Challenging Reflections on the Christian Life: Rethinking the Common Experience

Challenging Reflections

on the

Christian Life

Rethinking the Common Experience

J. L. Moore

Copyright © 2011 J. L. Moore

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ISBN: 978-1-4497-1560-1 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4497-1561-8 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2011926879

Printed in the United States of America

WestBow Press rev. date: 4/20/2011

To my brother Kevin, who truly exemplifies the simplicity of living the Christian life

Table of Contents

Preface

Introduction

Reflections on the Nature of God

1. What Does it Mean to ‘Know’ God?

2. What Does it Mean to Say that God is Good?

3. Why Does God seem to be Far Away at Times?

Reflections on Salvation and Assurance

4. The Assurance of Our Salvation

Reflections on Living the Christian Life

5. Evidence of Growth in Christ

6. The Christian’s Relationship to the World

7. Men and Sports Obsession

Reflections on the Local Church

8. Does God Expect the Christian Today to Tithe?

9. The Danger of Raising Children ‘in the Church’

10. The American Church Needs to Repent

Reflections on the Great Commission

11. Taking the Great Commission Seriously

12. Atheists & People from Other Religions

Conclusion

13. Giving our Lives for the Cause of Christ

About the Author

End Notes

Preface

I first had the idea for this book when I was ‘reflecting’ on two articles I submitted to Christianity Today for consideration in one of their publications. Both articles were rejected on the grounds that they didn’t meet the needs of the magazine. I later showed them to some friends so that we could dialogue about the topics. After a few stimulating conversations with them, I began wondering how I could distribute the articles to a larger audience. I desired to continue writing, but not if my articles would be rejected by Christian magazine companies. Then, one day it dawned on me to attempt to put them all together in a book. I was initially ambivalent about the idea for several reasons.

First, every time I turn around, someone is coming out with a new book. I didn’t want to jump on the evangelical bandwagon and publish a text to fit in with the ‘popular’ community of American Christian authors. However, I knew there were several things I desired to communicate to the body of Christ, and this is perhaps the best way to pursue that.

Secondly, I was concerned that nobody knows who I am. I hold no office of prominence in the church, I am not a professor in a conservative seminary, and I am not on television or the radio. I know a few people here in Cleveland, but other than that, I do not have a name that would draw the attention of readers. Nevertheless, I finally concluded that it is better to pursue what was in my heart and trust God with the results.

Let me inform you at the outset that I am not an advocate of soft Christianity. That is, I do not believe in writing or speaking about things that are only encouraging in nature. We all need encouragement from time to time, but Christianity is much more than feel-good spirituality. Though I love the body of Christ and very much appreciate her benefit to the world, I do not apologize for the ‘hard sayings’ in the pages ahead. I do adhere to the principle of speaking with grace and respect, but I also know the importance of being honest. I pray that you consider beyond whether you like some of what I say, but rather ask ‘is it true?’. If you reach the conclusion that it is, submit to the biblical teaching which supports it, and let’s continue growing together in the grace and knowledge of Christ Jesus our Lord.

If at all possible, I encourage you to read this alongside of your Bible. I cite many biblical verses throughout the text, and I want you to see those passages for yourself.

I would like to thank the staff at Westbow Press for working with me to publish my first book. Their work and dedication is extremely professional, and I look forward to possibly working with them again in the future. I am also grateful for my friend and ministry colleague Kim Orr for carefully proofreading the manuscript and submitting her suggestions; they were very helpful. Lastly, I must thank my personal Lord and Savior, Christ Jesus, who challenged me to reflect on my own Christian experience long before I challenged others to do the same. May you be blessed by what you are about to read.

Introduction

One of my favorite television shows is ‘Wipeout’, where contestants rush through an obstacle course, consisted of moving objects and slippery platforms, hoping to cross the finish line in the fastest amount of time. I enjoy the show, not only due to its hilarity (watching the people get thrown around), but also because it represents what most people love: a good challenge.

On a more serious note, I also enjoy the show ‘Extreme Makeover: Home Edition’. There is nothing like seeing a struggling family light up with amazement and joy at the surprising announcement that they will be receiving a brand new home. This show causes me to reflect on the importance of striving to make a difference in the lives of others.

Though I relish the sight of seeing families blessed with a life-changing home (my eyes have watered up several times watching it), I know there is something far more valuable for Christians to reflect on, and much more challenging to embrace than a game show. As followers of Christ, the most significant challenge we should embrace and soberly reflect on regularly is this journey we call the Christian life. Nothing in the world compares to living for Christ, but not all of us are convinced of that. Challenging Reflections on the Christian Life is aimed at taking you deeper in your reflections on various facets of the ‘common’ Christian experience, and then challenging you to pursue a greater level of reverence for God that impacts your everyday walk with the Lord.

The chapters under ‘Reflections on the Nature of God’ address the biblical concept of ‘knowing’ God and everything that entails (including the insufficiency of settling for mere ‘devotions’). The goodness of God is also discussed, mentioning some prevalent misconceptions about what it means to say that God is ‘good’. Lastly, the presence of God in the life of the believer is presented in chapter three, highlighting several encouraging points from God’s Word on the abiding nature of being connected to the Almighty.

Reflections on Salvation and Assurance covers topics such as: the doctrine of eternal security, a developed analysis of two controversial passages in the book of Hebrews, and how believers can stay encouraged in spite of doubts about one’s relationship with God. Unique to this section is a discussion on the doctrine of ‘rededication’, which is a popular notion presented during altar calls at the conclusion of many Sunday morning church services. This chapter presents intriguing insights for anyone who has ever wondered about the concept of people ‘rededicating’ their life to Christ.

