Gnostic Code Contrary To Real Life!

You may be curious about the title and you may even wonder what I mean by Gnostic code contrary to real life. Today’s blog entry comes from an idea that struck me as I was thinking through how most people live by a code that is not always easy to decipher. I wonder, how many times do we apply Gnostic thinking to the every day life.

Gnosticism was something that was very prevalent in the New Testament but it was not exclusive to that time period. The apostle Paul spoke about this many times when he said that there is a group of people that he often referred to as leading a false religious beliefs called Gnosticism. It was a group of people who felt as if they had a secret yet special knowledge on all things spiritual. They elevated themselves above others as if they lived by a code that most had no way to decipher. It was a way of life that was held to a particular group and a particular way of life. A secret knowledge was the basis of their religious beliefs.

The gospel of Jesus Christ (as in mainline or evangelical churches) is open and free to everyone. The meaning of the gospel is simple to understand and it is based on the work of the Lord Jesus Christ and not of ourselves. It is a way of life that is public and not private, open and not closed, known and not secret. It is understood universally not exclusively.

So, what do I mean by living our lives with a secret knowledge? I often believe that culture plays into this in many ways. There are secret traditions and ways of living that are only known by a few and for insiders more than outsiders. It is perhaps a cult rather than a sectarian religion.

Driving through Amish country I’m reminded that there are over 300 different types of Amish groups. They live life by a series of special codes and ways of life. For the average person it is hard to recognize them but let me tell you a few customs that distinguish themselves from others.

In the Amish life there may be rules that pertain to the type of horse and buggy you drive. Some have open tops while others have canopies. Some have no canopies at all. The way in which they dress may also distinguish them from one another. Some have buttons that are sewn on the outside while others have buttons that are hidden behind fabric. The way in which they wear their hat or the type of hat that they have can also distinguish them from one another. Some have high top while others have thick brims and others have no brim at all.

There are special codes in secrets hidden within the religion that somehow communicate a level of spiritual living. I’m not criticizing the Amish for their way of life, I’d rather admire them, it illustrates my point as it relates to evangelicals and others. We have a way of life that is hidden behind codes with nothing by which to decode it with.

It’s no wonder that evangelism is so difficult. As people trace their religious stream and attempt to defined their faith, they are often confused by the many denominations and churches that we have today. Too often people define their spirituality by their denomination in which most of us know that it is not what gives you access to heaven but it is a way that shows you how and who to believe in to get there. Many “followers” are prideful and maintain a way of life that is like living a secret life, like membership to a club that is only for certain people. 

What if we could explain our way of life in simple terms?

What if we could reveal in simple terms what it is to have faith and become a follower of Christ?

These gospel is pretty plain and easy to understand. We recognize that it is not based upon works or really anything that we do. It is not a mythical array of ideas. It is based on a set of core beliefs through Jesus Christ, who paid the price for our salvation.

Do we make being a Christian complex? Do we allow for God’s grace in the ministry of the Holy Spirit to develop a disciple? Or, have we fixated on the externals like our dress and hair style? Do we make being a Christian complex? Do we allow for God’s grace in the ministry of the Holy Spirit to develop a disciple? Or, have we fixated on the externals like our dress and hair style to determine play Grace is about?

The gospel is basic  and included simple ingredients. It certainly includes love but it is love that transforms our lives in reveals our potential in Christ. 

I remember attending a youth / family camp as a child in which I was restricted in what I could wear and even who I associated with. When I would go to camp meeting there was always somebody there to button my top shirt button and I was not permitted to wear a polo shirt. (Button down shirts and long sleeves were preferred.) They were concerned about my appearance perhaps more than my heart but I know that they love me just the same. The way in which they communicated it to me was out of great concerned for how I lived. 

Going to camp, in a way it was sort of like a Gnostic way of living. I didn’t understand the code but I complied. I didn’t know that there was a heart relationship that I needed to have with God that could bring me understanding of my lifestyle and choices in life. It’s funny but today I prefer to wear a button down shirts.

You may chuckle because in our current generation we are seen quite the opposite. The external dress and tattoos often camouflage the heart. It’s easy to make assumptions isn’t it? You’ve been there too, right!

