Showing posts with label tradition. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tradition. Show all posts

Monday, February 3, 2025

Rightly Dividing Christianity and Government: Honoring the Government?


For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16 MEV

 We began a brief study rightly dividing government and Christianity. There are many traditions and ideas regarding Christians and their relationship with the government. First, we must understand the primary focus and message of the Church. It's Jesus! We are called to be a light in this fallen world, pointing people to the Lord Jesus Christ. So why did Peter and Paul tell us about government?

 When Paul and Peter penned their Epistles, Christianity was a minor "religion." They didn't want believers to be labeled as rebellious lawbreakers who would not pay taxes and be troublemakers, cheaters, and dishonest citizens. Their intent was for Christians to live upright in a fallen world, and give honor to whom it is due. 

 Yet, through the years and the Westernized version of the Faith, we have fashioned traditions and concepts about government that extend the intent of the Word. For generations, religious tradition has preached that Christians are required to honor and obey the government, no matter what. Believers are told to submit without question, citing verses like Romans 13:1-2 and 1 Peter 2:13-17 as proof that we must always honor and obey our rulers.

But does the Bible actually teach this? Are we supposed to honor any government, even one that is corrupt, tyrannical, or blatantly anti-God?

What about when governments pass laws that go against God’s Word? What about regimes that persecute Christians? Did the early church always submit to the governing authorities?

It’s time to rightly divide the Word of Truth and dismantle religious tradition that contradicts Scripture and historical reality.

 The idea that Christians must always honor the government is largely a Westernized interpretation of Scripture. Many American and European churches have taught this doctrine in a comfortable, democratic society where laws have generally aligned with Judeo-Christian values.

But what happens when the government becomes corrupt, oppressive, or hostile toward Christianity?

What happens when governments, like those in China, North Korea, or Islamic nations, outlaw the preaching of the Gospel and imprison believers? Are Christians still required to "honor" these rulers?

One of the most misused passages regarding government is Romans 13:1-3.

📖 Romans 13:1-3 (KJV)
"Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil…"

"Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God." —Romans 13:1 (NKJV)

🔹 What the Greek and Context Actually Reveal:

The word “appointed” (Greek: tassō, τάσσω) means arranged, set in order.
✔ This does NOT mean every ruler’s actions are God’s will.
✔ God establishes government as an institution—but He does NOT ordain every leader’s wickedness.
✔ If every government were truly God's will, then Hitler, Stalin, and Mao were God’s “chosen instruments.” That is absurd!

🔹 "Subject" (ὑποτασσέσθω - hypotassesthō) – This word means to arrange under but does not imply blind obedience. It is also used in Ephesians 5:21, which tells believers to submit to one another. Does that mean a wife should submit if her husband tells her to sin? No! Submission in the Bible is always within the boundaries of God’s will.

🔹 "Ordained" (τεταγμέναι - tetagmenai) – This word means arranged or set in place. It does not mean that every single government leader is personally chosen by God. Rather, God has established the principle of government, but He does not endorse every ruler or policy.

🔹 "Rulers are not a terror to good works" (Romans 13:3) – If a government is punishing good and rewarding evil, it is acting contrary to God’s intent for government! This passage assumes a just government, not one that persecutes believers.

🔹 Tradition says this means ALL governments are God-ordained, and resisting them is sinful.

🔹 Reality: Paul is talking about just governments that punish evil and promote good.

If Romans 13 applied to ALL governments, that would mean:

✅ God ordained Hitler, Stalin, and Mao to commit mass genocide.
✅ Resisting a government that murders Christians would be a sin.
✅ Corrie Ten Boom and the family of Anne Frank were sinful for hiding Jews during the Holocaust.
✅ Peter and John were in rebellion against God when they refused to stop preaching.

Clearly, this interpretation is nonsense.

Paul’s Actual Point in Romans 13:

🔸 He was speaking to believers in Rome under a corrupt, pagan empire.
🔸 He emphasized that Christians should not be anarchists or violent rebels trying to overthrow the government.
🔸 Submission in context means being lawful citizens—NOT blind obedience to tyranny.

🚨 Paul himself defied government authorities when they opposed God’s law!

✅ He rebuked corrupt leaders (Acts 23:3).
✅ He wrote most of his letters from prison—because he was imprisoned for disobeying government orders!

👉 If Romans 13 meant absolute submission, Paul should have just obeyed Rome and stopped preaching! Clearly, this passage is not teaching blind obedience to evil rulers.

💡 If Romans 13 means Christians must honor and obey all governments, then early believers should have obeyed Nero when he burned Christians alive. They should have renounced their Faith and no longer be Christian. That was the Law and words of Nero. 

What About 1 Peter 2:13-14?

📖 1 Peter 2:13-14 (NKJV)
"Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers..."

🔹 Does this mean we submit to ANY law, no matter how wicked?
🔹 No—Peter is speaking of governments that punish evil and reward good.

Peter himself disobeyed the authorities in Acts 5 when they commanded him to stop preaching.

💡 If 1 Peter 2 meant absolute obedience to government, then Peter was a hypocrite for defying the authorities in Acts 5.

Clearly, Peter’s words do not mean blind obedience.

1 Peter 2: Honor the King? What Does That Really Mean?

Another commonly misquoted passage is 1 Peter 2:17:

"Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king." —1 Peter 2:17 (NKJV)

🔹 Religious Tradition Says:
👉 "See? The Bible says we must honor government leaders, no matter who they are!"

🔹 What the Greek Actually Says:
The word “honor” (Greek: timaō, τιμάω) means to show proper respect—not to blindly obey or support.

✔ We "honor" rulers by recognizing their position—but that does not mean endorsing their evil.
✔ The same passage says, "Fear God."
✔ If a ruler contradicts God’s law, we obey God first, not them! (Acts 5:29)

🚨 Honoring a leader does not mean obeying their wickedness!

