Yes, God Can!

The older I get the more I realize that as people become more experienced with time, they allow their personal experiences to dictate what God can and cannot do in their lives. The measure of God's power has become their own experience. "If I haven't experienced it, God's not able to do it."

The problem with this line of thinking is two fold:

1. God works in different ways in different situations. To expect that your experience would be the exact same as everyone else's experience is problematic. You cannot make all of your life experiences standard for everyone.

2. I might not have done my part in responding to God's desire to work in my life. For example, in order to receive the forgiveness of sins, we must, in faith, turn from our sins and place our trust in the Lordship of Jesus. This arises out of a godly sorrow over our sins against God. If you do not have faith, you will not experience justification.

As a pastor, I have had to navigate, both personally and pastorally, the issue of physical healing. Why does God not answer the prayer of healing sometimes and other times eradicate disease from the body? 

There are a number of pastors today that ascribe to the "faith healing" philosophy that God must heal if we truly have faith. the problem here is that faith is a tool in an attempt to control God. But faith is not about dictating to our Lord. Others opt to bypass the difficulty of grappling with these hard questions and simply concede that God is subject to His own creation and does not have power to intervene in the natural law that He has set in motion. But that is not faith in God, that's deism.

Faith in God as healer is not dictating results but refusing to allow circumstances to dictate what I perceive to be true. Real faith is centered on Jesus, not on peripheral actions we expect of Jesus. Disregarding God's ability to heal is a move away from faith in the leading of the Holy Spirit and the revelation He has given to us through the Biblical record. 

Faith is not a one-time act of trust. Faith is a lifestyle of loving obedience in ongoing recognition that God, the Creator, knows what is best for us.

Faith is the heart of what is questioned in every attack of the enemy via temptation or trial. If Satan can lure you away from your loving obedience, it is because he convinced you that God is not trustworthy. If Satan can put you through enough difficulty to prevent you from acting in faith, it is because he has pressured you into disregarding the directives of Heaven.

Faith is the victory. I do not understand everything that goes on in the world. I do not even like everything that goes on in the world. I sometimes question how long God will allow evil to run amuck in this world, but faith gives my soul the assurance that Christ will return and overcome evil in every form.

As I still my heart before God in my time with Him and in the Bible, I am again and again reminded that he can do abundantly more than I could ask or imagine... and I can imagine a lot! May I walk by faith and not by sight. 

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1

Check out these other articles:

Once You Are Saved, Are You Always Saved?

The Demise of the Church Has Been Overstated

Some Cautions for the Church of the Nazarene (Part 1)

Signs of a Good Church

Once You Are Saved, Are You Always Saved?

Fifteen reasons I don't believe that once you're saved, you're always saved. 

1. Hebrews 10:26 warns that if you go on sinning deliberately there is no longer a sacrifice for sins. There are prevalent warnings in Scripture about sinning after conversion. Why would we be warned about that if it did not impact our relationship with God?

2. 1 Timothy 4:1 speaks of those who abandon their faith in the latter days. This implies that they once had saving faith, but have since abandoned it. 

3. Paul, in 1 Corinthians 9:27, is concerned with being disqualified himself. Is he concerned that he would not qualify for Heaven?

4. Jesus, in John 15:6, speaks of the necessity to "abide in Him." What is the essential need to abide in Christ in an on going way?

5. 1 John 2:1 refers to the fact that the goal is "not to sin," but if we do, we have and an advocate in Jesus. Chapter 1, verse 9 gives us the good news that we can be forgiven of our sins if we confess them to Jesus. Sinning while in fellowship with a holy God is always harmful to the relationship. 

6. James 5:19-20 talks about people wandering away from the truth. What does it mean that someone would wander away from the truth? Can we be saved apart from the truth?

7. Colossians 1:21-23 conditions salvation with "if you continue in the faith". Continuing in sin while simultaneously being a Christian negates the relational component of walking with God. Any true relationship requires both parties to choose and continue to choose that relationship. 

8. 2 Peter 2:20-22 talks about people getting re-tangled in the things of this world. Another ominous warning about returning to the former ways and its impact on our salvation.

