When the prophets of old spoke out against the people they often asked, “How did we offend God?” Blinded by cultural norms, social customs and institutionalized religion they had lost touch with personal faith and spiritual imperative.
So when I say the Church is weak today because of its focus on buildings, budgets, boards and bylaws the response is almost always justifying these as though they were spiritually necessary! Yet the early Church had none of these and spread the Gospel far and wide in one generation.
The buildings used as church today are monuments to human pride and cultural expectation. When Peter wanted to built monuments to Jesus, Moses and Elijah on the Mount of the Transfiguration Luke reports, “Peter did not know what he was saying” (Luke 9:33). The same applies everywhere because structures do not help in “bringing in the sheaves”.
Congregations focus on the budget. How many arguments I have listened to about a few dollars someone wants removed or moved to another line. When the early Church appointed The Seven to look after money (Acts 6:3-5), least two (Philip and Stephen) were amazing witnesses of the Gospel, even to the martyrdom of Stephen. What finance committee in our time is chosen for the evangelistic zeal of its members?
Indeed, most Congregations end up begging people to be on Boards and committees because Canada Revenue Agency, or the denomination, specify how many people must be on the Board. So Boards have members who are simply a body count, but who do not have the calling or gifts for a job of oversight and planning, or “bringing in the sheaves”. They make decisions by a vote, not prayer and fasting. The Church was never intended to be a democracy, but rather a theocracy, where our love for God and others permeates everything discussed and decided without politics or hidden or personal agendas to do what God appoints of us, “bringing in the sheaves”.
The Manuals of churches are hundreds of pages long. Canon Law is volumes. These bylaws to the Bible cover how to present a motion, magic words for ordination, how to fill in reports, and membership so that undesirables are excluded… The Councils of Jerusalem, however, presented this as Church rules (Acts 15:28-29): “The Holy Spirit and we have agreed not to place any additional burdens on you. Do only what is necessary by keeping away from food sacrificed to false gods, from eating bloody meat, from eating the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual sins. If you avoid these things, you will be doing what’s right” (God’s Word Translation©, see also Acts 15:20 and 21:25).
Bylaws also state at length what you must believe, yet Paul stated clearly: “I passed on to you the most important points of doctrine that I had received: Christ died to take away our sins as the Scriptures predicted. He was placed in a tomb. He was brought back to life on the third day as the Scriptures predicted” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4 God’s Word Translation©), no elaborate statements of faith or theological brain exercises.
Now if I told you this, what would you reply?

Why do people reject God and deny the work of The Spirit? One answer is found in the parable of the three servants in Matthew 24:14-30.

The key passage for this observation is:

“Then the one who received two thousand dollars came and said, ‘Sir, I knew that you are a hard person to please. You harvest where you haven’t planted and gather where you haven’t scattered any seeds. I was afraid. So I hid your two thousand dollars in the ground. Here’s your money!‘” (Matthew 25:24-25 God’s Word©).

The useless servant (verse 30) was afraid and accused the Boss of taking credit for, and hoarding, all the benefit of the work “done by others”.

But wait just a minute!

The Boss gave the servants all the money (all the resources) for the venture. The servants had no personal finances to invest in the enterprise. The servants simply had opportunity to multiply the estate of the Boss (of which they were a part!).

The Boss praised the work of the two servants who did that and rewarded them handsomely (verses 21 and 23). The useless servant slandered the Boss (verses 24-25).

People want the credit and praise for what God does! And if they can’t get the honour and authority they seek, then they will not only do nothing for, but will even become enemy of, the Boss, even though Jesus paid the entire cost to deliver every human from selfish egotism, replacing that with a profound respect for The Creator and everyone created.

In other words, no rigorous activity, no intellectual achievement, no religious ceremony, no adventurous quest, nor membership in any group, race, gender, political party or system can add anything to what Jesus paid on the cross. A response of, “I accept”, to what Jesus Christ did opens the door to an eternity of revelling in all the goodness in the universe. Solitary satisfaction becomes living for the benefit of the whole human race, which brings unity and community rather than division and derision.

Those who cling tenaciously to their superiority over others will only know the eternal loneliness of having nothing more than self.

So, are you multiplying grace (God’s gifts and resources) with an eye to eternity, or are you mired in fear that your ego will not get what it craves (to the detriment of others) in this life?

Human beings have ego. However, those followers of Jesus who have died to self have also crucified the ego.