Example:
🚨 In Nazi Germany, should Christians have “honored” Hitler by obeying his laws? Should they have turned over Jews to be exterminated?
🚨 In communist China, should believers “honor” the government by handing over fellow Christians? Should they reveal where the underground churches meet?

 The Bible is full of righteous defiance against corrupt government orders:

✅ The Hebrew Midwives (Exodus 1:17-20) – They DISOBEYED Pharaoh’s command to kill Hebrew babies, and God rewarded them.
✅ Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (Daniel 3:16-18) – They REFUSED to bow to Nebuchadnezzar’s golden image, even under threat of death.
✅ Daniel (Daniel 6:10) – He continued PRAYING despite King Darius’ decree.
✅ The Apostles (Acts 5:27-29) – They refused to stop preaching and boldly declared, "We must obey God rather than men!"
✅ The Magi (Matthew 2:12) – They DISOBEYED King Herod and did not report back to him.

🚨 If the concept “Christians must always honor government” were true, then these people would have been in rebellion against God. But the Bible calls them righteous and faithful!

 I must note one sensitive topic in highlighting this relationship between Christians and government; the 2020-2021 COVID lockdowns and mandates. Days before the lockdowns ensued I warned fellow church leaders in the church I was a part of that government is not to be trusted to deal justly with the Church. I received push back due to this same religious tradition, I was not honoring the government.

 2020 and 2021 exposed how quickly governments overreach their power.

  • Pastors were arrested for holding church services while liquor stores, bars and abortion clinics remained open.
  • Christians were fined for worshiping, while violent protesters were praised for gathering in massive crowds.
  • Believers were mocked for standing for religious freedom, while lawless rioters were called heroes.

Was this "honoring" government?

The Bible never commands us to submit to laws that silence worship or criminalize faith. Peter and John refused to obey government in Acts 5.

📖 Acts 5:29 (NKJV)
"But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: ‘We ought to obey God rather than men.’”

When the state commands what God forbids or forbids what God commands, we must peacefully disobey. 

During the COVID-19 lockdowns, many believers who had once boldly proclaimed God’s promises of protection and healing suddenly found themselves paralyzed by fear. Churches that had long preached faith, healing, and redemption closed their doors without hesitation. Some remained locked down for nearly two years, not because of wisdom, but because fear had taken hold.

Psalm 91—God’s promise of divine protection—had been a source of encouragement for many, yet when the moment of testing came, some who once declared “no plague shall come near my dwelling” (Psalm 91:10 NKJV) were the first to retreat into isolation. Faith took a backseat to government mandates. The church, which is meant to be the light of the world, instead followed the world’s lead, embracing caution over confidence in God’s Word.

This isn’t to suggest that wisdom has no place or that Christians should be reckless. But the reality is, many were quick to submit to the government’s restrictions on worship while turning a blind eye to the blatant double standards. Big box stores, Bars, liquor stores, and abortion clinics remained open while churches were deemed "non-essential." Peaceful Christian gatherings were banned, while riots and protests were permitted without restriction. Yet instead of resisting, many in the church shamed those who dared to gather, labeling them "irresponsible" or "unloving."Believers should have stood together, instead of rebuking their own brethren for "not honoring the government.

Final Verdict: "Christians Must Honor Government" is a False Concept

✅ We honor righteous authority.
✅ We submit where submission does not contradict God's Word.

✅ But we never honor, obey, or submit to evil.

In summation of this brief study, what should we do as Christians?

✅ Pray for religious freedom. (1 Timothy 2:2)
✅ Pray for boldness to speak the truth. (Acts 4:29)
✅ Resist laws that contradict God’s Word. (Acts 5:29)
✅ Obey God over man when forced to choose. (Daniel 3 & 6)
✅ Respect government when it is fulfilling its God-ordained role (Romans 13:3-4).
 Disobey any law that contradicts God’s Word (Acts 5:29).
 Expose evil rulers and hold them accountable (Ephesians 5:11).
 Pray for righteous leadership and the restraint of wickedness (1 Timothy 2:1-2).



Image by Couleur from Pixabay

Monday, January 27, 2025

Rightly Dividing Christianity and Government: Praying for leaders?

 

It is important that all of us submit to the authorities who have charge over us because God establishes all authority in heaven and on the earth. Therefore, a person who rebels against authority rebels against the order He established, and people like that can expect to face certain judgment. You see, if you do the right thing, you have nothing to be worried about from the rulers; but if you do what you know is wrong, the rulers will make sure you pay a price. Would you not rather live with a clear conscience than always have to be looking over your shoulder? Then keep doing what you know to be good and right, and they will publicly honor you. Romans 13:1-3 Voice (see commentary note)

 As Christians, we are instructed to live peaceably with all people. We are given guidance on how to conduct our lives practically. One arena where religious tradition and cultural influence abound is the relationship between Christians and government. There are two areas of relationship between Christianity and government,  the roles of prayer and giving honor. 

 Prayer for leaders comes from the words of Paul in his Epistle to Timothy. For years, 1 Timothy 2:1-2 has been used to promote the idea that Christians must pray for their national leaders' wisdom, success, and well-being—no matter how wicked they are. Many have taken this passage as a command to pray for presidents, kings, and rulers without question, assuming that such prayers must always be for their blessing and guidance.

But is that really what Paul was saying? Is this passage about supporting leaders, or is it about something else entirely? Let’s examine the text carefully, without religious tradition clouding our understanding.

I exhort then, first of all, that supplications, prayers, intercessions and thanksgivings be offered on behalf of all men; 2including kings and all who are in high station, in order that we may live peaceful and tranquil lives with all godliness and gravity. 1 Timothy 2:1-2 WEY 

 First, this passage instructs us to offer prayers for all people, not just leaders. Then, he mentions kings and rulers, proving that this was not primarily the focus. Praying for rulers becomes a secondary issue, not the entire focal point of this passage. 

