, teach and apply the Bible when you can be the convicting power in people’s lives by your opinion and preference thereby lording over and controlling people’s lives? The reality is that many of these IFBx preeeechers are caught up in a man made system and enjoy being put on a pedestal and worshipped by their ‘loyal’ followers. They would rather yell and scream and sensationalize the preaching of the Bible instead of letting the Word of God do the reproving and rebuking. Why? Because it is easier and a whole lot more enjoyable to yell and scream your opinions and preferences from the pulpit then to delve into quality Biblical teaching aimed at the heart.

However I think it’s time preachers got back to the straightforwardness and Preach the word and let God’s word work in hearts of His believers.

Segmented, Segregated & Separated

2009-07-04T16:47:00.004-04:00

Luke 9:49-50 And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us. And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us.

This verse is teaching that people may not be following with you who are truly following Christ. Just because someone does not live by "your" prescribed standards or "your" convictions does not mean they are not following Christ. Just because they are not in "your" prescribed religion or use "your" approved methods does not mean that they have no relationship with Christ. Just because they do not listen to "your" music genre or dress in "your" approved style does not mean they are not living for Christ. Yet many in the Christian world will preach against others that don't live as they do and don't follow as they follow and will lead their people to avoid them or to separate from them. This unbiblical separation is more along the lines of segmentation or segregation, both of which have left a bad mark in American history along with leaving a bad taste in God's mouth when unsuspecting Christians practice this man made type of separation.

When looking at this portion of Scripture we see Jesus' disciples having zeal but adding to the Word of God as do many of our IFBx brethren. We also notice that Jesus has to correct their error here of forbidding them to follow him (man made separation) and teach them that they all were on the same side! Their zeal is comendable but not at the expense of God's word. When Christians have a zeal for God but not according to knowledge and add to the Word of God the end result is a schism or a rift within believers that God never intended to be there.

When I think of all the 'separation' that is occurring within IFBx churches and all the divison that they are incurring my heart breaks. My heart breaks for God as His children do not want to get along. My heart breaks for those Pastors who are caught up in their man-made system yet cannot see it or their pride prevents them from acknowledging it. My heart also breaks for the unsuspecting followers whose loyalty to the "man of God" trumps the Word of God.

John 17:21-23 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.

Culture and Change

2009-06-20T11:11:00.008-04:00

Romans 14:14 I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.

Many of my independent, fundamental Baptist brethren have made issues and doctrines out of our culture or the change in our culture. They will make these areas a focal point in their preaching or writing. They will preach against them as though there has been a doctrinal dissertation written in the Word of God. However as the Bible clearly teaches in Romans 14:14 that there is nothing unclean of itself - this means that someone may consider something unclean or wrong while another believer may consider the same thing to be clean or right. But the thing or issue is not unclean by itself, this would also include our culture or the change in that culture. It only becomes unclean by a person esteeming it to be unclean. The emphasis is on the person making something or an issue unclean, not the object itself. The Greek is written in the middle voice showing that the emphasis is on the person and not the object.

The Bible is always very plain in what is right and what is wrong or what is clean and what is unclean. The extra-Biblical preaching and writing is destroying the effectiveness and impact of today's Christians by elevating their man-made traditions to be equal with the Word of God. Instead of embracing the change in culture and allow that change to help them to minister in today's society they resist the change and fight against it. This in turn limits their influence and opportunity to help and encourage God's people. This resistance to change and constant fighting with culture has been used to destroy the unity of God's people. The disunity of God's people has in turn limited God in using them.

Let's take as a cultural issue women wearing pants. There are those IFBx Preachers who still are fighting the change in American culture and will wrest the Scriptures to try and prove that it is wrong for women to wear pants. By fighting against culture and the change in culture and not embracing that women who wear pants can love God, can be submitted to their husband and can serve God to a great capacity they have diminished their own influence and effectiveness. When looking at the issue of how a woman is to dress in a Biblical way - modesty is taught, an inward submissiveness is taught, pants or the length of her skirt or dress is not taught. I am sure those that still are fighting culture and the change in culture can give me the chapter and verse in the Scripture and tell me what kind of pants that Jesus wore. Maybe they were Levi's or Calin Klein jeans?

