[Read: Galatians 3:26-4:7]
Don’t miss this, God tells us through Paul in Galatians 3:26 that we are all sons (or daughters as the case may be) of God through our faith in Christ.
This is a REALLY BIG DEAL!
Let me paint the picture I see when I read something like this in the Scripture.
Here’s you: living in a nice neighborhood in the suburbs of Charlotte. Great working class neighbors, police officers, bankers, teachers etc…and all their kids seem nice, that is, except for 'that kid' across the street and his friends. You’ve never seen him do anything, but you’re convinced that he’s rotten to the core. One day, you and your wife are going on a date and you're late. You pull into the drive way, jump from your car to hers and speed out of the driveway having forgotten to lock your car. You notice as your pulling away that ‘that kid’ is across the street playing football with his friends.
When you get back from your date you’re shocked to find your car destroyed. The stereo, your iPod and headphones are gone. Your briefcase that had your computer and company check book in it are gone. The car is trashed. The seats are slashed, headlights are busted out, the tires are flat and there’s a key scratch running the entire length of the driver side.
Of course, you call the police and get them involved, but after a couple weeks it becomes clear that even though you are absolutely convinced that it had to be ‘that kid’, there is no evidence to prove it. He’s gotten away with it. To make matters worse, every time you see ‘that kid’ now, he looks at you with that frustrating little smirk...
Here’s the point, ‘that kid’, is you and I! And here’s how God responds. He doesn’t call the cops, get frustrated and write you off, he adopts you. He treats you just like one of the family. When you turn 16 he gives you a car. When you go to college he foots the bill. He feeds you, clothes you, and looks after you. He calls you son!
Since we’re ‘that kid’, I guess I’m just really thankful that God has decided not to treat me the way I would have treated ‘that kid’.
We’re sons and heirs, but when I read this passage, I’m reminded to avoid the temptation to start believing that I deserve it.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Friday, May 23, 2008
Diarrhea Hill (a Friday's Fun Family Fact)
Welcome to this week's installment of Friday's Fun Family Facts...This post will have nothing at all to do with anything. You should definitely not read another section of Galatians to go along with this post!
It has been quite some time since I have posted a "Friday's Fun Family Facts" so for those of you who are not 'lifers' on this blog, let me give you a brief update.
I have a very interesting family... and there are, therefore, lots of good stories to tell. That's it!
My bedroom looked out across the road on the Eastern side of our house toward a little hill. We nicknamed the hill the diarrhea hill because it didn't have any grass on it. Every time it rained, thick, smelly, goopy mud with chemically residue would slide down the hill and create very inviting wallows at the base of the hill. To a 7 year old mind it was a very simple fact that the hill must be made of thousands of yards of poop; hence, diarrhea hill.
One day, about 12 hours after a pretty hard rain, my siblings and and I were overcome with temptation; we just could not resist the urge to investigate the hill. We marched across the street into the festering mud wallow. Of course, within a matter of seconds Anna and I were caught in the quick-mud, making embarrassing noises with our shoes sludging and spelching our legs deeper and deeper into the diarrhea death trap in our struggle for freedom.
just as we were about to disappear from sight into the bottomless pit of excrement my father bounced into the driveway - he always got home early on Fridays, but somehow we never seemed to remember that he got home early on Fridays. My older brother who had managed to avoid the limb trapping detritus soup hole ran across the street to recruit my father's aid.
What I saw was the silhouette of my father, a large looming man, with what looked like an axe or shotgun clutched in his right hand, walking with an angry gait toward Anna and I as we began to make peace with our inevitable tomb. I was convinced that he was going to off us and let us sink into oblivion to be discovered by paleontologists in 10,000 years. Of course, he did not, and the shotgun turned out to be a life stick that he intended to use to pull us to freedom.
