Assuming Destroys Friendship

In a previous post I wrote about relationship suicide resulting from gossip. If a person is a gossip others know it and keep their distance; always on guard. Or worse, if the gossip has persuasive power, he or she might convert others to become gossips themselves. Gossip is sin. It is incredibly destructive to relationships and destroys any chance love might have to grow. In a couple places it's included in a list with greed, envy, deception, and murder (Romans 1:29; 2 Corinthians 12:20)! It's very, very serious. But I think there is another equally serious sin: assumption.

I've been so guilty of this myself.
We tend to joke about what assuming will make out of you and me. But all joking aside for a moment, assuming is most often the asphalt in the roadways of gossip. Gossip and assumption go hand in hand. Assumption occurs anytime we are too lazy to do the work of finding out what is true about another person. We might even have a bit of information, or maybe "a strong feeling." But it's not the whole truth, nothing but the truth, so help us God. We haven't heard it from the horse's mouth. And therefore we're making things up that may or may not be true. That's assumption. And it destroys relationships.

In college we were required to do "research" term papers in nearly every class. And in nearly every class I learned the hard way about assumption. The professor would spell out clearly in the syllabus that we were to have "15 sources" and that those sources were to be credible and that they were to be primary sources. From Wikipedia:

Primary sources are original materials. Information for which the writer has no personal knowledge is not primary, ...In the study of history as an academic discipline, a primary source (also called original source or evidence) is an artifact, a document, a recording, or other source of information that was created at the time under study. It serves as an original source of information about the topic.

We had to read those sources, quote those sources, footnote those sources, and give the writers of those sources due credit. At first I tried the lazy approach -- not enough sources, not credible, not complete, not primary. The result? The teacher's red ink bled all over my beautiful pages. Those mean scholars wrote things like, "David, you have made assumptions here about your topic that are not based on solid research. You have not done the work to discover the complete facts."

• Grade? C- 
• Blah!! 
• Ok, back to work.

The lesson of writing terms papers sticks with me to this day. The point of the whole exercise was to completely eliminate assumption. My conclusions had to grow out of the garden of my own hard work. No matter what I chose to write about the process was always the same -- research, research, research. Then write. Today I wonder what a difference it would make if we applied the same principles of writing terms papers to discovering the truth about another person. Before we spill a single word about someone we could track them down to find out what they really said, did, felt, or thought. But the lazy way is so much easier. "I just don't have time," we might say. Ok. Then we shouldn't speak. To speak without the research is gossip.

I've seen brothers get caught in a deep rut of assumption and gossip. Like a diagnosed sickness they just couldn't seem to stop. Assumption, I think, is addicting. We do it a few times. We speak to friends with some authority on the matter. We don't get shut down. We get immediate positive reinforcement from the listener instead. We walk away satisfied. And then we're hooked.

• Gossip guns fired. 
• Assumptions left all around the crime scene. 
• The relationship is dead or dying and we may not even know it. 

So what should we do? I think there are two steps to healing:

1. Step one: Stop. We should stop assuming anything about other people. We should not even speak on a topic unless we are able to give a quote from a primary source, that source being the person. We should never open our mouth unless we're able to open with, "Well, I just talked to them and they said....." Can you imagine what would happen if we never made assumptions but only made statements based on first-hand conversations with one another???? Wow. That alone would be amazing and LIFE-changing. 
2. Step Two: Repent. Ask the Spirit of God to bring to mind anyone we have done this to.... and then we repent. The fastest way to a joyful restoration is to walk the humble road to their heart...and repent. But what if we're not sure we really did sin against them? Repent anyway. What's the harm if we repent for something we were not completely sure about? Nothing. But to not repent would be to continue in the sin of gossip and assumption. But what if we're not sure God has really prompted us to repent? Repent anyway. I can pretty much guarentee that God is not going to punish anyone for apologizing when we didn't need to. He might, however, punish us for NOT. So what's the harm in taking that chance?? 

To continue with a lifestyle of gossip and assumption doesn't just harm you and me. It is a work against the very thing Christ came to establish, and the very thing God asks us to help Him build -- His Kingdom. There is no more successful attack on God's Kingdom than that of an attack from within. May God teach us to love as He loves, forgive as He forgives, and hold our tongues!

