Ritual on Sundays

Do we in the church use the phrase “authorized it in the scriptures” to bind what God did not bind?  To bind our opinions of scripture on others?

 

God has always been very clear as to the things that were of importance to Him that we as His children were to do.  For example God was very clear about what He wanted in connection with:  baptism, the Lord’s Supper, encouraging each other to LOVE and to do GOOD deeds and help those less fortunate.

 

If God is not as concerned about the clothing we wear, the shoes we wear, what time we show up, how often we show up at a service; once, twice, three times a week, nor is He as concerned about our opinions as much as we are, nor is He as concerned about musical instruments in worship as we are.  So why are we so concerned? 

 

Some people will invoke the story of Nadab and Abihu who added the wrong fire to the offering God commanded as an example that we today must be ridged in our application to the New Testament written thoughts and unwritten thoughts.  But we fail to consider that we do not have the same type of rules today as they had.  The rules that applied to Nadab and Abihu do not apply to us today because God has not set down direct, clear and precise rules and laws on how to do things in worship as He did with them.  They violated the precise, direct and clear authorized will of God.  Because God is not rigidly clear in the New Testament about ritual things is another indication that He is more concerned with our motives and love then He is with our play time rituals on Sunday. 

 

God is also not as concerned about the window dressing rituals of worship in the church today as we are.  If He was then He would have been very direct and clear about it in the New Testament scriptures as He was in the Old Testament scriptures.  God has not chained us today with precise, direct and clear authorized law, rules and conditions.

 

God wants us to worship Him in our HEARTS daily not in our Ritual on Sundays.

 

Which Road to Salvation is Right?

In 2005 the top world religions were ranked by size.  Christianity: 2.1 billion, Islam: 1.5 billion, Secular/Nonreligious/Agnostic/Atheist: 1.1 billion, Hinduism: 900 million, Chinese traditional religion: 394 million, Buddhism: 376 million, primal-indigenous: 300 million, African Traditional & Diasporic: 100 million, Sikhism: 23 million, Juche: 19 million, Spiritism: 15 million, Judaism: 14 million, Baha’i: 7 million, Jainism: 4.2 million, Shinto: 4 million, Cao Dai: 4 million, Zoroastrianism: 2.6 million, Tenrikyo: 2 million, Neo-Paganism: 1 million, Unitarian-Universalism: 800 thousand, Rastafarianism: 600 thousand, and Scientology: 500 thousand.

 

Of the Christianity group there are seven major divisions.  Catholicism – 1.9 billion, Protestantism – 699 million, Eastern Orthodoxy – 260 million, Oriental Orthodox Church – 81 million, Anglicanism – 77 million, Nontrinitarianism – 36 million, and Nestorianism – 1 million.

 

In the Catholic Church group there are 46 divisions and in the Protestant Church group there 54 divisions.

 

Each group with in each division of the top world religions has their own path to God’s Salvation for mankind.  So it is no wonder why the topic of salvation is confusing to people in the world seeking God’s Will in this area. 

 

Take the two basic Protestant teachings that to be saved a person must “Ask Jesus into their Heart” and or say the “Sinners Prayer” before they are saved.  Are the concepts and steps outlined in the “Sinners Prayer” approach to salvation or the “Asking Jesus into Your Heart” approach to salvation really in the Bible?  Are these ways to salvation that God approved and set into motion for mankind? 

 

The majority of the Protestant world says that there are four steps to salvation.

 

1. Admit your need (I am a Sinner)

2. Be willing to turn from Sin (Repent)

3. Believe that Jesus Christ Died for you (On the Cross)

4. Through Prayer, Receive Jesus as your Personal Lord and Savior

 

I have personally searched for this approach to salvation in the New Testament and can not find authority for it at all.  Because I can not find this path to salvation in the New Testament, I must logically conclude that this is not authorized by God as the way to salvation. 

 

So what is the way God says leads to salvation and therefore heaven?  What does the Bible really say about being saved? 

 

1.         First one must realize that there is a problem and they are not in a safe saved relationship with God as shown in the example of “Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37).  If we do not see a problem then we do not desire a solution.