My dad ruined his shirt, Anna lost her shoe and we all lost our dignity as we were hosed off outside in less that appropriate public attire by my mom who almost lost her consciousness from laughter. Although I was freed from the hill's grasp that day, I never felt completely free from the power of the diarrhea hill. Nightmares, claustrophobic panic attacks and paranoid sidelong glances marked my experience for several years following that VERY traumatic day.
It has been quite some time since I have posted a "Friday's Fun Family Facts" so for those of you who are not 'lifers' on this blog, let me give you a brief update.
I have a very interesting family... and there are, therefore, lots of good stories to tell. That's it!
My bedroom looked out across the road on the Eastern side of our house toward a little hill. We nicknamed the hill the diarrhea hill because it didn't have any grass on it. Every time it rained, thick, smelly, goopy mud with chemically residue would slide down the hill and create very inviting wallows at the base of the hill. To a 7 year old mind it was a very simple fact that the hill must be made of thousands of yards of poop; hence, diarrhea hill.
One day, about 12 hours after a pretty hard rain, my siblings and and I were overcome with temptation; we just could not resist the urge to investigate the hill. We marched across the street into the festering mud wallow. Of course, within a matter of seconds Anna and I were caught in the quick-mud, making embarrassing noises with our shoes sludging and spelching our legs deeper and deeper into the diarrhea death trap in our struggle for freedom.
just as we were about to disappear from sight into the bottomless pit of excrement my father bounced into the driveway - he always got home early on Fridays, but somehow we never seemed to remember that he got home early on Fridays. My older brother who had managed to avoid the limb trapping detritus soup hole ran across the street to recruit my father's aid.
What I saw was the silhouette of my father, a large looming man, with what looked like an axe or shotgun clutched in his right hand, walking with an angry gait toward Anna and I as we began to make peace with our inevitable tomb. I was convinced that he was going to off us and let us sink into oblivion to be discovered by paleontologists in 10,000 years. Of course, he did not, and the shotgun turned out to be a life stick that he intended to use to pull us to freedom.
My dad ruined his shirt, Anna lost her shoe and we all lost our dignity as we were hosed off outside in less that appropriate public attire by my mom who almost lost her consciousness from laughter. Although I was freed from the hill's grasp that day, I never felt completely free from the power of the diarrhea hill. Nightmares, claustrophobic panic attacks and paranoid sidelong glances marked my experience for several years following that VERY traumatic day.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
We’re all Slaves. Who’s Your Master?
[Read Galatians 3:15-25]
One of the hardest things to get over for people who are wrestling with Christianity is the truth that we are all slaves (for the back story on this comment check out Romans 5:20-6:23).
If we are not believers we are slaves to sin and selfishness; we are chained to the law which was set up to reveal how far off the mark we really are. On the other hand, if we are believers we are slaves to righteousness (Romans 6:19-20). Either way, we are slaves. There is never a time that we are completely autonomous; we are always subordinate to something.
Here’s the difference between our states before and after belief in Christ. Before we believed we were slaves to the law and the law itself was our task master. Therefore, when we broke any law, caused any injustice, wounded any friend, violated any principle it was ALWAYS counted against us. We were in a state of perpetual debit on an account that had started in the deficit.
Now, however, we are slaves to righteousness. We are still accountable to the same standard and as Paul says in Galatians 3:21, the law is not (and never was) opposed to the promise of God given to Abraham. The difference is that now when we break the law, cause an injustice, wound a friend or violate a principle it is placed on the back of the Crucified Savior, Jesus Christ. It is no longer counted against us, but against Him. And in His infinite wisdom, grace, mercy, love…we are counted righteous before God.
Before faith we were slaves to sin. After faith we are slaves to gratitude. We cannot repay Christ and we would take a wrong step if we tried, but we can serve Him. We can place our lives at His disposal and expect Him to use them. We can give Him our hearts, minds, bodies and souls. We are, in other words, free to be enslaved by Christ.
One of the hardest things to get over for people who are wrestling with Christianity is the truth that we are all slaves (for the back story on this comment check out Romans 5:20-6:23).
