Blog https://www.sonmission.org Wed, 19 Aug 2026 01:57:41 -0700 https://www.churchplantmedia.com/ The Lockdown https://www.sonmission.org/blog/post/-the-lockdown https://www.sonmission.org/blog/post/-the-lockdown#comments Fri, 05 Nov 2021 04:24:00 -0700 https://www.sonmission.org/blog/post/-the-lockdown Orphanhood is complex in the Busia District of Uganda, Africa. When I speak of “orphans” in this context, I’m specifically addressing the physical orphan, not spiritual. If we want a better grasp of how we are called to rightly serve orphans in the Busia District, we must ask the right questions: How did one become an orphan? What does the Bible say about orphans? Who has the responsibility to care for orphans? What’s the church’s role in orphanhood? And so on. 

I’m not going to branch off into sociological theories, systemic modalities, or psychological strategies to answer these questions. There are many resources for that, this is not one. Instead, I am going to breakdown a small portion of Scripture, specifically analyze the current state of orphans in the Busia District, and biblically discern who fills what roles to position orphans with the opportunity to flourish. As a para-church organization, Son Mission, we first seek God’s Word for answers. Can it really be that simple? Yes. God gives us the blueprint for flourishing within many contexts, even for the orphan, widow, and single mother. The Bible speaks of the physical orphan and how we are to respond (James 1:27, 2:15-16; Hosea 14:3; Isaiah 1:17; Deuteronomy 10:18). I love this command:

"Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed." Psalm 82:3 

But I want to focus on and draw principles from an admonition that is more subtle for the physical orphan: 

3 Honor widows who are truly widows. 4 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God. 5 She who is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day, 6 but she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives. 7 Command these things as well, so that they may be without reproach. 8 But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. (1 Tim. 5:3-8)

In his book “Family Shepherds”, Pastor Voddie Baucham Jr. draws principles from these instructions penned by the Apostle Paul and argues they are applicable to single mothers and orphans. Pastor Voddie highlights, from these verses, who is responsible to serve the orphan and within what role; breaking it down into three levels: level one - nuclear family; level two - extended family; level three - the church. Sadly, for the orphan, care from level one, the nuclear family, is not an option. Level two, the extended family, is biblically responsible to step up as the caregiver for the orphan(s) within their extended family. I have been greatly encouraged by the professing Christians in the Busia District who have stepped up as caregivers for their deceased relative’s children. Many of the orphans we serve are adopted by their relatives: aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins. This is Biblical. This is good. 

Pastor Voddie points out that level 3, the church, has limited jurisdiction in service to the widow (orphan). The church in this context is referred to as a physically established local church. Notice how the church is the last line of defense, not the first. In general, the local church is called to provide pastoral care, counsel, and sometimes temporary financial relief for orphans and their caregivers. The dismantling of the nuclear and extended family happens way too often, and when this occurs, the families that make up the local church are the next in line to defend the orphan. The best means of discipleship for an orphan is immersion into a Bible-believing family. 

Church leadership should be equipping their saints to welcome orphans into their homes. This is a regular practice in the Busia District churches as they encounter this situation all too often. Over spiced African tea in 2016, I listened to a pastor testify to the countless times a child was left at the front door of his church. This is why he regularly equips his saints to be prepared. I have been humbled and encouraged to witness Christian families, all over the Busia District, adopt orphans into their already large and poor families. And they do so, gladly, as a privilege and calling.

As we can see from Scripture, there’s a formula to follow when serving the orphan in the Busia District. Son Mission encourages all 3 levels to work together for the good and flourishing of the orphan. This is why we encourage, equip, and provide relief for orphans, caregivers, and churches - focusing on making disciples in each level. As a para-church, we do not replace the role of the nuclear family, the extended family, or the local church. Rather, we come alongside each level and leverage what God has given us to provide where there is need: discipleship, scholarship, education, encouragement, basic needs. We have been blessed to partner with caregivers who truly love God and their orphans as their own. They need help and encouragement along the way. That is why we exist: To stand in the gap with them - making disciples. 

Son Mission has been partnering with caregivers and their orphans for almost 6 years. We have encountered challenges, learned from our own mistakes and made improvements along the way. We have seen most of our students flourish and a small portion fail. When failure happens: We pick them back up, encourage them, and press them forward in Christ. But sometimes obstacles surface that are completely out of our or their control. 

As Christians, we are called to pray for wise governing from government leaders. As the Son Mission Director, I specifically pray for Uganda’s government to not hinder the development of orphans. Apostle Paul never said it was the government’s role to adopt or care for orphans, but rather the government’s role is to protect citizens from lawlessness and render justice. Uganda’s government has enforced laws and mandates that have yielded the susceptibility and vulnerability of orphans to lawlessness. I am going to spend some time discussing how Uganda’s government has moved away from their jurisdiction; preventing children, orphans, and others from flourishing on a very basic human level. The purpose of pointing out the failings of Uganda’s government is not to bash them but rather help us understand the specific plight of the orphans we serve in the Busia District. We need to put ourselves in their shoes. 

My pastors, Josh McPhereson and Adam James of Grace City Church, seek the biblical flourishing of their community, their church, and their families. They have unequivocally articulated the importance of living within three jurisdictions: (1) the family, (2) the church, and (3) the civil government. When one of the three jurisdictions swerve into the lane of the other - disorder and dysfunction will eventually ensue. God never intended for the church to solely disciple children. That’s the role of the family. God never intended for the government to dictate how, when and if the church can sing or gather. That’s the role of the church. God never intended for the family to render justice on lawbreakers. That’s the role of the civil government. Uganda’s government has swerved into the lanes of the family and church; resulting in the unnecessary suffering of children and orphans. 

How so?

Uganda’s government has fully or partially shut down schools for 77 weeks and counting due to the coronavirus pandemic. According to the United Nation’s Cultural Agency, these 77 weeks have been the longest school disruption in the entire world. Why? Has Uganda’s children been dying in droves from the coronavirus? No. I’m not going to spend time analyzing the “why” behind the government doing this, instead I want to focus on the effects these 77 weeks have had on orphans and vulnerable children in Uganda. 

According to research conducted in East Africa and Uganda (Sources: Here & Here), about a year into the lockdowns, Uganda experienced increased violence against children, increased sexual abuse against children, increased child labor among children, increased sex trafficking of children, and decreased availability of basic needs for children. The Uganda Child Helpline (UCHL) averaged about 100 calls per day before school lockdowns. During the school lockdowns, calls increased from 100 to 1369 per day. You read that correctly. These calls ranged from physical abuse, sexual abuse, abandonment, neglect, even murder: 20% of found cases were sexual abuse against girls. 

Additionally, basic needs are difficult to attain due to the lockdowns, resulting in the following: 

“In such cash-strapped families, access to basic needs is hardly possible; further propelling children to indulge in risk behaviors for survival such as commercial sexual exploitation and, in some parts of the country, adolescent boys were reported resorting to food theft for survival. Many girls are reported to have entered cross-generational relationships, to access basic supplies such as sanitary pads and soap, yet they have limited access to sexual and reproductive health services which have contributed to early pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections.” (Read the research conducted) 

Finally, child labor has significantly increased: 

“As many parents lost income, unable to feed their families and their households being pushed into extreme poverty and hunger, children are thus increasingly forced into hazardous and exploitative work to support their families. According to the Save the Children's survey, 56% of respondents reported an increase in children working since lockdown began. In many parts of the country, children have been seen selling food items, alcohol, firewood, working in gold mines and grazing animals, among others, since the lockdown started.” (Read the research conducted)

The reports I receive from the Son Mission Busia team echo the findings in this research. Please dig around and read the research. To summarize, the effects of school lockdowns have increased sexual abuse among children, increased physical abuse among children, increased child labor among very young children, decreased access to basic needs for children, and so much more. The government is called to protect people, not exploit them. Are these school lockdowns protecting Uganda’s children, allowing them to flourish, and helping Uganda’s future as a nation? If you were a parent in Uganda, would you be for school lockdowns? Through an American lens, we do not fully grasp the Ugandan culture and how their culture is centered around children being present in school. Schools are a place of refuge for many students. During lockdowns in America, schools sent students home with WiFi and laptops. That’s not a thing in Uganda, if you are tracking. It is much more complicated there. It is fair to conclude that Uganda’s government has swerved into the lane of family (and church but we don’t have time for that right now). Families need their children to learn, socialize, grow, eat, play, etc. Children need to be present in school to learn, socialize, grow, eat, play, etc. Uganda’s government swerved into the family’s lane and continues to plow over children’s God-given right to flourish as image-bearers. 

As Pastor Voddie pointed out, there are 3 biblically responsible levels to serving orphans: (1) nuclear family (2) extended family (3) the church. As we know, orphans in the Busia District are without their biological parents; their extended families were forced to stop working (yielding frustration and no resources to provide for their families); and the church was forced to completely shut down, off and on, for months. I’m not going to chronicle the month by month status of the lockdowns in Uganda - just know that it was all over the place. Some months, churches were allowed to open. Other months, schools were allowed to open. But they all ended up closing again, and the schools remain closed today. 

So what did Son Mission do in these 77 weeks? 

We had to get creative. We hired teachers for three months in 2020 to teach our 28 orphans at an undisclosed location. We provided monthly luncheons for our caregivers and orphans. Weekly, we went to the homes of each orphan and prayed with them. We transported them to and from school when schools closed and re-opened and closed again. Each orphan we serve is more vulnerable because of the school lockdowns. The Christian boarding school we partner with provided our 28 with shelter, security, accountability, food, education, and more. This has been taken away for most of 77 weeks. This is no small deal. 