9. Demas, in 2 Timothy 4:10, is said to have fallen in love with this world. Specific people are mentioned as individuals who "fall away" "departing from the Faith" or "walk away" from the Faith. (Hebrews 3:12)

10. Hebrews 6:4-6 speaks of those who have once been enlightened and the possibility of restoring them back to a place of repentance. Why would there be a need to be restored back to that place because of sin if you are always saved once you born again?  

11. Galatians 5:4 speaks of those who have fallen from grace. How can you remain in grace if you have fallen from it?

12. Jesus, in Mark 13:13, says the one who "endures to the end" will be saved. Salvation is something that does not end in our justification, but it is fulfilled in our glorification. Thus, we need to resolve to go all the way with Jesus. 

13. 1 Corinthians 10:12 warns about falling. What might the ramifications be for us if we fall?

14. Revelation 2 warns the churches in that they could lose their lamp stands. The warning is that the glory can in fact depart from a place. What about at individual person?

15. 2 Peter 1:10 promises that we don't have to fall. While I do not believe that once you are saved you are always saved regardless of actions or choices, I do believe God can keep us from falling away or forfeiting so great a salvation! He gives assurance.

I do believe that once you're saved you *can* always be saved. I believe there is victory and assurance available for every believer in resurrection power.

Some will respond by saying that if you go back to sin, that you were never really saved to begin with. While I agree that some are prematurely or incorrectly called Christian even though they have not been born again, I do believe that there are some genuine Christians who ultimately forfeit their salvation. Most of the Scripture references above were written to believers as a warning so that they do not wander away from the truth. 

What might you add?

Also check out these other articles:

Pitfalls for Local Churches

Why I Am Part of a Denomination

Characteristics of True Revival

Some Things to Remember After a Political Election

We tend to forget and sometimes ignore some things we need to keep in mind; especially after an election.

1) Don't start complaining! Complaining does not solve any problem, it does not help you in any way, and it spreads a lack of faith in God's sovereignty. Do you really think that any election disrupts the plans of God? That the results took God by surprise? No. And our faith has never been in the political process, but rather the grace of a Living God. The days after an election may be tumultuous for our society and world, but for those in Christ they continue to be days in which we trust in Him. May we continue to shine as lights in the world! (And No, just because you voted you do not have the 'right' to complain.)

Philippians 2:14-15 "Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world."

2) Pray for those in political leadership. Instead of complaining we ought to be praying. If we really believed prayer changes things, we would probably participate more in it. Scripture expressly urges us to intercede for our political leaders. That does not mean that our prophets and preachers need be quiet about evils done by our leaders (see John the Baptist and Herod for one example), but it does mean that we ought to take our leadership before the God who can transform people, change ideologies, straighten crooked paths, and call whole nations to repentance.

1 Timothy 2:1-2 "First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way."

3) Reaffirm our most important citizenship: Heaven! We are not Americans who are Christians, but Christians who happen to be Americans. All the kingdoms of this world will pass away. Only the word & truth of God will endure time. We should glory in the fact that the King of Kings, a holy and righteous king, is still on the throne, both of eternity and our lives. And this same king is our Savior.

This other world citizenship demands a different ethic, values, and understanding. We must have the mind of Christ as we enter the workforce, relate to one another, and enter the voting booth. Our priority to a higher law and a greater purpose will always be evident among those who have truly committed to following Christ!

Philippians 3:20 "But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ."

4) Recall that ministry is not as simple as a single election. While voting is one of the most influential events we can participate, it is not the only thing we are to do in the world. Political participation is a small sliver of the 'big picture' of what the Christian ought to be doing. Christ has given us the authority to go and make disciples (not politicians) of the world. So, while we certainly need to influence our culture & government in a positive way by voting in elections, we do not put all of our eggs in that basket. Only Christ can change our nation, because only He has the real authority to do it.

Matthew 28:18 "And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me."

5) The United States of America will not last forever. I am blessed to have been born in this nation that allows so many freedoms, but I also recognize that it is only temporary. But the Kingdom of Heaven will last forever! Hallelujah!

