JRMITCH85 Faith

Inside Out

Faith starts with unmerited love from God for the people of God. From Abraham to us here examining the scriptures, the Almighty God has shown us love, even though we never deserved it. Thus, it does not begin with the right action or purpose; it begins with the divine providence of the Almighty. The Christian doesn’t start by becoming good, but rather accepting the ultimate good of the Almighty God into their heart. Thus, the change happening for the Christ follower happens from the inside and demonstrates this goodness through the right actions and words.

10 And he called the people to him and said to them, “Hear and understand: 11 it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.” 12 Then the disciples came and said to him, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?” 13 He answered, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be rooted up. 14 Let them alone; they are blind guides. And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.” 15 But Peter said to him, “Explain the parable to us.” 16 And he said, “Are you also still without understanding? 17 Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the stomach and is expelled? 18 But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. 19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. 20 These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone.”

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Mt 15:10–20.

Jesus had to confront the Pharisees about their incessant criticism regarding the habits and practices of His followers. At this point, Jesus addresses their obvious hypocrisy because they have spent all the time looking at the part but have not allowed God’s love to fill their hearts; therefore, they are overly focused on the outward appearance and actions to uphold the outward appearance. In our world, this is similar to focusing on whether someone looks the part and uses the right language rather than actually carrying out the mission of Jesus in our world. How we treat one another, and the people we share the Gospel message matters more to Jesus than utilizing perfect diction and penmanship. Wearing the right clothes, learning the right codes, and making the right moves come from mimicking someone else, but the Holy Spirit wants to use us with new abilities.

The problem with an outside-in approach is that the outside will continue to spoil if the inside is spoiled. No amount of hand washing will clean the inside. Sin has to be dealt with at our core, and Jesus provides the only way to deal with that sin. Do we accept that gift? Do we allow the Holy Spirit to route out all the evil within? Without allowing God to cleanse us from the inside out, our lives will continue to get marred by the results of sin. The Gospel guides us to change how we see the world, not from the perspective of looking perfect, but allowing Christ to be the perfecter of our lives from the Inside Out.

JRMITCH85 Faith

Faith Is The Antidote

We don’t have enough faith. Right now in our world when we say we don’t have enough faith, it isn’t about anything else around us, it is only about our hearts and the endless searching for something to fill a void. Unfortunately, people, money, ideology, degrees, and vocation don’t fill us up, and instead we turn to fear. Fear makes us act against our best interest, and it alienates us from one another. We want to get angry and rise up out of fear, but Jesus reminds us in the passage below, that the only reason to rise up is to walk toward Jesus in faith.

22 Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23 And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24 but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. 25 And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. 26 But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” 28 And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 29 He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” 31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Mt 14:22–33.

Just like Peter, when we focus our lives on Christ the battery of the sounds of the world fade away and our focus blocks them from our purview. The life of faith doesn’t concern itself with opposing viewpoints or struggles, instead it looks to Jesus for help, guidance, and truth. Unfortunately, everything keeps coming at us. The news grabs for our hearts, opinion makers yells at us, we begin to worry about our livelihood, and things don’t turn out the way we want. They all grab for our attention and tell us that our feelings need to be heard, our fear reaches up and grabs us to pay attention. Before long we find ourselves sinking, just as fear wants.

The good news shines through even in the darkness of fear. Faith in the loving hand of Christ Jesus pulls us up when we sink into the depths of fear. We have choices, fear or faith. Faith isn’t just about wearing a Christian themed t-shirt, nor is it about proclaiming your politics, rather faith is a bold proclaimation when no one is watching and your focus is fixed upon Christ. When you fix your eyes on Jesus, you see the hand reaching out to you and reminding you that faith serves as the antidote to fear of others, faith drives out division and injustice, faith guides us toward building God’s kingdom here on Earth.

Faith won’t focus on how the world is burning around us, instead they will offer peace for those affected by the flames. With faith the people of God pick one another up and help guide our eyes to Jesus, forsaking everything else and calling out for salvation from the ills of our world. Faith is the antidote to the poison of our world.

