Humans don't like big menus.

Scientifically, humans are happier when they have shorter menus. Long menus present something called "opportunity paralysis," which agonizes us. "So many choices...what if I make the wrong one."

The old covenant was a system of rules and regulations, written in stone for all to see, in which you had to keep the letter of the law. On the other hand, there was no need to make decisions, as everything was pre-determined. The new covenant is a relationship, in which you need to keep the spirit. We are not bound by context-less precept (rules), but rather principles and action of freedom. Too often we seek to infer new rules, so that we do not have to suffer opportunity paralysis.

Hebrews 8 declares: For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares YHWH: I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. [ie. RELATIONSHIP] 11 And they shall not teach, each one his neighbor and each one his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ [NOT RULES] for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. [BUT RELATIONSHIP]

But he is a Jew who is one inwardly, and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit not in the letter; whose praise is not from men, but from God. [SPIRIT, NOT LETTER OF THE LAW] (Rom 2)

"But now we have been discharged from the law, having died to that in which we were held; so that we serve in newness of the spirit, and not in oldness of the letter." [SPIRIT, NOT LETTER OF THE LAW] (Rom 7:6)

Have you seen people trying to infer the letter of the law where it no longer exists? I've been one of those people. Bondage is easy, but as we grow stronger, freedom enables us to become overwhelming conquerors.

Precision obedience?

 I have seen people comment on "precision obedience." One preacher said, "God does not expect us to be able to conquer sin or be perfect, so he gave us the perfect acts of worship, and how to perform them perfectly. Thus those who use instruments in music are of their father the devil."

Consider what God said. "[God] also made us sufficient as servants of a new covenant; not of the letter, but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life." (2 Cor 3:6)

Jesus, when declaring how His disciples would be known, did not say, "By this will all men know you're My disciples: if you have the correct doctrine about worship services, in the correct way, being set aside by a lack of pianos." Rather He said, "By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:25). Thus, "you were called to freedom, brothers...For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Gal 5:13-14)

Don't look back at your regrets—a real life failure story.

 Do you have lots of regrets? Do you look back on past relationships, actions, or feelings, wishing that you could JUST do it different? Sometimes that consumes people!

John Landy and Roger Bannister broke the miracle mile (sub 4'00") around the same time. When they raced against each other, the eyes of the world were looking. Right before the finish, Landy looked back over his shoulder to see where the competition was.In that fraction of a second, Bannister was able to pass him and win. Vancouver erected a bronze statue immortalizing the moment, prompting Landy to remark, ‘Lot’s wife was turned into a pillar of salt for looking back. I’m the first person to be turned into bronze.’

Looking back slows you down! Paul accurately observed, "I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead." (Phil 3:13) Don't slow down for the past; rush toward a ferocious finish!

Helping people as best you can.

As Christians, we need to focus on the future and maximize our time here on earth. I have found myself sometimes horrifically eaten up over someone not responding spiritually, spending all of my energy and emotion on them, preventing me from even considering helping others. Consider this from Luke 9:

"Another also said, “I will follow You, Lord; but first permit me to say good-bye to those at home.” But Jesus said to him, “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” (v61-62)

We can't let someone who doesn't respond be the absolute focus of our attention. If you find a bus wreck and are helping people out, you can't let the one person who refuses to leave the fiery wreck be your sole objective. Sure, if you pass by them, ask them if you can assist, but don't ignore the people who will respond in favor of the one who won't! Maximize your ability to take care of the lost!

"Yeah, I guess I should go to church." (The Law of Christ?)

 "Yeah, I should go to church I guess." Ever heard that? Although it's subtle, there is the concept that God is appeased by our showing up to listen to a priest or pastor lead a "worship service."

We should all consider this,though. The "law of Christ" is not fulfilled by keeping rules—"don't handle; don't taste; don't touch" (Col 2, esp. v 21). Rather, it is fulfilled when we "bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ." (Gal 6:2)

Sunday should be for our own edification, so that we can perform the work of ministry all the other days.

Beating yourself up—that's not like our God!

Ever heard the saying, "Don't beat yourself up over it?" Moving past your past is incredibly important, but people often express to me how hard it is for them to do it. "God can't forgive me for what I've done," is a common sentiment, but consider who our God is.

Our God is the God who forgives "wickedness, rebellion, and sin." (Exodus 34:7). He is God and not man; one who "delights to show mercy" (Micah 7.18). Our God is the Father who runs to the rebellious son and welcomes him back with a feast, music, and dancing. (Luke 15)

Our God is the God of mercy, and He desires that we show mercy to ourselves. "For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment." (James 2:13)

Rules, principles, or actions—which are important?

Jesus often addressed things in a pattern of "precept (law/rule), principle, action." Have you ever thought about adultery and how bad it is? Look how Jesus addresses it:

Precept: Mat 5:27 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery."