My hope is that today you can reflect upon what is the secret code by which you live but never telling others about the hope of the Lord Jesus Christ. We believe that more is caught then taught but this is not true in every case. People will see your lifestyle and only judge it as different but not understanding the source upon which you define your life. Unless we tell them of a hope we have in Christ, they may never understand that they too can belong. They need to know that grace and hope are universally available through Christ.

The Scripture teaches that it’s important to tell not just show! I believe it’s never been more important for people to hear your testimony! People may think you are peculiar but unless you say that is because of Jesus, they will never understand why you are different.

This Is Simple For The Lord!

Consider the complexities you and I face everyday. From programming our TV remote to using your mobile phone (like an iPhone or Android). How about online ordering and finding the right information we need for the issue we are trying to solve. COVID-19 as one example. 

Our world is full of complexity! Is not anything simple? I once asked a person for direction. It seemed like I could have followed my simple turn-by-turn directions. Yet, the description was more complex than the problem I was trying to solve. After listening to a long answer from one person that made me wish I had written everything down because after 5 turns I was loosing track of the her description. Then another person who was listening quietly interrupted. She simply said, “I know a simple way!” In just two turns she described to me a much more simple way. She simply started with a point of reference I was familiar with, “Do you know where Walmart is?” 

How many times do we add complexity to simple things? I know I have been a contributor to complex answers. I love it when I instructions are written for dummies like me. I especially like pictures and illustrations. Diagrams help me to see step-by-step directions. It take more discipline to narrow the subject to simple answers. It takes more time to draft and re-draft answers to get to the point. 

God is so infinite and complex. He is bigger than anything our minds can understand yet, He makes Himself known in simple ways. To Adam and Eve, he walked among them in the garden. To Abraham, he came in the form of sojourners and often angels. To Moses He was in the burning bush and gave Himself a name, I AM. The examples continue throughout the Bible. 

The prophet Elisha knew God through relationship. God’s  message was given in simple instructions. In 2 Kings 3:18 Elisha simplified the battle plan by saying that is a simple thing for the Lord. It didn’t have to be overwhelming, detailed, and highly complex. It took faith and a trust in God, yet, it was easy for God! 

The prophets and church fathers knew Him in profoundly simple ways! Reads Hebrews 12 to see what God said about each of our spiritual patriarchs. The gospel is summed up in just a few expressions of love and grace. 

A good leader is able to take complex issues and simplify the answer. It doesn’t mean that it is easy for us but in our simple faith in God, we can find simple answers.

Today my blog is a reminder to remember that while God is complex, His solutions can be understood in simple terms. I remember that my parents often would tell me that to simply trust them. At times they would even say, “Because I say so!” Many times I would simply trust them. It was enough that they would just said because I say so. It is when we put our hand in the hand of God that we can learn to walk with Him through life. 

I am reminded that the first step to understanding is relational. I love the now famed statement by Babby Mason, “When you can’t trace His hand, trust His heart!” God will care for the many details IF we begin by trusting Him!

What Is Christian Success?

We have all heard this question asked over-and-over. From the ranks of celebrities and politicians, success is defined as high achievement and too often wealth. Indeed, while success is driven by the hungry (those who desire and drive for success) it is not just defined by the highest levels of earthly definitions. 

What is Christian success? This is perhaps a contradiction of terms; an oxymoron. (Defined by the opposite of intellectual ideals.) On one hand it is about what we achieve, accomplish, the ability to earn, and the ratings of many. Yet, I am convinced that it is not just the rankings of those at the top. It is also the depths of deepest meaning as well.

I love what Tony Dungy says about success. He has achieved great fame and success in his career as a great football player, winning both college bowl and the Super Bowl as player and coach! No one would ever think of Dungy as not achieving. He now speaks all over the country and the World as he lends his voice to the NFL as well as leading such great causes as All-Pro Dads. 

He says, “Let me suggest that is comes down to what kind of role model we are, especially to children.” (Uncommon Life Devotional Challenge)

Dungy was referring to the life of Dave Thomas as he thought about Christian success and write the quote above. As many know that the Thomas foundation has done much to promote Adoption and even Dave has lived it out through Adoption. It’s important to recognize that a life lived well it’s not about just what you believe but it goes beyond that.