🔹 Tradition says: "This passage is about praying for political leaders."
🔹 The text actually says: "Pray for all men, and that includes kings too."

  What is the purpose of offering prayers for rulers and kings? Paul explicitly states what the purpose is; 
"in order that we may live peaceful and tranquil lives with all godliness and gravity"

 🔹 The goal is not for leaders to become righteous, make wise decisions, or govern justly.
🔹 The goal is that believers can live in peace and practice their faith without persecution.

This means we are not required to pray for the prosperity, wisdom, or success of leaders—especially if they are pushing wicked agendas. Instead, our prayers should focus on ensuring that we can live in peace, free to serve God without interference. 

 What is the main theme of the Scripture? The Scarlett thread that is Jesus, the Redeemer of mankind, is woven throughout every book in God's Word. The Gospel is the primary directive! Paul is exhorting prayers be made so the Gospel can flow unhindered no matter where Christians reside. 

 Is the Word of God a handbook of political affiliations? Is the Word telling believers to be champions and cheerleaders of all governmental leaders, with no exceptions? Is Paul saying to pray for the success, wisdom, and overall "administration" of Nero? This is what the commentaries, the majority of churches, ministries, and believers claim Paul was saying. 

 What About Believers Under Tyrants?
If Christians lived under Hitler, Stalin, Mao, or Pol Pot, were they supposed to pray for those dictators’ wisdom and success? Of course not.

🔹 They were to pray that they could live in peace and spread the Gospel freely.
🔹 They were NOT commanded to pray for the well-being of an evil ruler who was murdering millions.

Clearly, this passage was never meant to endorse praying for wicked leaders to thrive. But what about modern-day democracies? Does this command change when leaders are elected rather than ruling as dictators?

Many pastors have wrongly taught that 1 Timothy 2:1-2 means we must pray for a Prime minister/President’s success and wisdom—even if their policies oppose God’s Word.

But if a leader promotes abortion, sexual immorality, tyranny, and anti-Christian laws, should believers really be praying for their successAbsolutely not.
🔹 We should pray that their ability to push evil is restrained.
🔹 We should pray that righteousness prevails over their wicked agendas.
🔹 We should pray that God raises up leaders who will allow us to live in peace and spread the Gospel freely.

This is completely different from asking God to "bless" or "give wisdom to" a leader who has already rejected Him.

 For too long, American Christians have been the ones propagating this idea. They live comfortably in a Constitutional Republic and interpret passages concerning Christians and government with a Western mindset. A mindset of a citizen where religious freedom is woven into the fabric of the founding of the nation. 

  The problem with tradition, it creates inconsistencies in thinking and practice. For instance, if believers are praying that abortion would end, yet in the next breath they pray for a leader/president who advocates abortion without restrictions to succeed, to flourish, then their prayer is counterproductive.

  What should we be praying for then? Traditionally, some use this passage to claim we can't pray for unrighteous leaders to fail in their plans, to be removed from office legally through righteous means, and for their policies not to be implemented. 

 So What Should We Pray for Leaders?
Based on 1 Timothy 2:1-2, here’s what we should be praying:
✅ That governments would allow religious freedom and peace.
✅ That wicked rulers would be restrained from pushing evil.
✅ That believers can spread the Gospel without interference.
Nowhere does this passage command believers to pray for a leader’s wisdom, success, or prosperity.

 The Early Church’s Perspective
🔹 The early Christians never prayed for Nero’s success.
🔹 Instead, they prayed for boldness to preach despite persecution (Acts 4:29).
🔹 They prayed for deliverance from evil men (2 Thessalonians 3:2).
🔹 They prayed that the Gospel would not be hindered (Colossians 4:3).

Conclusion: Time to Rethink This Tradition
🔥 1 Timothy 2:1-2 does NOT command believers to pray for a leader’s wisdom, success, or moral behavior.
🔥 The focus is on creating conditions where believers can live in peace and serve God freely.
🔥 Paul wrote this under a brutal emperor, meaning this is NOT about supporting leaders or endorsing their actions.
🔥 Christians under oppressive regimes (e.g., Nazi Germany, the Soviet Union, or Communist China) were NOT commanded to pray for their leaders’ success—only that they could live freely in faith.

It’s time to stop blindly accepting the traditional misinterpretation of this passage. The Bible never tells believers to pray for the success of wicked rulers. Instead, we pray for peaceful conditions so we can live godly lives.

That means we can pray for:
✅ Freedom to preach the Gospel.
✅ Righteous leaders to be raised up.
✅ Wicked rulers to be restrained.
But we do not have to pray for the success of leaders who oppose God.

It’s time to break free from religious traditions and stand on what the Bible actually teaches. The Church must stop praying passive, misguided prayers for wicked leaders to 'prosper.' Instead, we must pray with purpose: that the Gospel may run freely, that wicked rulers be restrained, and that righteousness would rise in every nation.


Image by AzamKamolov from Pixabay

Monday, January 13, 2025

Abundance of Grace: True Repentance

 


For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.) Romans 5:17 NKJV

For if, through the transgression of the one individual, Death made use of the one individual to seize the sovereignty, all the more shall those who receive God's overflowing grace and gift of righteousness reign as kings in Life through the one individual, Jesus Christ. Romans 5:17 WEY

 The Gospel is the Grace of God revealed in Christ. It is the Grace pledged in and through Jesus' once for all redemptive work. Paul tells us in order to reign in life we must receive His abundant Grace. 

 Grace is the Gospel, and we are admonished to receive an abundance of this Grace. Therefore, continually hearing and feeding on the Word of Christ is an essential element of victorious Christian living. We joyfully receive His abundance of Grace in our lives. We can never do enough to earn or achieve any favor from God.

