Feeds:
Posts
Comments

Hey! Who’s In Charge Here?!

April 17, 2011 by Fritz

[T]wo men, … did not go out to the tent. Yet the Spirit also rested on them, and they prophesied … Joshua son of Nun … said, “Moses, my lord, stop them!” … But Moses replied, “Are you jealous for my sake? I wish that all the LORD’s people were prophets and that the LORD would put his Spirit on them!” – Numbers 11:25-29

God told Moses to choose 70 elders to help share the load, and they were instructed to gather but two didn’t. Whether or not they were part of the 70 is unclear.

What is clear is Joshua didn’t like it – they weren’t following the program and doing what they were told! This was uncontrolled by leadership and Joshua wanted it stopped!

Wise Moses called it for what it was, jealousy. He knew being the head guy didn’t mean he was in control and told Joshua he actually longed for the day everyone would have the Holy Spirit and prophesy!

That day has come!  All followers of Christ can now have the Holy Spirit and can all prophesy (1st Corinthians 14:31).  A wise leader will encourage all to go for God whether they follow instructions or not.

Sound Bite: God is not limited to my rules and my leadership.  He’s in charge here and it’s wonderful!

– fritz

Posted in Control, Leadership, Moses | Tagged , | Leave a Comment »

Strange Scripture – Sins You Don’t Forgive

April 16, 2011 by Fritz

“If you forgive anyone’s sins, they will be forgiven. But if you don’t forgive their sins, they will not be forgiven.” – Jesus (John 20:23 CEV)

Some think Jesus in this verse gives the apostles (and their the successors) the authority to decide who gets forgiveness and who doesn’t. This view has resulted in many abuses and is inconsistent with Christ’s mission to bring forgiveness to all who would receive him. So what did Jesus mean?

Jesus wasn’t putting them in charge of who gets forgiveness, he was giving them a commission.  I think he was saying his plan for taking his forgiveness to the world is through his followers participation – us offering our forgiveness as God’s divine forgiveness working through us.   I think he was further saying he has no backup plan – if we refuse then it won’t get done, the world will die in their sins, and it will be our fault.

This only makes sense – how can my neighbor (or brother, sister, boss, employee – you name it) know the forgiveness of Christ if I am unwilling to offer it through me?

Sound Bite: Christ’s forgiveness comes through us and if we don’t do it, it won’t get done.

– fritz

Posted in Apostles, Forgiveness, Jesus | Tagged | Leave a Comment »

Strange Scripture – Saved Through Childbearing?!

April 15, 2011 by Fritz

For Adam was first formed, then Eve … the woman being deceived was in the transgression. Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety. – 1st Timothy 2:13-15

The Bible has passages that are an enigma and people take them to create whole teachings that have no connection to what we know of God’s character. This is one such verse.

Careless people think the Bible, or at least Paul, says women have salvation only by having children. If that was the case, why would Paul recommend Christ’s followers, both men and women, remain single if they morally could (1st Corinthians 7:28)? Either Paul was schizophrenic or we are misunderstanding something. Some things are lost in translation from one language to another.

I think the key to this verse is noticing the “she” and the “they”. In context “she” refers to Eve not to all women. “They” refers to Eve’s offspring, you and me.

The Bible indicates Adam, who just stood there watching to see what would happen, and Eve, who was tricked into transgression because she was not yet created when God’s prohibition was given (for her it was hear-say), brought great hardship to God’s perfect world. But God chose to use Eve to restore that creation through her offspring, Christ, and to bring about that salvation as women,  and men, of faith live holy and redeemed lives.

I think that is closer to what Paul was saying.

– fritz

Posted in Adam, Bible Characters, Eve, Salvation, Women | Tagged , | Leave a Comment »

« Newer Posts - Older Posts »