If we are not believers we are slaves to sin and selfishness; we are chained to the law which was set up to reveal how far off the mark we really are. On the other hand, if we are believers we are slaves to righteousness (Romans 6:19-20). Either way, we are slaves. There is never a time that we are completely autonomous; we are always subordinate to something.
Here’s the difference between our states before and after belief in Christ. Before we believed we were slaves to the law and the law itself was our task master. Therefore, when we broke any law, caused any injustice, wounded any friend, violated any principle it was ALWAYS counted against us. We were in a state of perpetual debit on an account that had started in the deficit.
Now, however, we are slaves to righteousness. We are still accountable to the same standard and as Paul says in Galatians 3:21, the law is not (and never was) opposed to the promise of God given to Abraham. The difference is that now when we break the law, cause an injustice, wound a friend or violate a principle it is placed on the back of the Crucified Savior, Jesus Christ. It is no longer counted against us, but against Him. And in His infinite wisdom, grace, mercy, love…we are counted righteous before God.
Before faith we were slaves to sin. After faith we are slaves to gratitude. We cannot repay Christ and we would take a wrong step if we tried, but we can serve Him. We can place our lives at His disposal and expect Him to use them. We can give Him our hearts, minds, bodies and souls. We are, in other words, free to be enslaved by Christ.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
The Plot Continues
[Read: Galatians 3:1-14]
Keep in mind as you read this post that this section of Scripture was written to Jewish Christians. Paul, himself, was a Jewish Christian…
Abraham is being held up as an example of faith NOT for his obedience to the law. It is suggested in this passage that Abraham was the first “believer”. In Paul’s mind, it seems clear, in this passage, that he sees himself as a true Jew, a true Christian, AND an heir of Abraham. In other words, Paul is suggesting in this letter that the chosen people of God (that is the people who lived by faith) in the Old Testament, were really believers.
I could launch off into a discussion about who comprises the “real” Israel, but I don’t think that would be very profitable. There is a lot of controversy surrounding this discussion and, frankly, it doesn’t benefit any of us to dive into irresolvable controversy. So, instead, I’m going to point out the beauty of God’s plan in this story.
God identified a people through the blood line of Abraham. Part of the promise he gave to Abraham was that MANY nations would be saved through his faith. Paul, being both in the blood line of Abraham (as a Jew) and a believer because of his belief in the resurrected Christ (Acts 9) serves as a liaison to the “other nations” referred to in the promise given to Abraham in Genesis 12:3.
In other words, you and I (non-Jewish believers) were part of God’s plan from the beginning. As you are reading the letter to the Galatians you need to keep in mind that apart from the faith of the Jewish nation we would not know Christ. Their history is our history all the way up to the time of Christ. From the resurrection on, we – who are believers through the sacrifice of Christ – are also heirs to the same promise that was given to Abraham 4,000 year ago.
This stuff never gets old to me! As believers, we are part of the greatest story ever told, and through you and I the plot continues as we see people far from God filled with life in Christ.
Keep in mind as you read this post that this section of Scripture was written to Jewish Christians. Paul, himself, was a Jewish Christian…
Abraham is being held up as an example of faith NOT for his obedience to the law. It is suggested in this passage that Abraham was the first “believer”. In Paul’s mind, it seems clear, in this passage, that he sees himself as a true Jew, a true Christian, AND an heir of Abraham. In other words, Paul is suggesting in this letter that the chosen people of God (that is the people who lived by faith) in the Old Testament, were really believers.
I could launch off into a discussion about who comprises the “real” Israel, but I don’t think that would be very profitable. There is a lot of controversy surrounding this discussion and, frankly, it doesn’t benefit any of us to dive into irresolvable controversy. So, instead, I’m going to point out the beauty of God’s plan in this story.
God identified a people through the blood line of Abraham. Part of the promise he gave to Abraham was that MANY nations would be saved through his faith. Paul, being both in the blood line of Abraham (as a Jew) and a believer because of his belief in the resurrected Christ (Acts 9) serves as a liaison to the “other nations” referred to in the promise given to Abraham in Genesis 12:3.