 Since Grace is the Gospel, it is essential that we understand it and contend for its truth to be preserved. Paul warns us about polluting or corrupting the Gospel message with works and mixtures. Today, I want to expose and examine one such perversion of the Gospel: the man-made definition and concept of repentance.

 Repentance has been a source of controversy and debate for many years. Religious tradition defines it as turning away from sin, changing directions, ceasing from sin, and some go so far as to say that if you sin the same sin, you never really repented, and thus, your sin has not actually been forgiven.

 Religious tradition defines God as an impatient, harsh, and demanding despot who is daily displeased with us. He isn't long-suffering but rather easily provoked. He makes a list and checks it continually to see how often we sin and whether or not we repeat the same sin so He can ascertain whether we should be forgiven of our sins. 

 Let's define repentance and begin to dismantle this religious tradition. Repentance is from the Greek word metanoia. It simply means to change one's mind. Now, tradition has engrained and indoctrinated the masses to believe that repentance is all about sin, claiming that the object of repentance is sin. They claim we are commanded to repent of our sins throughout Scripture. 

Brace yourself for this truth bomb: the phrase “repent of your sins” is nowhere to be found in the Bible. That’s right—religious tradition has been preaching a concept that Scripture itself never explicitly teaches. Repentance is not about sin. It’s about changing your mind—specifically about who God is and what He has done for you.

    Now, many religious, traditional-minded ones will scream heresy! Let's rip the mask off religious tradition: the Bible never says, “Repent of your sins.” That phrase so often hurled from pulpits to heap guilt on believers, doesn’t exist in God’s Word. Repentance is not about groveling over your sins or proving your worth through changed behavior. It’s about changing your mind—specifically about God—and turning to Him in faith.

 Acts 3:19 makes it clear: “Repent and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out.” It’s not “fix yourself,” but “fix your eyes on Him.  When Peter preached, he didn’t say, “Repent of your sins.” He said, “Repent and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out.

 Let’s be clear: the object of repentance is not your behavior or your failures—it’s God. Repentance is about seeing God as He truly is—loving, good, and full of grace—and placing your trust in Him. Sin is dealt with not through your efforts, but through the finished work of Jesus Christ. If we keep teaching repentance as behavior modification, we’re reducing the Gospel to a self-help program. 

This false idea that repentance focuses on sin has warped the Gospel into a man-made effort instead of God’s divine gift. The religious message of “clean up your life to be accepted by God” is not the Gospel—it’s bondage. The real Gospel proclaims that Jesus has already dealt with sin, once and for all. Repentance isn’t about your works; it’s about receiving His. It’s about abandoning the lie that God’s acceptance is tied to your performance and embracing the unshakable truth that His love and grace are more than enough.

If you’re clinging to the idea that repentance means fixing your sins before you come to God, it’s time to let that lie die. It’s not just wrong—it’s a perversion of the Good News. True repentance is turning from unbelief to belief, from trusting in yourself to trusting in Jesus. Anything less is religion; anything more is Grace.

 Religious tradition have created so many confusing doctrines and concepts in the Church by not actually reading the texts in their context. They also read into certain texts their preconceived notions and ideas about God and then go around proclaiming them as the Gospel message. If it's "the gospel," and you don't concur and accept what they say, well, then you're just some heretic preaching a false gospel. No, we are just staying with what God actually said, we stay with truth not tradition. 

In summation, remember The phrase “repent of your sins” is NOT in the Bible. Search the Scriptures from cover to cover, and you won’t find it. What you will find is a religious system that has hijacked repentance, twisting it into a works-based effort to grovel, weep, and self-punish over sins, as if that could ever earn forgiveness. The religious notion that repentance requires groveling over every failure or performing penance is nothing more than human tradition, and it’s a slap in the face of God’s grace. Jesus bore the full penalty for sin. He said, “It is finished.”

 Let’s stop preaching repentance as an obsession with sin and start preaching it as an invitation to life, freedom, and intimacy with God. Repentance isn’t about you cleaning yourself up—it’s about seeing the One who already made you clean. It’s not about guilt—it’s about grace. It’s not about your works—it’s about His.




Image by patricia nahat from Pixabay

Monday, January 6, 2025

Abundance of Grace: More than enough or too much?

For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.) Romans 5:17 NKJV

For if, through the transgression of the one individual, Death made use of the one individual to seize the sovereignty, all the more shall those who receive God's overflowing grace and gift of righteousness reign as kings in Life through the one individual, Jesus Christ. Romans 5:17 WEY

 How much Grace is enough? Is there such a thing as too much Grace? Is it possible to get "out of balance" with Grace? Is there too much focus on Grace and not enough on Christians "doing"?

 My instant response to these questions is to remember that Jesus is the person of Grace. Jesus is God's will in action. Jesus is the Father's expressed perfect will. We know God is always God and wants our good because we see Jesus demonstrate this during His earthly ministry.

 My initial response is too much, Grace? How can we have too much of Jesus? The religious-minded say they don't think we can have too much of Jesus but that Grace people only focus on a part of Jesus' life and ministry. Critics, in essence, say the "Grace message" focuses only on Jesus as Savior, not on Him being Lord!

 Religious tradition's concept of Jesus' Lordship is that of an austere taskmaster. He will subjugate and demand obedience or unleash trouble and turmoil in one's life. Religion's concept of Lordship means He places burdensome rules, regulations, and requirements on our lives. 

 Jesus' Lordship is not about our performance or behavior. Jesus' Lordship is about who He is and what His triumphant work of Redemption accomplished. Because of His Finished Work, He is Lord of all creation, all the powers of darkness, and over the curse. 