1 Corinthians 15:24-25 "Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet."

6) We need to refocus on personal righteousness. Everyone quotes the verse from proverbs about "Righteousness exalts a nation...", but who is willing to be righteous (in right relationship with God)? Our country's direction is a result of individuals who walk in wickedness instead of righteousness. Let's put off hypocrisy and all sin and seek Christ above all. Let's put away our idols of materialism, entertainment, sexual immorality, and greed. Let's see revival in our own lives and we will begin to see it in our society. Yes, sin is the real problem: not the economy or education or the constitution or civil liberties, or immigration.

Proverbs 14:34 "Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people."

7) Remember our hope is in Jesus above all else. People often get discouraged after an election that does not turn out the way they voted. Late nights watching the media report on voting results by precinct is fertile ground for discouragement about the results. This discouragement can lead to despair as we voice our frustrations and bemoan the results. But Jesus is still on the throne. 

Hebrews 10:23 "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful."

8) Do not stop being salt and light in the political realm. The volatile nature of the political climate has never been one that can easily be navigated. In this time of social media and 24 hour cable news networks has not made it easier to gracefully and truthfully navigate issues tied to political power, emotionally charged issues, and ideologies. While they are difficult to navigate, Christians have a responsibility to influence the world around them for the sake of the kingdom of Heaven.

Ben Schettler once said: "To the person who says, 'Christians should be less political' I have a question: What descent into depravity awaits a culture whose Christians refuse to give biblical input into the direction of their nation or worse find it a moral virtue to remain silent as evil men make evil laws?" 

Matthew 5:13-16 "You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."

What things might you add?

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It is Time to Leave the United Methodist Church

I have many friends who are attending and many who are serving in ministry in the United Methodist Church (UMC). I urge you in brotherly love, you need to do the hardest thing you might ever do and leave the church that you love and have worshiped in for so many years. The denomination is no longer the faithful bride of Christ.

Wednesday, May 1, the United Methodist church voted, 692-51, to allow practicing homosexuals to be ordained and to drop its penalty for clergy performing gay marriages. While they have struggled with people and leaders who openly defied the Bible and the stance of the church, now these false teachers and leaders have made their deceptions official positions of the church. 

Why is this a big deal? Not because it is a cultural issue facing the church, but because the UMC, in their official vote, has declared they know better than God the Creator about human sexuality. They have declared the Bible and its inspiration to be expired and obsolete. They have bowed at the idol of humanism and cultural ideology. The UMC organization has rejected the presence of a God of holy love for one of sexual immorality. 

My brothers and sisters from the UMC may be reluctant to leave. I understand. My words of recommendation to leave may sting. It is a sad day. It seems that darkness has won the day. You have prayed and worked toward faithfulness to the truth and call of God. The years of faithfulness to your local church and ministry under the umbrella of the UMC might feel wasted. However, Jesus is still head of His church. There are new wineskins. 

God is working all around the world despite persecution, despite some that compromise, despite those who diminish holiness, and despite those who create a god fashioned to their cultural norms.

There will be difficult days. Lament. Seek the leading of the Holy Spirit and follow Him. There is a revival coming, but it will not take place where the lampstand has been removed. You will have to courageously move forward to embrace the new thing that God is doing in our hour.

To remain in the United Methodist Church at this point is tantamount to tolerating Jezebel who teaches and seduces Christians to practice sexual immorality (Rev 2:20). In the love of Christ, I compel you to remain faithful regardless of the costs.

Do not dismay. The message of scriptural holiness did not originate with the UMC and neither will it end with the UMC. The Good News that God cleanses the heart and empowers for service when he sanctifies you wholly will continue. 

Warning: If you are part of another denomination, be aware that these false teachings are pervasive in our culture right now. Contend for the faith. Refuse to compromise either in doctrine or in mission. Continue to take the Gospel (the full of counsel of God) to a world of people who are craving transformation, righteousness, and holiness. 

Supplemental: (05-02-24) Statements from the United Methodist Church in Africa...

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The Demise of the Church Has Been Overstated

In 1897, Mark Twain is said to have read his own obituary, and then remarked, “The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated.”

Have you read the obituary of the church recently? With a level of confident opinion, it is heralded from blog articles, social media posts, and plenty of opinion pieces. They have good evidence of the death certificate, pointing to declining attendance numbers, social/cultural shifts, and flailing denominations. 