JRMITCH85 Faith, Hope

Jesus Is Enough

“Be Prepared.” The Boy Scout Motto is lived out by walking with Jesus. Even when we lack the ability or materials as followers of Christ, everything must begin with an acknowledgment that Jesus is enough to carry out the mission of the church. As we look at the stories of Jesus and how He cared for the people to which He ministered, we see the Gospel proclaimed without a building campaign or fundraising efforts. Through the power of Jesus, the people heard the Gospel preached and experienced the Gospel enacted through the filling of their stomachs.

13 Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. 14 When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick. 15 Now when it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” 16 But Jesus said, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” 17 They said to him, “We have only five loaves here and two fish.” 18 And he said, “Bring them here to me.” 19 Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. 20 And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over. 21 And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Mt 14:13–21.

Too often, we look for excuses as to why we cannot finish a job. I’m too old, or too young, I don’t have enough money, I’m too busy, or our church is too small are all reasons we give as to why we are limited in our abilities to carry out the mission of the Gospel. Just like the disciples found the desolation of the area as an excuse that they could not feed the people, however, when Jesus wants to show the power of Grace, nothing can hold Him back. The revelation of God’s Glory only took five loaves and two fish. Jesus was not only sufficient for the job but provided an abundance as there were leftovers that exceeded the original blessing.

If God could feed more than five thousand with a small amount of food, imagine what Jesus can do in our churches. The people of God need to set aside excuses and go forth into the world, whether mighty or small, and meek and follow Jesus in sharing the Gospel. The Glory of God can shine through us, but we must let go of our preconceived notions that we need something more to act as the church. Jesus is enough for us to carry out His goal to reach people with His grace.

JRMITCH85 Faith, Hope

What It Means To Be Justified

“I belong”

Many people worry about belonging. It doesn’t just have to be Middle School kids seeking approval from their peers. Everyone wants to have a place where they feel safe and free from the fear of social awkwardness and trouble that inevitably arises in our society. Too many in my generation eschewed social norms because none of us fit into the boxes that try and define us, but that left many lacking belonging.

The Church is intended to be a place where people belong. Jesus’ sacrifice was a justification that we belong in a relationship with God and one another, no matter what circumstance of life we have previously been. Therefore, it is important that the church does not put additional qualifications to become part of a God’s family because Jesus’ sacrifice and resurrection were enough to give us proper standing before God.

26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Ro 8:26–30.

Paul reminds us about the gift Jesus promised, the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit reminds us that we belong to God and that we don’t have to try and figure out where we fit in the world because the Holy Spirit tells us that through Jesus, we belong to God. We don’t need to have perfect incantations because the Holy Spirit intercedes on our behalf in all circumstances before God and in the world. Amid our needs, the Holy Spirit gives us everything and works for good in our lives. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we come in contact with God’s glory that reminds us that only God grants the authority to justify and the Almighty says, “You belong.”

JRMITCH85 Character, Faith, Hope

Free From Judgment

As we approach Independence Day in the United States, we hear the word “FREEDOM” in the songs we sing, written on clothing and bumper stickers, but as we look at freedom, God reminds us that we are called to proclaim that our true freedom doesn’t come from the Declaration of Independence or The Constitution of the United States of America. Jesus grants us freedom that was purchased with the sacrifice of His life alone. With this freedom, we need to thank our Lord for seeing our need and loving us enough to break the bonds that sin had on our lives and live in a way that proclaims God’s freedom to the world.

Jesus, in the Gospel of Matthew, during the Sermon on the Mount, reminds us that as we proclaim freedom from sin, we also understand that Christ has freed us from judgment. God’s judgment on our sin would mean certain death, but Jesus interposed His life for ours. We should wake up every day singing about our freedom in Christ. Many of our songs and prayers ask Jesus to break us free from illness, financial hardship, or some other oppressive force. The following passage reminds us that as followers of Christ, we are called to remind people that Jesus frees us and not to become an oppressive force from which people need relief.

The following is Matthew’s recording of Christ’s words.

“Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with the judgment you pronounce, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 3 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Mt 7:1–5.

When we read the words Jesus spoke to the crowd, there has been a misappropriation of judgment in the faith community. Judgment has a place in God’s Kingdom, but it is not intended for the followers to use as a tool against one another. Judgment is God’s prerogative to determine between that which is good and that which is evil. Good leads us to a greater relationship with God and others, which connects us to the Almighty. As we grow in our relationship with God, we allow God to communicate the areas of our life that need to be cleaned up. However, Jesus speaks to the crowds because judgment was too often used as a weapon against others. The Pharisees judged Jesus for His deeds. Similarly, they judged people as sinners and derogatorily acted toward them, and looked down on them and their associates. As Christians, we too often take a similar tactic, using judgment to boost our ego and ensure we hold onto a higher status over and against others. Jesus warns us against judgment because we will never fully understand another’s situation, and thus judgment shuts down our attempt at connecting with others.

The person that judges places themselves in the judgment seat that belongs to God alone. Jesus was sent to us to bring us peace, and that peace unites people under Christ. The character of Jesus would make Him the only person that could hold up to the standard of judging established in the Gospel. Therefore, only Jesus can judge the world, but time and time again, Jesus uses this judgment to bring peace into people’s lives. Therefore, we need to follow Jesus and help proclaim freedom into the lives of the people in our community as found in the Gospel. When we judge, our focus isn’t on how we can better follow Christ, but rather we focus on others’ shortcomings. This will also be a result of pushing people away as they would not want to live among us, partially due to not wanting to be an object of our scorn, but also that they don’t want to be around someone with such negativity.  Jesus unites people and invites people to come to the mercy seat. In front of Jesus, we are equals, but judging tries to place ourselves above others.

Freedom from sin to live in the love of Christ is the message we are called to share with the world. The law was established by God to guide us toward the truth. However, people viewed the law as a shackle preventing them from accessing the Almighty, but Jesus freed us from the judgment in the law, to live as free to live in God’s love. Jesus looked at how people would sit in judgment with one another and saw how ridiculous people looked judging one another because all of us were mired in sin. Thus Jesus presented this obviously hyperbolic analogy that when we stand in judgment with anyone else, we blind ourselves to our own faults. Our faults alone are enough to keep us out of the Kingdom, and we need a loving God to grant us hope, making peace between us and God. Thus when we judge, we set aside freedom to live antithetically to the Gospel because we proclaim that Jesus’ sacrifice isn’t enough.

The Gospel calls out to us to lighten the load of people by calling them to come to Christ. The judgment adds to the burdens of the world and instead creates division and broken relationships. The Pharisees embodied the way of judgment and created a situation where people not only felt as if they couldn’t live up to the standards but also that they were devoid of hope. Jesus frees us from the burden and grants the world peace that only the Gospel could.

JRMITCH85 Faith, Hope

The Gospel Proclaimed

A plethora of voices surrounds us. Our companions and loved ones communicate with us while our employers provide instructions on performing our tasks. We receive their distinct viewpoints on the events unfolding in the world through various media outlets, such as news sources, social media, and podcasts. Additionally, figures in positions of authority articulate expectations and guidelines for our behavior and lifestyle. With so much noise around us, it may be hard to understand what we should say and when especially in mixed groups. However, Paul reminds us that no matter what is being said, we should always strive to proclaim the Gospel in all circumstances. Therefore, when we find the opportunity to speak, may the love of God come forth from our mouths.

We must always proclaim the Gospel because we comprehend that the messages thrown around us can be confusing, and the world strains to find any cohesion to a message of hope in our loud environment. The Gospel reminds us that no matter where we come from, where we are right now, and what our status will be in the future, we are empowered to share God’s loving grace with everyone, and no one is exempt. Therefore, brothers and sisters, there is no excuse for us; as long as we live, we can share God’s message of freedom with all the people.