 Jesus is Lord over healing and wholeness. Jesus is Lord over prosperity and provision and blessing. Jesus is Lord over deliverance and freedom. He is Lord of all! Jesus' Lordship recognizes who He is, what He accomplished, and what He is doing today through the power of the Word and the Holy Ghost. 

 Grace teaches us to deny ungodliness and live upright lives (Titus 2:11-12). It transforms us from the inside out, making true holiness possible—not through rules or fear, but through a relationship with the One who has already made us holy. To embrace grace is to embrace the fullness of Jesus, and to suggest it’s ‘too much’ is to misunderstand the Gospel entirely. Grace isn’t just enough—it’s more than enough because it’s the unending, all-sufficient gift of Jesus Himself.

 Again this Grace teaches us to deny ungodliness and the desires the world seeks after. These are not the Lord creating rules, but maximizing our life here. Adultery, addictions, and abusing our bodies with chemical substances have lingering consequences that dishonor the Lord and impact our personal lives negatively. 

Remember God isn't punishing us for our sins. Jesus paid the price in full with His precious shed blood. We have been forgiven of all our sins past and present and future. Our sins are already forgiven. God isn't imputing sins to the Righteous ever again. To claim God is punishing a believer for sin is to disregard and make nothing of Jesus' Finished Work.

 I can understand staying centered and not wrongly teaching truths from the Scriptures. For instance, teaching healing is good, but is wrongly applied if we tell people to never go to a doctor. That said, we can never over-emphasize Grace or have too much Grace.

 We can never over-emphasize Faith. Faith is how the believer lives. Faith is how we please God. Grace can never be over-emphasized. Grace is the person of Jesus. Grace is the Gospel of Christ. We are saved by Grace through Faith. These truths of God can never be over-emphasized.

 I liken this whole over-emphasis argument to the human anatomy. Can you imagine a physician saying you are focusing too much on your heart? The body needs the brain, the lungs, the kidneys, the heart, etc to live healthy and sustain life. So it is in Christ. We need Faith, we need Grace, we need Love, we need hope in order to live, spiritually speaking. 

 When religious tradition claims we focus too much on grace, it reveals a fundamental misunderstanding: Grace isn’t a doctrine to balance—it’s the person of Jesus Christ. Grace is the Gospel itself. Can we ever have too much of Jesus, the One who embodies grace and truth? To say there’s 'too much grace' is to undermine the very essence of the Good News and the life-transforming power it carries. Grace isn’t just sufficient—it’s everything.

Monday, October 7, 2024

Thinking God's Thoughts on tradition



Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2 NLT

 In the modern Church, many believers find themselves grappling with the difference between tradition and truth—and the stakes are high. Jesus warned about the danger of holding on to traditions that make the Word of God “of no effect.”  Many believers cling to comfortable traditions, yet these traditions are often void of the supernatural power of God, reducing Faith to nothing more than ritualistic intellectualism and salvation and right standing and acceptance with God based on performance or good works and behavior. 

 Jesus Himself warned us of this danger, saying, “You nullify the Word of God by your tradition” (Mark 7:13). But what exactly is this tradition doing? It’s stripping the gospel of its power and shifting the focus from the miraculous life Jesus promised to a powerless religion of human effort and man-inspired intellectualism. 

 This study will challenge traditional beliefs that dismiss the supernatural, reduce the Holy Spirit's power to an ancient event, and make believers settle for mediocrity rather than the abundant life of Faith, healing, prosperity, and grace that God’s Word clearly offers.

Tradition: Faith in Human Experience, Not the Holy Spirit

  Religious tradition thrives on the comfort of predictability. It dismisses the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit as either an ancient phenomenon or something only for “certain times” or “special people.” In this mindset, the Gifts of the Holy Spirit—healing, prophecy, miracles—are not for the average believer but are neatly packaged away as part of church history. This intellectualized version of Christianity tells believers that God works more through natural means than by supernatural power today.

 However, this directly contradicts the New Testament. The early Church, empowered by the Holy Spirit, turned the world upside down through miracles, healings, and signs. Why would these manifestations cease if the Holy Spirit hasn’t changed (Hebrews 13:8)? The truth is, the Holy Spirit’s power is just as available now as it was then.

 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8 NLT

 The traditional mindset, however, is rooted in unbelief, not Scripture. Rather than allowing the Holy Spirit to move, many prefer a religion they can control and explain. It’s easier to intellectualize the faith, relying on tradition and human effort, rather than yielding to the supernatural power of God.

Religious tradition often presents a comfortable version of Christianity. It’s familiar, non-confrontational, and safe. But this safety comes at a cost. Tradition frequently dismisses or explains away the supernatural aspects of God’s Word—healing, prosperity, and miraculous provision—as “outdated” or no longer relevant.

One reason for this is intellectualism: the tendency to rationalize everything through human understanding and experience. For instance, many Christians look at sickness, poverty, or suffering in their own lives (or the lives of others) and assume that these experiences reflect God’s will. After all, if God is sovereign, He must be allowing these hardships, right? But that’s a dangerous leap, one that directly conflicts with the character of God as revealed in Jesus Christ.

Healing and Prosperity: Not Fringe but Foundational Truths

 One of the most contested topics in traditional Christianity is the concept of healing and prosperity. Traditional Christians argue, “If healing and prosperity are part of God’s promises, why are there sick Christians? Why are there poor Christians around the world?”

 The issue isn’t whether believers experience sickness or poverty, but whether these conditions align with God’s will. The Bible is clear—healing and prosperity are part of the promises given to us through Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit is the One who brings those promises into reality.

 Healing: Always God’s Will

The traditional argument that "sometimes God wills sickness" or "God is using this for His glory" directly opposes the truth of Scripture. Sickness is part of the curse, and Jesus redeemed us from the curse (Galatians 3:13). Healing is not something God occasionally doles out—Jesus already paid for it.