 

2.         We must hear the solution which is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Bible teaches that “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God” (Romans 10:17).

 

3.         We must believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God (Matthew 16:16).  Jesus said: “…if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins” (John 8:24).

 

4.         One must repent of our sins in order to be saved (Acts 17:30, 31).  Jesus commanded that “repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem” (Luke 24:47).

 

5.         One must confess that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God (Matthew 16:16).  This is the truth that the foundation on Christ own church is built. (Matthew 16:18; Acts 4:11, 12; 1 Corinthians 3:11).

 

6.         One must be baptized.  Peter told those who asked what to do to be saved to “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized…” (Acts 2:38).  One cannot be truly baptized who has not truly repented.  Jesus said: “He who believes and is baptized will be saved” (Mark 16:16).  Baptism is “for the forgiveness of sins” (Acts 2:38).  Just as Jesus shed His blood for the remission of sins (Matthew 26:28), so we are baptized in order to receive the remission of sins.  In baptism, the sinner’s sins are washed away by the blood of Jesus (Acts 22:16).  And in John 3:5 “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”  It is at baptism that a person comes in contact with both water and Spirit at the same time, therefore fulfilling the truth of Jesus’ statement here. (Acts 2:38).

 

When a person does these things, he is then added by the Lord Jesus to the Lord’s Church (Acts 2:41, 47).  He is born again (John 3:3-5; 2 Corinthians 5:17).  He is in Christ where all spiritual blessings are to be found. (Ephesians 1:3; Galatians 3:26, 27).  In short, he is a Christian (Acts 11:26; 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16).

 

So this brings up the questions as to what really is baptism according to the New Testament.  Baptism is a burial in water (Romans 6:3, 4; Colossians 2:12).   Therefore, sprinkling and pouring are not proper baptism.  Baptism is in order to be saved (Mark 16:16; 1 Peter 3:21).  One is not saved before he is baptized!  Baptism is “for the forgiveness of sins” (Acts 2:38).  Just as Jesus shed His blood for the remission of sins (Matthew 26:28), so we are baptized in order to receive the remission of sins.  In baptism, the sinner’s sins are washed away by the blood of Jesus (Acts 22:16).

 

Now because of Ephesians 2:8, 9 “For by Grace are ye saved through faith; and it is not of yourselves: it is a gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Many religious people say that a person does not need to be baptized because then that would be a “Work” and this single passage seems to say that we are not saved by “works.” 

 

Is the New Testament then in contradiction with itself?  Not at all. 

 

Is it a work to win the lottery and go pick up your winnings?  You are not a millionaire until you pick up and cash the check?  The works Paul is talking about in Ephesians has to do with earning your way to heaven by doing things so God will somehow owe you salvation.  This we can not do because heaven is our gift when we obey the steps set up by God to receive salvation.

 

God has provided in Jesus Christ the ONLY way of salvation.  Jesus said that “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 7:21). 

 

The will of God is to be baptized because Jesus said “…Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” in John 3:5 and Jesus gave the authority to Peter to set the standard for entering the Kingdom of heaven when Jesus said, “And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” (Matthew 16:19).  Then we see on Pentecost where Peter bound the submission to baptism as the way to heaven when he said, “…Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38).

 

If being baptized was not important to God for people to do when they believed in Jesus then why in the book of Acts is baptism linked with belief thirteen time and none of those thirteen time is the requirement for only a prayer to receive forgiveness of sins and salvation?

 

Conversions from sin to salvation in the book of Acts.

 

1.         Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

 

2.         Acts 2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

 

3.         Acts 8:12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

 

4.         Acts 8:13 Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.

 

5.         Acts 8:36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?

 

6.         Acts 8:38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.

 

7.         Acts 9:18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.

 

8.         Acts 10:47, 47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?  And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

 

9.         Acts 16:15 And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.

 

10.       Acts 16:33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.

 

11.       Acts 18:8 And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.

 

12.       Acts 19:3-5 “And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism.  Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.”

 

13.       Acts 22:16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

 

So now the only question which remains to be answered is:

 

“Have you obeyed God and therefore been saved if you have not yet repented and been baptized for the forgiveness of sins?”