In other words, you and I (non-Jewish believers) were part of God’s plan from the beginning. As you are reading the letter to the Galatians you need to keep in mind that apart from the faith of the Jewish nation we would not know Christ. Their history is our history all the way up to the time of Christ. From the resurrection on, we – who are believers through the sacrifice of Christ – are also heirs to the same promise that was given to Abraham 4,000 year ago.
This stuff never gets old to me! As believers, we are part of the greatest story ever told, and through you and I the plot continues as we see people far from God filled with life in Christ.
Monday, May 19, 2008
The best Job in the World
I have the best job in the world.
I get to make my living seeing people far from God be transformed by the life giving power of Christ.
I get to lead some of the best volunteers and staff on the planet.
I wake up every morning with a profound sense of satisfaction and I feel completely fulfilled in what I'm doing.
I could not be more thankful!
I get to make my living seeing people far from God be transformed by the life giving power of Christ.
I get to lead some of the best volunteers and staff on the planet.
I wake up every morning with a profound sense of satisfaction and I feel completely fulfilled in what I'm doing.
I could not be more thankful!
Friday, May 16, 2008
All Scriptures are God Breathed
[Read: Galatians 3:1-14]
Here’s an interesting fact to remember: whenever you read the word ‘Scripture’ in the Scriptures – like we see in Galatians 3:8 – keep in mind that this word is not referring to the New Testament. I don’t think that idea needs much explanation since the New Testament was being created in the writing of the word you’re reading, however, it makes a great point: All Scripture is God breathed (2 Timothy 3:16).
You’ll notice that in order to defend the gospel Paul references seven different Old Testament passages (Genesis 15:6, 22:8 – vs. 6, 12:3 – vs. 8, Deuteronomy 27:26 – vs. 10, Habakkuk 2:4 – vs. 11, Leviticus 18:5 – vs. 12, Deuteronomy 21:21 – vs. 13). His entire argument is based around Abraham the patriarch of Judaism and one of the foundational characters in all of the history of Christianity.
Here’s one final nugget: in 2 Peter 3:16 Peter lumps Paul’s letters into the word ‘Scriptures’. I think this is a pretty big deal. Think about it, Peter, the Apostle who Paul had ‘opposed to his face’, is defending Paul’s writings as being straight from God.
All I’m saying is that we have a pretty awesome book at our disposal. Don’t miss any of it – Old or New – it’s all God breathed!
Make sure you come out to Elevation Church this weekend. Pastor Furtick's message will take the simple point I've made here and drive it down deep. Old Time Religion - Week 2 coming your way.
Here’s an interesting fact to remember: whenever you read the word ‘Scripture’ in the Scriptures – like we see in Galatians 3:8 – keep in mind that this word is not referring to the New Testament. I don’t think that idea needs much explanation since the New Testament was being created in the writing of the word you’re reading, however, it makes a great point: All Scripture is God breathed (2 Timothy 3:16).
You’ll notice that in order to defend the gospel Paul references seven different Old Testament passages (Genesis 15:6, 22:8 – vs. 6, 12:3 – vs. 8, Deuteronomy 27:26 – vs. 10, Habakkuk 2:4 – vs. 11, Leviticus 18:5 – vs. 12, Deuteronomy 21:21 – vs. 13). His entire argument is based around Abraham the patriarch of Judaism and one of the foundational characters in all of the history of Christianity.
Here’s one final nugget: in 2 Peter 3:16 Peter lumps Paul’s letters into the word ‘Scriptures’. I think this is a pretty big deal. Think about it, Peter, the Apostle who Paul had ‘opposed to his face’, is defending Paul’s writings as being straight from God.
All I’m saying is that we have a pretty awesome book at our disposal. Don’t miss any of it – Old or New – it’s all God breathed!