Some of our students are weathering through the storm, whereas other students are struggling. For instance, Erumbi Priscilla has been with Son Mission since 2016. She is currently a junior and number 1 in her class. She has been heartbroken since the school lockdowns started. She is eager to become a bank accountant, experience more of her country, and learn how God has equipped her to serve those around her. Erumbi loves school so much that during school breaks (in-between terms in 2019) she snuck into public schools and covertly sat in large classes to learn. Thankfully, she is still patiently waiting for schools to open and hasn’t fallen victim to child abuse - that we know of. For other students, this is not the case. A vulnerable orphan that has been with us since 2016 is now pregnant. We do not know if this happened due to force. An investigation is still pending. This is heart-wrenching because she was thriving at the Christian boarding school. She was safe. She was learning. She was growing in Christ. She was committed to waiting for marriage. I believe the more we unravel the effects of what happened to our 28 orphans during these 77 weeks, we will find a lot more heartbreak. 

What is next for the 28? Ostensibly, schools are to open back up in January of 2022 - only if every teacher and student gets vaccinated. There seems to be flaws with this plan - refrigeration for starters - but we won’t venture there now. Where I must venture is how I am going to lead Son Mission as 77 weeks turn to 78, 79, 80, etc. By the grace of God, a bunch of generous Christians and Grace City Church: Son Mission now has a physical building in the Busia District. How this happened so quickly is providential. The timing is truly a testimony of the goodness of God and His people. 

Would God have Son Mission leverage this building to help encourage, teach, educate, and train orphans, caregivers, and pastors during this “unprecedented time”? Or would God have us lock the doors, wait until everyone in the Busia District is vaccinated, and indirectly allow the government to plow over the vulnerable until they decide it’s time to swerve back into their lane? 

The Son Mission Hub is open for trades, training, harvesting, discipleship, and more. Over the next 2 months (during the final stages of construction), we are providing 18 full days of counsel, discipleship, and food for the 28 at the Hub. They need to socialize. They need structure. They need hope. They need to learn. They need discipline. They need Jesus. And their caregivers need some relief. Son Mission is called to defend the 28 by simply playing our God-given part in their transformation for His glory:

"Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed." Psalm 82:3

Will schools be open January 2022? I don’t know the answer to that question but I do know that God has given us the responsibility to shepherd these 28 in partnership with the church and their caregivers. You can’t make disciples if you close your doors. You can’t serve the weak and fatherless if you wait for others to do so. You can’t step up to your calling in Christ if you are indifferent to the unjust suffering of the most vulnerable. Once again, Son Mission is open. Come as you are: masked, unmasked, vaccinated, unvaccinated. In the words of pastor Andrew Wafula, “You are most welcome here.”  

]]> Orphanhood is complex in the Busia District of Uganda, Africa. When I speak of “orphans” in this context, I’m specifically addressing the physical orphan, not spiritual. If we want a better grasp of how we are called to rightly serve orphans in the Busia District, we must ask the right questions: How did one become an orphan? What does the Bible say about orphans? Who has the responsibility to care for orphans? What’s the church’s role in orphanhood? And so on. 

I’m not going to branch off into sociological theories, systemic modalities, or psychological strategies to answer these questions. There are many resources for that, this is not one. Instead, I am going to breakdown a small portion of Scripture, specifically analyze the current state of orphans in the Busia District, and biblically discern who fills what roles to position orphans with the opportunity to flourish. As a para-church organization, Son Mission, we first seek God’s Word for answers. Can it really be that simple? Yes. God gives us the blueprint for flourishing within many contexts, even for the orphan, widow, and single mother. The Bible speaks of the physical orphan and how we are to respond (James 1:27, 2:15-16; Hosea 14:3; Isaiah 1:17; Deuteronomy 10:18). I love this command:

"Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed." Psalm 82:3 

But I want to focus on and draw principles from an admonition that is more subtle for the physical orphan: 

3 Honor widows who are truly widows. 4 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God. 5 She who is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day, 6 but she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives. 7 Command these things as well, so that they may be without reproach. 8 But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. (1 Tim. 5:3-8)

In his book “Family Shepherds”, Pastor Voddie Baucham Jr. draws principles from these instructions penned by the Apostle Paul and argues they are applicable to single mothers and orphans. Pastor Voddie highlights, from these verses, who is responsible to serve the orphan and within what role; breaking it down into three levels: level one - nuclear family; level two - extended family; level three - the church. Sadly, for the orphan, care from level one, the nuclear family, is not an option. Level two, the extended family, is biblically responsible to step up as the caregiver for the orphan(s) within their extended family. I have been greatly encouraged by the professing Christians in the Busia District who have stepped up as caregivers for their deceased relative’s children. Many of the orphans we serve are adopted by their relatives: aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins. This is Biblical. This is good. 

Pastor Voddie points out that level 3, the church, has limited jurisdiction in service to the widow (orphan). The church in this context is referred to as a physically established local church. Notice how the church is the last line of defense, not the first. In general, the local church is called to provide pastoral care, counsel, and sometimes temporary financial relief for orphans and their caregivers. The dismantling of the nuclear and extended family happens way too often, and when this occurs, the families that make up the local church are the next in line to defend the orphan. The best means of discipleship for an orphan is immersion into a Bible-believing family. 

Church leadership should be equipping their saints to welcome orphans into their homes. This is a regular practice in the Busia District churches as they encounter this situation all too often. Over spiced African tea in 2016, I listened to a pastor testify to the countless times a child was left at the front door of his church. This is why he regularly equips his saints to be prepared. I have been humbled and encouraged to witness Christian families, all over the Busia District, adopt orphans into their already large and poor families. And they do so, gladly, as a privilege and calling.

As we can see from Scripture, there’s a formula to follow when serving the orphan in the Busia District. Son Mission encourages all 3 levels to work together for the good and flourishing of the orphan. This is why we encourage, equip, and provide relief for orphans, caregivers, and churches - focusing on making disciples in each level. As a para-church, we do not replace the role of the nuclear family, the extended family, or the local church. Rather, we come alongside each level and leverage what God has given us to provide where there is need: discipleship, scholarship, education, encouragement, basic needs. We have been blessed to partner with caregivers who truly love God and their orphans as their own. They need help and encouragement along the way. That is why we exist: To stand in the gap with them - making disciples. 

Son Mission has been partnering with caregivers and their orphans for almost 6 years. We have encountered challenges, learned from our own mistakes and made improvements along the way. We have seen most of our students flourish and a small portion fail. When failure happens: We pick them back up, encourage them, and press them forward in Christ. But sometimes obstacles surface that are completely out of our or their control. 

As Christians, we are called to pray for wise governing from government leaders. As the Son Mission Director, I specifically pray for Uganda’s government to not hinder the development of orphans. Apostle Paul never said it was the government’s role to adopt or care for orphans, but rather the government’s role is to protect citizens from lawlessness and render justice. Uganda’s government has enforced laws and mandates that have yielded the susceptibility and vulnerability of orphans to lawlessness. I am going to spend some time discussing how Uganda’s government has moved away from their jurisdiction; preventing children, orphans, and others from flourishing on a very basic human level. The purpose of pointing out the failings of Uganda’s government is not to bash them but rather help us understand the specific plight of the orphans we serve in the Busia District. We need to put ourselves in their shoes. 

My pastors, Josh McPhereson and Adam James of Grace City Church, seek the biblical flourishing of their community, their church, and their families. They have unequivocally articulated the importance of living within three jurisdictions: (1) the family, (2) the church, and (3) the civil government. When one of the three jurisdictions swerve into the lane of the other - disorder and dysfunction will eventually ensue. God never intended for the church to solely disciple children. That’s the role of the family. God never intended for the government to dictate how, when and if the church can sing or gather. That’s the role of the church. God never intended for the family to render justice on lawbreakers. That’s the role of the civil government. Uganda’s government has swerved into the lanes of the family and church; resulting in the unnecessary suffering of children and orphans. 

How so?

Uganda’s government has fully or partially shut down schools for 77 weeks and counting due to the coronavirus pandemic. According to the United Nation’s Cultural Agency, these 77 weeks have been the longest school disruption in the entire world. Why? Has Uganda’s children been dying in droves from the coronavirus? No. I’m not going to spend time analyzing the “why” behind the government doing this, instead I want to focus on the effects these 77 weeks have had on orphans and vulnerable children in Uganda. 

According to research conducted in East Africa and Uganda (Sources: Here & Here), about a year into the lockdowns, Uganda experienced increased violence against children, increased sexual abuse against children, increased child labor among children, increased sex trafficking of children, and decreased availability of basic needs for children. The Uganda Child Helpline (UCHL) averaged about 100 calls per day before school lockdowns. During the school lockdowns, calls increased from 100 to 1369 per day. You read that correctly. These calls ranged from physical abuse, sexual abuse, abandonment, neglect, even murder: 20% of found cases were sexual abuse against girls. 

