A child was told by his father NOT to get cookies from the jar. That was a command - an order which was stated clearly. It was also clear to the child that a punishment awaits disobedience. But then, the cookies are on the table, and he was tempted to get at leasts one. He knew it was wrong, but he checked if the parents were in the house or not. When he was sure that the parents were OUT... he slowly went near the table and... got one.
A few minutes passed...the child wanted to get another piece. He again remembered the command, there was an struggle not to do it again, but approached the table anyway. However, he heard a noise nearby and was made AWARE of the parents PRESENCE inside the house ... and so he did not get a piece of cookies but ran away from the table as fast as he could.
The story illustrates an important point. The command (even though known to the child) has no power to make him "not to get the cookies". What really determines the child's behavior is his awareness of the PRESENCE or ABSENCE of the parents in the house.
In reality, what actually determines whether a person will sin or not is not the LAW in his mind or even in his heart, BUT his AWARENESS of God's presence wherever he is.
Many Legalists today criticize New Covenant churches when the latter preach that we are not under the Law but under grace. These legalists are afraid that if we gave up the Law, we all will become wayward and immoral.
Legalists embraced the LAW, but they FAIL to see the reality of God's moment by moment presence in the lives of humanity. They believed that humanity is separated from God UNTIL you begin to obey the LAW.
The Bible teaches that the FALL of MAN in Adam was ALREADY REVERSED by the Second Adam Jesus Christ ( Romans 5:18 ) . Because of that truth, ALL humanity are included in Christ.
YES, Sin is serious not because there is a law but because every sin is committed in God's presence.
Every sin happens when a person FORGETS that he is in God's presence. So in our life what is important is not having the law but being aware of God's presence. We are not only with Him but we are IN Him and He is IN us. That is called Communion with the Triune God.
In conclusion, the best way to fight sin is not having a lists of " Thou shalt nots" but knowing and believing that we are always in God's presence because he said " I am with you always... "
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Friday, April 23, 2010
Trinitarian Leadership - What is it?
There was a time when a model called SERVANT LEADERSHIP was promoted. Around the world thousands of dollars were spent holding seminars for Pastors and Church Leaders in almost all denominations.
Servant Leadership simply means that when we became leaders we must have the HUMILITY to serve people.That we are not above them. It based on Jesus' principle that leaders must come to serve not to be served. Servant leadership is great and it helps a lot of churches
.
But then even among churches that practice servant leadership, there seems to be great problems among those who lead the flock. The problem is those in leadership do not COMMUNICATE among each other as often as possible.
What is needed today is more than Servant Leadership... We need TRINITARIAN LEADERSHIP..
The Premise: Our God is Trinity : Father, Son and Holy Spirit. From eternity there is a moment by moment communion among them. The Father talks to the Son , The Son talks to the Father. They enjoy communicating in the Spirit.. for all eternity. They do that every day, every moment.
The Challenge: Pastors, Elders, Supervisors Ministry heads and all servant leaders occupying leadership position in the Church should communicate ALL the time as much as possible as every opportunity arises.
Only if this happens can we truly say that we are modeling a Trinitarian Leadership. We do not need to talk about "spiritual matters" , meetings, conferences, seminars, church programs all the time. We could talk about LIFE. We do not share only theological perspectives. We apply theology in practical life. We share LIFE among each other because that is the reason why Jesus came.
If the members of the Church can SEE among their leaders the closeness, the openness, as they constantly COMMUNICATE, they will be drawn closer also to that relationship, it is only then that the LOVE we always preached will be manifested in the community where we are.
In as much as Jesus say: "By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you love one another"
It is also true: By this shall all men know that we are his leaders, if we communicate among each other"
The mark of true leaders is NOT only how they relate to the members, but how they relate to their fellow leaders...
Servant Leadership simply means that when we became leaders we must have the HUMILITY to serve people.That we are not above them. It based on Jesus' principle that leaders must come to serve not to be served. Servant leadership is great and it helps a lot of churches
.
But then even among churches that practice servant leadership, there seems to be great problems among those who lead the flock. The problem is those in leadership do not COMMUNICATE among each other as often as possible.
What is needed today is more than Servant Leadership... We need TRINITARIAN LEADERSHIP..
The Premise: Our God is Trinity : Father, Son and Holy Spirit. From eternity there is a moment by moment communion among them. The Father talks to the Son , The Son talks to the Father. They enjoy communicating in the Spirit.. for all eternity. They do that every day, every moment.