Make sure you come out to Elevation Church this weekend. Pastor Furtick's message will take the simple point I've made here and drive it down deep. Old Time Religion - Week 2 coming your way.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Paul vs. Peter
[Read: Galatians 2:11-21]
I think this passage is VERY interesting. I really wonder what it might have looked like. I mean, these guys weren’t exactly meek men...
“In this corner, all the way down from Jerusalem, we have “the ear hacker”, “the Rock”, the man who makes the gates of Hell shake, Simon Peter – apostle to the Jews. And his challenger, the wrestler formerly known as Saul, Paul – the apostle to the Gentiles. He’s been beaten, stoned, shipwrecked, blinded, imprisoned, starved, and bitten by a viper…” (eh hem…Sorry!)
The point of this passage really has very little to do with the confrontation between Peter and Paul but I think that there is a lot to be gained by realizing that everyone is going to disagree with someone about something.
In fact, it wasn’t just Peter and Paul, Paul and Barnabas had a little falling out and parted ways. Paul got frustrated with John when John didn’t feel like continuing on the journey.
When you look, there is a lot of conflict in the Scripture; Great men disagreeing about seemingly small things. Here’s one thing to hold onto however, Paul and Peter disagreed sharply in this passage but then in Acts 15 they are able to work with each other again.
Paul and John had their disagreement on Cyprus (Acts 13) but then in Colossians 3:10 (written 10 years later) Paul is admonishing the colossians to welcome John and John appears to be one of Paul’s main guys again.
The point is conflict is unavoidable. We make stupid decisions and so do the people we know, but if we are truly seeking Christ, there will come a day, as far as it depends on us, that we will live at peace with one another.
Do what you can today!
Next post: "ALL Scriptures are God Breathed"
I think this passage is VERY interesting. I really wonder what it might have looked like. I mean, these guys weren’t exactly meek men...
“In this corner, all the way down from Jerusalem, we have “the ear hacker”, “the Rock”, the man who makes the gates of Hell shake, Simon Peter – apostle to the Jews. And his challenger, the wrestler formerly known as Saul, Paul – the apostle to the Gentiles. He’s been beaten, stoned, shipwrecked, blinded, imprisoned, starved, and bitten by a viper…” (eh hem…Sorry!)
The point of this passage really has very little to do with the confrontation between Peter and Paul but I think that there is a lot to be gained by realizing that everyone is going to disagree with someone about something.
In fact, it wasn’t just Peter and Paul, Paul and Barnabas had a little falling out and parted ways. Paul got frustrated with John when John didn’t feel like continuing on the journey.
When you look, there is a lot of conflict in the Scripture; Great men disagreeing about seemingly small things. Here’s one thing to hold onto however, Paul and Peter disagreed sharply in this passage but then in Acts 15 they are able to work with each other again.
Paul and John had their disagreement on Cyprus (Acts 13) but then in Colossians 3:10 (written 10 years later) Paul is admonishing the colossians to welcome John and John appears to be one of Paul’s main guys again.
The point is conflict is unavoidable. We make stupid decisions and so do the people we know, but if we are truly seeking Christ, there will come a day, as far as it depends on us, that we will live at peace with one another.
Do what you can today!
Next post: "ALL Scriptures are God Breathed"
Monday, May 12, 2008
If so, Then Christ Died for Nothing
[Read: Galatians 2:11-21]
Last week, on Monday and Tuesday, I was on jury duty. And, of course, out of the approximately fifty people who were serving with me, I was called to actually sit on the jury – that is, until they found out that I was a very conservative Southern Baptist Pastor with extreme views on things…
In the jury selection process, it became apparent that some of us did not really believe that the defendant was actually “innocent until proven guilty”. In fact, I had to admit that I had preconceived opinions about someone who finds their way to court, particularly as a defendant.
Now, I am very thankful for our legal system because if I ever found myself in the courtroom I would definitely ask that a juror like me be excused; I would want people on my jury that assumed I was innocent. However, my theological perspective doesn’t allow for presumed innocence - at least in the broad sense of the term.