Principle: Mat 5:28 "But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart."

Action: Mat 5:29 "If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell."

Can you notice other times that Jesus uses this "precept, principle, action," method of addressing issues? They're always perfect solutions!

Are children born as sinners? (And why or why not?)

Although physical death has entered the world, God indicates that for a time our children are sinless, and thus not spiritually dead. In fact, check out this chunk of Isa 7: "at the time He knows enough to refuse evil and choose good. For before the boy will know enough to refuse evil and choose good..." Although just a snippet, God shows that when we are young, we don't know the difference between the two.

This is, in fact, the definition of the prelapsarian (before the fall of man) state. Adam was told, "but from the tree OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOOD AND EVIL you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die." (Gen 2:17) Pay close attention to that. It was the KNOWLEDGE OF GOOD AND EVIL l that allowed him to sin. Children DON'T have that knowledge, as God confirms:

"Moreover, your little ones who you said would become a prey, and your sons, who this day have no knowledge of good or evil, shall enter there, and I will give it to them and they shall possess it." (Deut 1:34-39) All the Israelites that did know weren't allowed access to the promised land, but their children, being without sin at the time, were..

Who are we singing for in the "worship service?"

I often hear people say, "We sing for God, not ourselves. In the worship service, He is the audience, not us!" This is usually coupled with a quote from Ephesians 5:19, and it's at least partially accurate. It errs in a couple of ways, but I'll address the deep, subtle, yet important misunderstanding of God at the end.

1st, there is no such thing as a "worship service," and the verses immediately prior to and after verse 19 speak of a "daily walk," and instruction that is for us "always," and 2nd, we are told, "speaking to one another in psalms...making melody with your heart to the Lord." Here, God identifies two audiences: us to one another, and us to Him.

The more subtle misunderstanding of this is that it sees God as requiring a "worship service" to appease Him, when God has mentioned our assembly as being for our own edification. In 1 Cor 14:26, He says, "What is the outcome then, brethren? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification."

Jesus had to correct a Jewish misconception that was very similar and He chided them saying, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath." (Mark 2:23-3:6) Likewise, the assembly is for the saints, not the saints for assembly. Edification and equipping of the saints for the work of service is the goal—making ourselves strong, spiritual warriors for Christ, not just rulekeepers of technicalities.

Does God give us any choice in salvation?

 I was talking with a man who believed in God, and thought that we have no choice about whether or not we're going to heaven or hell. "God chooses His elect and there's nothing you can do," he said. "To believe anything else makes God no longer sovereign and not all powerful!"

Look what God lamented in Luke 13: "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, just as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not have it!" (v43)

It is God's sovereign decision to let us make our own choices, whether to be with Him eternally or to be forever separated. Saying that He does not have the power to let us make our own choices is to contradict what He says.

Is mankind wholly depraved?

There is often the thought that mankind is wholly depraved, yet Jesus identified a class of people that He appreciated, saying,

"But the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance." (Luke 8:15)

Having a good and honest heart is certainly not an attribute of being totally depraved, so let's show that by holding Jesus fast and bearing fruit!

A denomination known by...what?

If you're looking at churches or denominations, you can visit them or go on wikipedia and see what it says. Often wikipedia or church websites will say stuff like, "numbering 72 million, these individuals subscribe to the doctrine that..."

Imagine, though, if you looked and the entry said, "these individuals are known by their love for one another." (John 13:35)

Imagine going to a congregation and having the takeaway that, "These people love one another! They love God!" Imagine if it came across as a caring family, and not just some religious organization or awesome band playing. That's Christ's vision, so let's make it ours!

Christians only—a resolution worth trying!

170 years ago, men and women came together to be "just Christians only."

From that plea, it was a mere 40 years later that the three denominations called the Church of Christ, the Disciples of Christ, and Christian Church were born.

All three names meaning exactly the same thing; it was mostly irrelevant and non-salvation issues that trifurcated the original plea to just be Christians without denominational lines.

What if some Christians took seriously the idea of being just Christians without denominational boundaries?

Anyone want to try it with me?

It's illegal to use a banjo in a worship service 'cause ya ain't singin'.

"The Bible only says to sing! Using a banjo is unauthorized." Is a person playing a guitar while making vocalizations somehow not singing? Check this out from God's word:

"Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; Sing praises to our God on the lyre!" (Psalms 33:2)

God never defined singing as "without an instrument." In fact, He instructed us to sing Psalms, and the above is one.

Who's your best friend in marriage? (Careful!)

I've once had a gal tell me, "You're my best friend and soulmate." I was deeply touched by the sentiment, but this thought made it necessary to pull back from the deep friendship. She had a man already, and they had a kid, although both came along long into our friendship.