Additionally, basic needs are difficult to attain due to the lockdowns, resulting in the following: 

“In such cash-strapped families, access to basic needs is hardly possible; further propelling children to indulge in risk behaviors for survival such as commercial sexual exploitation and, in some parts of the country, adolescent boys were reported resorting to food theft for survival. Many girls are reported to have entered cross-generational relationships, to access basic supplies such as sanitary pads and soap, yet they have limited access to sexual and reproductive health services which have contributed to early pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections.” (Read the research conducted) 

Finally, child labor has significantly increased: 

“As many parents lost income, unable to feed their families and their households being pushed into extreme poverty and hunger, children are thus increasingly forced into hazardous and exploitative work to support their families. According to the Save the Children's survey, 56% of respondents reported an increase in children working since lockdown began. In many parts of the country, children have been seen selling food items, alcohol, firewood, working in gold mines and grazing animals, among others, since the lockdown started.” (Read the research conducted)

The reports I receive from the Son Mission Busia team echo the findings in this research. Please dig around and read the research. To summarize, the effects of school lockdowns have increased sexual abuse among children, increased physical abuse among children, increased child labor among very young children, decreased access to basic needs for children, and so much more. The government is called to protect people, not exploit them. Are these school lockdowns protecting Uganda’s children, allowing them to flourish, and helping Uganda’s future as a nation? If you were a parent in Uganda, would you be for school lockdowns? Through an American lens, we do not fully grasp the Ugandan culture and how their culture is centered around children being present in school. Schools are a place of refuge for many students. During lockdowns in America, schools sent students home with WiFi and laptops. That’s not a thing in Uganda, if you are tracking. It is much more complicated there. It is fair to conclude that Uganda’s government has swerved into the lane of family (and church but we don’t have time for that right now). Families need their children to learn, socialize, grow, eat, play, etc. Children need to be present in school to learn, socialize, grow, eat, play, etc. Uganda’s government swerved into the family’s lane and continues to plow over children’s God-given right to flourish as image-bearers. 

As Pastor Voddie pointed out, there are 3 biblically responsible levels to serving orphans: (1) nuclear family (2) extended family (3) the church. As we know, orphans in the Busia District are without their biological parents; their extended families were forced to stop working (yielding frustration and no resources to provide for their families); and the church was forced to completely shut down, off and on, for months. I’m not going to chronicle the month by month status of the lockdowns in Uganda - just know that it was all over the place. Some months, churches were allowed to open. Other months, schools were allowed to open. But they all ended up closing again, and the schools remain closed today. 

So what did Son Mission do in these 77 weeks? 

We had to get creative. We hired teachers for three months in 2020 to teach our 28 orphans at an undisclosed location. We provided monthly luncheons for our caregivers and orphans. Weekly, we went to the homes of each orphan and prayed with them. We transported them to and from school when schools closed and re-opened and closed again. Each orphan we serve is more vulnerable because of the school lockdowns. The Christian boarding school we partner with provided our 28 with shelter, security, accountability, food, education, and more. This has been taken away for most of 77 weeks. This is no small deal. 

Some of our students are weathering through the storm, whereas other students are struggling. For instance, Erumbi Priscilla has been with Son Mission since 2016. She is currently a junior and number 1 in her class. She has been heartbroken since the school lockdowns started. She is eager to become a bank accountant, experience more of her country, and learn how God has equipped her to serve those around her. Erumbi loves school so much that during school breaks (in-between terms in 2019) she snuck into public schools and covertly sat in large classes to learn. Thankfully, she is still patiently waiting for schools to open and hasn’t fallen victim to child abuse - that we know of. For other students, this is not the case. A vulnerable orphan that has been with us since 2016 is now pregnant. We do not know if this happened due to force. An investigation is still pending. This is heart-wrenching because she was thriving at the Christian boarding school. She was safe. She was learning. She was growing in Christ. She was committed to waiting for marriage. I believe the more we unravel the effects of what happened to our 28 orphans during these 77 weeks, we will find a lot more heartbreak. 

What is next for the 28? Ostensibly, schools are to open back up in January of 2022 - only if every teacher and student gets vaccinated. There seems to be flaws with this plan - refrigeration for starters - but we won’t venture there now. Where I must venture is how I am going to lead Son Mission as 77 weeks turn to 78, 79, 80, etc. By the grace of God, a bunch of generous Christians and Grace City Church: Son Mission now has a physical building in the Busia District. How this happened so quickly is providential. The timing is truly a testimony of the goodness of God and His people. 

Would God have Son Mission leverage this building to help encourage, teach, educate, and train orphans, caregivers, and pastors during this “unprecedented time”? Or would God have us lock the doors, wait until everyone in the Busia District is vaccinated, and indirectly allow the government to plow over the vulnerable until they decide it’s time to swerve back into their lane? 

The Son Mission Hub is open for trades, training, harvesting, discipleship, and more. Over the next 2 months (during the final stages of construction), we are providing 18 full days of counsel, discipleship, and food for the 28 at the Hub. They need to socialize. They need structure. They need hope. They need to learn. They need discipline. They need Jesus. And their caregivers need some relief. Son Mission is called to defend the 28 by simply playing our God-given part in their transformation for His glory:

"Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed." Psalm 82:3

Will schools be open January 2022? I don’t know the answer to that question but I do know that God has given us the responsibility to shepherd these 28 in partnership with the church and their caregivers. You can’t make disciples if you close your doors. You can’t serve the weak and fatherless if you wait for others to do so. You can’t step up to your calling in Christ if you are indifferent to the unjust suffering of the most vulnerable. Once again, Son Mission is open. Come as you are: masked, unmasked, vaccinated, unvaccinated. In the words of pastor Andrew Wafula, “You are most welcome here.”  