So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. 

Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.

2 Corinthians 5:16

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” 

Ephesians 4:29

Who Is the Body?

Excerpt from Frank Viola's book Reimagining Church.

Who Is the Body?

People are accepted by God because they have repented and trust the Lord Jesus Christ. If a person belongs to the Lord, he or she is part of the body of Christ. And on that basis alone are we to accept them into fellowship.

If a group of Christians demands anything beyond a person's acceptance of Christ before admitting that person into fellowship, then that group isn't a church in the biblical sense of the word. It's a sect.

A sect refers to a body of people who have been chosen to separate themselves from the larger whole to follow their own tenets.

Anytime a group of Christians undercuts the biblical basis for fellowship by excluding those whom God as accepted, they are a sect. Christians should never join sects because they are inherently divisive. And God does not own them. To put it plainly, the only church we as believers can claim is the one that Jesus Christ began—His body in local expression. And that body receives and accepts all who have trusted in Jesus.

For only those whom Christ has accepted belong to His body. And only they make up His church. A Christian may leave a sect or religious organization that calls itself a "church." This is not the same thing as leaving a church that meets on the ground of Christ alone. Healthy organic church life is nonsectarian, nonelitist, and nonexclusive. Such churches meet on the ground of Christ alone.

Elders

Leadership is a corporate affair, not a solo one. It's to be shouldered by the entire body. The idea that elders direct the affairs of the church, make decisions in all corporate matters handle all of its problems and supply all of its teaching is alien to New Testament thinking. Such an idea is pure fantasy and bereft of biblical support. It's no wonder that in elder-led churches spiritual maturity atrophies and members grow passive and indolent.

Stated simply, the New Testament church knows nothing of an elder-ruled, elder-governed, or elder-directed church. The first-century church was in the hands of the brotherhood and sisterhood. Plain and simple.

The elders of the early church didn’t operate as an oligarchy (absolute rule by a few) nor as a dictatorship. They were simply older men whom the church organically and naturally looked to in times of crises.

An elder had no biblical or spiritual right to bark out commands to a passive congregation. Instead, they (once they emerged) worked together with the whole church toward reaching a unanimous decision, and a single mind. But it was the church, as a whole that made the decision as "one new man."

Submission

The Bible does have something to say about authority and submission. However, it spills far more ink in teaching us about love and service. When the fundamental aspects of love and servanthood are mastered, the issues of authority and submission amazingly take care of themselves. (Furthermore, those who put undue emphasis on these subjects are typically more interested in making themselves an authority figure than they are in serving their fellow brethren.)

In the shepherding movement, every Christian is to find a shepherd to disciple and "cover" him or her. The shepherd is "God's delegated authority." Therefore, his advice must always be followed. To disobey one's shepherd is to disobey God Himself. Thus, all Christians must trust in their shepherd's judgement above their own. If a person fails to submit to his or her shepherd, he or she has moved outside of divine "covering" and will experience loss—either spiritual or physical.

The major error of the discipleship-shepherding teaching rests upon the false assumption that submission is the equivalent of unconditional obedience. Equally flawed is the idea that God vests certain people with unquestioned authority over others. God, it was taught, will hold individual "shepherds" responsible for wrong decisions. The "sheep" bear no responsibility so long as they mindlessly obey their shepherds—regardless of what they command the sheep to do.

Biblical subjection has nothing to do with control or hierarchy. It's simply an attitude of childlike openness in yielding to others. Mutual subjection rests upon the New Testament notion that all believers are gifted. As such, they can all express Jesus Christ. Therefore, we are to be in subjection to one another in Christ. God's authority has been vested in the entire body rather than to a particular section of it. His authority resides in the entire community.