For all the talk of change being wrong, you’d think that it was a predominant biblical issue or doctrine. 2 Corinthians 3:18, "we all…are changed…from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord" This is good, right? Change is necessary in the Christian life except for those who have it all figured out and are now living in a state of perfection. (Philippians 3:13) And let’s not forget that Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Paul were powerful agents of change. Of course all change is not necessary or good and We are not to be given to change. (Proverbs 24:21)always changing jobs, always changing spouses, always changing churches, etc. and we are to live a planted life. (Psalm1:3-4, Psalm 92:13)

But what about changing because of the culture? Everyone does it, even those who rail against it. How many churches in America have lighting, heat and air conditioning? These are cultural changes and yes, it was pleasing to the flesh and because of the flesh and culture we made the change. We had no spiritual or scriptural reason to do it, the Apostle Paul’s churches never had any of them, but we made many common sense changes that would make us more appealing in our culture.

There are those who will disagree with what I have written in my blog, but if you are honest with yourself it is the change in culture that has brought about blogs. Yet by logging on the internet, chatting on fourms, twittering, Facebooking or blogging you have embraced cultural change but yet will still hold some man made doctrine higher then the Word of God.

Titus 1:15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.

Fundamentalist or Biblicist?

2009-06-02T21:33:00.009-04:00

In looking back retrospectively over the last 30 years of my Christian life I can see a definitive difference of philosophy between those who are first and foremost a modern day fundamentalist compared to those who are first and foremost a Biblicist. As myself and other Pastors have noticed a trend of the fundamentalists departing further and further from the Bible in favor of man-made platforms as did the Pharisees in the day of Christ. Concerned more about their 'threatened' authority, with their 'outward' appearance, with the 'results' and not with the plain Biblical commands in Scripture such as John 13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

"Is it fundamental" is a question that resonates from the modern day fundamental Preacher as they push their congregations further and further from the Bible and look to move to the right and be separate from people and institutions that God never commanded us to be separate from. The question should never be "Is it fundamental" but the question should be "Is it Biblical". The fundamentalist will look to see if they are to the right or to the left on this matter of doctrine or practice. They will then look to divide with those that are to the left or even to the right of them. The Biblicist on the other hand will ask the question "are we going in the right direction" and then will look to love, help & encourage those that are going in the same direction while maybe traveling on a different path.

The Biblicist looks to create unity within the confines of the Bible whereas the fundamentalist will use the Bible to divide Christians and cause schims while beliving that they are doing the work of God. There are those that will say you are just a bitter hater of the modern day fundamentalist. Nothing could be further from the truth, no hatred, no bitterness just a sincere appeal to Biblical unity among God's people!

Ephesians 4:2-3 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Personal Discipleship

2009-05-13T13:44:00.004-04:00

Why is that personal discipleship seems to be so strange to many Christians? We obviously know that discipleship is required (Matt. 28:20) but somehow miss the boat as it relates to us invividually. For those who have been saved for some length of time, we can go back into our lives and see the people that have invested themselves into us personally. We know the benefits we have reaped by them sowing into us, however when it is our turn we seem to pass it up.

Acts 11:26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

These disciples (students of Christ) are called Christians first in Antioch! In order for there to be a disciple (or student) there must be a teacher. Obviously Jesus invested three and half years of discipleship or mentoring into the Apostles, who in turn turned the world upside down (Acts 17:6).

In 1 Thessalonians 2:3-13 we have a good picture of Biblical Discipleship.

1. Spoke the Bible - Their Purpose (v3-6)
2. Gentle Leading - Their Progress (v7-8)
3. Living Examples - Their Pattern (v9-10)
4. Individual Attention - Their Provision (v11-12)
5. Taught the Word - Their Primer (v13)

Guilt, Fear & Intimidation

2009-04-08T07:43:00.005-04:00

What has caused many independent, fundamental Baptist church members to live in bondage to a set of man-made, extra-Biblical rules or standards? Why would good, church going folks submit themselves to this 'spiritual' abuse? Why have so many God-fearing, good Christians been duped by well meaning, sincere but blinded or beguiled Pastors? These Pastors are trapped in this spiritual system and sadly are not even aware of it. What can be done to help these hyper-spiritual people who are ensared in this trap? Is there a motivating factor that has brought about this sect of fundamentalism? I believe that guilt, fear & intimidation have been the motivating factors that are being used to keep good Christians repressed into a "Phariseeical" role that they are being forced to play.

Hebrews 2:14-15 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

The fear of death has been used to try and keep unsaved people from getting saved. The Devil has imitated this philosophy into IFBx (Independent, Fundamental Baptist Extremist) churches and has beguiled Preachers into using guilt, fear & intimidation to berate their flock into serving God. The following are just a sampling of the ways that these Preachers use guilt, fear & intimidation to have their members fulfill their own wishes. The first part explains the guilt, fear or intimidation that is used to coerce members to fulfill the second part.