Dungy writes, “Dave Thomas realize that it’s not enough to say the right things. We’ve got to live them out.”

Success in the eyes of the world may be about things and privilege and prestige but in the Christian life, success is more than those things. It is about living both publicly and privately our faith. It’s about making choices and also about behavior, as Dungy further states. It’s about being a role model. Dungy suggest that, “it comes down to what kind of role model we are, especially to children.”

We can read in scripture that the Lord defined faith through the description of being adopted. We read in Ephesians that we have been adopted and by God’s grace, through Jesus Christ and we are children of God.

Ephesians 1:5: God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.

How Can I Pray For You?

 Just look around and you will see, we are living in deprecate times! People are discouraged, depressed, and dealing with destructive addictions of all kinds. I know that you see it too! It seems that we are seeing like never before in our lifetime, people are struggling. Lives are shipwrecked, broken on the shores of an angry ocean.

I believe that there has never been a better time to share our faith in Christ in my lifetime. People are looking for answers to complex issues. The world is angry, fearful, and confused like never before. When we are faithfully sharing g the Word of hope or our testimony of God’s faithful precepts and provisions, the world leans in because many want hope and Truth. 

One of the best ways I have found very effective to share my witness is through prayer! When we ask how can I pray for you, we will discover that people are open and willing to permit us to pray. I can’t tell all the ways I have found this to be true but let me tell you a couple of times I have experienced.

I love to do street evangelism. I am always amazed at how God leads and how the divine doorway opens. Time-after-time, I enjoy meeting strangers and asking them how I can pray for them. Few turn me down. 

Brandon is one example. I called to him across the parking lot. He was minding his own business as he walked across the way. When I called out to him, I simply asked one question. “Hey friend, how can I pray for you?” I imagine you can guess his response! “What?!” As I drew near, he almost took a few steps back. He didn’t expect this line of questioning. He quickly saw that I was sincere and with a smile, he saw that I was meaning to be friendly. We had a great time talking about the grace if God through Jesus. Sure, he told me what he was dealing with. He was surprised that I took a few bucks out of my wallet to meet his immediate need. Without judgement, I prayed for God’s grace and blessings to be upon him. 

I have traveled to hundreds of cities around the country. I have done this with hundreds of others, nearly every city I went through. Store merchants, clerks at grocery stores, waitresses, business men and women minding their own business, simply committing to work and while standing in line at fast food restaurants. (I prefer to go inside to place my order rather than drive-thru.) 

Another time I recall asking the question, how can I pray for you? I was simply going to grab a quick meal at a fast food place. Just outside the front door, being passed by others was a woman who looked to be homeless. I invited her to join me for a meal. I think she said yes only because she was hungry. Likely she thought I was strange. I was not someone that she would naturally share a meal with. 

As we placed our orders, I encouraged her to order anything she wanted. I said that she should buy somethings that she could have for a meal later or tomorrow. 

As we finished ordering g and paying, I asked her how Could I pray for her. Not thinking but, as I prayed for her I was holding up the line. I didn’t move out of the way, letting others order their meal. Interestingly, I quickly finished my prayer to loom up and see that everyone in line were also in a posture of prayer. No one rushed me. No one said mean things. In fact, I believe that they joined me in prayer because of their own need for prayer. Hope was present. The Kingdom of God had come to all of us during that time of prayer.

Like 10 is the biblical illustration that I often look to. Jesus sent out his disciples with very few instructions but as I study this passage, I am reminded that the goal was to make God’s Kingdom a reality for the least and the lost! 

Luke 10:9 — Heal the sick, and tell them, ‘The Kingdom of God is near you now.’

What am I saying? I believe that prayer is a Kingdom dominion act of faith! Try it? Don’t ask “Can I pray for you?” But ask, “How can I pray for you?” Don’t worry about being reject. Not everyone will respond but for those that do, God’s Kingdom will come near to those that participate! It is an act of your faith that draws others into God’s presence.