I won't lie: the writings of Frank Viola have changed my view of church and scripture quite dramatically from where I was 15 years ago. He does use a tremendous amount of scripture and history to support his points. And I do agree with the majority of his conclusions. The only thing I would add to the above excerpts is that I HAVE been in churches where there were Elders and those Elders did function in a servant role, yielding great fruit in the people. So even though the "office" of Elder was noted by all the application of it was in fact the organic leadership Viola describes. Same thing goes for other appointed, and even paid, positions. I used to think that the best thing would be for churches to abandon the titles all together. Now I think that's unreasonable. But I do think it IS reasonable for churches to redefine leadership within a local Body and release more the members to take up leadership roles organically, so that the end result is a mixture of titled and non-titled organic leadership. But that's my opinion and my opinion is changing as the years role on.

Irregardless of the leadership, the most important thing in the quotes above are the first two paragraphs. That change alone would open the flood-gates of blessing on SO many Bodies of Believers. I've witnessed this first hand. Once a church accepts others based on Christ and not their own tenants great things WILL always happen....for the glory of God.

Inspired Evening with IOI

Last Thursday night my wife and I and some friends from work attended the annual IOI Fundraiser. IOI stands for Indigenous Outreach International. From their website -- "Our mission is to make disciples for Christ both at home and abroad - providing financial, technical, educational and prayer support for indigenous ministers and ministries; preaching and teaching the Gospel; caring for widows and orphans; and extending ourselves on behalf of the poor." http://www.ioiusa.org/

About

Established in obedience to I John 3:16-18 & James 1:27 for the purpose of ministering to our brothers in need, the making disciples, the edification of the Church and the practice of true religion by caring for widows and orphans. An intra-church Christian missionary organization that seeks to promote disicipleship through support of indigenous missionaries, community development projects and child sponsorships primarily in Ethiopia. We currently serve over 40 ministers and 135 children in Ethiopia, Brazil, Germany and Northern Ireland.

I have to say the night was very inspiring, for several reasons: 

1. This ministry crosses denominational lines, and creates a unity of purpose -- to serve the poor and spread the Gospel. The leadership has worked hard the last decade to bring together a variety people, combining their strengths and gifts. The united effort brings great glory to God, in my opinion. So much more can be accomplished when Christians focus on what we DO have in common vs. what we do not. What we do have in common is Christ Himself. And He is eager for us to lay down our judgement of others and come together with a common goal. 
2. Their aim is to both "give a fish" and to "teach them to fish." The keynote speaker did a great job of taking this well-known quote and applying it to missions. IOI is teaching them to fish by way of things like "Sanctuary Village" (video below) and giving them a fish is accomplished by putting in wells that change an entire region. 
3. I could see one day drawing together families from HLA and helping to create teams that would go and serve. Homeschoolers are always looking for a great way to broaden their child's view of God's work in the world and give them opportunities for life-changing hands on service. So we're praying about future involvement with IOI. For now we sponsor a child ourselves. 

All in all it was an inspired evening with IOI. Thank you to Patrick Beard, Aaron; Russ and Merrideth, Thomas and Tina and everyone who put this together -- it moved my heart and further convinced me that one of the most important things in the Christian life is to find where God is at work and join Him!! God is definitely at work through IOI!

Indigenous Outreach - Sanctuary Village from Patrick Beard on Vimeo.

Thoughts on Radical Christianity

The idea of "Radical Christianity" is nothing new. Since the day the church in Laodicea got an ear full for being "lukewarm" (Rev. 3:16) Christians have pointed at other Christians and accused them of not being radical enough for Christ. But who gets to decide what is "radical" Christianity? You? Me?

Hmong girls in their native clothi

We have a friend named KaBao here in Jackson who grew up in a family that worshiped their ancestors. She was born in Laos. She and her parents were Hmong refugees, coming to the US following the Vietnam war. Growing up in America Kaboa began exploring Christianity knowing full well that if she became one her entire family would disown her, for they are all animists. 

Animism (from Latin anima "soul, life") is a set of beliefs based on the existence of non-human "spiritual beings" or similar kinds of embodied principles. Animism encompasses the beliefs that there is no separation between the spiritual and physical (or material) world, and souls or spirits exist, not only in humans, but also in all other animals, plants, rocks, geographic features such as mountains or rivers, or other entities of the natural environment.

