And He will give you a helper…

My thoughts this morning while sipping coffee…

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” –Jesus the Christ John 14:26-27

Throughout church history since Jesus ascended with the promise to return, questions have consistently been brought up about how to live out the Christian life. Some have said to be holy we must strive to be perfect for doesn’t scripture say: “Be perfect as your heavenly father is perfect.” Some have said that certain actions are dependent upon salvation like taking the Eucharist, or being baptized in water, immersed under water, or sprinkled with water. Some have said that God’s grace is so powerful that all you must do is say a prayer and you are secured eternally. Some say that you must live Holy so as to not lose your salvation. Some say you should be in a constant battle to keep the saving work from leaving you. Some say that the devil is waiting to take you and if you aren’t manifesting in the spirit, and walking in signs and wonders the devil could steal away your salvation. Some say that if you don’t pray in tongues you aren’t saved, while others say if you do you are you might not be saved. Origen thought he had to castrate himself to be pure from his lust. The desert fathers thought they had to afflict themselves once Rome was converted by Constantine and the persecutions stopped. During the crusades many thought it necessary to purge the Earth of the unbelieving heathen. On and On and On and On could I go outlining the various beliefs that we all struggle through in our effort to walk out our salvation with fear and trembling. But which is right? Would I ever be so dare to pit my understanding against those throughout history? No.

All I can claim to really know is what the scripture says. I could find verses that say we can lose our salvation, I can find just as many that say the saints will persevere till the end. There is some argument even for the catholic view of works in order to gain salvation in the book of James. Then there are just as many contradicting works based salvation in Galatians. There is scriptural argument for woman not to teach or lead, yet there are scriptures that contradict. Some scripture could tell you that prophecy is dead, and many that say otherwise. Well intentioned lovers of God over the centuries have been trying to get it right. Yet no one in the body agrees on one specific way.

I desire to have good doctrine. Yet good doctrine to one person looks like bad doctrine to another. So which is it?

Prosperity gospel is a disastrous theology, yet God will make us prosper, and multiply what we give. The Emergent church has some universal under tones and many things wrong with it. It misleads people and presents a false view of social justice. Yet they are making bigger strides than any in the American church concerning the poor of the Earth and representing love to those who have none and are leading them to Christ. The Charismatic church is filled with spiritual myths that don’t exist in scripture and are begging the spirit to come when he already has as the indwelling spirit given at salvation. Yet are bringing many into fasting and prayer and walking out spiritual disciplines in ways many aren’t; many are truly alive in Christ and the Word, but carry some extra biblical motives. In the Reformed circles many are going deep in understanding of sound doctrine and the Word. Reformers have been a great help to the body in calling us back to sound doctrine, but many error on being critiques of the Church more than a help and have driven themselves into bitterness and frustration and not love and joy in God. (I’m not speaking about those reformers that comment here, I’m speaking in general.) John Calvin used to have the Anna Baptists drowned for not believing in the right way to baptize. Martin Luther’s reforms caused the bloodshed, probably unintentionally, of thousands of woman and children. The Moravians were persecuted, and killed by many in the church for what they believed. The Quakers were hated by many in the church. To this day Catholics and Protestants continue to fight to the death worldwide. To this day more churches stake a claim that they have the sound doctrine, or the “now Word” and point the finger at everyone else claiming they need to conform to their version.

How then shall we live?

I don’t have the answer, nor would I claim to have the answer to 2,000 years of theological disagreements by men more educated and more informed than I. But this I submit to the masses:

1. Love him with all your heart, soul mind and strength.
2. Love your neighbor as yourself
3. Be obedient to the Word
4. Be attentive to the helper, the Holy Spirit who brings to remembrance all things that he has said, and who searches the deep things of the Father’s heart willing to make them known. Who dwells so richly within us.
5. Fear God    

Saint Augustine once said “love God and do as you please.” I believe the way you tell false doctrine from right doctrine is the fruit of the spirit in that person’s life. If they truly love God they will do what He pleases. If they truly love God the fruits of the Spirit will be evident: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self-control.

How then shall we live?

Love God and do as you please… Thus by their fruits you will recognize them.

Just my thoughts on this beautiful morning. The Sun is rising and looks gorgeous… oh how I have missed the sun the 6 years!