I like the memo format. Also, thank you for sharing your thoughts on what you saw play out on social media. Sounds like the whole exchange was a net loss - if not a loss, then spinning wheel in mud. That's exactly how Satan wants it, too. I wonder if that's been the overall trend with social media. Lack of face-to-face brings out the claws. Makes me think of this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJ8eTb6xr_k
I threw myself into the pew next to a close friend and leaned in: "I hate people." She turned and looked at me in horror. This year has been a dumpster fire of a magnitude even Kenosha can't imagine. People make me very weary...and wary. I'm constantly shocked by what people will say on social media and unfortunately, that hate-filled destruction has come to too many face-to-face venues. Even church. I've seen our church destroyed over it. No wonder attendance at many brick-and-mortar organizations is dropping like, well... a ton of bricks. Humans have a basic need for community but that's no longer possible. I blame the relative anonymity of social media to be able to say destructive things. We can't come together in unity as long as we're viewing issues in the either/or mindset, shifting blame, not fact-finding, or just hurling personal insults at each other. Where does this need to annihilate someone for not believing the same things as you come from?
Your Memo this morning was so refreshing to read...not just for the truth of your observations, but also refreshing because it wasn't a re-hash of news stories available elsewhere, but thoughtful reflections from a brother who takes the Gospel seriously. Thank you...Dave Keesling
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you for speaking straight to my heart. Although I am NOT on social media (anymore, now, for over a year) I know that all of us are tearing each other down and apart, which seems to be what ‘they’ (whoever/whatever ‘they’ are) want. And as Christians we owe each other grace, but also those who are professed unbelievers. They will know us by our love? Well, we haven’t been doing a good job with that. Even if we disagree it should be lovingly and respectfully done. Every one of us misses the mark.
It's very difficult to walk that fine line of "not lending your voice." But I fully agree, we can't fuel the fire that is resulting in people rejecting, or even worse, walking away from the faith they once had. That said, we are warned in 2 Timothy 4:3 that people will not put up with sound doctrine, suiting their own desires by gathering a great number of teachers around them to say what their itching ears want to hear. We should be on our guard to not just be "scratching that itch," so to speak. You're doing a great job of keeping a biblical focus, and we need that more and more as the days grow darker!
Just a brief thought: the enemy loves it when we give him credit for our OWN evil choices; especially when it comes to division and separation of believers. This is on US, not him.
Man...you just hit my most sensitive NERVE. I have been a christian since 1971. I started being a leader of His church in 1978 as an elder, pastor, home group leader, teacher and currently pastoring a thriving little church in upstate New York. Thriving because it is growing and we are having fun!
But wait, what's my NERVE? Division!!! So many leaders and followers embrace reasons to divide one another. Many, many times, it is doctrinal. This church is against women in ministry. That one is against modern music and/or sensationalism in worship and the list has only just started. But there is one doctrine that OUTWEIGHS all those other concerns and because we leaders don't see it or embrace it, we are committing a GREATER wrong than some doctrinal issue!
Paul say in 1 Cor., to be united, to agree, to be one! Yes, agree. How can this happen? How is it possible? By realizing that there are absolute truths to embrace such as JESUS is Lord and that He was resurrected from the dead and that the Bible is the word of God among a few others. But after that, by allowing division over things such as women in ministry, we are actually saying that we are OK with being divided! And that is a GREATER wrong than some smaller doctrinal issue.
We as Christians have actually missed the priority in Christ. The letter of the law kills but Love brings life. Love caused us to be one with someone whom we disagree with and causes a wonderful example to the world! I actually have a close friend who is an atheist!!! Why? Because I love the guy and we chat and have fun together. I pray that some day he will see the light but until then, we share brotherly love which results him telling others about the LOVE he is experiencing from Christians.
I pray that someday we will grow up and learn how much more important is love over doctrine. We will all agree when we get to heaven. Until then, humble ourselves that we MIGHT BE WRONG, and put on love and embrace each other!
I share some of the same conviction you pointed out here (how our interactions impact our witness). The behavior you're highlighting is thought provoking, and likely unfruitful in the given context, but it's hard to know where the exhortations to "let no one deceive you" and to "expose fruitless deeds" (among others) marries up to the exhortations to "live at peace as much as it relies on us". I think there are two extremes to be wary of...