Ultimately she did choose Christ over her family and just as expected she lost them. As a brand new Christian she started attending a local church. Can you guess what the first thing she heard was? She was told her jeans were inappropriate. The Christians now in her life didn't take time to know her story or feel her pain. They instead focused on her outward appearance. Fortunately Kaboa's conversion to Christ was a deep and genuine discipleship. She had counted the cost of becoming a follower of The Way and she paid that price. So although she was terribly confused by the judgement of her new friends she was now a bona fide "Radical" Christian and nothing could take that away.

Is there such a thing as "nominal" Christianity -- Christian in "name only"? Sure. Is it our job to decide what is "radical" for another? I don't believe so. I believe that is the Spirit's job. Our only role in the life of another is to fully accept our "brother" or "sister" in Christ and point them to the same Jesus whom we follow. Together we fix our eyes on Him and aim to love him with our whole heart, mind, soul, and strength. In my experience those "teachers" or individuals who run around accusing other believers of superficial Christianity rarely take time to ask a few simple questions: "How did you get saved?" for example. They don't seek out the narrative -- the journey -- of another because they've already defined "radical Christianity" in their own minds and all that remains is a solid promotion of their own views. Here's the box -- now you're either in or out. But what about our radical diversity?

Ever stop and just take in the amazing diversity of people on planet Earth? While watching the Olympics this year I got lost in thought about the life of someone like Usain Bolt, the world record holder for the 100 meter dash. Then I got lost in deeper thought about the crowds in the stands and the millions watching him from around the world. The range of diverse people all taking in this one single event was mind-blowing to me. Different languages, traditions, beliefs, and history. But all created by one God. Does the message of Christ expand and widen to encompass the masses? Can people "come to Jesus" in many different ways, under a thousand different circumstances, in a million different cities? Does the Spirit of God work in any willing human heart irregardless of their wealth, class, nationality, or race? Does the Lord equally pursue the one raised in a house, hut, project, or orphanage? Does the gospel extend to the Eskimo, the Indian, the American, and the Chinese? What is "radical Christianity" then?

This is what I think. Radical Christianity is not defined by you or me. If we go down that road our traveling companion will most likely be unhealthy judgement of another, and the log in our own eye will remain a barrier to seeing the full scope of God's working in human hearts around the world. I know this from experience; for I too used to define what is "radical" and what is not in regards to another Believer. But no more. I must only look to my own conscience; my own heart and mind. I must ask myself what is radical Christianity for today? For me? What would the Lord have me do, right now in my life? When we live this way, looking to the Lord for His radical will, then we will no longer run the risk of missing the story of someone like KaBao. We'll stop focusing on her attire and instead climb into her heart. And as we do so -- as we learn of her own choice to follow the Lord against all odds -- we'll be blessed by her.

Judgement will turn to friendship.
Intimidation will turn to intimacy.
And Lording over will turn to Loving along side. 

And that sort of Love is always pretty radical.

Out of Our Mind for Christ

Have you ever fallen in love? I remember falling in love with April twelve years ago. I thought about her ALL the time; could not wait to see her, talk to her, listen to her, and just look at her face. Every single day the distance between us was painful. At times, I thought I was out of my mind. I wanted nothing more than to live my life for her and with her. So I proposed. And thank God...she said yes!

Perhaps you've had a similar experience with someone you fell in love with. April and I still dote on one another and have a wonderful marriage. But there is nothing like that feeling of first falling in love. It's the foundation for much of the future together. 

I like this verse. "If we are out of our mind, it is for the sake of God." David Crowder wrote a catchy song based on this verse. Check out this word -- "Convinced." There's a great, strong word. "Convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died." If you were to become convinced that someone died for you would it change your thoughts about that person? Sure would me. I would be compelled by their love for me. Well, it did actually happen-- someone DID in fact die for you and me -- Christ Himself, the Son of God.

Know what I think? He's the one out of His mind. Why would the Creator of the Universe create a way for me? Why would the Son voluntary become that Way and give up His life? Why? Because God's love compelled Him to send His Son. And Christ's love compelled Him to be crucified. Love compels. 