The Challenge: Pastors, Elders, Supervisors Ministry heads and all servant leaders occupying leadership position in the Church should communicate ALL the time as much as possible as every opportunity arises.
Only if this happens can we truly say that we are modeling a Trinitarian Leadership. We do not need to talk about "spiritual matters" , meetings, conferences, seminars, church programs all the time. We could talk about LIFE. We do not share only theological perspectives. We apply theology in practical life. We share LIFE among each other because that is the reason why Jesus came.
If the members of the Church can SEE among their leaders the closeness, the openness, as they constantly COMMUNICATE, they will be drawn closer also to that relationship, it is only then that the LOVE we always preached will be manifested in the community where we are.
In as much as Jesus say: "By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you love one another"
It is also true: By this shall all men know that we are his leaders, if we communicate among each other"
The mark of true leaders is NOT only how they relate to the members, but how they relate to their fellow leaders...
Thursday, April 22, 2010
The Music of the Gospel ... The Melody of Grace
Almost every person in every culture loves music. We can say that music indeed is one of the wonderful gifts God gives to us.
One of the mysteries of music is that it moves people to action. It is very rare for a person to enjoy the music and be inactive or stagnant.at the same time. The natural effect of music to people is that it makes a person naturally move his finger, tap the table with his hand and eventually to dance..The music moves them naturally.. no rules, no procedures..They just respond to the melody of the music.
When a person dances this also attracts other people who naturally want to join in the dance until several people enjoys the rhythm and behold the beauty of looking at people moved at the same time by the music.
The Gospel in Perspective - The Gospel is the good news. God is Trinity. The Father, Son and Holy Spirit eternally enjoys a Communion that can be compared to a a GREAT DANCE. In Christ all humanity is included in that relationship.
The Gospel is being heard by people.. Like music it aims to move people to respond to move their finger, to tap their hands and eventually to dance...
YES.. the melody of grace will touch the hearts of people. It is an invitation to arise.. stand.. and join the Father, Son and Holy Spirit in communion with humanity to DANCE the dance of LIFE.
One of the mysteries of music is that it moves people to action. It is very rare for a person to enjoy the music and be inactive or stagnant.at the same time. The natural effect of music to people is that it makes a person naturally move his finger, tap the table with his hand and eventually to dance..The music moves them naturally.. no rules, no procedures..They just respond to the melody of the music.
When a person dances this also attracts other people who naturally want to join in the dance until several people enjoys the rhythm and behold the beauty of looking at people moved at the same time by the music.
The Gospel in Perspective - The Gospel is the good news. God is Trinity. The Father, Son and Holy Spirit eternally enjoys a Communion that can be compared to a a GREAT DANCE. In Christ all humanity is included in that relationship.
The Gospel is being heard by people.. Like music it aims to move people to respond to move their finger, to tap their hands and eventually to dance...
YES.. the melody of grace will touch the hearts of people. It is an invitation to arise.. stand.. and join the Father, Son and Holy Spirit in communion with humanity to DANCE the dance of LIFE.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Christian Living 101
"Now I know that I am saved! I am now included into the fellowship of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit... Now Tell me how do I live my life... Preach to me Christian Living ... I need to be patient, honest, forgiving etc..."
So now let us talk about Christian Living...
1.Christian Living is NOT a Plan - You do not wake up in the morning and PLAN to be patient, PLAN to be honest, PLAN to be forgiving... etc...
When you plan to live the Christian life it is self centered. You draw the power to yourself. In most circumstances you will fail. This seems good, but the focus is on the virtue.The focus is on being good.
2. Christian Living is NOT a Program - It is not 7 steps to be patient , 10 rules to be honest, 50 ways to forgive. When our Christian life is a by product of programs it will not survive the test of time and challenge. It is still self centered and effort motivated. Even if such steps is backed up by Scriptures . it still is not the right motivation for Christian Living.
WHAT CHRISTIAN LIVING IS...
1. Christian Living is COMMUNION
As we participate in the Kingdom life, being fully aware of our moment by moment union and communion with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We will be patient, honest, forgiving etc... EVEN without us thinking and planning about it. Even without someone saying to us... even without programs... BECAUSE this qualities are the FRUITS of the Holy Spirit IN us. Jesus is the one who is patient, who is honest who is forgiving and our life is in Him.
2. Christian Living is DANCE
When you hear your most favorite music and you are inspired to dance.. Do you count your steps while in the dance floor. Do you need someone to dictate the steps? Do you get from your pocket the 50 steps on how to dance? NO NO NO and NO. because if you do that you are not actually dancing and you can not dance.