 

 

Credit Changes without Notice

What is going on in this world?  Why has other peoples fear reducing good credit standings in American?

 

My credit score is not 100% wonderful but it is not bad.  Matter of fact it is listed as being good.  It is over 700 and higher now then when I bought the 2008 Chevy Colorado in November of 2007.  I pay my bills on time and more then requested.  I normally pay credit cards off each month.  I have been playing by the rules and now the rules have been changed without notice.

 

My point is nothing bad has happen to my credit in over 9 years and yet because of the fear in this country I am not able to get a small home improvement loan because my score was not high enough.  I was told that I need 96 points to get the loan and I only have 93.  I have no idea what these points are.  I thought credit worthiness was based off of the credit score.

 

How is this FEAR helping the country?

 

 

The attitude of casting the first stone?

I want to say that I am guilty of what I am about to write.

God has shown me the difference between a wet drunk and a sober drunk.  A wet drunk will lay in the gutter and look down their nose at everyone as if they were better then.  A sober drunk, has seen their own faults and misgivings and, with that background, humbly considers others in light of God’s love.

In 1974, when I was 17, I left the church.  I walked away.  I had no intention at that time to every set foot in a church building again.  At the time, I felt 100% justified in my attitude towards the church as a whole.  So what was it I saw in the church in 1974 that turned me away from God instead of bringing me closer to God?

I am not afraid of telling my story.  A little over 19 years ago, I had to ask myself why I shouldn’t apply to my human problems the results I clearly saw in hundreds of 1,000’s of other people.  If their readiness to change worked for them it would work for me.  I had to learn to change my view of thinking to a view of action.  I was having trouble with personal relationships, couldn’t control my emotional nature, was a prey to misery, was in deep depression, couldn’t make a living, had a feeling of uselessness, was full of fear, was very unhappy and could not seem to be of real help to any other person.  When I became alcoholic, crushed by my self-imposed crisis; I could not postpone or evade, I had to fearlessly face the proposition that God is everything or else He is nothing.  God either is, or He isn’t.  What was my choice to be?

I am not ashamed of my story of life anymore.  I am not full of guilt from my life in the world from age 17 to age 49.  I can see today where my experiences can benefit others.  I have learned that I am the 21^st century chief sinner.  God has used the course of my life during those 32 years to teach me how to live and respect others even when I disagree.  God has taught me during the time between 1974 and now that justification, rationalization and resentments were not signs that others were wrong but that I was wrong.   Anytime I justify or rationalize my position; the chances are extremely high that I am wrong.

This then brings me to the point of this writing.  It took me until now to have the courage to say that a lot of what turned me away from the church in 1974 is still happening today.  The same attitudes within the church that say “I am better then you”, the same justifications, the same gossip, the same cruelty in the name of God, the same self-justifying, the same judging of others, and the same hypocrisy.

In Revaluations, the Lord cared so much for seven churches that He talked openly about the problems He saw with them in the hopes that their eyes open and they would seek a solution to their attitudes.  One lesson that the Lord teaches here is that we all make mistakes.  None of us are perfect.  None of us will ever be perfect.  Each of us has enough of our own faults and issues to deal with that we do not have the time or luxury to hold resentments and grudges towards others.  None of us see everything from the same lens.

Just because one person sees or handles one thing differently then I would, does not give me the right to judge them, belittle them, treat them as less then or gossip about them.  For me to do any of these things, even under the false pretense of “Christian concern” is wrong and to do wrong towards my fellow humanity is to sin.  Judging the motives of a person’s heart is God’s job; not mine.

What I do know from my own life, I wish I could say I never do anymore, is cause others harm by my own actions and words.  I cannot say that I don’t because that would not be true.  Nevertheless, I see it in the church and it sickens me.  This is not what the life of Jesus taught.  This is not what the love of Jesus taught. 

Anytime I take part in any of the following, it is a sin no matter how I justify it to myself or others, I am wrong:

1.     To be so proud that I feel superior to others.

2.     To be so greedy that I allow my ambitions to control my behavior towards others

3.     To be so full of self-righteous angry that it gives me a false feeling of superiority when I destroy others through gossip.