- Isaiah 53:5: "By His stripes, we are healed."

- Psalm 103:2-3: "Praise the Lord, O my soul... who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases."

Sickness never came from God—it was never part of His original design for humanity. Jesus healed all who came to Him, not a selective few. Why would His will change today? Healing is a Bible truth, not a fringe doctrine.

 A core issue with tradition is that it allows experience to override Scripture. When believers don’t see the promises of healing, prosperity, or the Gifts of the Spirit manifesting in their lives or in church gatherings, tradition is quick to offer an explanation: “Maybe it’s not God’s will for you.” However, this perspective puts the focus on human experience rather than what God’s Word declares.

 Jesus never taught that sickness was from God, or that poverty was a sign of spiritual growth. In fact, He healed all who came to Him, provided miraculously, and demonstrated God’s will on earth as it is in heaven.

  • John 10:10: Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”
  • Hebrews 13:8: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” If Jesus healed, provided, and performed miracles in the past, He still does today.

 Tradition says, “We don’t see these things happening, so they must have ceased.” Truth says, “God’s Word declares these things; our experience needs to rise to the level of His promises.”

 Prosperity: More Than Enough to Fulfill God's Purpose

 Tradition often scoffs at the concept of prosperity, dismissing it as a doctrine of excess.They say If God promises health and provision, why are believers around the world still struggling? Yet, Biblical prosperity is not about becoming a millionaire; it’s about having more than enough to fulfill God’s purpose in your life. God’s promise of prosperity is about sufficiency in all things. The focus is on abundant provision for every good work, not luxury for selfish gain. 

- 2 Corinthians 9:8: "And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work."

- Philippians 4:19: "And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus."

 Traditionalists point to impoverished nations or struggling Christians and claim, “Prosperity isn’t for everyone.” Again, prosperity isn’t about a specific lifestyle; it’s about having the resources you need to carry out God’s will in your life. Whether you live in a wealthy nation or a poor one, God’s provision is real, and it is supernatural. God is God over all the Earth not just first world nations. 

 Tradition Prefers Works Over Grace

 A key marker of tradition is the constant emphasis on works over grace. Despite the overwhelming evidence in Scripture that we are saved and blessed by grace through faith, tradition insists on adding works-based requirements to maintain favor with God. The Holy Spirit, however, is a Spirit of grace, leading believers into the rest of God (Hebrews 4:3). Jesus has finished the work—our job is to believe it.

- Ephesians 2:8-9: "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast."

- Galatians 3:3: "Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh?"

Many traditional teachings place heavy burdens on believers to perform certain acts to gain God’s approval. Yet the truth of the gospel is this: Jesus has already accomplished it all. Our part is to believe and receive by faith.

Challenging Tradition: The Need for a Renewed Mind

  Breaking free from tradition requires a renewed mind. Many believers are trapped in tradition because they have never experienced the truth of the Word in its fullness. Romans 12:2 urges believers to "be transformed by the renewing of your mind." This transformation is key to moving from intellectual Christianity—rooted in traditions of men—into the dynamic, supernatural life of faith empowered by the Holy Spirit.

 Tradition keeps believers in a safe but spiritually stagnant place. It resists the supernatural, explains away the promises of God, and denies the fullness of the Holy Spirit’s work today. But the truth is clear—God’s power is still available, His promises are still “Yes and Amen” (2 Corinthians 1:20), and the Holy Spirit is the very life-force of the Church.

 The Word of God and the Holy Spirit are the final authority—not tradition, not human intellect, and not our experiences. As believers, we must be willing to challenge the traditions that have held us back from experiencing the fullness of the supernatural, Holy Spirit-empowered life Jesus promised.Truth will always triumph over tradition, and the Holy Spirit is ready to demonstrate God’s power in your life—if you’re willing to believe.

Image by BAO YI WONG from Pixabay

Wednesday, September 18, 2024

Thinking God's thoughts on Salvation

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2 NLT

In Romans 12:2, we are encouraged not to "copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect." This transformation begins when we align our thoughts with God's thoughts, especially regarding salvation.

One crucial aspect of thinking God's thoughts about salvation is understanding His definition of sin. Under the New Covenant, sin is often described as "missing the mark." But what mark are we missing? According to the New Testament, the ultimate mark is love, the God kind of love. Jesus gave us a new command, to love. Paul summed up the morality of the Law and commandments as walking in love.

  Actions such as sexual immorality, lying, cheating, dishonoring others, and stealing all fall short of this divine standard of love. Therefore, sin, in essence, is missing the mark of love. We cannot let religious tradition, this fallen world, or the ever-changing culture define sin. God's Word remains clear and unchanging—sin is anything that falls short of His perfect love.

 Religious tradition says things like watching television, going to a dance, or women cutting their hair and wearing makeup are sinful deeds. Many say men having long hair or getting a tattoo is sinful. Some say listening to music that isn't church hymns is sinful. We must stay with the Word, not the world or religious tradition. 

In thinking His thoughts about salvation, it's also essential to recognize that not everyone is saved. Salvation is not an automatic or forced gift. God offers salvation to all, but He respects human free will. Grace extends the invitation of salvation to everyone, but each person must freely choose to accept and receive it through faith. Salvation is by grace through faith.

For it’s by God’s grace that you have been saved. You receive it through faith. It was not our plan or our effort. It is God’s gift, pure and simple. You didn’t earn it, not one of us did, so don’t go around bragging that you must have done something amazingEphesians 2:8-9 Voice

 It is not based on human effort or striving to make ourselves acceptable to God. Salvation is not "lordship salvation," where sinful man makes promises to cease sinning, pledging to live perfectly, and then earns God's approval. This approach places the focus on human effort rather than God's grace. True salvation is a gift of grace, accepted by faith in Jesus alone. It’s about receiving eternal life—not through works, but through trust in Jesus and His finished work on the cross.