Any time Love compels us to action you can bet that act will be a self-less one. God showed us exactly what that sort of love looks like. And now we, the humbled forgiven vessels of His Spirit, are also compelled by that love. How could we possibly live for ourselves any longer, given the scope of God's loving action? We cannot. And so, in whatever way possible-- in every way the Spirit leads our hearts -- we give up our own mind. We loose our mind in order to have the mind of Christ. "If we are out of our mind, it's for YOU!"

We should not hold back. We should give into Christ's compelling love. And we should act on whatever that love, and God's Spirit, places in our conscience. 

Is there someone you need to love? Let Christ's love compel you.

Is there someone you need to forgive? Let Christ's love compel you. 

Is there someone you need to care for? Let Christ's love compel you. 

Is there someone you need to honor? Let Christ's love compel you. 

As Christ's love compels us to action, it will always look to the world that we are out of our mind. And that's ok, because we are, actually. We are out of our mind. But we're just following God's example. 

In my marriage, I continue to be out of my mind for April. I continue to let my heart compel me to love her more. I continue to try and live my life for her and not for myself. To the extent I do these things our love for one another grows, and our marriage becomes stronger. There is no difference with God, really. Now we get to think about God ALL the time; can't wait to see Him, talk to Him, listen to Him, and just look at His face. We live for Him... because he first died for us! 

Thank you, Father. Thank you, for your LOVE> 

Church Structures

I found this really great diagram of different church "structures" here. There will always be a tension of "methods" because certain methods, thinking, and theology of "church" are so ingrained in our world. I recommend the article online with this image. But just looking at the diagram sparked my own thinking and summary, which I humbly give here.

Pictured on top is a clear hierarchical application of "church" where there is one clearly defined "leader", followed by --in this case-- two layers of his (or her) elected close followers (those who will not challenge set doctrine or practices). At the bottom are the willful "believers." These believers must believe as much in the "church" handed down to them as they do in Christ Himself. Perhaps even more. This application is NOT just a Catholic one. Everywhere a church is set up like an institution this structure dominates and the followers are left to "access" God mostly or only through the church leadership. For a detailed understanding of how this came to be read Pagan Christianity. This structure can be disastrous to one's personal relationship with God, identity in Christ, and freedom as a Disciple. Recognizing this problem, many in history set out to change things, thus leading to the pendulum - which swung to the other side.

The middle picture is quite nearly the theological opposite of the one above it. Seeing the "problem" the protests began and although the resulting structure may look the same (Pastor, Deacons, etc.) the teaching is that each believer is basically on their own. Combined with America's rugged individualism this sort of "religion" is almost completely personal. "It's just me and my God" (and the church I go to on Sundays which helps me with my personal relationship with Jesus). Flood this model with a 1000 books a year on the topic, mix in some political conservatism, televise the socks off of it and you've got a deeply entrenched view of "church" which is entirely self-focused. Unfortunately, it can be just as lonely as the way above it and believers are still left wondering if there might just be "more" to this Christian life. Thus the new revolution in thinking has begun.

It's not a new idea by any stretch. But it is new to the Western mindset. Some call it the "house church" movement but it's really not the "house" that makes it. It's the new way of thinking. Together we ALL find, access, and grow in God. To each one is given the SAME Spirit, and to each one is given gifts to edify the Body. Those with natural and supernatural leadership abilities are not "over" but along side. The "gift" of leadership is not amplified to an "office" and no title takes hold to make the people honor one person over the other. We are all equals, for the Holy Spirit shows no favorites. We all strive to have a deep personal relationship with our Abba Father, but we do not do it alone. We recognize the vital importance of "one another" and that our intimacy with God is contingent on our intimacy with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Friendship is key!! No one gets to claim superiority just because she or he has a degree or ordination or anything else. Nor does length of time as Christian, number of churches you've planted, or people you've baptized make you more important than the newest of disciples. The Holy Spirit has NO favorites; He uses all those whom are willing to say, "Here I am Lord, send me." To the extent one is willing to honestly say this, the local Body will be a new family-- one with amazing power to heal wounds, resolve conflict, patch marriages, and proclaim the true Gospel -- that Christ is indeed alive and in our midst. Jesus is in both our hearts and in our church, equally, making Himself known to the world; individually and corporately. Much more on this later.

