Out of Control? - Part I

I recently came across a couple of interesting ecards that seem to be contradictory to the life of the Christian disciple. The ecards said this - and I quote - "I love Jesus but I will cuss you the hell out" and "Guess who loves Jesus but will still curse your a-- out?"

Wow.

Where does a disciple of the Lord begin? Well how about we start with the Scriptures - after all, the Word of God is the foundation for the life of the disciple. Here is where we see the contradiction on lifestyle and lip service.

Jesus said, "If ye love me keep my commandments" (cf. John 14:15).

"He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him and will manifest myself to him" (cf. John 14:21).

Jesus answered and said unto him, "If a man love me he will keep my words: and my Father will love him and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me" (cf. John 14:23-24)

Let's continue:

"Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee" (cf. Proverbs 4:24)

"Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers" (cf. Ephesians 4:29).

"Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how we ought to answer every man" (cf. Colossians 4:6).

"But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we God even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren these things ought not so to be" (cf. James 3:8-10).

Now, according to the Scriptures - the foundation for the life of the disciple - cursing out another person is contrary to the Word. Which means....if a person says he or she loves Jesus (i.e. John's references above), yet curses someone whom Jesus made (cf. John 1:3; James 3:8-10), how can that be love for Jesus? Jesus clearly stated that if a person loves me, he or she will do what I say. Well....the Word says we are to watch our mouths and not curse those who are made in the image of God (cf. Genesis 1:26; James 3:8-10).

Jesus also said that we are to love one another (cf. 1 John 4:7-8). How is cussing someone out exhibiting the love of God?

That (i.e. cussing you out) would be blatant disobedience...so it cannot be love - according to the Scriptures. Those who are proponents of cussing Christianity will disagree and will even fight and vilify me for saying this, but the Word of God is clear - the same book whereby we find the reality of Christianity. So, how can we claim to be Christians and saved by applying the salvation Scriptures, but violate the same Word of God by cussing out God's creation?

Jesus said, a person who DOES NOT love me, will not keep my sayings (cf. John 14:24). The only way that a Christian can prove and justify his or her love for Jesus is through obedience.

Just something to think on. More to come

Blessings

ACTION!

When a director on a movie set yells, "Action!" it's time for the actors to do something. It's time for the actors to get into character. Lights! Camera! Action! After the production is in the can, we have the pleasure of watching our favorite actors in ACTION.

Well, just as actors are required to get into action, so are competent Christians. If we aim to be faithful disciples, we must do more than just hear the Word of God. We have to be men and women of action. Let's face it, the ole cliche is true....talk is cheap. In other words, let us stop talking about being disciples and start being disciples.


The Bible says, "But be ye doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves (cf. James 1:22). In his commentary, Pastor John MacArthur said that "professing Christians who are content with only hearing the Word have made a serious spiritual miscalculation."

Action is defined as the state or process of acting or doing. In order for us to be true disciples, let us follow Jesus' example. He was powerful in word and deed. He truly was a Man of action.

Go Hard for Christ

Blessings

A Disciple's Response to The N-Word: Part II

Back for Part II of a Disciple's response to one of the most offensive words in American culture. The question is how do I respond to it's blatant use? And what do I do to counterattack the painful effects of its use?

NH Police Commissioner, Robert Copeland said this: "I believe I did use the 'N' word in reference to the current occupant of the White House. For this, I do not apologize - he meets and exceeds my criteria for such." Now, there are several problems with this racist comment.


First, He believes he did? I cannot help but wonder if he knew he did.

Secondly, the "current occupant" of the White House. Does he mean President Barak Obama? A man, whether he is Black or White, who holds the top office in the land? How can anyone not see this as flagrant disrespect for the office? Forget about personal prejudice, notice the disrespect for the office because a Black man holds it.

Thirdly, "For this, I do not apologize." No remorse for a comment that not only affects President Obama, but every other Black person in this nation. The "current occupant" as he says, has a wife (with feelings) and two daughters (with feelings). How should a family respond to a negative slur like that against a loved one? No remorse. No regret. Maybe it's me....but someone like that...is he dangerous? Or docile?

Fourthly, "meets and exceeds" - what does that mean? Should President Obama consider himself a 1st class N-Word? After all, he exceeds. Exceeds what? Copeland's personal prejudice (i.e. my criteria)

Fifthly, "my criteria" - Maybe it's me...but does this man think he is God? Based on the comments, his criteria does not sit very high on the mountain of morale and ethics - 2 characteristics that a police commissioner should have.