The Gospel’s spread was paramount to Paul after his encounter with Jesus. He fought with Jews, Romans, and other Christians to ensure that the Gospel would remain GOOD NEWS. This passion ultimately landed him in prison, where we presume he wrote this letter to the people of Phillippi. Never fearing the repercussions, Paul was confident that his imprisonment would ultimately lead to a more complete proclamation of the Gospel worldwide.

12 I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, 13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. 14 And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. 15 Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. 16 The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. 18 What then? Only in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and I rejoice.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Php 1:12–18.

No matter your circumstances before or now, God can and will use them to advance the Gospel. Paul understood that his predicament in prison allowed God’s message to travel to Rome. In this situation, we can learn from Paul that instead of looking at our lives and sitting and wallowing or worrying, we can look at the obstacles placed before us as unique opportunities to share the Grace of God. Hardship tempts us to focus on what we can’t do, but the Holy Spirit empowers us to use even adverse events in our lives to pursue the message of God from a new perspective. From prison, Paul had access to people and authorities that he couldn’t have had if his missionary journeys did not have opposition, and Paul took advantage by bringing the Gospel with him to the center of power. We, like Paul, need to look at where we have been, where we are going, and how we can bring the Gospel with us and share it with people to whom we didn’t have access and in places we were not previously. We need to understand that by proclaiming the Gospel, we don’t “win” souls; that is the job of the Holy Spirit. We, instead, offer encouragement to others that boldly following Christ offers a witness to the power of Christ over even the darkest situation.

Even among Christian circles, several voices proclaim Christ but do not do so that the name of Christ will be lifted, but rather that their profile would be lifted or that they could use the church’s influence to obtain power and influence over people. The message of the Gospel cannot focus on selfish ambitions because the Gospel is about proclaiming freedom from sin, which is powerful. It comes as no surprise that those that seek after power would be intrigued and interested in being able to harness this power for their ends. Such abuse of God’s power can lead to adverse reactions toward the church and division among Christians. Paul reminds us that no matter people’s intentions, the Gospel is powerful enough to be proclaimed despite the proclaimer’s intent. We see this in situations where people proclaim messages with malicious intent, but people turn to Christ anyway. When this happens, Paul rejoices, and we should rejoice as well. 

God calls us to follow Paul’s example and focus on the proclamation. The Christians voicing the Gospel with their mouths, living the Gospel with their bodies, and embracing the Gospel with their minds bring unity, truth, hope, peace, and love to the whole world. No one is exempt from this mission; you are never too old, too young, too bright, too unintelligent, too outgoing, or too shy to share the Gospel with the world. Christ came bringing release to all those captive to sin, and there is no one that we can deem unworthy of God’s grace. Therefore, pray for your enemies, even those that mean to harm you, because if they are redeemed, we rejoice. Until there is no more life in our bodies, God calls us to proclaim the Gospel.

The Gospel reminds us what Christ has done for the world, and our lives need to be representative of an understanding that we are not the focus, but instead, we need to reflect God’s love for others. There is no excuse to drive division among one another; rather, we strive to lift others up. God calls us to proclaim the Gospel in all seasons, even in our deepest despair, because in doing that, we will show Gospel and encourage others in their need. Paul would agree with the phrase often attributed to St Francis, “Preach the Gospel at all times; when necessary, use words.”

JRMITCH85 Faith

Connected By Covenant

In our relationships, especially those with our parents or other adults that helped raise us, time changes how we see those relationships and how they manifest in our lives. We rely on our parents to provide for us when we are young. As we get older, our parents become our peers. If we are lucky enough, our parents’ age and begin to rely on us to fulfill some of their needs. Through time, our relationship changes, but because we are connected through our familial relationship, or as stated in another way, a covenant, we still find a loving and caring relationship.

The Hebrew people had a changing relationship with an unchanging God. The change was due to their context. When God made a covenant with Abraham, it was a covenant of blood, connecting Abraham’s lineage to obedience and following God. As the people ultimately fled to Egypt, they recontextualized their relationship with God from the context of bondage and servitude. This disoriented them from the context established with Abraham, and upon leaving Egypt, they needed to reconnect with the covenant, where we find the people as they approach Mount Sinai. This is where God delivers to Moses the law, upon which they will reconnect with the covenant through obedience.