1. Fear of losing their ministry - Must wear a white shirt and tie.
2. Fear of being called out from the pulpit - Must go forward during the invitation.
3. Fear of death or injury - Must not touch the Lord's anointed.
4. Fear of being looked down upon - Must stand or raise your hand if going Soul Winning.
5. Fear of disapproval - Must win 1 or 10 souls to Christ in a week.
6. Fear of being labeled as disloyal - Must not talk or fellowship those who have left the church.
7. Fear of being labeled as disloyal - Must forsake your family, they take you away from church.
8. Fear of being fired - Must pledge and give to 'Give-it-all' Sunday.
9. Fear of emotional abuse - Must not ever disagree with the Preacher.
10. Fear of physical abuse - Must not ever disagree with the Preacher publicly.
11. Fear of what others think - Must not disagree with the Preachers views on anything.
12. Fear of being labeled as disloyal - The Preachers preference has to be your conviction.

KJVO vs MV…will there ever be a cease fire?

2009-04-01T13:46:00.003-04:00

How does one go about to prove which side of the KJVO (King James Version Only) vs the MV (Multiple Versions) debate is correct? Is it my scholarship can whip your scholarship or even my scholars are smarter than your scholars? No, there are well qualified, well meaning men on both sides of the issue. Is it because the MV’ers have the oldest manuscripts (MSS) and them believing that the oldest MSS are the best MSS? It is a very valid and logical argument. But counteracting that argument on the other side of the coin the KJVO says that they have the majority of the MSS that have been preserved also a valid and logical argument. The MV’er comes back and says but you have added to the Word of God…where as the KJVO says you have taken from the Word of God. By the way I think it would be an interesting study in both lines of MSS to take the earliest copies and compare them with the latest copies (just in their family line) to see if that line has added to or taken away from the Bible.

I next turn to the issue of the Holy Spirit, of which both sides lay claim to leading their side while the other side is listening to some other spirit. Does the Holy Spirit teach each believer the truth of the Word of God? Without a question He does! Does it mean that believers can come to different conclusions on a matter while believing that the Holy Spirit is leading them? Of course! We do grow in grace don’t we? Does it mean that because one side does not believe this issue like the other side they are possessed by evil spirits? Of course not!

I lastly turn to the faith issue, of which both sides exercise their faith to come to their present conclusions. Is the MV side or the KJVO side of perfect faith? Neither side can lay claim to perfect faith. Are they both using their faith to come to the conclusion that they have reached in regards to the Bible issue? Absolutely they have! But does exercising my faith need to be at the expense of destroying my brother or sister in Christ’s faith? God forbid I would destroy someone else’s faith!

If I find myself on the TR side vs. someone else on the Nestle-Aland 28th side, can we like Christians discuss our differences without trying to destroy the other person’s faith? I would hope so. Are we not called to build each other up in the faith, even on this Bible issue in which we disagree? Of course we are but many will disagree from both sides of the issue with many of the statements I have made. But I implore you to see past the letter of this post and see the spirit in which this post is offered…may God bless each of us as we endeavor to serve Him!

What is True Biblical Separation?

2009-03-24T10:38:00.005-04:00

Exodus 33:16 For wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight? is it not in that thou goest with us? so shall we be separated, I and thy people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth.

In many realms of Christianity we are told what separation is and what it is not. The person in leadership believes it is his or her God given right and duty to tell other people how they are to live a separated life. What they can do and what they cannot do. Where they can go and where they cannot go. What they can eat or drink and what they cannot eat or drink. Who they can hang around with and who they cannot hang around with. What music you can listen to and what music you cannot listen to. The problem with this is that separation is not a list of do’s and don’ts. It is not whether my wife wears earrings larger than a dime, or hoop earrings or even pants but does she have the presence of God working and leading in her life?

True Biblical separation is the presence of God in our lives. It is not a “Man of God” usurping God’s role and telling me what is right and wrong in my life, but the Spirit of God bringing concern, conviction and conversion to our lives as believers. To many times we let others be god to us and not God Himself! Jesus said to Peter in Luke 22:32 and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. Peter and the apostles did not have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit yet. So we see that true biblical separation will have the presence of God working in our lives so that we can strengthen the brethren, love people and care for those God brings into our lives.

May the presence of God be working in our lives to truly make us Biblically separated!