]]> HOPE LIKE THOMAS https://www.sonmission.org/blog/post/hope-like-thomas https://www.sonmission.org/blog/post/hope-like-thomas#comments Mon, 15 Feb 2021 18:28:00 -0800 https://www.sonmission.org/blog/post/hope-like-thomas At the start of the COVID shutdowns nearly one year ago, I began a quest to redefine and rediscover hope. Hope is something no human can live without, which makes it such a dangerous creature. Put your hope in the wrong thing and you might find yourself devastatingly crushed when that ‘thing’ doesn’t pan out; consumed or enslaved by the anxiety of it’s possibility; or if you’re like me having been the dupe of both ends, it is possible to become cynical, calloused by broken plans and unfulfilled dreams to the point of dreading those fresh stirrings of excitement and snuffing them out (or trying to) as soon as they first tickle the insides of your belly. 
After two years of prayer and penny pinching, a year ago January I felt God challenge me to quit my beloved albeit difficult job as a high school teacher and finally move abroad. Yay! My plans were to: resign from teaching (check); get rid of my belongings; fly to Papua New Guinea where I’d been trying to get to for five years and help build a school with friends in Baku Village; fly to Australia to witness the birth of my best friend’s son; take off for a brief stint WOOFing in Germany; backpack to LaBri, Switzerland where I had committed to at least one semester to produce a writing sample for a PhD application; and of course, be in Busia for the beginning of the school year. It would have all worked swimmingly, however, within a month of taking that leap of faith and resigning from my job . . . the world closed.
I can’t stop myself from hoping in things, which is why I learned to dread it. The fallout of all my plans (and subsequent failed attempts to overcome international COVID regulations) left me quite confused as to what God was wanting from me, and quite raw as I watched the ridiculous political shenanigans and embarrassing events unfold in America the following 365 days. I felt trapped, increasingly full of dread and hopeless as I thought about my future. 
This surely was the end.
Was I wrong to feel this way? And especially as a Christian? Like any good maters level student of theology, I consulted the internet. Christian blogs were abundant: “Idolatry,” they said, “is anything you put before God,” several intimated you know when you’ve been idolizing something when you can’t live without it—take it away—if you’re crushed, its because you were holding onto it and putting it before your relationship with God. Repent you sinner! The joy of the Lord is our strength! Were they right? It sure sounds lofty, pious, spiritual, safe. And vaguely Buddhist. I consulted the Bible.
​Verse after verse told me that our God is the “God of all hope” (Romans 15:13), and that if hope is placed in Him it will not be put to shame (Psalm 25:3). But as this picture of true hope began to take shape in my mind, I still couldn’t understand how to put my hope in God. I understood I ought to, and wanted to from the core of my heart, but what I thought that looked like was different from what is.
I must for the moment reflect on the most hopeless night the world has witnessed, the night God died. From what little we know about Thomas at least, it seems quite clear though Jesus foretold His death and resurrection, what this really meant was not understood. I imagine Thomas’ three days of horror as he reflected on the untimely, gruesome, unjust death of his rabbi and friend. I can imagine three torturous nights as he processed the loss of his special calling—from God—out of a bland life to following this mysterious rabbi who would change the world, who would redeem Israel, who would end all injustice and oppression, who would fulfill the scriptures! And then to be killed, a victim of injustice. The cross was the crushing defeat of Israel’s hope, the literal destruction of Thomas’ future. 
Surely this was the end. ​
But it wasn’t. “Behold, I am doing a new thing, it now springs forth, do you not perceive it?” (Isaiah 43:19). Hope and trust are woven together in faith. Whatever darkness worked in Thomas those three nights was undone in the morning resurrection of Jesus. The cross of Jesus Christ is hope. The cross is a promise against all evil, all injustice, all revenge and unforgiveness, all loneliness and betrayal, all oppression, all pain and suffering, all catastrophe, all horror—God has gone to that cross and defeated it! Faith that He rose again in a life stronger than death, bearing the scars of crucifixion as a witness to the very power of God to complete the good work He has promised: this is what it means to hope in God. Touch those scars you Thomas’s! Touch the whole pierced through the heart of the living God for you. It is this hope in the truth of God—that despite how dark the present seems, how desolate the future, God can and will make a good thing happen—which rebels victoriously against all evil. 
It has taken a year, but I think I might be starting to finally understand. Trying to control hope in attempt of self-preservation or avoiding disappointment is not the aim of life, nor is it truly hoping in God. Hoping in God is not at the expense of lesser hopes but in the audacity of these lesser hopes—these which say “My God is able: There is no impossible. He is my hope.” I hope for sunshine tomorrow, I hope to have children one day (which at this stage in life feels utterly impossible), I hope that I will be able to travel to Busia in July and hold Scovia’s hand while walking red dirt roads to Howard Christian (which is currently impossible), I hope against hope for a spiritual revolution in my country (you get the point). 
Living is the most dangerous thing that can be done, it has a 100% death rate after all. We all know this. I give my life into the hands of the living God, and I will live boldly and hope boldly in the face of impossibility. When those hopes are dashed, I will not feel guilt for sadness, but grieve in expectation that, like scars of the resurrected body of Christ, my tears dried to my cheeks will bear witness that God has the power to defeat every despair by His good works. I will not fear being crushed or disappointed when these hopes are frustrated for in that place of anxiety, I will trust that as for Thomas so to it will be for me— Even in the darkest night, the night of the cross, God works all things to good for those who love Him and have been called according to His purposes (Romans 8:28). This is what He does. 
In closing, I will remember another hopeless night. Israel (God’s chosen people) had left Him, choosing to eschew the teachings of the Lord to practice pagan religions and even infant sacrifice. Political corruption was rampant. The prophets cried for the people to return to God lest they be destroyed, and the people scoffed—the prophets had been saying the Lord would bring judgement for years after all and nothing had happened, so why believe it now? But then in a flash, Israel was savagely destroyed by the Assyrian and then Babylonian invasions. Though he had been faithful to God, Jeremiah experienced that judgement along with his people. In reflection of the destruction of Jerusalem he writes: 
My soul has been deprived of peace; I have forgotten what happiness is. Then I thought: My future is lost, as well as my hope from the Lord . . . Yet I call this to mind, and therefore I have hope: Because the Lord’s faithful love we do not perish, for His mercies never end. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness! I say: The Lord is my portion, therefore, I will put my hope in Him. The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the person who seeks Him.” (Lamentations 3:17-25)
]]> At the start of the COVID shutdowns nearly one year ago, I began a quest to redefine and rediscover hope. Hope is something no human can live without, which makes it such a dangerous creature. Put your hope in the wrong thing and you might find yourself devastatingly crushed when that ‘thing’ doesn’t pan out; consumed or enslaved by the anxiety of it’s possibility; or if you’re like me having been the dupe of both ends, it is possible to become cynical, calloused by broken plans and unfulfilled dreams to the point of dreading those fresh stirrings of excitement and snuffing them out (or trying to) as soon as they first tickle the insides of your belly. 
After two years of prayer and penny pinching, a year ago January I felt God challenge me to quit my beloved albeit difficult job as a high school teacher and finally move abroad. Yay! My plans were to: resign from teaching (check); get rid of my belongings; fly to Papua New Guinea where I’d been trying to get to for five years and help build a school with friends in Baku Village; fly to Australia to witness the birth of my best friend’s son; take off for a brief stint WOOFing in Germany; backpack to LaBri, Switzerland where I had committed to at least one semester to produce a writing sample for a PhD application; and of course, be in Busia for the beginning of the school year. It would have all worked swimmingly, however, within a month of taking that leap of faith and resigning from my job . . . the world closed.
I can’t stop myself from hoping in things, which is why I learned to dread it. The fallout of all my plans (and subsequent failed attempts to overcome international COVID regulations) left me quite confused as to what God was wanting from me, and quite raw as I watched the ridiculous political shenanigans and embarrassing events unfold in America the following 365 days. I felt trapped, increasingly full of dread and hopeless as I thought about my future. 
This surely was the end.
Was I wrong to feel this way? And especially as a Christian? Like any good maters level student of theology, I consulted the internet. Christian blogs were abundant: “Idolatry,” they said, “is anything you put before God,” several intimated you know when you’ve been idolizing something when you can’t live without it—take it away—if you’re crushed, its because you were holding onto it and putting it before your relationship with God. Repent you sinner! The joy of the Lord is our strength! Were they right? It sure sounds lofty, pious, spiritual, safe. And vaguely Buddhist. I consulted the Bible.
​Verse after verse told me that our God is the “God of all hope” (Romans 15:13), and that if hope is placed in Him it will not be put to shame (Psalm 25:3). But as this picture of true hope began to take shape in my mind, I still couldn’t understand how to put my hope in God. I understood I ought to, and wanted to from the core of my heart, but what I thought that looked like was different from what is.