Christian living is dancing with the Triune God. It is rejoicing in communion. When the MUSIC of the Gospel of Grace is played. You can not help but stand and D A N C E...
This is Christian Living.... This is Living in the Spirit...
So now let us talk about Christian Living...
1.Christian Living is NOT a Plan - You do not wake up in the morning and PLAN to be patient, PLAN to be honest, PLAN to be forgiving... etc...
When you plan to live the Christian life it is self centered. You draw the power to yourself. In most circumstances you will fail. This seems good, but the focus is on the virtue.The focus is on being good.
2. Christian Living is NOT a Program - It is not 7 steps to be patient , 10 rules to be honest, 50 ways to forgive. When our Christian life is a by product of programs it will not survive the test of time and challenge. It is still self centered and effort motivated. Even if such steps is backed up by Scriptures . it still is not the right motivation for Christian Living.
WHAT CHRISTIAN LIVING IS...
1. Christian Living is COMMUNION
As we participate in the Kingdom life, being fully aware of our moment by moment union and communion with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We will be patient, honest, forgiving etc... EVEN without us thinking and planning about it. Even without someone saying to us... even without programs... BECAUSE this qualities are the FRUITS of the Holy Spirit IN us. Jesus is the one who is patient, who is honest who is forgiving and our life is in Him.
2. Christian Living is DANCE
When you hear your most favorite music and you are inspired to dance.. Do you count your steps while in the dance floor. Do you need someone to dictate the steps? Do you get from your pocket the 50 steps on how to dance? NO NO NO and NO. because if you do that you are not actually dancing and you can not dance.
Christian living is dancing with the Triune God. It is rejoicing in communion. When the MUSIC of the Gospel of Grace is played. You can not help but stand and D A N C E...
This is Christian Living.... This is Living in the Spirit...
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Grace says "No"
" For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self controlled, upright and godly lives in the "present age" waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works." ( Titus 2:11-14 )
The grace of God appeared...
1) Bringing salvation for all people -
No matter what people think in their minds, it does not change the truth that the grace of God brings salvation for all people. Through the Incarnation of the Son of God Jesus Christ, all humanity are now reconciled to God. This is the objective truth which of course we have to believe so that we can participate in that reality. No one is unwanted, rejected. Everyone is included, beloved and embraced by the Triune God.
2) Training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions...
Why are people afraid that when there is too much emphasis on grace , people will become wayward, unholy and will do every bad thing they want to do?
The Bible is so clear... "Grace teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions..." (NIV)
Properly understood, Grace connects you to God in Christ. In Jesus you are not separated from God. You have a relationship with him. Aha! What kind of relationship? It is not a "long distance relationship". Jesus is not "up there" watching us "from a distance" while he gave us lists of rules to follow while He is away.
The relationship that was made possible by Jesus Christ is closer that you can ever think. It is communion with God 24 hours a day 7 days a week. It includes everything you do. There is no such thing as secular and spiritual. You are in Christ and He is in you... ( John 14:20 )
How can people ever think of doing bad things when they believe on the reality that they have a moment by moment communion with God?
Of course people in this life still sin but the grace of God surely do not encourage them to sin.
The grace of God appeared...
1) Bringing salvation for all people -
No matter what people think in their minds, it does not change the truth that the grace of God brings salvation for all people. Through the Incarnation of the Son of God Jesus Christ, all humanity are now reconciled to God. This is the objective truth which of course we have to believe so that we can participate in that reality. No one is unwanted, rejected. Everyone is included, beloved and embraced by the Triune God.
2) Training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions...
Why are people afraid that when there is too much emphasis on grace , people will become wayward, unholy and will do every bad thing they want to do?
The Bible is so clear... "Grace teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions..." (NIV)
Properly understood, Grace connects you to God in Christ. In Jesus you are not separated from God. You have a relationship with him. Aha! What kind of relationship? It is not a "long distance relationship". Jesus is not "up there" watching us "from a distance" while he gave us lists of rules to follow while He is away.
The relationship that was made possible by Jesus Christ is closer that you can ever think. It is communion with God 24 hours a day 7 days a week. It includes everything you do. There is no such thing as secular and spiritual. You are in Christ and He is in you... ( John 14:20 )
How can people ever think of doing bad things when they believe on the reality that they have a moment by moment communion with God?