4.     To be so lustful that I pursue ungodly thoughts about others positions or possessions.

5.     To be so gluttonous in life that I take my comfort at the expense of others.

6.     To be so full of envy that I spend so much time wishing for my way or things I have no control of.

7.     To be so lazy that I stop doing what the will of God is for my own self will.

8.     To be so vain that when things do not go my way I pout publicly.

9.     To hold onto resentments so tight my heart refuses to forgive.

Today I am sad because the things I walked away from the church in 1974 are still alive and well.  Today it makes me sad that the church puts forth so much effort in the nine items list here that she pushes people away from the Lord.  Today I see that churches are still looking at the splinter in others eyes and willfully being blind to the forest in their own eyes.   

Did Jesus pray for this kind of a church when He was in the garden?

If the church is to grow, then these nine items must be eliminated as much as possible from the leadership on down to the youngest member.

Will we be able to eliminate them completely?  No!   However, we need to try and never stop trying to rid ourselves of these deadly faults. 

We have to start humbling ourselves and become willing to make amends when we are wrong without expecting others to bend to our ideas because we are just as wrong as the other person for our resentful or self-righteous attitudes towards others.

No matter how right we feel we are in any situation; we only know a little and God will constantly reveal more to us as we strive to live the ideal of Jesus in our own lives.

Before you cast the first stone look at your own mess and realize you make mistakes and are also unworthy of God’s grace and humbly considers others in light of God’s love.

My answer to Becky’s Question

I was asked to answer the following question:

 

“Why did God clothe Adam and Eve in the garden?  Genesis 3:21”

 

Gen. 3:21 (NKJV) “Also for Adam and his wife the LORD God made tunics of skin, and clothed them.”

 

Adam and Eve, after doing what God forbid, had vainly endeavored to hide their shame by covering their bodies with their own invention.  God, in his great love, mercy; provided for them a suitable covering and would have taught them to make these clothes for themselves.  This act of God also implies the first use of animal blood sacrifice which was written of in Heb. 9:22 as the only acceptable mode of remission for human sin before God.

 

Furthermore, this act of God demonstrates His care and love for Adam and Eve like a parent.  Yes God had to correct Adam and Eve as disobedient children, because of His pour justice but He does not show malice towards them.  Like a loving father, provides for his children:  God provided what Adam and Eve would need in their new life.  He provided for them their new needs.  A good example of this form of love from God is shown in Luke 15:22-23 with the return of the prodigal son.

 

This act of God also may foreshadows how Christ would be asked to die for all of mankind so that our sins would be forgive and we could be brought back into righteousness and fellowship with God.

 

So my answer to the question, “Why did God clothe Adam and Eve in the garden?” is:  God did so as a sign of His love and mercy and as a lesson the sins could only be forgiven through a blood sacrifice. 

 

I do not understand

The Old Testament which God gave the Jewish nation to follow was a strict do this and not that to get this code of laws.  The New Testament is clearly a covenant where God has done the hard part and only asks that His work be accepted through baptism.

 

Some people try and bring the Old Testament harsh structure over to the New Testament acceptance structure even when Paul, through his various letters, says that the New Covenant was not a do this to get that set of codes and laws.

 

It seems to me that the intent of the New Testament was to obey God because of what God has done for us and not to obey God in hopes of gaining something from God.

 

If we are baptized then we are in the Kingdom now.  We already have the goal so there is nothing to work and achieve.  Can we lose the goal:  yes by all means.  We lose the goal by turning our backs on the free gift of God which we once accepted through baptism.

 

My question is this.  Why is it that some, after baptism, still think that they must do things in order to earn and receive their salvation?

 

 

Trust in the One who went into the tomb.

In Luke 22:19-20 it is written:  “And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”  Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you do this in remembrance of Me.”

 

What does it mean to remember Jesus?

 

During that most special time of the worship assembly is where we, in our hearts and actions declare that we “Trust in God” by remembering His Son in this our communion.

 

Unlike coins where trust is written above the heads; our trust is inscribed within our hearts.  We show our trust for God by showing our trust for His Son Jesus who laid in the tomb for you and me.