- Sentimentalism: Embracing the "11th commandment" (thou shalt be nice) to the exclusion of the other ten.
- Intentional Harm: Cutting remarks, meant to strike the greatest blow, not to correct.
There is so much more I wish we could dive into on that, and I would welcome more coverage on that topic if you get into it; but I believe we are not called to be passive, we are called to speak the truth in love. I think we should be very wary of saying "I'm more offended that you confronted the sin/deception/action, than I am that the sin offends God".
Seeking secular influence: This is likely a hot topic among believers, and I'm not saying either approach is "wrong". I have a huge pull on my heart to caution believers who openly call themselves or others to "broad secular exposure".
While I believe Christians should never have their heads in the sand, or walk through life with earplugs in, there are a wealth of Biblical warnings about not exposing yourself to deception and heresy, and against the erosion that is introduced by them. The desire to be "well read" (for lack of a better term) is IMO why we're seeing a slew of once highly respected pastors fall away to progressivism such as CRT/i and CSJ (which are absolutely a false religion and vehemently anti-Christian/anti-Bible); as the mentality behind that desire poses an incredibly subtle temptation that IMO few Christians are mature enough to immerse themselves in daily without a watering down of their beliefs.
So again, no condemnation, just warning. If you are looking for the perspectives/approval of others (especially non-believers) to highlight, inform or shape your beliefs and/or world-view; you are on the dangerous path. The other side of that coin, if you are looking to understand/see the enemies attack coming so you stand ready, then make sure your worldview is firmly planted in Christ and His word first.
I must have been under a rock! This is the first I realized you were writing these memo's. I saw your December 20th memo on Face Book today. I am going back to your first and reading them. Thank you for doing these! As far as this one, division, is a gift from satan! Over my years in the Lord's Church, doctrinal issues were minimal in division, while personal/moral/pride issues were very prevalent. Love you Brother!!
I like the memo format. Also, thank you for sharing your thoughts on what you saw play out on social media. Sounds like the whole exchange was a net loss - if not a loss, then spinning wheel in mud. That's exactly how Satan wants it, too. I wonder if that's been the overall trend with social media. Lack of face-to-face brings out the claws. Makes me think of this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJ8eTb6xr_k
I threw myself into the pew next to a close friend and leaned in: "I hate people." She turned and looked at me in horror. This year has been a dumpster fire of a magnitude even Kenosha can't imagine. People make me very weary...and wary. I'm constantly shocked by what people will say on social media and unfortunately, that hate-filled destruction has come to too many face-to-face venues. Even church. I've seen our church destroyed over it. No wonder attendance at many brick-and-mortar organizations is dropping like, well... a ton of bricks. Humans have a basic need for community but that's no longer possible. I blame the relative anonymity of social media to be able to say destructive things. We can't come together in unity as long as we're viewing issues in the either/or mindset, shifting blame, not fact-finding, or just hurling personal insults at each other. Where does this need to annihilate someone for not believing the same things as you come from?
Your Memo this morning was so refreshing to read...not just for the truth of your observations, but also refreshing because it wasn't a re-hash of news stories available elsewhere, but thoughtful reflections from a brother who takes the Gospel seriously. Thank you...Dave Keesling
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you for speaking straight to my heart. Although I am NOT on social media (anymore, now, for over a year) I know that all of us are tearing each other down and apart, which seems to be what ‘they’ (whoever/whatever ‘they’ are) want. And as Christians we owe each other grace, but also those who are professed unbelievers. They will know us by our love? Well, we haven’t been doing a good job with that. Even if we disagree it should be lovingly and respectfully done. Every one of us misses the mark.
It's very difficult to walk that fine line of "not lending your voice." But I fully agree, we can't fuel the fire that is resulting in people rejecting, or even worse, walking away from the faith they once had. That said, we are warned in 2 Timothy 4:3 that people will not put up with sound doctrine, suiting their own desires by gathering a great number of teachers around them to say what their itching ears want to hear. We should be on our guard to not just be "scratching that itch," so to speak. You're doing a great job of keeping a biblical focus, and we need that more and more as the days grow darker!