I must for the moment reflect on the most hopeless night the world has witnessed, the night God died. From what little we know about Thomas at least, it seems quite clear though Jesus foretold His death and resurrection, what this really meant was not understood. I imagine Thomas’ three days of horror as he reflected on the untimely, gruesome, unjust death of his rabbi and friend. I can imagine three torturous nights as he processed the loss of his special calling—from God—out of a bland life to following this mysterious rabbi who would change the world, who would redeem Israel, who would end all injustice and oppression, who would fulfill the scriptures! And then to be killed, a victim of injustice. The cross was the crushing defeat of Israel’s hope, the literal destruction of Thomas’ future. 
Surely this was the end. ​
But it wasn’t. “Behold, I am doing a new thing, it now springs forth, do you not perceive it?” (Isaiah 43:19). Hope and trust are woven together in faith. Whatever darkness worked in Thomas those three nights was undone in the morning resurrection of Jesus. The cross of Jesus Christ is hope. The cross is a promise against all evil, all injustice, all revenge and unforgiveness, all loneliness and betrayal, all oppression, all pain and suffering, all catastrophe, all horror—God has gone to that cross and defeated it! Faith that He rose again in a life stronger than death, bearing the scars of crucifixion as a witness to the very power of God to complete the good work He has promised: this is what it means to hope in God. Touch those scars you Thomas’s! Touch the whole pierced through the heart of the living God for you. It is this hope in the truth of God—that despite how dark the present seems, how desolate the future, God can and will make a good thing happen—which rebels victoriously against all evil. 
It has taken a year, but I think I might be starting to finally understand. Trying to control hope in attempt of self-preservation or avoiding disappointment is not the aim of life, nor is it truly hoping in God. Hoping in God is not at the expense of lesser hopes but in the audacity of these lesser hopes—these which say “My God is able: There is no impossible. He is my hope.” I hope for sunshine tomorrow, I hope to have children one day (which at this stage in life feels utterly impossible), I hope that I will be able to travel to Busia in July and hold Scovia’s hand while walking red dirt roads to Howard Christian (which is currently impossible), I hope against hope for a spiritual revolution in my country (you get the point). 
Living is the most dangerous thing that can be done, it has a 100% death rate after all. We all know this. I give my life into the hands of the living God, and I will live boldly and hope boldly in the face of impossibility. When those hopes are dashed, I will not feel guilt for sadness, but grieve in expectation that, like scars of the resurrected body of Christ, my tears dried to my cheeks will bear witness that God has the power to defeat every despair by His good works. I will not fear being crushed or disappointed when these hopes are frustrated for in that place of anxiety, I will trust that as for Thomas so to it will be for me— Even in the darkest night, the night of the cross, God works all things to good for those who love Him and have been called according to His purposes (Romans 8:28). This is what He does. 
In closing, I will remember another hopeless night. Israel (God’s chosen people) had left Him, choosing to eschew the teachings of the Lord to practice pagan religions and even infant sacrifice. Political corruption was rampant. The prophets cried for the people to return to God lest they be destroyed, and the people scoffed—the prophets had been saying the Lord would bring judgement for years after all and nothing had happened, so why believe it now? But then in a flash, Israel was savagely destroyed by the Assyrian and then Babylonian invasions. Though he had been faithful to God, Jeremiah experienced that judgement along with his people. In reflection of the destruction of Jerusalem he writes: 
My soul has been deprived of peace; I have forgotten what happiness is. Then I thought: My future is lost, as well as my hope from the Lord . . . Yet I call this to mind, and therefore I have hope: Because the Lord’s faithful love we do not perish, for His mercies never end. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness! I say: The Lord is my portion, therefore, I will put my hope in Him. The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the person who seeks Him.” (Lamentations 3:17-25)
]]> GO AND MAKE DISCIPLES https://www.sonmission.org/blog/post/go-and-make-disciples https://www.sonmission.org/blog/post/go-and-make-disciples#comments Mon, 23 Mar 2020 19:31:00 -0700 https://www.sonmission.org/blog/post/go-and-make-disciples Many have heard the term “Go and Make Disciples” but do we practice it? I can tell you that for almost 40 years this phrase didn’t resonate with me. I had always thought that this was for someone else. The words were good but meant for someone called a “missionary”. This all changed for me as I began boarding a plane for the Middle East in January of 2016 for a “vision quest”. But first, let me rewind.
​On September 11, 2001, I was in Olympia, WA, getting ready for work when my roommate told me that the Twin Towers had been hit. Watching the news, I was in disbelief at what was occurring before my eyes. I thought about a friend that worked for a brokerage company on the 95th floor of Tower One. As I saw the first tower fall my disbelief became real with tears streaming down. At that moment, I thought about the children that would never see their parents again and the wives and husbands that would never come home for dinner. I couldn’t comprehend the tragic loss of people that close.  I thought to myself, “How could God let this happen?” and “There must be consequences for this—having loved ones ripped away in one brief moment”.
Later I found out my friend had left the Friday before and was safe, but I still wanted revenge on the people who did this to my country. When it came out that the hijackers were Muslims from the Middle East, I wanted the U.S. to invade their country and wipe them all out. I was a staunch proponent for getting even and was relieved when we launched the Afghan War to root out the Taliban. 
Didn’t the Bible say an eye for an eye? 
 My heart had been calloused over and nothing could break this hatred toward those I held responsible for September 11th. But, as I learned in politics, I let others see a façade so that my true feelings could be kept hidden from the outside world. I concealed from everyone my hatred for the Muslim people. For nine years, I kept these feelings pent up inside of me.
​My life started taking a different turn when I was attending Grace City Church in 2010.  At that time I had applied for an internship to work with a federal agency in Washington DC, which meant I would be packing up my family and moving in the fall of 2010.  Little did I know that God had a completely different path for me. After a church service in August 2010, I looked at my wife and said, “I think God wants us to stay here in Wenatchee and attend Grace City Church”.  I abandoned my plans to work for the federal agency and instead invested my time in what God had for me in the Wenatchee Valley. My heart at this point was still calloused over, but it began to show signs of breaking open. The preaching that I heard tore at me and I was starting to see Jesus for who He truly is. The Holy Spirit was convicting me of my beliefs and that I myself am depraved apart from God's grace. I was leading my family, a part of a Gospel Community, and was baptized during my first two years attending Grace City Church. Then the event happened that would change my world forever: October 26, 2013.  
My wife and I were invited to a Missions Night at a friend’s house to hear from a young couple preparing to go and preach to an unreached people group in Iraq. I was astonished that someone would risk life and limb to proclaim the gospel to Muslims living in the Middle East. The couple started their slideshow with pictures of the Middle East and people who live there. They then talked about a shopkeeper who had attentively listened to them talk about the gospel. At the end of their conversation, he told them point blank “we need more people like you to come and tell this gospel so more people could be saved.” These words echoed in my mind the rest of the evening. I realized that Muslims can also be saved. Jesus died for the Muslims, even those who committed the September 11 attacks. At this thought, my calloused heart was torn open. I now saw the gospel for what it is, a lifeline not just to Americans, but also Muslims throughout the world. If God could reach down and choose me, He could do this for anyone who called upon His name. I knew right then and there I needed to repent about my feelings towards Muslims and ask God for forgiveness for my sins. 
After this encounter with the Holy Spirit and a new found heart for the Muslim people, I heard about an opportunity to learn more about the mission field at a 6-week class called Perspectives. In short, Perspectives teaches a global approach to being missional and what it means to go out to the ends of the earth. I signed up immediately and was hooked from day one. Before Perspectives had begun I indicated that our family would be interested in hosting a missionary for an evening. I heard back a week later—a missionary would be staying with us from Frontiers, the same missions organization that was sending the couple we had listened to previously. The missionary’s story was compelling and got me excited about possibly traveling to the Middle East. The mission’s mobilizer came over to our house; my wife and I stayed up talking to him late into that evening. He had written a book called Coffee and Orange Blossoms, and after reading it, my wife and I began to hunger to learn more about Frontiers and possibly serve in the Middle East. 
At Perspectives, I learned about missionaries who made changes to their daily life to step out into faith and let God lead them throughout their life. Leaving teaching was a sabbatical for my life to instead focus on my spiritual wellbeing and devote more time to be in prayer and go deeper in scripture. This has truly prepared me to go into other cultures and preach the goodness of Christ to others. The scripture that I have followed and has been instrumental in my life is Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”
In 2016, when I was about to board that plane for “vision quest” to the Middle East, the words from Matthew 28 “Go and Make Disciples” took on a much more tangible meaning for me. Sometimes disciple making requires getting on a plane, whereas other times we are called to invest in the people in our local community. After experiencing the joy of meeting new people, new cultures, and visiting new countries, I stand in awe and wonder of God’s creation and His love for all people. Since 2016, I’ve had the opportunity to make disciples who make disciples in 4 countries (Qatar, Vietnam, Italy, United Arab Emirates). “Imago Dei” means created in the image of God. I believe all human beings have dignity and worth no matter what country they live in, their socio-economic status, or religious adherence. When looking back at God’s faithfulness in my life, it’s amazing to see how God used September 11th 2001 to harden and then soften my heart to “Go and Make Disciples”. No one could have ever imagined me going to the Middle East before that day in 2013, but God’s plan is perfect and this experience showed me I needed to continue to trust in him for everything.   