Song of Solomon says, "“I am my beloved’s, and his desire is for me." This is absolutely critical to a good marriage. Allowing another person other than your spouse to fill the role of best friend and soulmate, such as it is, spells disaster. When God says that in marriage, two become one, we should never attempt to break off a part of that one and attach it to a separate entity.

(Yes, I knows, says the unmarried man. wink emoticon )

Garments of salvation!

Consider this prophecy of Christ from Isaiah 61, and how beautiful it is.

"I will rejoice greatly in the Lord,
My soul will exult in my God;
For He has clothed me with garments of salvation,
He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness!"

Garments of salvation, imagine that! To make it more vivid, look at this glorious passage : "For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ." (Gal 3:26-27)

Putting of Christ in baptism and through faith certainly causes my soul to exult in my God! He has wrapped me in a robe of the Most Perfect!

Should I be baptized at a scheduled event?

Baptism in modern Christian denominations is often something that's done as a scheduled event for large groups every so often. It's often an interesting ritual that we wait to see as some "yeah, you're a Christian, guess they did this, too" mark. Ask yourself this: why did early Christians not wait?

How quickly was the Philippian jailer baptized? "And he took them that very hour of the night and washed their wounds, and immediately he was baptized." (Acts 16:33)

Paul was asked by Ananias, "Now why do you delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name.’" (Acts 22:16)

The Ethiopian himself asked, "Look, water! What prevents me from being baptized?" (Acts 8:36)

God's messenger urged Paul to not delay, and to be immersed immediately, washing away his sins. Why do we do differently today?

Francis Chan and baptism. (Plus video.)

 Francis Chan noted that people often get contentious about baptism. "God doesn't need it." "It doesn't make sense." "Well I believe, but baptism's silly."

An Ethiopian had been worshiping at the Temple and was headed back to his homeland when God sent him Philip to preach the gospel to him. Consider what God was trying to convey in this passage. Look at the ATTITUDES expressed. Why do people sometimes poo-poo baptism? Shouldn't our response be like that of the Ethiopian?

"He preached Jesus to him. As they went along the road they came to some water; and the eunuch *said, “Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?” And Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” (Acts 8)

 

Musical instruments in worship services.

If you make a special hour called a "worship service," which God never did, you can end up with some worship service weirdness, because you have to make more rules to flesh it out. It's a lot like a web of lies: tell one, then have to tell another to support it, and one to support that...and it goes on.

I've copied this Q&A from a great website which suffers from some misunderstanding, leading to the following confusion by both the asker and evangelist answering. Check out how man's rules complicate God's simple principles in the Law of Liberty.

--Question:

Someone asked me this question and I would like your opinion. I looked on your great web site but didn't see it addressed.

A young lady asked me if it is okay to listen to "Christian rock" or instrumental ("Christian") songs outside of worship. I would appreciate you opinion. Thanks for the good work you do.

--Answer:

"I've known brethren to argue both sides of this issue. Those for it argue that it is better than the trash available on many other stations. While they won't join it and sing with the instrumental music, they prefer to hear decent words and lyrics that are focused on praising God. The other side points out that many of these songs are worship songs but set with instrumental music. Since worship is involved, then the one being worshiped is the one who sets the rules. Since God did not authorize instrumental music for His worship in the New Testament, then we should not seek to add it to ours, whether it is congregational worship or personal worship.

Thus the core issue is whether listening to someone else sing songs that can be used in the worship of God constitutes worship or not. It is an issue that I am not certain I can settle. I usually ask the person whether they consider it to be worship or not and work from there. Personally, I don't go out of my way to listen to such music. I won't change channels on a station necessarily if a religious song comes on. I have even heard and admired some of the thoughts expressed in some songs set to instruments and wonder if we could get a hold of an a-capella arrangement for the congregation. But I definitely don't allow myself to sing along with such songs because it focuses my mind on God and I would rather worship God as He wants to be worshiped.

We also ought to be careful of the music branded as Christian music. I've heard numerous songs that might mention God, but what the song teaches is contrary to the teachings in God's word. Filling our minds with erroneous teachings is bad whether it is from secular or religious sources. In some ways a religious source is more dangerous because we are at least on our guard for false teachings from a secular source."

Foundations—which would you toss out?

God said through Paul, "I...implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called." That sounds pretty important, huh? Well He goes on to say,"being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." (All verses from Eph 4:1-6)

That's FOUNDATIONALLY important! So what things is God looking for? Well they're in the next two verses. Which of these are you comfortable telling people, "Eh, God doesn't care about THAT one. You don't have to believe it?"

1.)There is one body

2.) and one Spirit,

3.) one hope of your calling;

4.) one Lord,

5.) one faith,

6.) one baptism,

7.) one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.

Which one of those are you willing to leave out when teaching someone about God? Are any of them "not that important?"