The passage below is where we see the people of Israel reconnecting with the covenant as a response to God’s goodness and protection for the Hebrews in leaving Egypt and the deliverance from the nation through God’s care for His people.

On the third new moon, after the people of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on that day, they came into the wilderness of Sinai. 2 They set out from Rephidim and came into the wilderness of Sinai, and they encamped in the wilderness. There Israel encamped before the mountain, 3 while Moses went up to God. The Lord called to him out of the mountain, saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the people of Israel: 4 ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. 5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; 6 and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel.” 7 So Moses came and called the elders of the people and set before them all these words that the Lord had commanded him. 8 All the people answered together and said, “All that the Lord has spoken we will do.” And Moses reported the words of the people to the Lord.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Ex 19:1–8.

When God made a covenant with Abraham, obedience was understood. The covenant was sealed in the blood through the practice of circumcision, and God promised Abraham a future filled with descendants as numerous as the stars of the sky as long as Abraham showed obedience to God’s instruction. Abraham’s relationship with God was based on obedient living, which was credited to him as righteousness. However, his descendants, the people of Israel, had a different relationship due to their enslavement in Egypt. Further, this changed as they made their way out through God, carrying out their deliverance through the final plague and the Passover and ultimately carrying them across the Red Sea. This miraculous incident allowed the people of Israel to understand their relationship with God not only as a protector but also as a deliverer, but their time in Egypt separated them from the understanding of God’s covenant with Abraham, so they approached the Sinai Mount to reconnect with God’s covenant and allow the law to come down and lead them to obedience.

The connection made through the covenant reminds us that God carries us through many places of turmoil. The guidance of the Holy Spirit reminds us that no matter where we have been, God has been beside us and lifted us out of trouble because God is a good Father. Just like God’s people needed help out of Egypt, we often need help to escape a situation we are powerless to escape. The experiences are varied, as we have been in relationships that were toxic and abusive, or received a negative health report where the prognosis was bad, or in a financial hardship that seemed bleak, or simply unable to find employment when we were desperate; these are but a small set of examples of situations that God can guide us through and helps us out. However, they all require us to maintain the faith that the God we worship is also powerful enough to get us out of this situation. Sitting at the river’s bank, Moses knew he had nowhere else to turn and that the situation required supernatural assistance. There he raised his staff, and God took care of the rest. God wants us to make it through our problems, and He wants us to have the faith to raise our arms and ask for it.

God upholds the covenant, connects us to the covenant through relationship, and gently leads us to the covenant through the life and ultimate death of Jesus Christ. During the Last Supper, as Jesus raises the cup, He brings us all to the base of Sinai and helps us understand the covenant with fresh eyes and ears. We cannot get ourselves free from the problem of sin, and with Jesus’ blood, the covenant is fulfilled. This sacrifice does not release us from our obligation to obedience; rather, we can focus on living our lives in service to God, not having our hearts troubled by how we would return to our relationship with God through endless sacrifice. Jesus makes the covenant relationship focus on two things loving God and loving our neighbor. We connect with God’s covenant through Jesus and following these two commands.

JRMITCH85 Character, Faith

United

Our world is defined by division. We have opponents at every turn, and we amplify our differences in ideology, culture, and politics by creating and growing echo chambers that do not engage in conversation but rather strike a wedge between us. The church is not immune to this divisiveness; it has never been immune to this, as Paul addressed the many conflicts that arose in the church in Corinth. Corinth dealt with their new faith by quarreling within themselves, as documented in their letters back and forth with Paul.

In the two letters Paul exchanges with the church, we see the evolution of how a church’s issues lead to division.  The triune God is diverse as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and the church is a reflection as it is also diverse in its background, makeup, and point of view. God’s unity in diversity calls for the church to unite in its differences. However, Paul’s admonishment and closing words to Corinth remind the church that it is called to be like God and united in the face of its diversity. Paul closes his last known letter to the church with the following refrain.