The proverbial sky is falling! Well, not really.

The truth is that every generation laments the state of the church. There are always a host of people ready to diagnosis what they view as the problem. Internet experts have a plethora of "evidence" that substantiates their claims of the death of the church in their generation. 

The only problem is that the church continues to move forward. The truth is that the universal, historic church of Jesus Christ has endured much more than the shifting cultural winds of North America. So while we navigate difficult days ahead, may we be reminded that the head of the church, Jesus, continues to lead His people.

The real question is for the critics. What are you doing? What kinds of things are you actively doing to make things better? Who has joined you in following Jesus? Who has experienced transformation from your invitation to encounter Jesus? In what ways are you a conduit of church health rather than a "chicken little" insisting that the sky is falling?

The body of Christ is alive and well. "Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, [26] that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, [27] so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish." (Ephesians 5:25b-27)

So, could you please stop speaking about the bride of Christ as if she is a harlot?

Check out these other articles:

Why I Am Part of a Denomination

Signs of Spiritual Maturity

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Dear Pastor...

10 Pitfalls for Local Churches

Here are a few common pitfalls of local churches in a downward trend away from fruitful ministry that glorifies God:

1. Focus on institutional survival. You need not preserve something already alive. Preservation is an embalming process. Many churches are embalming themselves, rather than seeking to fulfill the Great Commission. When our motivation lies primarily in institutional preservation or survival, we will forfeit the mission God has given us for the sake of the safety of the organization. Denominations, local churches, and even ministries can fall for this slow death.

2. Worshiping the Past. Churches consumed with their past to the neglect of their calling will soon fall into a pit! Our heritage, in most cases, is a great blessing for sure. Our past is to be a launching pad to the future and not an anchor to previous methods, decor, or styles. It is not our purpose to maintain a museum, but to be a mission outpost. Worshiping the past leads to a slow death.

3. Idolizing Fads. Chasing the next big thing has become the downfall for some churches that impacts the future more than the present. Fads can garner crowds, but crowds are fickle if they never find their way to the cross. No discernment necessary if "the next best thing" is what the church will embrace. The real danger is that no one needs to take time to seek direction from the Holy Spirit, just look at the fastest growing church's methodology.

4. Dead form. Beautifully scripted services with eloquent wording but little power have a feel of being spiritual, but area actually Ichabod. The "language of Canaan" without the "experience of Canaan" is still "bondage in Egypt." Some people love the expected routine of a preplanned year of services. I wonder if AI couldn't be a replacement for the leading of the Holy Spirit in some churches without anyone even noticing.

5. Pastor worship. While pastors and teachers in the church are worthy of a double honor, they should never be worshiped. It is natural for people to have an opinion about their spiritual leader (positive or negative). Paul even encouraged believers to imitate his faith. But he was quick to prevent people from worshiping him when God was working through him. It may feed the ego of the pastor, but it will not feed or spiritually nourish the flock to worship the pastor. Some pastors are better at getting people to follow them than they are getting people to follow Jesus.

6. Division. While unity is an abused term in the church today, it doesn't negate that true division is a pitfall for any church. Factions, people siding up behind other people, or people rallying behind their causes can be harmful to any local church body seeking to minister in their community and beyond. Disagreement among brothers and sisters in the church is good. If done with the Spirit's leading, it actually benefits the ministry of the church. But division is deep rooted disagreement without acknowledging that the individual is part of the whole and not autonomous.  

7. Coporate worship as irrelevant. The centrality of the body of Christ is corporate celebration, praise, and worship of the head of the church: Jesus. When our service to Jesus, ministries for Jesus, and organization for Jesus become more important than our worship of Jesus we will soon forget who we are supposed to be worshiping. It is then easier to shift our focus on any of the other issues in this list of pitfalls.

8. Personality rule. Praise God for those "larger than life" personalities that draw people and encourage crowds. Some are strong extroverts or maybe "A type" personalities. But sometimes these dominant personalities can harm if they do not take time to listen and be still. In leadership meetings they can "take over" and do all the speaking, airing the opinion without an opportunity for others to contribute. They can be forceful with some, bulldozing over the preferences, insights, and even giftings of quieter folks. The devil delights in taking a gift and using it to harm. 