In Galatians 2:15-19 we read that the law cannot declare us innocent or guilty. We are all guilty and Christ declares us innocent through His sacrifice. In other words, while I was sitting on the jury panel listening to the judges explanation of presumed innocence I could not get away from the fact that the defendant was guilty. He may not have been guilty of breaking the laws that he was on trial for, but he was guilty. Just like I’m guilty, and you’re guilty.
I think this passage of Scripture ought to make us jump up and down and celebrate because the facts are clear, “if I rebuild what I destroyed all that I prove is that I am a lawbreaker.” My effort will never prove my innocence, only my guilt; if it could prove my innocence, Christ died for nothing.
But praise God, that He has made a way for us through Christ Jesus our advocate. Interestingly enough, Jesus doesn’t presume our innocence either, He just absorbs the sentence…
Next post: “Paul vs. Peter”
Last week, on Monday and Tuesday, I was on jury duty. And, of course, out of the approximately fifty people who were serving with me, I was called to actually sit on the jury – that is, until they found out that I was a very conservative Southern Baptist Pastor with extreme views on things…
In the jury selection process, it became apparent that some of us did not really believe that the defendant was actually “innocent until proven guilty”. In fact, I had to admit that I had preconceived opinions about someone who finds their way to court, particularly as a defendant.
Now, I am very thankful for our legal system because if I ever found myself in the courtroom I would definitely ask that a juror like me be excused; I would want people on my jury that assumed I was innocent. However, my theological perspective doesn’t allow for presumed innocence - at least in the broad sense of the term.
In Galatians 2:15-19 we read that the law cannot declare us innocent or guilty. We are all guilty and Christ declares us innocent through His sacrifice. In other words, while I was sitting on the jury panel listening to the judges explanation of presumed innocence I could not get away from the fact that the defendant was guilty. He may not have been guilty of breaking the laws that he was on trial for, but he was guilty. Just like I’m guilty, and you’re guilty.
I think this passage of Scripture ought to make us jump up and down and celebrate because the facts are clear, “if I rebuild what I destroyed all that I prove is that I am a lawbreaker.” My effort will never prove my innocence, only my guilt; if it could prove my innocence, Christ died for nothing.
But praise God, that He has made a way for us through Christ Jesus our advocate. Interestingly enough, Jesus doesn’t presume our innocence either, He just absorbs the sentence…
Next post: “Paul vs. Peter”
Thursday, May 1, 2008
I’m an Apostle NOT One-of-the-Boys (part 2)
[Read: Galatians 1:1 – 2:10]
Paul is not only defending his credibility (check out: “I’m Not a Fake”) as a witness to Christ, he is defending his authority as God’s chosen man. Paul made some waves (as we’ll see when we get to 2:11) and in order to be taken seriously he needed people to know that he had authority.
I referenced a Pastor who wanted to be “one-of-the-boys” here. The problem with this idea is that God’s calling isn’t an outfit. We can’t take the tie off on Sunday afternoon and quit being a Christian for 6 days. You’re either a believer or you’re not. Just like, you’re either a business man or you’re not. You’re either a parent or you’re not. And, as a parent, you are always “Mom” or “Dad”. No matter how old your kids are, you’re still “Mom” or “Dad”.
That’s what Paul is fighting for in this passage. He is not just Paul, the guy who used to persecute the church (1:23) he’s Paul, the apostle! He’s an eye witness to the Gospel of Christ (Acts 9), instated by Christ Himself (Galatians 1:1), and acknowledge by all the other apostles (Galatians 2:9). He is fighting for his title not because he has any interest in being personally exalted, but because he is a slave to the exaltation of Christ through his life (Romans 6:22, Philippians 1:13). In the same way, we have been given a ‘spiritual title’. That is, God has gifted us and placed us where we are to do what only we can do.