]]> Many have heard the term “Go and Make Disciples” but do we practice it? I can tell you that for almost 40 years this phrase didn’t resonate with me. I had always thought that this was for someone else. The words were good but meant for someone called a “missionary”. This all changed for me as I began boarding a plane for the Middle East in January of 2016 for a “vision quest”. But first, let me rewind.
​On September 11, 2001, I was in Olympia, WA, getting ready for work when my roommate told me that the Twin Towers had been hit. Watching the news, I was in disbelief at what was occurring before my eyes. I thought about a friend that worked for a brokerage company on the 95th floor of Tower One. As I saw the first tower fall my disbelief became real with tears streaming down. At that moment, I thought about the children that would never see their parents again and the wives and husbands that would never come home for dinner. I couldn’t comprehend the tragic loss of people that close.  I thought to myself, “How could God let this happen?” and “There must be consequences for this—having loved ones ripped away in one brief moment”.
Later I found out my friend had left the Friday before and was safe, but I still wanted revenge on the people who did this to my country. When it came out that the hijackers were Muslims from the Middle East, I wanted the U.S. to invade their country and wipe them all out. I was a staunch proponent for getting even and was relieved when we launched the Afghan War to root out the Taliban. 
Didn’t the Bible say an eye for an eye? 
 My heart had been calloused over and nothing could break this hatred toward those I held responsible for September 11th. But, as I learned in politics, I let others see a façade so that my true feelings could be kept hidden from the outside world. I concealed from everyone my hatred for the Muslim people. For nine years, I kept these feelings pent up inside of me.
​My life started taking a different turn when I was attending Grace City Church in 2010.  At that time I had applied for an internship to work with a federal agency in Washington DC, which meant I would be packing up my family and moving in the fall of 2010.  Little did I know that God had a completely different path for me. After a church service in August 2010, I looked at my wife and said, “I think God wants us to stay here in Wenatchee and attend Grace City Church”.  I abandoned my plans to work for the federal agency and instead invested my time in what God had for me in the Wenatchee Valley. My heart at this point was still calloused over, but it began to show signs of breaking open. The preaching that I heard tore at me and I was starting to see Jesus for who He truly is. The Holy Spirit was convicting me of my beliefs and that I myself am depraved apart from God's grace. I was leading my family, a part of a Gospel Community, and was baptized during my first two years attending Grace City Church. Then the event happened that would change my world forever: October 26, 2013.  
My wife and I were invited to a Missions Night at a friend’s house to hear from a young couple preparing to go and preach to an unreached people group in Iraq. I was astonished that someone would risk life and limb to proclaim the gospel to Muslims living in the Middle East. The couple started their slideshow with pictures of the Middle East and people who live there. They then talked about a shopkeeper who had attentively listened to them talk about the gospel. At the end of their conversation, he told them point blank “we need more people like you to come and tell this gospel so more people could be saved.” These words echoed in my mind the rest of the evening. I realized that Muslims can also be saved. Jesus died for the Muslims, even those who committed the September 11 attacks. At this thought, my calloused heart was torn open. I now saw the gospel for what it is, a lifeline not just to Americans, but also Muslims throughout the world. If God could reach down and choose me, He could do this for anyone who called upon His name. I knew right then and there I needed to repent about my feelings towards Muslims and ask God for forgiveness for my sins. 
After this encounter with the Holy Spirit and a new found heart for the Muslim people, I heard about an opportunity to learn more about the mission field at a 6-week class called Perspectives. In short, Perspectives teaches a global approach to being missional and what it means to go out to the ends of the earth. I signed up immediately and was hooked from day one. Before Perspectives had begun I indicated that our family would be interested in hosting a missionary for an evening. I heard back a week later—a missionary would be staying with us from Frontiers, the same missions organization that was sending the couple we had listened to previously. The missionary’s story was compelling and got me excited about possibly traveling to the Middle East. The mission’s mobilizer came over to our house; my wife and I stayed up talking to him late into that evening. He had written a book called Coffee and Orange Blossoms, and after reading it, my wife and I began to hunger to learn more about Frontiers and possibly serve in the Middle East. 
At Perspectives, I learned about missionaries who made changes to their daily life to step out into faith and let God lead them throughout their life. Leaving teaching was a sabbatical for my life to instead focus on my spiritual wellbeing and devote more time to be in prayer and go deeper in scripture. This has truly prepared me to go into other cultures and preach the goodness of Christ to others. The scripture that I have followed and has been instrumental in my life is Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”
In 2016, when I was about to board that plane for “vision quest” to the Middle East, the words from Matthew 28 “Go and Make Disciples” took on a much more tangible meaning for me. Sometimes disciple making requires getting on a plane, whereas other times we are called to invest in the people in our local community. After experiencing the joy of meeting new people, new cultures, and visiting new countries, I stand in awe and wonder of God’s creation and His love for all people. Since 2016, I’ve had the opportunity to make disciples who make disciples in 4 countries (Qatar, Vietnam, Italy, United Arab Emirates). “Imago Dei” means created in the image of God. I believe all human beings have dignity and worth no matter what country they live in, their socio-economic status, or religious adherence. When looking back at God’s faithfulness in my life, it’s amazing to see how God used September 11th 2001 to harden and then soften my heart to “Go and Make Disciples”. No one could have ever imagined me going to the Middle East before that day in 2013, but God’s plan is perfect and this experience showed me I needed to continue to trust in him for everything.   
]]> AM I GOOD? https://www.sonmission.org/blog/post/-am-i-good https://www.sonmission.org/blog/post/-am-i-good#comments Mon, 23 Dec 2019 18:35:00 -0800 https://www.sonmission.org/blog/post/-am-i-good Am I a good person?
There needs to be a universal, unwavering standard and definition of “good” before one can wholeheartedly answer the question, “Am I a good person?”. Countries, governments, cultures, religions, universities, institutions, laws, and individuals adhere to various definitions of “good”, which can lead one to think that “good” is relative.
Subjective morality is one way many humans define “good”. Subjective morality is fueled by one’s own personal convictions and moral compass. Whatever one decides to be morally “good” is morally “good” for him or her. For example, I recently discussed with 12 young adults the difference between murdering and killing. One teenager was fully convinced that murdering is “good” in accordance with his personal beliefs. If we adhere to subjective morality as the foundation of determining a universal “good”, then anything and everything can be “good”. One can say, “murder is good” and so it is. Subjective morality breeds a universally inconsistent definition of “good”. 
​Societal morality is another way humans measure “good”. Countries, governments, cultures, religions, universities, institutions, laws, and individuals all influence, create, enforce, or adhere to a definition of “good”. Universally and comparatively speaking, most societies do not share the same definition of “good”. For instance, the state of California deems homosexual marriage lawful and “good”, whereas Uganda, Africa deems homosexuality unlawful and “bad”. Additionally, in parts of India - killing rats is deemed “bad” because of reincarnation, whereas in most American homes killing rats is deemed “good” because rats carry life-threatening diseases. Like subjective morality, societal morality breeds a universally inconsistent definition of “good”.
​ Where can one find a universal, unwavering standard and definition of “good”? 
Take a gander at the Empire State Building. It would be foolish to think the Empire State Building just randomly appeared and constructed itself to become what it is. Consider mountains, birds, humans, fish, stars, the Milky Way, and the universe. A builder is required to build buildings, just as a Creator is required to create creation. The creation of a human brain is much more astonishing and elaborate than the creation of the Empire State Building. To conclude that one is built by a builder and the other is by random chance is foolish. 
What does this have to do with the definition of “good”? If you want to know how a building is built, you would ask the builder. The same goes when trying to know the universal, unwavering standard and definition of “good”. Humans and manmade laws are universally inconsistent in their definition of “good”, so to know the universal, unwavering standard and definition of “good”, we must ask the creator of “good”. 
Jesus is creator.
​“For by Him (Jesus) all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities - all things have been created through Him and for Him.” Colossians 1:16
The Bible reveals Jesus as the creator of all things. So how does Jesus define “good”? 
“And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.” Mark 10:18
Jesus defines “good” by pointing to God alone. 
The universal, unwavering standard and definition of “good” is God. 
Jesus did not say:
“Democrats are good.”
“Vegans are good.”