The only thing I would change about this bottom picture is to take away the word "house," leaving just "church." Why? Because the Holy Spirit also has no favorite dwelling places, made by human hands. He can work where ever and whenever we become willing. The home may provide a great atmosphere for deep friendship, and I do think we really get to know one another in each others homes, where we learn of likes, dislikes, see pictures on the walls, see the children in their bedrooms, etc.  But the home is not the magic that makes an intimate church. The institutional model can also exists in a living-room, or on any landscape. It's belief that drives practice.

Finally, I want to make it clear that I do NOT think that either one of the first types are hopeless or  hell-bound. I spent a few years being way to judgmental and I've since repented. My take on all this now is to apply the same grace which God provides me, to other people and to their churches. We do NOT sit around condemning other church bodies, but instead pray for all the Saints everywhere and consider all those who call on the name of the Lord to be brothers and sisters in Christ. And this is not just theory or lip-service; we visit churches, fellowship with all denominations, and cooperate with all areas where God is at work in Jackson and throughout America, for He truly IS doing amazing things through so many churches. 

For more on the topic of church structure see

and

Joining a church is NOT Like Marriage. It's something greater!

The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” Romans 8:15

The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Romans 8:16

In a previous post I wrote about how joining a Church is NOT like marriage to one another. When we are saved we are adopted into an already existent family, where every other believer becomes your brother and your sister. We are at the moment joined to THE Body of Christ; a Body that has many local expressions in what we call churches. In this post I want to expand that topic more.

It is vitally important we recognize one another as a brother and sister for two main reasons: 1. It changes the way we view ourselves. 2. It changes our understanding of the Body of Christ.

First, this is an eternal truth crafted in the great hallways of heaven --- "the Spirit you recieved brought about your adoption." Now, if you and I have been adopted then we have a new Father. And if we have been adopted we have a new name, a new identity, a new reality all together. It is by the same Spirit who brought about our adoption that we are then able to cry out "Abba, Father." Abba is a title reserved only for God Himself, because of this new and wonderful relationship we have with the Father. God doesn't just stop at the appointment to child. He also wants us to FEEL Him - so he encourages us to cry out to Abba, Father. Try it now. Say, "Abba, Father, thank you for making me a child of yours, through the Spirit you have sent to me. Thank you for sending yourself to me to become my new Father, for making a way for me to become your son, your daughter. Thank you, Abba, Father. I love you."

Now understand that all hell, and most of the world, and a great number of "Christians", will come against your fully understanding and accepting this truth of your adoption into a spiritual family where others are your brothers and sisters in Christ. Satan knows that if he can keep you from grasping how great this plan is-- to actually make you an adopted heir of the Most High, thereby changing your entire worldview and purpose on planet Earth - if he can keep you from this truth -- then he's already won. And if he's won in your own mind, and in my mind, then he's also struck a devestating blow to God's plan in the Body of Christ. Which brings me to point two.

The second reason it's so very important to view yourself as a child of God and to view everyone else who "believes in" (Acts 16:31) and "calls on" the name of the Lord (Joel 2:32; Acts 2:21; Romans 10:9-13) as a child of God as well, is because this IS what makes up the Body of Christ. All of us who have been made children of God by this adoption ARE in fact brothers and sisters in Christ. This has to do with the way in which we commit to one another in this grand Body. If for example, you only view those who belong to YOUR specific church as a brother or sister, then you will inevitably view all other believers around the world as something else other than your brother or sister. But if you understand that the SAME Spirit who brought about your adoption also brings about all other adoptions then you will right now agree that you are part of a rather large family, one which extends well beyond the boundaries or your church building and it's property. So every believer who comes into your circle is a brother or sister in Christ whom you have not yet met. You can now greet them as a family member and get to know their story, their journey up till now. And if the Spirit leads them more into your of life then they are now your brother or sister in Christ whom you get to know better. And if they feel called to move away from you and out of your immediate circle they are *still* your brother or sister in Christ whom has moved away; therefore you desire to stay in touch with their journey. Do you see how this view of the Body changes everything?