11 Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. 12 Greet one another with a holy kiss. 13 All the saints greet you. 14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 2 Co 13:11–14.

The call toward unity includes restoration, comfort, agreement, and peace. These four parts connect us to ensure that when we speak and engage with people, we treat them with dignity and respect, not because they earned it but because God created them. With everything in our power, we must strive for peace with all those in our faith community. Even in our disagreements, the church should be a place where God’s people exemplify living together as one people, sharing God’s love with each other, and exemplifying God’s love to the rest of the world.

Paul next instructs the church to greet one another with a holy kiss. We have too often just cast this aside as a cultural norm and something we don’t do in our modern world. However, the holy kiss reminds us, as Christians and church members share an intimacy that mimics the Trinity’s closeness. Therefore, when there is disunity among church members, it is a brokenness that mimics the brokenness that happens when a marriage fails. There is inevitable collateral damage to those around the dispute, causing irreparable damage sometimes. The church must understand its call by the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit to unite in holiness and set aside the petty differences we often use to wedge between us. 

We are broken people and require Christ’s love to support us through some desperate times. This love should be broadcast from the church to the people in the congregation and around the congregation. The song “They Will Know We Are Christians By Our Love” must ring true inside and outside our church family. The love that unites the Trinity also unites the church. In the diversity of the church, there is a fellowship that comes as a gift from the Holy Spirit, a presence that clings us together in peace, and a knowledge that there is grace when we fail.

Thus, as a church, we must remember to lay aside our differences in opinion and instead cling to what draws us together, which is our Triune God. God models connection and unity, while three are also connected as one. Thus the church should be united in proclaiming God’s love and peace in the world so that the church may be a sanctuary from the division that plagues our society. Just as the divisions arose in Corinth, Paul reminded the church that unity leads to holiness and shows the world what God’s love looks and acts like.

JRMITCH85 Character, Faith, Hope

Following Jesus

“Are you in, or are you out?” The famous question from reality television often gets asked of people in the church. From the church’s beginning, there have been questions and debates about which people belong in our worship services and fellowship. The debates have ravaged the church about the requirements for the Kingdom of God, ultimately leading to splits among followers. However, when we look at the life of Jesus, we can see that he converses and spends time with people that many would claim are on the outside. This encounter made the religious elites uncomfortable and created a rift, ultimately leading to the conspiracy to kill Jesus. 

The following passage in the Gospel of Matthew shows us how Jesus ultimately called the outsiders and sinners to come and sit at His side.

9 As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him. 10 And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples. 11 And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 12 But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13 Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Mt 9:9–13.

Jesus passes by one of these undesirables, a tax collector who has taken part in a profession that has taken advantage of his people and would be seen as a traitor to the religious elite, a tax collector. Jesus doesn’t pass by him and hurl insults or pass by and ignore him, but rather Jesus simply asks him to join him as he passes. This action was something that someone of Jesus’ stature would never have done, and thus a surprise to Matthew. Matthew was likelier to hear sermons about how he was a vile sinner than to be invited to join the party. Additionally, they created a particular subclass by pulling out the tax collector from the rest of the sinners with whom Jesus was spending time. When the church casts people out because of their prejudices, they create a subclass of people who thus behave more like the religious elite than Jesus. 

The Pharisees looked at the scene before them and began to ridicule Jesus and the disciples. They didn’t openly address Jesus but spoke loudly enough for Jesus to hear. This passive-aggressive judgment of the disciples and Jesus points out to everyone around that they disapprove of the people with whom Jesus chose to surround Him. When we surround ourselves with sinners, and the subclasses of sinners out in the world, the religious among us will scorn and ridicule our decisions. Sometimes this will be quiet and behind our backs; other times, the words won’t be directed at us but will be loud enough for us to hear; while still, other times, we may face the ridicule head-on. When facing scorn for the people we share a table with, comfort yourself that Jesus faced the same, and God calls us to the outcast, and to share the love of Jesus with sinners, even the sinners that get called out specifically. So that when asked why we hang out with sinners, we can answer, “I do because I’m following Jesus’ lead.”