Here’s my modern application: at our church, we call our Pastor, Pastor Steven Furtick; by his title and his position rather than his name. You will never hear me refer to him as ‘Steven’ because it’s important to me that he isn’t just ‘one-of-the-boys’; there are thousands of people who can be ‘one-of-the-boys’. I don’t need another ‘Steven’ in my life, I need a Pastor. I need a man-of-God who I have placed in a position of authority and given the permission to call me out. I need him to carry the weight of the calling that God has placed on his life with authority and boldness. I need him to continue to proclaim all that God desires for him to say from the platform he has given him. And I have committed to honoring that calling with the practice of affirming it.
For those of you who are squirming a little while you’re reading this, don’t take my word for it. Re-read the section of Scripture we started with and imagine Paul is writing it to you; as if you are personally doubting Paul’s authority. Now, place your Pastor (boss, teacher, parent etc…) in Paul’s spot! It’s not about our recognition, it’s about His! We honor each other, we submit to each other, we respect each other because in that we revere Christ who established us in our places to begin with (Ephesians 5:21).
Shameless plug:
If you’re in Charlotte, you have got to get everyone you know to Elevation Church on Mother’s day. We’re starting a new series called Old Time Religion, and if this post got your wheels turning, Pastor Steven Furtick is going to wear out the tread during this next series!
Next Post: “If so, then Christ Died For Nothing”
Paul is not only defending his credibility (check out: “I’m Not a Fake”) as a witness to Christ, he is defending his authority as God’s chosen man. Paul made some waves (as we’ll see when we get to 2:11) and in order to be taken seriously he needed people to know that he had authority.
I referenced a Pastor who wanted to be “one-of-the-boys” here. The problem with this idea is that God’s calling isn’t an outfit. We can’t take the tie off on Sunday afternoon and quit being a Christian for 6 days. You’re either a believer or you’re not. Just like, you’re either a business man or you’re not. You’re either a parent or you’re not. And, as a parent, you are always “Mom” or “Dad”. No matter how old your kids are, you’re still “Mom” or “Dad”.
That’s what Paul is fighting for in this passage. He is not just Paul, the guy who used to persecute the church (1:23) he’s Paul, the apostle! He’s an eye witness to the Gospel of Christ (Acts 9), instated by Christ Himself (Galatians 1:1), and acknowledge by all the other apostles (Galatians 2:9). He is fighting for his title not because he has any interest in being personally exalted, but because he is a slave to the exaltation of Christ through his life (Romans 6:22, Philippians 1:13). In the same way, we have been given a ‘spiritual title’. That is, God has gifted us and placed us where we are to do what only we can do.
Here’s my modern application: at our church, we call our Pastor, Pastor Steven Furtick; by his title and his position rather than his name. You will never hear me refer to him as ‘Steven’ because it’s important to me that he isn’t just ‘one-of-the-boys’; there are thousands of people who can be ‘one-of-the-boys’. I don’t need another ‘Steven’ in my life, I need a Pastor. I need a man-of-God who I have placed in a position of authority and given the permission to call me out. I need him to carry the weight of the calling that God has placed on his life with authority and boldness. I need him to continue to proclaim all that God desires for him to say from the platform he has given him. And I have committed to honoring that calling with the practice of affirming it.
For those of you who are squirming a little while you’re reading this, don’t take my word for it. Re-read the section of Scripture we started with and imagine Paul is writing it to you; as if you are personally doubting Paul’s authority. Now, place your Pastor (boss, teacher, parent etc…) in Paul’s spot! It’s not about our recognition, it’s about His! We honor each other, we submit to each other, we respect each other because in that we revere Christ who established us in our places to begin with (Ephesians 5:21).
Shameless plug:
If you’re in Charlotte, you have got to get everyone you know to Elevation Church on Mother’s day. We’re starting a new series called Old Time Religion, and if this post got your wheels turning, Pastor Steven Furtick is going to wear out the tread during this next series!
Next Post: “If so, then Christ Died For Nothing”
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