 

In 2 Cor 1:9-10 the apostle Paul said of this special trust that we have in God through Jesus “Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead, who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us,…”

 

The table we gather around on Sunday’s is to remind us to trust that God through Jesus His Son has delivered us; not from a foreign nation, but from the oppression of our own sins.  Each of us have earned the death wages of sin, yet we receive the Grace of God through the unselfish gift of His Son who died so we might live.

 

The cup and the bread we take are to remind us of the cost and the joy of the salvation we receive when we “Trust in God and the One who went into the tomb.”

 

(Adapted from the book “Our Meal with the Master”)

Diet Progress Up-Date

Diet Progress Up-Date

Today was my first official weigh in for the diet I started a week ago yesterday. So far since Feb. 8, 2009 to Feb. 16, 2009 I have:

Weight = loss 8.7 pounds.  (Loss would have been more except I had some cake at an A.A. birthday meeting on Saturday.)

Chest = loss 1 inch.

Waist = no loss and no gain.

Hips = loss 1 inch.

Bottom = loss ½ inch.

Arms = loss 1 inch.

Thigh = gain 1 inch.

For more information on the diet I am on, call Healthy Perspectives at 928-472-7120 and ask for Cindy or write to healthyperspectives@gmail.com

Doing Church

I have sat in rooms of Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) for many years wondering what it was that made A.A. Meetings so much better then “doing church” as a child.  On any typical day, in any typical A.A. meeting all over the world, the basic things always happen.  There is an expression of real love, there is the sharing of real lives, and there is the expression of real concern for each other.  There is a willingness to reach out and help 24 hours a day or night without grumbling, judging or condemnation.  A.A people are involved in each others lives daily.  Really, when I think about it, in most A.A. meetings they:   Pray, praise, encourage, up-lift, teach, interpret, explain ideas, share experiences, stir others to better themselves, and strongly urge.   A.A. is a personal life experience that is not a feeling devoid ritual.  What I have learned in the last 19 years of life is that A.A. follows exceptionally well the Bible (1 Co 14:23, 1 Co 14:26 and Heb. 10:19-25) in how to “Assemble Together” and have all things in common as was indicated in Acts 2:44-47.  

 

So ———-

 

 “Did God Intend For Us to Have the Worship Assembly

 The Way We Do Today?”

 

 

So my question will not fit well with most people that have grown up in the church or who have been indoctrinated into the traditions of the church. 

 

1 Co 14:23

“If therefore the whole church be assembled together and

all speak with tongues, and there come in men unlearned or unbelieving,

will they not say that ye are mad?”

 

Besides what we normally look at in this passage of scripture from 1^st Corinthians, we read that the Apostle Paul is also directing the church in Corinth to be concerned about the visitor to the worship of the assembly of the church and the impression we as the church put on the visitor.

 

1 Co 14:26

“What is it then, brethren? When ye come together, each one hath a psalm,

hath a teaching, hath a revelation, hath a tongue, hath an interpretation.

Let all things be done unto edifying.”

 

In this passage of scripture from 1^st Corinthians, we read that the Apostle Paul is directing the church in Corinth on what was to be conducted in the worship of the assembly of the church.

 

1.                  You come together (assemble: to meet or gather together in one place.)

2.                  Each one (each of especially two: each one of two or more persons or things reciprocally.) ( In the Greek, the word “hekastos” #1538 is a prim word meaning “All, Everyone, Each person, Every person and or Personal” and does not refer to gender.)

3.                  Each person to have a psalm (sacred song or poem of praise: a sacred song or poem of praise, especially one in the Book of Psalms in the Bible.)

4.                  Each person to have a teaching. (something taught: something that is taught, for example, a point of doctrine (often used in the plural.)

5.                  Each person to have a revelation (information revealed: information that is newly disclosed, especially surprising or valuable information.)

6.                  Each a tongue (way of speaking: somebody’s manner of speaking.)

7.                  Each an interpretation (establishment of meaning: an explanation or establishment of the meaning or significance of something.)

8.                  All were to do their assembly in away that will edify (enlighten: to improve the morals or knowledge of somebody.)