9. Lack of Faith. Many churches are already in or heading toward a pitfall because they are afraid of the future or the rapidly changing world around them. Fearful to move forward because of inability, rocking the board, requiring sacrifice, or unfamiliarity paralyzes the forward movement toward missional fruitfulness. Leadership is in danger when it is quick to identify all of the limitations, but rarely highlights the possibilities around them. 

10. Money Focused. Of course funding is helpful for the work of the kingdom, but love of money is the root of all kinds of evil... even for the body of Christ. While there are "business aspects" to the church (like bills being paid, pastoral support, maintenance or rental of the facilities, etc) it is primarily a spiritual people empowered and called by God. Money is a tool, but it becomes a pitfall when it is the driving force behind every decision and priority in the local church. 

What might you add as a danger to the local church?

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Why I Am Part of a Denomination

Denominations have a bad rap today. Maybe it has been earned over time through bad press, poor corporate choices and missional drift. But I don't think I'd join a "non-denominational" or "independent" church and here's why:

1. An independent church has less financial accountability. It is not always the case, but often an independent church simply does not have the checks and balances that a denominational church requires of each local church. Is there accountability to the treasurer and/or pastor? Is there an audit of the books? Are there stringent policies in place to make sure that finances are handled appropriately and with integrity? These are important issues.

2. A denominational church has more theological accountability. While it may sound appealing at first to be open to what everyone believes, it does not ultimately play out well. Our theology drives our practice and methodology if taken seriously. When it is not clear what a church believes, discipleship and mission suffer. Open ended theology results in the lowest common denominator which produces shallow disciples who are not engaged in understanding biblical truth. The theological framework of a denomination also holds preachers, teachers, and leaders accountable to orthodox theology and rejecting aberrant teachings that an individual pastor might introduce to the congregation.

3. An independent church has less moral accountability. Who is overseeing the pastor and the leadership of the church? While moral failings are certainly not exclusive to non-denominational churches, an avenue of reporting wrong behaviors, addressing moral failures, and working through them is typically clearer and more accessible within a denomination. History is replete with examples of church leaders who significantly compromised their biblical ability to lead in the body of Christ through immorality. We ought always to be concerned with leaders who refuse to be accountable to the body. While we should be able to trust Christians, trust and accountability are not mutually exclusive.

4. A denominational church often has more clarity about its polity. How does one become a leader? How is one ordained? How is conflict resolved? Who has authority in different areas and ministries within the church? How are major financial decisions made? Who has authority over the day to day administration of the church? These are all important questions that are not often asked by the average church attendance. A clear and consistent way to choose leadership, operate church ministries, and manage church assets is essential to prevent manipulation of people and abuse of authority. I am part of a denomination that has processes laid out about how we make decisions as a church for the sake of unity and missional fruifulness.

5. Independant churches are often built around the personality of the pastor. While we should be grateful for significant leaders who have talents and gifts they are using for the kingdom, we must remember that the Kingdom of God has a foundation: Jesus. Certainly pastors are worthy of a double honor according to the Bible, but they should never be the object of our worship and devotion. The crowds are looking for a "celebrity" they can follow. Pastors need to point people to the Son of God.

6. Denominational churches typically spend more money on missional efforts beyond their local community. While denominational churches often complain about the "budgets" or "allotments", these funds are working toward a greater and broader ministry impact. The great commission involves our local community work, but also compels us to minister to the "ends of the earth." Churches that are "independent" often focus more on local mission than global mission. 

7. A non-denominational church is actually a denomination of one church. Local churches in a denomination are simply working together with other churches, often internationally, to accomplish the work of the Kingdom of God. Small churches that might not be able to fund missional work around the world or support a missionary by themselves can pool their resources in a denomination for greater impact. An "independent" church is really only a very small denomination consisting of one church. 

While there are no doubt some advantages to being part of a non-denominational church, I believe the disadvantages far outweigh the positives. What do you think?

What are some advantages of being an "independent" church? What are some advantages of being part of a denomination?

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