“Women preachers are good.” 

“Those who speak in tongues are good.”

“All parents are good.” 

“Buddhist monks are good.” 

“Calvinists are good.”

“The educated are good.”

“The poor are good.”

“The rich are good.”

“Pastors are good.” 

“Doctors are good.”  

Rather Jesus said, “No one is good except God alone.”
 God alone.
The Bible reveals that the trespass of one man, Adam, resulted in condemnation for all people (see Romans 5:12-15). Additionally, Jesus said that one must be born again to see the kingdom of God (see John 3:1-15). Because of Adam’s one sin, mankind inherently stands condemned - needing mercy, forgiveness, and rebirth. Many world-views and individuals will argue that man is inherently “good”. All the behavioral modification, psychological education, and societal justification will not change the true standard and definition of “good”. God alone is the definition and standard. 
So, how does man compare to the only true standard and definition of good - namely God? 
10 Commandments.
​Before comparing man’s goodness to God, let’s start with God’s law, specifically the 10 commandments. Let’s say someone believes they have kept the outward behavioral requirements of the 10 commandments: thou shall not murder, thou shall not steal; thou shall not commit adultery… 
​Jesus has something to say to that someone:
​"You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment.” Matthew 5:21-22
Jesus places the focus from behavior to inward desires of the heart. At the core heart-level of humans there is failure to measure up to God’s perfect law. Outwardly, one could “seem” to perfectly keep the law, but inwardly, it is impossible. And that’s the point. God’s perfect law screams of man’s inability to measure up. In essence, God’s law gives man knowledge of his sin. 
“Now, we know that whatever the law says, it speaks to those who are under the law so that every mouth may be closed and all the world may be accountable to God; because by the works of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the law comes the knowledge of sin.” Romans 3:20 
If man doesn’t measure up to God’s law, he stands no chance of measuring up to God: 
“The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he.” Deuteronomy 32:4 
Are you always just, perfect, upright, faithful, and without iniquity?
So, am I a good person? 
​God is the creator of all things; God alone is good; God is without iniquity; and God’s law exposes heart-level sin. The answer to the question, “Am I a good person?” is an unequivocal “No”. Humans do not measure up to the universal, unwavering standard and definition of good, namely God. 
My just Sentence. 
​God is not only worthy of the title “good”, He is also the just and perfect Judge who will righteously judge all people. (see Acts 17:30-31) All people have broken God’s law and fall short of His glory. All are guilty of sin. All the protesting, good works, and redefining God will not change God’s perfect standard and man’s inability to measure up. All have sinned, and the wages of sin is death (see Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23). All people deserve the just sentence of death. 
​Jesus on a tree.
​ All people deserve the just sentence of death, but God - through Jesus Christ made a way through faith - for sinners to have their sins fully forgiven. Jesus entered into His creation to fulfill the law and promises of God: absorbing God’s wrath and dying the death we deserve. Every step Jesus took on earth was one step closer to the tree - where He was sovereignly appointed to hang and die for sins. Anyone who was hung on a tree was a curse: Jesus, perfect and sinless, became a curse to set curser’s free.
“For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because “the righteous will live by faith.” The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, it says, “The person who does these things will live by them.” Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.”  Galatians 3:10-13
Anyone who loves someone will entertain the thought of dying for that someone. Jesus willingly died for those who hate(d) him. Let that sink in for a moment. God is love, so all his actions are loving. Jesus on a tree is true love in action. There is no greater love. A perfect sacrifice was required for the wrath of God to be satisfied against all sins. The wrath that we all deserve, Jesus bore. Jesus knew no sin, became sin - paying born-again believer’s debt in full: becoming the perfect and final atoning sacrifice, “It is finished.” (see John 19:30)
Justification: man-centered verse God-centered.  
God-centered justification is God receiving all the glory for one placing his or her faith in Jesus’ finished work alone. Jesus died the death we deserved, so that we may be forgiven, justified, and made righteous. Those who place their faith in Christ alone are no longer condemned for the sins they committed against God, but rather their sins are completely forgiven - forever. Jesus’ sacrifice is and will forever be enough. The selfless, righteous act of Jesus on the cross has greater strength and power than all of man’s sins combined. 
“Nor can the gift of God be compared with the result of one man’s sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ! Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people. For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of one man the many will be made righteous.”  Romans 5:16-19
Man-centered justification is man receiving all the glory for trying to make himself righteous. Anything that a man does to justify his sins - apart from trusting in Jesus-finished work on the tree - is man-centered justification. The level ground at the foot of Jesus’ cross angers those who seek justification through manmade efforts. Instead of repenting of sin and trusting in Jesus’ finished work, man-centered justification focuses on redefining God, self-help, subjective and societal morality or doing “good works”:
Redefining God: Those who redefine God - twist and distort Scripture so they don’t need to repent and fully trust in Jesus’ finished work. They would rather live in sin and “feel” justified by their man-made god than turn their life over to Jesus Christ. They have one foot planted in appeasing societal morality and the other foot softly placed on their subjective view of God’s word. Additionally, some of those who redefine God add to the finished work of Jesus, making the equation: Jesus + man’s work (or super seeker knowledge) = salvation. 
Self-help: There is no way one can improve sin with sin. Instead of trusting in Jesus’ finished work, self-helpers invest in their dying flesh. In essence, self-helpers place their faith in building up the flesh for justification. The thought goes: the better one appears on the outside, the better they must be on the inside. One can perfectly clean the outside of a dish and still leave the inside filled with dirt: a life of vain-glory.
Man’s morality: Many people use societal and subjective morality to justify themselves. Some will deny the existence of God and become their own god: judging themselves. The thought goes: as long as I’m a little bit better than the other guy, I’m doing just fine.
Good Works: Those who justify themselves by good works are relying on self-righteousness for justification. This makes Christianity different from all other religions and man-made efforts in the world. Every other religion - apart from Christianity - makes man do a bunch of seemingly good stuff. If the followers do enough “good” they might make it into eternal bliss. Whereas in Christianity: Jesus has done the final good work to attain justification for all people. The world says “do”, whereas Jesus says, “done”. Those who justify themselves by good works put their faith in “do”. 
Without Excuse. 
​If someone denies the existence of gravity, does that mean gravity doesn’t exist? The same goes with God. All people know God exists. All people are without excuse:
“The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles.”  Romans 1:18-24
God is the true definition of “good”, even if individual humans and societies have formed different definitions of “good”. Humans know that God exists. The truth of God has been suppressed by the wicked, which has resulted in a manifestation of false religions and people calling good evil and evil good. A man not born-again by Jesus is a man at war against Jesus. Those who are at war against Jesus are ultimately rejecting Jesus’ finished work on the cross: the forgiveness of sin. People go to hell because they refuse to have their sins forgiven. They will spend an eternity in torment - paying the just price for their own sins.
​God is love. 
“But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:8-9 
God’s actions, words, and intensions are all rooted in true love. Some will say that God is evil because God sends people to hell, but the very ability for one to say such a statement is given by the mercy of God. In essence, who is the clay to criticize the potter? Especially when the potter’s true desire is for all to genuinely repent of their sins and trust in the finished work of Jesus Christ: 
“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” 1 John 4:7-11
The only true God of the universe loved everyone first, even when people deny, hate, misrepresent, and criticize Him. Jesus’ love in action is Him becoming the atoning sacrifice for all sins. There is no greater love than this. God loves because He is love. The question isn’t, “Does God love us?” but rather, “Do we love God?”
​Children of God.
​God’s law points to the amazing reality that those who place their faith in Jesus alone are adopted as God’s children: 
​“Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law. But Scripture has locked up everything under the control of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe. Before the coming of this faith, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed. So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith. Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian. So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.” Galatians 3:21-27 
The law can’t save. Only Jesus can save. When children of wrath become children of God - they clothe themselves with Christ. To clothe oneself with Christ is to be in obedient relationship with Jesus - loving Him by obeying His word, “If you love me, you will obey my commandments.” (see John 14:15). This type of obedience is not rooted in stale duty, but rather earnest delight. The new birth and sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit - inside an adopted son and daughter of God - produces an earnest desire and ability to grow in obedience and righteousness. The sanctifying work God does inside His children will produce godly desires, which yields fruitful service for the building up of the church and community. 
​Fruitful service. 
Earnest faith in Jesus transforms children of wrath into children of God. This transformation from darkness into light enables one to truly serve the living God. Children of wrath are dead in their trespasses. Something spiritually dead cannot produce eternally lasting fruit. Sure, the spiritually dead can temporarily alleviate pains, hurts, and sufferings through good works, but this effort is like a cigarette. It may yield a temporary relief, but it will never fix the root cause. Only those who are cleansed by the blood of Jesus can truly serve God:
“How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from the acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God.” Hebrews 9:14
Yes, good works - apart from Jesus - lead to death. The self-righteous live by their own manmade standard of righteousness, whereas those who are made righteous by the perfect blood of Jesus - live by grace alone, through faith alone, in Jesus Christ alone, for the glory of God alone, which is revealed in Scripture alone. From the finished work of Jesus, the children of God are with Jesus, doing good work for Jesus. 
Complete in Christ. 
​ Countries, governments, cultures, religions, universities, institutions, laws, and individuals all adhere to various definitions of “good”, which can lead one to think that “good” is relative. But only the creator of good can define good. Jesus is the creator and He points to God alone as good. The universal, unwavering standard and definition of “good” is God. And no one else is good except God alone. God’s law points to man’s inability to perfectly keep His law - giving man knowledge of his sin. The just sentence for sinners is eternal damnation, but Jesus Christ willingly went to the tree to hang and die for the sins of the world - absorbing the Father’s wrath that mankind deserved. No greater love is Jesus willingly dying for those who rejected him.
​All people are without excuse when it comes to knowing God exists and the fallen nature of our individual hearts. But man’s fallen nature rejects this truth and tries to find refuge in justifying themselves by works of the law or manmade morality or redefining God or building up the self to appear more holy. Praise God that man can be fully justified through faith alone in Jesus alone. Jesus’ finished work on the tree is enough to see the love of God on full display. God’s love is poured into His children’s hearts through the Holy Spirit who gives them their identity as true sons and daughters of God. The children of God’s new identity finds delight in obeying and following Jesus in Spirit and Truth, yielding fruitful service that produces eternal ripples of God’s glory into a world in desperate need of God. Once again, “Am I a good person?” No. I will never measure up to God and His goodness, but I always measure up in Him as His child: completely forgiven, completely known, completely equipped, and completely loved. 
]]> Am I a good person?
There needs to be a universal, unwavering standard and definition of “good” before one can wholeheartedly answer the question, “Am I a good person?”. Countries, governments, cultures, religions, universities, institutions, laws, and individuals adhere to various definitions of “good”, which can lead one to think that “good” is relative.
Subjective morality is one way many humans define “good”. Subjective morality is fueled by one’s own personal convictions and moral compass. Whatever one decides to be morally “good” is morally “good” for him or her. For example, I recently discussed with 12 young adults the difference between murdering and killing. One teenager was fully convinced that murdering is “good” in accordance with his personal beliefs. If we adhere to subjective morality as the foundation of determining a universal “good”, then anything and everything can be “good”. One can say, “murder is good” and so it is. Subjective morality breeds a universally inconsistent definition of “good”. 
​Societal morality is another way humans measure “good”. Countries, governments, cultures, religions, universities, institutions, laws, and individuals all influence, create, enforce, or adhere to a definition of “good”. Universally and comparatively speaking, most societies do not share the same definition of “good”. For instance, the state of California deems homosexual marriage lawful and “good”, whereas Uganda, Africa deems homosexuality unlawful and “bad”. Additionally, in parts of India - killing rats is deemed “bad” because of reincarnation, whereas in most American homes killing rats is deemed “good” because rats carry life-threatening diseases. Like subjective morality, societal morality breeds a universally inconsistent definition of “good”.
​ Where can one find a universal, unwavering standard and definition of “good”? 
Take a gander at the Empire State Building. It would be foolish to think the Empire State Building just randomly appeared and constructed itself to become what it is. Consider mountains, birds, humans, fish, stars, the Milky Way, and the universe. A builder is required to build buildings, just as a Creator is required to create creation. The creation of a human brain is much more astonishing and elaborate than the creation of the Empire State Building. To conclude that one is built by a builder and the other is by random chance is foolish. 
What does this have to do with the definition of “good”? If you want to know how a building is built, you would ask the builder. The same goes when trying to know the universal, unwavering standard and definition of “good”. Humans and manmade laws are universally inconsistent in their definition of “good”, so to know the universal, unwavering standard and definition of “good”, we must ask the creator of “good”. 
Jesus is creator.
​“For by Him (Jesus) all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities - all things have been created through Him and for Him.” Colossians 1:16
The Bible reveals Jesus as the creator of all things. So how does Jesus define “good”? 
“And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.” Mark 10:18
Jesus defines “good” by pointing to God alone. 
The universal, unwavering standard and definition of “good” is God. 
Jesus did not say:
“Democrats are good.”
“Vegans are good.”

“Women preachers are good.” 

“Those who speak in tongues are good.”

“All parents are good.” 

“Buddhist monks are good.” 

“Calvinists are good.”

“The educated are good.”

“The poor are good.”

“The rich are good.”

“Pastors are good.” 

“Doctors are good.”  