Much of Jesus’ ministry was spent sharing the good news with the undesirables of society. Often the people around Jesus and the situation pointed out how this behavior was highly irregular and bucked many of the traditional norms. However, in every circumstance, Jesus reminded them that the Gospel was not just for the religious elites, but rather the Good News of forgiveness and redemption is for sinners and those that fall short of the Glory of God. Jesus did not participate in the revelry and sin, but He spent time and opened up the mystery of the mercy of God to people that the Pharisees and Sadducees had previously shut out. In following Jesus, we must walk with, eat with, and share life with the sinners, the religious shut out of the church. God desires us to do the work of the Gospel rather than ensure that we look the part. If we sacrifice time with people to show ourselves holy, we aren’t fulfilling the call of God to show mercy to the world. Follow Jesus’ lead and embody God’s mercy to the sinners and outcasts from the church. 

To follow the lead of Christ, the church must fulfill its role as a healer of the sick, mender of the broken, and sanctuary for the lost. As we fulfill the role given by Jesus, we seek out the brokenhearted, the government official, the immigrant, the lawbreaker, the hurting, the homeless, and all those the church is called to bring the hope of salvation. We cast aside all thoughts about how we look to the outside and embrace the mission of Jesus to show mercy and not mere sacrifice for the sake of sacrifice. Instead, let us sacrifice our perfect image for the love of God for all people. By doing this act, we truly follow the example Jesus set out for us.

JRMITCH85 Faith, Hope

Troubles Come and Go, But God Remains

At the core of modern life, we find trouble. Trouble finds us during bad decisions, but trouble also waits for us when we do everything right. Often we can’t connect any rhyme or reason for our troubles, although we often strive to point at something as the cause of our issues. Doing such will take us in different directions that simply distract us from the benefit that God provides during our trials.

The Psalmist exemplifies that all trials must be wrapped in a firm knowledge that The Almighty God surrounds any calamity. Our trust in God must be our central focus during trouble, as it focuses the follower of God on their purpose. The 93rd Psalm uses the flood example to remind us that God is always greater no matter what problems arise.

Psalm 93 

1 The Lord reigns; he is robed in majesty; 

the Lord is robed; he has put on strength as his belt. 

Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved. 

2  Your throne is established from of old; 

you are from everlasting. 

3  The floods have lifted up, O Lord, 

the floods have lifted up their voice; 

the floods lift up their roaring. 

4  Mightier than the thunders of many waters, 

mightier than the waves of the sea, 

the Lord on high is mighty! 

5  Your decrees are very trustworthy; 

holiness befits your house, 

O Lord, forevermore.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Ps 93:1–5.

Every person that has ever lived has experienced trouble. Trouble wants us to focus on it, obsess over it, and allow it to dictate every decision. That’s precisely what makes it trouble. The inconvenience and distress that each circumstance brings up can derail any plans we have because if we fixate upon them, they will become the steering wheel of our lives. However, we all must understand that no matter what path we take, whether perfect or problematic, troubles will find their way into our lives. The Psalm begins with a focus on God and finishes with how God is greater than any problem, but right in the middle, the flood waters come. Therefore, problems are a part of life, and it has nothing to do with how we live.

As trouble arises, we lose sight of our purpose because our vision gets distorted when we focus on problems and troubles. When we think more about our problems than our purpose with God, we start thinking about how to gain retributive justice because someone must’ve done this to us. However, trying to obtain revenge for our troubles is sinful and something we must steer clear of doing. The Psalmist guides us through this because even when trouble arises in the midst of our praise, while it may guide us away from worship, prayer and praise will lead us back to the source of our worship and toward the solution to our problems.

Trust in God is our only route toward fulfillment and grace-filled living. Troubles will continually arise around us, striving to distract us from the goodness God has for us. They constantly say, “Look at me!” They are often looked at and focused upon to divide humanity through blaming and hatred. However, God reminds us that none of these problems are enough to break us from the love of God in Christ Jesus, and instead of dividing, Jesus calls us to the foot of the cross and unity in faith.