Of course people in this life still sin but the grace of God surely do not encourage them to sin.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
God did not go home last Sunday… You don’t need to invite Him next week…
People sometimes assemble themselves in a particular place and then invite God to come down and join them. The assembly is considered to be holy because God attended. After the closing prayer, when the people go home, God will also go home… up there…
This is the common view of a typical worship service. Initiated by men and God is just a guest… waiting an invitation?
True worship however is not defined by time and space. Our life must be a life of worship. It involves everything we do even in ordinary circumstances of our lives.
Corporate worship service is a celebration. We celebrate because we are already in communion with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We celebrate because we know we are already adopted. We celebrate a reality, not a potential.
We do not initiate worship and then call God to join. We do not need to shout, and perform the right rituals, so that he will come down to join us .He is already present and His presence is the reason why we celebrate. His presence is the reason why we are assembled in the first place.
The Father, Son and Holy Spirit does not come and go.
Jesus said: “… In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. (John 14:20)
In deeper perspective … We worship because we are in Christ and He is the true worshipper. We are just participating in the Son’s worship to His Father in the Spirit.
There is more reason to rejoice in knowing that after the worship service … God does not go home… up there.
This is the common view of a typical worship service. Initiated by men and God is just a guest… waiting an invitation?
True worship however is not defined by time and space. Our life must be a life of worship. It involves everything we do even in ordinary circumstances of our lives.
Corporate worship service is a celebration. We celebrate because we are already in communion with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We celebrate because we know we are already adopted. We celebrate a reality, not a potential.
We do not initiate worship and then call God to join. We do not need to shout, and perform the right rituals, so that he will come down to join us .He is already present and His presence is the reason why we celebrate. His presence is the reason why we are assembled in the first place.
The Father, Son and Holy Spirit does not come and go.
Jesus said: “… In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. (John 14:20)
In deeper perspective … We worship because we are in Christ and He is the true worshipper. We are just participating in the Son’s worship to His Father in the Spirit.
There is more reason to rejoice in knowing that after the worship service … God does not go home… up there.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Repentance - in real sense...
Some people warn us to repent. What they mean is actually to stop us in doing things they consider sins.
Many people responded. They stop doing bad things for a while, but then find themselves doing the same things again and again and again until they lost hope of trying to change...
This people taught they have repented... but what they encountered is only MORALITY campaign.
Yes... people may stop from doing bad things but it remains only a form of morality because it is actually grounded on LEGALISM.
True repentance is change of mind a METANOIA..
Change of mind about : Who God is... and who we are in Him...
People do bad things because they do not know who God really is. They believed in God who is Wrathful. A God who is policeman always waiting for a time to strike them when they commit mistakes. A God who created humanity but is detatched and separated from them.
Moreover, people believed that they are bad and hopeless. They were made to believed that they are separated from God. That they are so dirty. Hopeless, worthy of hell.
To truly repent is to believe that God is love. He is Trinity. He is relational. In Christ, every person is now included into the divine fellowship. No one is outside. Because of this, every human is important. worthy and beloved of God.
BUT WAIT.. what about our bad behaviors... our bad acts..
Many people testified that when they really believed Who God is and Who they are in Christ, they experienced INNER TRANSFORMATION. Even without anyone pointing out their specific sins..They recieved a conviction to change. They do not enjoy anymore what they used to do.
This happens because they are now conscious of the reality that Christ is in them and they are in Christ...
Many people responded. They stop doing bad things for a while, but then find themselves doing the same things again and again and again until they lost hope of trying to change...
This people taught they have repented... but what they encountered is only MORALITY campaign.
Yes... people may stop from doing bad things but it remains only a form of morality because it is actually grounded on LEGALISM.
True repentance is change of mind a METANOIA..
Change of mind about : Who God is... and who we are in Him...
People do bad things because they do not know who God really is. They believed in God who is Wrathful. A God who is policeman always waiting for a time to strike them when they commit mistakes. A God who created humanity but is detatched and separated from them.
Moreover, people believed that they are bad and hopeless. They were made to believed that they are separated from God. That they are so dirty. Hopeless, worthy of hell.
To truly repent is to believe that God is love. He is Trinity. He is relational. In Christ, every person is now included into the divine fellowship. No one is outside. Because of this, every human is important. worthy and beloved of God.
BUT WAIT.. what about our bad behaviors... our bad acts..
Many people testified that when they really believed Who God is and Who they are in Christ, they experienced INNER TRANSFORMATION. Even without anyone pointing out their specific sins..They recieved a conviction to change. They do not enjoy anymore what they used to do.
This happens because they are now conscious of the reality that Christ is in them and they are in Christ...
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