Salvation, at its core, is about being saved from eternal separation in hell and entering into a loving relationship with a gracious and good Father. God is not a distant taskmaster waiting for us to get it right before He saves us. Instead, He is a loving Father, extending His arms wide through Jesus, offering forgiveness, grace, and eternal life. Salvation is not merely about avoiding hell, but about being saved *unto* a life of intimacy, grace, and relationship with God.

In summation let's renew our minds to what God says. Let's think God's thought about salvation. We must reject worldly and cultural influences distorting salvation's true meaning. In the same way, religious traditions that place the burden of salvation on human effort must be challenged. God’s grace is sufficient, and faith in Jesus is all that is required to be saved.




Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

Thursday, September 5, 2024

Goodness: Now and Later!

For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance. 1 Timothy 4:8-9 NKJV 

 Our God is a Good Father. Christians serve a Good God. Serve doesn't mean earning, or striving for, but in service of the King, we are ambassadors for Christ. God is such a Good God, He always has our best in mind.

 When we think of prosperity, healing, and goodness in this life, many conjure images and examples of excess and abuse in their thinking. When we mention wholeness and goodness for the here and now, many say no, the good life is for the future, in Heaven. Yet the Father made these promises and provided for them in Redemption. He did this to demonstrate His Goodness and lovingkindness to a lost and hurting world.

 Prosperity, healing, and wholeness are God's ideas. It is His way to visibly demonstrate His all the time Goodness. God wants to show His people off and let all the world know He is a good God. 

 Paul spoke of this idea of blessing in this life and the one to come. He wrote under the inspiration of the Spirit the text for this study. He states truly Godliness is profitable for this life and the one to come. He also wrote about this in 1 Corinthians 15;

If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable. 1 Corinthians 15:19 NKJV

 In context Paul was preaching the Gospel of Jesus and addressing those who claim there is no future fulfillment, the resurrection has passed, and those claiming there is no resurrection. Therefore claiming Jesus didn't rise from the dead. Paul was not saying there is no promise for this life but only the next.

 Paul was not contradicting himself. The Spirit doesn't lead to contradictions. The problem with relegating everything to the afterlife and discounting healing and prosperity as excess and abuse is twofold. 

 The first problem is we take away from God's Goodness. We make God out to be a terrible Father. What would someone think if they saw a wealthy father have a child who had holes in his shoes, malnourished, and dirty, old tattered clothes? They would say that is a terrible unkind and neglectful father. 

 Secondly, we diminish what Christ suffered and died for. We take away from the fullness of what He procured and purchased and provided for in His work of Redemption. This limits God and causes people not to awaken to the fullness of their inheritance in Christ. 

Now in a fallen world suffering is a reality. While suffering exists, it doesn’t negate God’s compassionate desire for His children to experience blessings now. Misinterpreting suffering as God’s will can prevent believers from standing in faith for healing, prosperity, and breakthrough It's of vital importance to differentiate between the trials of living in a fallen world and God's will. God is always for us, never against us, and wants His children to walk in His promises.

Matthew 6:19-21 teaches about storing up treasures in heaven, emphasizing eternal rewards. However, this does not mean earthly blessings are excluded. It’s about prioritizing God’s kingdom while also recognizing that God cares for our needs in this life (Philippians 4:19).

And it is he who will supply all your needs from his riches in glory because of what Christ Jesus has done for us. Philippians 4:19 TLB

 In summation, The belief that all blessings are stored up in heaven often stems from a misunderstanding of God's character and the fullness of His promises. God's goodness includes a desire for us to experience healing, provision, and a blessed life here on earth, as well as eternal life with Him. Godliness is profitable for this life as well as the life to come, we have a Good God we can trust and rely on. 


Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Thursday, August 29, 2024

Your Best Life Now?

For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance. 1 Timothy 4:8-9 NKJV

God is a Good God. Jesus is a loving Savior who laid His life down to redeem us. The Holy Spirit is our Comforter and Counselor and the fire from on high indwelling all those who believe. How do we see God though? How do we see the Christian life? 

 If God is a Good Father and His Son loved us so much that He went through the sufferings of the Cross on our behalf, how does this shape our view of the Christian life? How should we then live in light of this? 

 If God is Good, Jesus loves us so much and God sent His Spirit to indwell all who believe, how does He want us to live this life? Does He want our lives filled with misery, mistreatment, and misfortune? What is the life He desires for us?

 When I look at the life Jesus lived on earth, I don't see a life filled with despondency, despair, depression, or desolation. I see Jesus going around doing good and healing all! Jesus dealt with persecution from religious leaders, but his real suffering was only when He was paying the price for our redemption. 

 Religious tradition has decided to ignore all Jesus did and claim that the Christian life is meant to be a life full of nothing but affliction, agony, and anguish. To them, tragedy, torment, and tribulation are all one should expect in this life. They also say we should be thankful to receive all these things.

 Yet when I read the Bible why do I see God and His people bringing healing, hope, and help to so many? Religion would respond that Jesus and the disciples went about doing good just to preach the Gospel and get people saved. Yes it is true goodness on display points the lost to a loving Savior, and people respond, this is certainly an important reason but isn't the only reason. God brings wholeness, and relief, and alleviates suffering simply because He is Good and desires to do good.

 Jesus raised Jairus' daughter from the dead, He healed the Centurion's servant and did many other works of goodness, healing all who were oppressed by the devil. He did this to demonstrate His goodness and God's love. If we were to apply modern religious traditional teachings to these events, Jesus shouldn't have gone about doing good and healing. 

 Jesus should have asked Jairus why are you focusing on seeing your daughter healed? You should be more focused on becoming righteous and holy. You should be focused on how sinful you are and how your best life is in heaven not here. Jesus should have told the little girl, your best life isn't here so just accept this sickness and eventual death. 