So, how does a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ respond to such negativity? Well, since the President took office, the trend of racism - that was subtle for long periods of time - has surfaced with a vengeance. I personally cannot return insult for insult (cf. 1 Peter 3:9-11).

However, I can motivate and encourage my people to build upon our own gifts and talents. If this is the current trend, we cannot and will not advance as a people. Black college graduates and even those with advanced degrees are still jobless. As a disciple of the Lord, I am to respond to negativity with humanitarianism - particularly concerning my fellow African Americans. That does not negate the fact that my humanitarian efforts will extend to all people - all cultures - all nationalities.

I am a lover of the human being.

Blessings.

A Disciple's Response To the N-Word Part I

Wow. Where can we even start?

The world learns how a NBA owner feels about people of color. The world then learns of a police commissioner's racist rant against the President of the United States - a man who holds the top office in the land. Without question, the spirit of racism and hatred is still alive and well in the good ole U.S. of A.

So, how do I respond, being a disciple (i.e. pupil, learner and follower) of the Lord Jesus Christ and yet being a Black man? I would first state there is a controversy about the origin of our nation's philosophy - that the country was built on Christian principles.

That is debatable and I am sure the Native Americans would have something to add to the debate.

Nevertheless, despite how Colonial racists misused and abused Scripture and crookedly applied the use of the name of Christianity, it does not make Christianity illegitimate - no more than a young man who "claims" to be a gangster rapper can delegitimize the reality of true gangster rap. True gangsters and true fans of the genre can sniff out a fake...a fraud....and a phony.

Likewise with Christianity. So-called racist Christians are not Christians. I stand by that.

First off, Christianity is NOT a religion...it is a lifestyle. It is a way of life that continues long after we leave the sanctuary. Therefore, as a disciple....a true disciple....how do I respond to such negative and racist overtones? I'll be honest. Truthfully, I know what I would LIKE to do, but I also know that my allegiance is to the Lord.

More on my response in Part II

Castor Oil Conviction

I don't believe there is anyone who seriously enjoys persecution. It's painful. It's piercing. If we are not focused on the Lord and His demands for lifetime allegiance, suffering can cause us to have a sour taste for discipleship. That's right, I said it....a sour taste for discipleship.

How many of us can remember a medicine we had to swallow as kids called Castor Oil? For those of us who remember, it wasn't a very tasty medicine. Was it? In fact, in was downright nasty. We hated the taste of it going down. However, once the medicine hit the blood stream, we began to feel the effects of its healing power. We did not like it going down, but we certainly did appreciate the end result.

Persecution is somewhat like that nasty Castor Oil. It hurts when people dismiss us from their company. It hurts when people despise and ridicule us. It hurts when people make us the butt end of their inappropriate jokes. It hurts when we are misunderstood because we aim to be true disciples.

But we have to have Castor Oil Conviction.

Be encouraged. For I remember Jesus saying, "Blessed are ye when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you" (cf. Matt. 5:11-12).

Castor oil was bad tasting, but it was good healing.
Persecution is a bad feeling, but it reaps a good reward.

Let us hold on to our faith. Never give up. Go Hard for the Lord.

Be Blessed

Your Brother.

A Mind Consumed With God's Word

Disciples are very careful about how they think. The mind is so powerful and if we are not careful about what we entertain in our thoughts, we may not enjoy the consequences of the actions that follow. Thinking bad thoughts lead to bad actions. And although we are in control of what we do, we are NOT in control of the consequences. 

True followers of Christ think like Him. Are we always successful at doing so? Not all the time, let's be honest. Nevertheless, be encouraged. We can DO right as long as we THINK right. And how do we make sure that we are thinking correctly? 

Our delight must be in the law of the LORD. We must meditate day and night (cf. Psalm 1:2). In other words, let our minds be consumed with the Word of God. 

Study the Word

Learn the Word

Practice the Word

Successful discipleship

Blessings

Focus Verse: Philippians 4:8

    

At The Heart of The Matter

Greetings and blessings to you:

It is our prayer here at the Discipleship Society to build a community of Christ followers. Discipleship is at the very heart of what it means to be a Christian and making disciples is the very heart of God's work. 

Pastor and writer, Bill Hull made a very good point in his book The Complete Book of Discipleship. He said, "Following (Jesus) isn't short term. Discipleship isn't a program or an event; it's a way of life" (end quote). I will also say that discipleship is no easy task. Yet, despite the many difficulties and persecutions that come with the territory of being a disciple, it is all worth it. 

We will be sharing together in the coming weeks, months and prayerfully years, as we grow together in the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Be Encouraged.