 

Heb 10:19-25

“Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holy place

by the blood of Jesus, by the way which he dedicated for us, a new and

living way, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; and having a great

priest over the house of God; let us draw near with a true heart in fulness

of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience: and

having our body washed with pure water, let us hold fast the confession

of our hope that it waver not; for he is faithful that promised: and let us

consider one another to provoke unto love and good works; not forsaking

our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting

one another; and so much the more, as ye see the day drawing nigh.”

 

In this passage of scripture from Hebrews, we read that the writer is directing the church on why they were to come together, in the worship of the assembly of the church, and not withdrawal from or withhold from or leave and stop attending. 

 

1.                  Consider one another (respect: to show respect for or be thoughtful of somebody’s feelings or position.)

2.                  Provoke unto love. (stir somebody to emotion: to stir somebody to an emotion or response of a very strong affection: an intense feeling of tender affection and compassion for or strong liking for.)

3.                  Provoke unto good works (stir somebody to emotion: to stir somebody to an emotion or response to do something that is approved of or desirable: deeds or actions.)

4.                  Exhorting one another (urge to do something: to urge somebody strongly and earnestly to do something: deeds or actions.)

5.         Not forsaking the assembling together (not abandon: not withdraw companionship, protection, or support from and not give up: or renounce, or sacrifice.)

 

“Have we missed the boat on what God intended for our Worship Assembly?”

 

“Have we become so stuck in our traditional Sunday ritual that we have lost sight of the real meaning and purpose of the assembly God intended for His children?”

 

(Note:  The definitions used in this text were derived of from Encarta ® World English Dictionary © & (P) 1998-2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.)

 

 

Genders and the 90/10 attitude

Genders and the 90/10 attitude

I have often heard that “10 Percent Do 100 Percent Of The Work.”

 

This is not a literal 10 percent but a figurative 10 percent.  What it means to imply is that VERY FEW in any group do most of the work.

I was trying to think back where I have seen this principle displayed in my life over the years.  

1.   My first memory to come to mind about this principle was in and out of the church assembly of the 60’s (the church of my youth).  A few of the MEN did all the work.   

2.   Next I saw this principle in school sports.  Only a very few BOYS were doing most of the sports activities with clear encouragement from parents and teachers and school administrators.

3.   In the Third Grade (Mrs. Riley’s class) at Olive Elementary School, where the few BEST art students in the class were allowed to submit their own ideas or projects and not the assigned task the rest of the class had to complete.

4.   In the military, for 21 years, I saw this principle of a few doing more at every duty station I was assigned.  I saw this principle at work at all levels of the military and civil service on each duty station.

5.   I have seen this attitude in and out of the church assembly and work activity in the new church I attend today.  Here a few men and a few women do most of the work.

 

So my first question is simple:  “Did God intend for us to have the attitude of doing less?”  

It seems that most in the church follow this attitude by their example to others.

For example:  

1.   I have seen people take the PREACHERS word for information about how they should live without opening the Bible to see if God says the same thing.

2.   I have seen ELDERS pass on information concerning things about a Christian’s life, and very few people ever check to see if God says the same thing.

3.   I have seen where work was needed by the local congregation and when the request went to the assembly; the same few respond and these are not just the Deacons.

 

How do these following apply:  Ac 17:10-11 “And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Beroea: who when they were come thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.  Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of the mind, examining the Scriptures daily, whether these things were so.”  

2 Th 3:10 – 13 “For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, If any will not work, neither let him eat.  For we hear of some that walk among you disorderly, that work not at all, but are busybodies.  Now them that are such we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.  But ye, brethren, be not weary in well-doing.”  

Together these two passages seem to mean that we as Christians should all be working together and individually studying God’s word:  To learn, grow in God’s will and not take things for gospel just because some MAN said it was so.

I leave you all with a final question:  Where does it tell us in the New Testament scriptures which genders are only allowed to do what jobs within the church and assemblies?  

Are we setting the congregation up for the 90 to 10 percent attitude when we limit who can do what in the assembly based on Male Only Gender Roles that are not authorized in scripture but contrived by men within the last 200 years in the church?

Did not the church start out in this country hardly 200 years ago with the slogan “Speak where the Bible speaks and be silent where the Bible is silent?” of Christ