Just a brief thought: the enemy loves it when we give him credit for our OWN evil choices; especially when it comes to division and separation of believers. This is on US, not him.
Wonderful reminder of how we should be acting. I appreciate that. Sometimes we all need that reminder. Almost constantly, in my case. Love the memo.
Man...you just hit my most sensitive NERVE. I have been a christian since 1971. I started being a leader of His church in 1978 as an elder, pastor, home group leader, teacher and currently pastoring a thriving little church in upstate New York. Thriving because it is growing and we are having fun!
But wait, what's my NERVE? Division!!! So many leaders and followers embrace reasons to divide one another. Many, many times, it is doctrinal. This church is against women in ministry. That one is against modern music and/or sensationalism in worship and the list has only just started. But there is one doctrine that OUTWEIGHS all those other concerns and because we leaders don't see it or embrace it, we are committing a GREATER wrong than some doctrinal issue!
Paul say in 1 Cor., to be united, to agree, to be one! Yes, agree. How can this happen? How is it possible? By realizing that there are absolute truths to embrace such as JESUS is Lord and that He was resurrected from the dead and that the Bible is the word of God among a few others. But after that, by allowing division over things such as women in ministry, we are actually saying that we are OK with being divided! And that is a GREATER wrong than some smaller doctrinal issue.
We as Christians have actually missed the priority in Christ. The letter of the law kills but Love brings life. Love caused us to be one with someone whom we disagree with and causes a wonderful example to the world! I actually have a close friend who is an atheist!!! Why? Because I love the guy and we chat and have fun together. I pray that some day he will see the light but until then, we share brotherly love which results him telling others about the LOVE he is experiencing from Christians.
I pray that someday we will grow up and learn how much more important is love over doctrine. We will all agree when we get to heaven. Until then, humble ourselves that we MIGHT BE WRONG, and put on love and embrace each other!
AMEN & AMEN!
I share some of the same conviction you pointed out here (how our interactions impact our witness). The behavior you're highlighting is thought provoking, and likely unfruitful in the given context, but it's hard to know where the exhortations to "let no one deceive you" and to "expose fruitless deeds" (among others) marries up to the exhortations to "live at peace as much as it relies on us". I think there are two extremes to be wary of...
- Sentimentalism: Embracing the "11th commandment" (thou shalt be nice) to the exclusion of the other ten.
- Intentional Harm: Cutting remarks, meant to strike the greatest blow, not to correct.
There is so much more I wish we could dive into on that, and I would welcome more coverage on that topic if you get into it; but I believe we are not called to be passive, we are called to speak the truth in love. I think we should be very wary of saying "I'm more offended that you confronted the sin/deception/action, than I am that the sin offends God".
Seeking secular influence: This is likely a hot topic among believers, and I'm not saying either approach is "wrong". I have a huge pull on my heart to caution believers who openly call themselves or others to "broad secular exposure".
While I believe Christians should never have their heads in the sand, or walk through life with earplugs in, there are a wealth of Biblical warnings about not exposing yourself to deception and heresy, and against the erosion that is introduced by them. The desire to be "well read" (for lack of a better term) is IMO why we're seeing a slew of once highly respected pastors fall away to progressivism such as CRT/i and CSJ (which are absolutely a false religion and vehemently anti-Christian/anti-Bible); as the mentality behind that desire poses an incredibly subtle temptation that IMO few Christians are mature enough to immerse themselves in daily without a watering down of their beliefs.
So again, no condemnation, just warning. If you are looking for the perspectives/approval of others (especially non-believers) to highlight, inform or shape your beliefs and/or world-view; you are on the dangerous path. The other side of that coin, if you are looking to understand/see the enemies attack coming so you stand ready, then make sure your worldview is firmly planted in Christ and His word first.
I must have been under a rock! This is the first I realized you were writing these memo's. I saw your December 20th memo on Face Book today. I am going back to your first and reading them. Thank you for doing these! As far as this one, division, is a gift from satan! Over my years in the Lord's Church, doctrinal issues were minimal in division, while personal/moral/pride issues were very prevalent. Love you Brother!!