 When the Centurion beseeched Jesus to come heal his servant Jesus should have responded, you gentile, you heathen! You are sinful and wretched, how can you dare ask me anything?! You need to realize your best life is never here. Repent and keep repenting, and only expect misery and hardship in this life. I trust you see the fallacy of the religious traditions of men. 

 Does God want our best life now or only in the hereafter? The true, biblical answer is both. Father God is Good and wants only our best. The interesting fact about the religious leaders proclaiming God wants our worst life now, all live in affluence, possess many earthly goods, and do what they can do to provide comfort and happiness to their own kids. 

 Godliness is profitable for the hereafter and the life we live today. God has plans and purposes for our lives. He has a destiny for His children. He has great things He wants us to accomplish. Now the scale is different for each of us, but it is still great nonetheless. 

 Perhaps He purposed us to help lead our family to Christ, or that coworker to find help and restoration for their past trauma. God has plans for us and they are always good. Each part of the Body of Christ is important, vital, and needed. You are valuable and have a calling, gifts, talents, and a destiny only you can fulfill.

 Don't allow religious tradition small-minded people to steal God's dreams and visions and destiny He has planned for you. Favor surrounds you like a shield. Goodness and mercy follow you all the day.

 In summation, disregard the goofy ideas of religious tradition. Stay with the Word. God is always good. He has promise for the life that now is and the one to come. It is time to live your best life now. 

 

Image by Alexandr from Pixabay

Sunday, August 11, 2024

The Father is Always Good!



For the Lord is always good. He is always loving and kind, and his faithfulness goes on and on to each succeeding generation. 
Psalm 100:5 TLB 

Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see— how good God is. Blessed are you who run to him. Psalm 34:8 MSG

O taste and see that the Lord [our God] is good; How blessed [fortunate, prosperous, and favored by God] is the man who takes refuge in Him.  Psalm 34:8 AMP

 God our Father is a Good Father. God Almighty is Good and only Good. He is Good and only does good! We have a Father who loves us and a Father we can trust.

 It seemed good to speak more about the goodness of God. Someone may say, haven't you already talked about His goodness? Is another study on His goodness necessary? My response would be, seeing the predominant thinking of the world, and the Church, it is still a vital message that needs to be taught more and more.

 So many still cling to the idea that God is a not-so-good God and that He tests, and tries with tragedy, troubles, torment, and tribulation. Many believe He inflicts and ordains hard times,  just to humble, and teach us. Or punish us if we fail too often.

 God is always Good! He has revealed Himself in the person of the Son. Jesus when He came to earth showed a loving and compassionate Father. A Father who longed for a family. A Father who was not afflicting but rather a Father who was bringing life and healing all.  

 God also revealed Himself, His character, by the Hebrew names He revealed to His people. He is Jehovah Rapha, the Lord our Healer. He is Jehovah Tsidkenu, the Lord our Righteousness. He is Jehovah Shalom, the Lord our Peace. These names tell us more about our Father and His real work among men. 

 God is Jehovah the Good. Yet religion and tradition have added their own names of God. To them, He is Jehovah calamity, the bringer of destructive events, fires, accidents, crashes, and crises. To them, He is Jehovah disaster, the bringer of tsunamis, earthquakes, tornados, hurricanes, and storms. To them, He is Jehovah pestilence, the bringer of plagues, pandemics, affliction, sickness, and disease. To them, He is Jehovah indignant, the angry, the furious, the frenzied, rage-filled, looking to strike and punish man when he fails.

 Religion and tradition also have created a stronghold in the minds of so many with their teaching on the Sovereignty of God. They define sovereignty as God ordains, determines, and causes every event on earth. That He is in total control of every facet of life. 

 That bank robbery that occurred? God must have had a mysterious purpose for this event. That tsunami? God caused it to punish the sinners, and to prove to all He is God. That pandemic? God must have ordained it.

 These are the misconceptions of the religious traditional-minded scholars, theologians, and ministers. These concepts of sovereignty trickle down to the congregations of these leaders, thus instilling these ideas in their thinking. Sovereignty defined as God controlling all things, leads to the other erroneous manifestation of this belief.

 The idea that God controls all things, also means our Faith is impotent and powerless and subject to the whims of sovereignty. Religious sovereignty also means God doesn't have to keep His Word and promises. Sure He said He promises healing and wholeness, but He, in His sovereignty can say no to your believing prayer of Faith. 

 This doesn't translate to God being the Supreme authority in the universe. All this does is make God out to be a liar and one who cannot be taken at His Word. His Word means nothing, and one must wait on a personal revelation that God will meet your specific need or fulfill your request.

 Religion thinks sovereignty concepts honor God. In reality, it dishonors God because it proclaims God can lie and there is nothing you can do about it now be silent and serve Him! The Goodness of God is contrary to religion and tradition. 

 If you want to know God, you must relinquish the traditions of men and stay with the Bible, God's Word. God has revealed Himself through His Word. Throughout the Old and New Testaments, we see God's goodness all the time. 

Jesus, the Word made flesh, went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed by the devil. He went about doing good, not doing bad. He went about healing, bringing provision, and forgiving people. 

 Jesus when He encountered the woman at the well, offered her new life to come. He didn't send affliction, plague, or famine to her or her household because she was living with an unmarried man. In fact, He never condemned her, He just loved her, and His goodness led her to change her thinking.

 God is a Good Father. He is a faithful Father. In Him is light and not darkness. He is not the author of your trial or trouble. He is not the source of hard times, but amid trouble, we can run to Him and trust Him cast our burdens on Him, and see Him sustain us.

  We have a Good Father! Let's embrace this truth completely. No matter what we face, know God is not the one orchestrating it. We can trust Him and rest in His love. He is only Good and always Good. 


 

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net