The third section covers topics dealing with the basics of living the Christian life. The signs of spiritual growth (or lack thereof) are carefully examined based on biblical teaching, along with a broad scope of principles to consider when pondering exactly how we should relate to the ungodly world around us. I conclude this segment with a chapter on sports consumption, and why it is problematic even for the most devout man of God.

Perhaps the most controversial section of this text comes from my Reflections on the Local Church. There I talk about what pastors are really supposed to be doing according to the apostle Paul, and why it is severely neglected in many Christian churches. The subject of tithing is next on the list, and I share several insights about this taboo practice. I then move to argue that the holy sanctuary is essentially no place for distracting infants and praise dancing. The purpose for the gathering of the saints should not be taken lightly, and I lovingly express my contention regarding these two practices in chapter twelve.

Many Christian parents believe that bringing their children to church and exposing them to a community of worshippers (coupled with Sunday school) can be of utmost importance to their spiritual development. However, there are several dangers with raising children ‘in the church’, and I clearly present what they are along with a few possible solutions to this potential problem. Concluding this section is a call to repentance for the American evangelical church. While it is true that the church in America has done much good to further the cause of Christ here and abroad, she is also guilty of several biblical charges that must be addressed and renounced. I pray that anyone who longs for spiritual revival in this country will take this chapter very seriously.

The final chapters draw upon the Great Commission of the church as it was taught by the Lord Jesus Christ. The church exists to bring others into fellowship with God through Christ, and we must be passionate about this command, as well as equipped for the task. Jesus gave His bride a mission, and we are to accomplish it by any means necessary.

The book ends with a call to basic Christian devotion, centered on the pursuit of spiritual maturity and a simple desire to obey God. This approach to the Christian life can be reduced to two fundamental practices that can be exhibited on a daily basis.

As you begin, my prayer is that God will bless and strengthen you as you embrace the challenge of reflecting more intensely on the experience of living the Christian life.

Reflections on the Nature of God

Chapter 1

What Does it Mean to ‘Know’ God?

…this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. (John 17:3)

One of the most common attacks on the existence of God from atheists is that we cannot ‘see’ Him. That is, how could someone love, worship, and pray to Someone they have never seen? The question produces further complications when believers speak of ‘knowing’ a God Who appears to be unknowable. From the Christian perspective, this question would be legitimate if it were applied to a physical being within the world. However, the God of Christianity is far beyond the world, thus, relating to Him is much different than relating to another human.

Before any further discussion, we first must understand the difference between knowing about God and knowing Him personally. Many people know about God in the sense that they may have read and heard many things about Him. However, that is not sufficient to truly know Him in the biblical sense of the term. In fact, many of the things that people hear about God are not accurate. Thus, for those who base their understanding of God merely on what other sources say without personally knowing those things to be true from scripture are simply being spiritually passive.

If we are to genuinely know God, we must know Him in the same way that the saints of old knew Him: through His revelation. We can define knowing God as: the state of having an accurate understanding of the nature and ways of God that is built upon the foundation of our relationship with Him through Christ our Lord.

All throughout the Bible, men and women had experiences with God that irrevocably changed their lives. These encounters led many of them to accomplish tasks that were seemingly impossible. For example, when God appeared to Moses at the burning bush and instructed him to confront Pharaoh, Moses was initially anything but persuaded that he was the right person. He did not understand the great truth that God purposely calls and uses those who tend to be the most unrecognized in society:

"Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. (1 Corinthians 1:26-29, NIV)

After his encounter with God, Moses came to know God in a way that he had not known Him before. This is not to say that experiences take precedence over written revelation, but this is how God revealed Himself to the people of Israel. However God reveals Himself is how we can know Him; for many of the saints of ancient history, God revealed Himself through His personal encounters with them. For us today, we have the written records of those encounters, and those records point us to His ultimate revelation, the Lord Jesus Christ Himself.

On one occasion, Jesus was having a conversation with His disciples, and one of them asked Jesus to reveal the Father to the group. In other words, he wanted to see the Father through some visible manifestation. He failed to realize that the greatest revelation of the Father was standing before them:

If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him. Philip said, Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us. Jesus answered: Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father… (John 14:7-9, NIV)

According to these verses, what we need to know about God can be found in the Person of Christ (more on that later). This does not mean that Christians should repudiate the Old Testament. Rather, we must take both Old and New Testaments together in order to have the full picture of the nature and ways of God. For instance, critics have alleged that the God of the Old Testament (i.e. characterized by anger and judgment) is vastly different from the God of the New Testament (i.e. characterized by love and grace). However, this false dichotomy is apparent when one studies the nature and ways of God carefully. Consider the following verses demonstrating that God is characterized by both judgment and grace in the Old Testament as well as the New Testament:

Judgment – So the LORD said, I will wipe from the face of the earth the human race I have created—and with them the animals, the birds and the creatures that move along the ground—for I regret that I have made them." (Genesis 6:7, NIV)

He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might.

(2 Thessalonians 1:8-9, NIV)

Grace – For many years you were patient with them. By your Spirit you warned them through your prophets. Yet they paid no attention, so you gave them into the hands of the neighboring peoples. But in your great mercy you did not put an end to them or abandon them, for you are a gracious and merciful God. (Nehemiah 9:30-31, NIV)

…Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. (Ephesians 2:3-5, NIV)

We should read the scriptures for the purpose of knowing Him, and this is where the gospel of Christ comes into the picture. When we are born again by expressing repentance towards God and faith in Christ for salvation, we begin the process of knowing God. Now, I did not say that we begin the