We compliment people of faith for their help or wisdom under the assumption that those people are more human ego than Godly servant. The mature Christian rejoices when God gets all the glory, for the desire of the humble servant is to do everything “wholeheartedly as though you were working for your real master and not merely for humans” (Colossians 3:23 GW©).

Abba Daniel reported the story of a monk who went to a nobleman’s home where the daughter was demon possessed. On entry the demon slapped the monk through the daughter. The monk, as Jesus commanded, turned the other cheek. The demon is reported to have said, “The commandment of God is destroying me!” and left, and the girl was healed.

When this was reported to the advisor, he gave God the glory, saying “Even the pride of demons falls before humble obedience to the commandments of Jesus Christ.”

No praise to the monk, but only to Jesus.

Do you need compliments and recognition for doing something for Jesus? If so, who is on the throne of your soul? It is likely not the Monarch and Creator of the universe and The Lamb who deserves all “praise, honor, glory, and power” (Revelation 5:13 GW©).

During our morning devotions today this came into my mind:

I am not spiritually weak because of this pandemic, and I am not obsessed with gathering in person with others who name Jesus as Saviour to get back to “normal”. God has not left me during this time, nor left me without an abundant supply of spiritual food. Indeed, I have never felt alone nor unattached to the people of faith in my life. A strong binding has kept my spiritual comrades close to my heart, in my mind’s eye and in thoughts and prayers.

And then this thought entered the process, one which has both intrigued me and encouraged me for 17 years:

In the Ojibwe language there is no word for “good-bye”! Whether someone is physically present or not, the connection remains intact over time and distance because being face-to-face does not determine the depth of affection and attachment to the people in our life.

The Words of God in the Bible are even more lively and penetrating (Hebrews 4:12) than ever before as I am given a clearer vision of the heavenly realm and reign of Christ on earth.

“So, brothers and sisters, I love you and miss you. You are my joy and my crown. Therefore, dear friends, keep your relationship with the Lord firm!…Always be joyful in the Lord! I’ll say it again: Be joyful!…The Lord is near. Never worry about anything. But in every situation let God know what you need in prayers and requests while giving thanks. Then God’s peace, which goes beyond anything we can imagine, will guard your thoughts and emotions through Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, keep your thoughts on whatever is right or deserves praise: things that are true, honorable, fair, pure, acceptable, or commendable…I’ve learned to be content in whatever situation I’m in. I know how to live in poverty or prosperity. No matter what the situation, I’ve learned the secret of how to live when I’m full or when I’m hungry, when I have too much or when I have too little. I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:1-13 God’s Word Translation©, selected).

We do not need others in order to live with Christ, but we need The Spirit free in us to live with others!

I was in dialogue with a person about a present-day issue. I referred to one of the places in the Bible where this issue is addressed. The response was, “But what limitation do you put on it?”

In my mind I answered, “None!”

This person is one of the too many who have abandoned Scripture and live loyally to the interpretation their religious group places on the Bible. They were inviting me to accept their dogma, which totally negates what God says in The Holy Word. I could not join their heresy.

Several times recently Galatians 3:1-5** has been thrown into my view. It breaks my heart to think that there are so many people who have been “bewitched” into thinking their ideology, their efforts, their self-appointed heroism and their actions which are affirmed only by like-minded individuals (even though rejected by spiritual Christians) constitute righteousness. Alas, it is merely self-righteousness, the spiritual condition of the 1st century Pharisees who opposed Jesus.

Since the modern-day Galatians who are “under an evil spell” (and those at early Ephesus according to Revelation, also) have lost their first love they are called to “repent” (Revelation 2:1-7). If they do not repent Jesus will “come to [them] quickly and remove [their] lampstand from its place”. My call on them to repent has been met with a closed mind, so far, but I keep praying. They do not realize that their “everlasting life” (John 3:16) is at stake!

** “You stupid people of Galatia! Who put you under an evil spell? Wasn’t Christ Jesus’ crucifixion clearly described to you? I want to learn only one thing from you. Did you receive the Spirit by your own efforts to follow the laws in the Scriptures or by believing what you heard? Are you that stupid? Did you begin in a spiritual way only to end up doing things in a human way? Did you suffer so much for nothing? [I doubt] that it was for nothing! Does God supply you with the Spirit and work miracles among you through your own efforts or through believing what you heard?”