Now some churches have gone so far as to eclipse this biblical view of adoption with a teaching that we are somehow married to one another within a church. This does not, however, appear in scripture... anywhere. Nor does it make theological sense given the great scope of God's plan. We are simply not husband and wife in a church. We are brothers and sister in Christ. Furthermore, another believer's status as your brother or sister does not change to one of a marriage commitment because they lived near you for a longer time than someone else. In other words, just because someone may be "with you" for 15+ years does not change your relationship to them from one of brother or sister in Christ to one of marriage. It does not matter how long or how short a person lives near you. They were your brother or sister before you met them. They were your brother while they lived near you. And they are still your brother in Christ now that they've moved away. According to scripture this is the way God ordained it. It doesn't actually matter if you agree with God or not on this adopted status of other believers. It's still true. And if we could just move our foot forward a little and erase those lines we've drawn in the dirt I'm convinced we'd see a major outpouring of God's Spirit and His fruits on our land and people.

Try this experiment next time someone visits your church. As soon as you meet them and find out they have "called on the name of the Lord" (I will expand this topic later) go ahead and claim the above scripture over them, believing the same Spirit who brought about your adoption as a child of God also - already - brought about their adoption. Greet them then as a brother or sister in Christ whom you have not yet met. Let the Spirit testify with your spirit that, not only you are a child of God, but that they are a child of God as well. Assume this as you get to know them as well, as you hear their own salvation story and how they came to know the living God. Furthermore, don't let yourself believe the lie that they are anything less than a full-status brother or sister until they are baptized into your church, or agree to place membership with your church, or move in closer to you. Don't let the enemy trap your mind and make them less than what God has made them -- i.e. HIS Children, and consequently, YOUR brother or sister. Try this experiment and see how it feels. I've done it myself and I can only describe the experience with one word -- freedom.

Also try this one.

As you drive around your town passing church buildings or people in the store thank God for your brothers and sisters in Christ who "attend" the meetings of that church. Ask God to bless them and their journey in this life-time. Ask God to work into their hearts a greater understanding of their status as God's child. Ask God to remove any barriers that keep them from being able to cry out Abba, Father. Ask God to help them know they are His. I also now do this regular throughout Jackson and again -- freedom. (I used to have a real problem with judgement and God has been healing me this last couple of years. This is why I feel freedom.)

I am amazed at God's plan to make us all family. I love my biological family. I love my brother, Tyler. We may not agree about everything but that doesn't make him any less my physical brother. And the same goes for all of those whom the Spirit has brought about adoption as Children of God. Just because we may not agree doesn't mean the Spirit didn't bring about the same adoption for both of us.

I'm amazed at God's plan. He takes the very nature of our being and changes it by His Spirit. He calls us sons and daughters, His children. And He calls us His beloved. When we determine to agree with God that all others who have "called on His name" are also His beloved then we will soar on freedom's wings, and God will be glorified.

I think accepting our status as His children and accepting every other Christian's status as His children is a great step toward healing the fractured landscape of Christianity. Viewing one another as brothers and sisters heals us first; then it opens the door to love one another. Ultimately, it swings wide the flood gates of love for our own soul, making it possible for us to FEEL a genuine love for God, and a way to fulfill the greatest commandment which is to love Him with our whole heart, mind and soul. As we feel this love for God, and as we accept His love for us, we will also grow in our love for one another. And as we grow in our love for one another God will be glorified--- because His family will grow. His sons and daughters will not only get along better they will also love one another. Who knows - we might even love one another enough to give our lives for one another, following His example.

Becoming a child of God is NOT like marriage to one another. No, I think it's actually something much more powerful. May sound strange to say. But float up above the Earth with me for a minute and let's look down. Let's get high enough we cannot read the signs in front of the church buildings or the lines we've drawn in the sand, or the countless books of theology, or the blogs, or the billboards. High enough to see the roads and the cities... full of people. What do you see? I see my spiritual family. I see my brothers and sisters in Christ among the masses. And I can't wait to get to know some more of them -- to love them, to journey with them, and to spread this incredible message with them:

The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” Romans 8:15

The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Romans 8:16