Rather Jesus said, “No one is good except God alone.”
 God alone.
The Bible reveals that the trespass of one man, Adam, resulted in condemnation for all people (see Romans 5:12-15). Additionally, Jesus said that one must be born again to see the kingdom of God (see John 3:1-15). Because of Adam’s one sin, mankind inherently stands condemned - needing mercy, forgiveness, and rebirth. Many world-views and individuals will argue that man is inherently “good”. All the behavioral modification, psychological education, and societal justification will not change the true standard and definition of “good”. God alone is the definition and standard. 
So, how does man compare to the only true standard and definition of good - namely God? 
10 Commandments.
​Before comparing man’s goodness to God, let’s start with God’s law, specifically the 10 commandments. Let’s say someone believes they have kept the outward behavioral requirements of the 10 commandments: thou shall not murder, thou shall not steal; thou shall not commit adultery… 
​Jesus has something to say to that someone:
​"You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment.” Matthew 5:21-22
Jesus places the focus from behavior to inward desires of the heart. At the core heart-level of humans there is failure to measure up to God’s perfect law. Outwardly, one could “seem” to perfectly keep the law, but inwardly, it is impossible. And that’s the point. God’s perfect law screams of man’s inability to measure up. In essence, God’s law gives man knowledge of his sin. 
“Now, we know that whatever the law says, it speaks to those who are under the law so that every mouth may be closed and all the world may be accountable to God; because by the works of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the law comes the knowledge of sin.” Romans 3:20 
If man doesn’t measure up to God’s law, he stands no chance of measuring up to God: 
“The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he.” Deuteronomy 32:4 
Are you always just, perfect, upright, faithful, and without iniquity?
So, am I a good person? 
​God is the creator of all things; God alone is good; God is without iniquity; and God’s law exposes heart-level sin. The answer to the question, “Am I a good person?” is an unequivocal “No”. Humans do not measure up to the universal, unwavering standard and definition of good, namely God. 
My just Sentence. 
​God is not only worthy of the title “good”, He is also the just and perfect Judge who will righteously judge all people. (see Acts 17:30-31) All people have broken God’s law and fall short of His glory. All are guilty of sin. All the protesting, good works, and redefining God will not change God’s perfect standard and man’s inability to measure up. All have sinned, and the wages of sin is death (see Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23). All people deserve the just sentence of death. 
​Jesus on a tree.
​ All people deserve the just sentence of death, but God - through Jesus Christ made a way through faith - for sinners to have their sins fully forgiven. Jesus entered into His creation to fulfill the law and promises of God: absorbing God’s wrath and dying the death we deserve. Every step Jesus took on earth was one step closer to the tree - where He was sovereignly appointed to hang and die for sins. Anyone who was hung on a tree was a curse: Jesus, perfect and sinless, became a curse to set curser’s free.
“For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because “the righteous will live by faith.” The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, it says, “The person who does these things will live by them.” Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.”  Galatians 3:10-13
Anyone who loves someone will entertain the thought of dying for that someone. Jesus willingly died for those who hate(d) him. Let that sink in for a moment. God is love, so all his actions are loving. Jesus on a tree is true love in action. There is no greater love. A perfect sacrifice was required for the wrath of God to be satisfied against all sins. The wrath that we all deserve, Jesus bore. Jesus knew no sin, became sin - paying born-again believer’s debt in full: becoming the perfect and final atoning sacrifice, “It is finished.” (see John 19:30)
Justification: man-centered verse God-centered.  
God-centered justification is God receiving all the glory for one placing his or her faith in Jesus’ finished work alone. Jesus died the death we deserved, so that we may be forgiven, justified, and made righteous. Those who place their faith in Christ alone are no longer condemned for the sins they committed against God, but rather their sins are completely forgiven - forever. Jesus’ sacrifice is and will forever be enough. The selfless, righteous act of Jesus on the cross has greater strength and power than all of man’s sins combined. 
“Nor can the gift of God be compared with the result of one man’s sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ! Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people. For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of one man the many will be made righteous.”  Romans 5:16-19
Man-centered justification is man receiving all the glory for trying to make himself righteous. Anything that a man does to justify his sins - apart from trusting in Jesus-finished work on the tree - is man-centered justification. The level ground at the foot of Jesus’ cross angers those who seek justification through manmade efforts. Instead of repenting of sin and trusting in Jesus’ finished work, man-centered justification focuses on redefining God, self-help, subjective and societal morality or doing “good works”:
Redefining God: Those who redefine God - twist and distort Scripture so they don’t need to repent and fully trust in Jesus’ finished work. They would rather live in sin and “feel” justified by their man-made god than turn their life over to Jesus Christ. They have one foot planted in appeasing societal morality and the other foot softly placed on their subjective view of God’s word. Additionally, some of those who redefine God add to the finished work of Jesus, making the equation: Jesus + man’s work (or super seeker knowledge) = salvation. 
Self-help: There is no way one can improve sin with sin. Instead of trusting in Jesus’ finished work, self-helpers invest in their dying flesh. In essence, self-helpers place their faith in building up the flesh for justification. The thought goes: the better one appears on the outside, the better they must be on the inside. One can perfectly clean the outside of a dish and still leave the inside filled with dirt: a life of vain-glory.
Man’s morality: Many people use societal and subjective morality to justify themselves. Some will deny the existence of God and become their own god: judging themselves. The thought goes: as long as I’m a little bit better than the other guy, I’m doing just fine.
Good Works: Those who justify themselves by good works are relying on self-righteousness for justification. This makes Christianity different from all other religions and man-made efforts in the world. Every other religion - apart from Christianity - makes man do a bunch of seemingly good stuff. If the followers do enough “good” they might make it into eternal bliss. Whereas in Christianity: Jesus has done the final good work to attain justification for all people. The world says “do”, whereas Jesus says, “done”. Those who justify themselves by good works put their faith in “do”. 
Without Excuse. 
​If someone denies the existence of gravity, does that mean gravity doesn’t exist? The same goes with God. All people know God exists. All people are without excuse:
“The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles.”  Romans 1:18-24
God is the true definition of “good”, even if individual humans and societies have formed different definitions of “good”. Humans know that God exists. The truth of God has been suppressed by the wicked, which has resulted in a manifestation of false religions and people calling good evil and evil good. A man not born-again by Jesus is a man at war against Jesus. Those who are at war against Jesus are ultimately rejecting Jesus’ finished work on the cross: the forgiveness of sin. People go to hell because they refuse to have their sins forgiven. They will spend an eternity in torment - paying the just price for their own sins.
​God is love. 
“But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:8-9 
God’s actions, words, and intensions are all rooted in true love. Some will say that God is evil because God sends people to hell, but the very ability for one to say such a statement is given by the mercy of God. In essence, who is the clay to criticize the potter? Especially when the potter’s true desire is for all to genuinely repent of their sins and trust in the finished work of Jesus Christ: 
“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” 1 John 4:7-11
The only true God of the universe loved everyone first, even when people deny, hate, misrepresent, and criticize Him. Jesus’ love in action is Him becoming the atoning sacrifice for all sins. There is no greater love than this. God loves because He is love. The question isn’t, “Does God love us?” but rather, “Do we love God?”
​Children of God.
​God’s law points to the amazing reality that those who place their faith in Jesus alone are adopted as God’s children: 
​“Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law. But Scripture has locked up everything under the control of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe. Before the coming of this faith, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed. So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith. Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian. So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.” Galatians 3:21-27 
The law can’t save. Only Jesus can save. When children of wrath become children of God - they clothe themselves with Christ. To clothe oneself with Christ is to be in obedient relationship with Jesus - loving Him by obeying His word, “If you love me, you will obey my commandments.” (see John 14:15). This type of obedience is not rooted in stale duty, but rather earnest delight. The new birth and sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit - inside an adopted son and daughter of God - produces an earnest desire and ability to grow in obedience and righteousness. The sanctifying work God does inside His children will produce godly desires, which yields fruitful service for the building up of the church and community. 
​Fruitful service. 
Earnest faith in Jesus transforms children of wrath into children of God. This transformation from darkness into light enables one to truly serve the living God. Children of wrath are dead in their trespasses. Something spiritually dead cannot produce eternally lasting fruit. Sure, the spiritually dead can temporarily alleviate pains, hurts, and sufferings through good works, but this effort is like a cigarette. It may yield a temporary relief, but it will never fix the root cause. Only those who are cleansed by the blood of Jesus can truly serve God:
“How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from the acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God.” Hebrews 9:14
Yes, good works - apart from Jesus - lead to death. The self-righteous live by their own manmade standard of righteousness, whereas those who are made righteous by the perfect blood of Jesus - live by grace alone, through faith alone, in Jesus Christ alone, for the glory of God alone, which is revealed in Scripture alone. From the finished work of Jesus, the children of God are with Jesus, doing good work for Jesus. 
Complete in Christ. 
​ Countries, governments, cultures, religions, universities, institutions, laws, and individuals all adhere to various definitions of “good”, which can lead one to think that “good” is relative. But only the creator of good can define good. Jesus is the creator and He points to God alone as good. The universal, unwavering standard and definition of “good” is God. And no one else is good except God alone. God’s law points to man’s inability to perfectly keep His law - giving man knowledge of his sin. The just sentence for sinners is eternal damnation, but Jesus Christ willingly went to the tree to hang and die for the sins of the world - absorbing the Father’s wrath that mankind deserved. No greater love is Jesus willingly dying for those who rejected him.
​All people are without excuse when it comes to knowing God exists and the fallen nature of our individual hearts. But man’s fallen nature rejects this truth and tries to find refuge in justifying themselves by works of the law or manmade morality or redefining God or building up the self to appear more holy. Praise God that man can be fully justified through faith alone in Jesus alone. Jesus’ finished work on the tree is enough to see the love of God on full display. God’s love is poured into His children’s hearts through the Holy Spirit who gives them their identity as true sons and daughters of God. The children of God’s new identity finds delight in obeying and following Jesus in Spirit and Truth, yielding fruitful service that produces eternal ripples of God’s glory into a world in desperate need of God. Once again, “Am I a good person?” No. I will never measure up to God and His goodness, but I always measure up in Him as His child: completely forgiven, completely known, completely equipped, and completely loved. 
]]> IMPORTANCE OF THE LOCAL CHURCH https://www.sonmission.org/blog/post/importance-of-the-local-church https://www.sonmission.org/blog/post/importance-of-the-local-church#comments Tue, 29 Oct 2019 19:50:00 -0700 https://www.sonmission.org/blog/post/importance-of-the-local-church “let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10: 22-25

As a student of theology--which arguably we all are--I am hard pressed to find any word with more definitions or connotations than church. This word combines history, politics, culture, theology, ethics, and emotion. It is a combination of categories which proves the importance of the role of the church in the lives of believers and non-believers alike, and the ability to define what church means. Both inform each other. The word church (ekklesia) first appears in Matthew’s gospel (Matthew 16:18). In this passage, Peter makes a confession that Jesus is the Son of God. In reply, Jesus says “I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven” (Matthew 16:18-19 NASB). The actual translation history of ekklesia in this passage is complicated, but essentially, translators used the Greek word ekklesia, defined as a faithful people called out together and translated to English as church, to stand for the Aramaic word Jesus used in this dialogue. At its earliest definition, church means just that--a body of faithful believers called together for a purpose, the very body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12;27, Colossians 1:18). 

This particular passage is of utmost importance for the history of the Christian Church because this is traditionally interpreted as Jesus’ passing of authority to Peter to be the temporal leader of the body of faithful believers. Now, one may reasonably ask the question: if I have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and have received the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit, why should I need to go to church or submit to any human authority in my faith? This is a healthy question, but there is scriptural precedent for human authority and ecclesial organization in the body of believers. When Jesus ascended, He left the apostles with a command to teach, baptize, and make disciples of all nations, and with the promise of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:16-20, Acts 1:1-9). What Jesus did not leave was a 10,000 page legal codex on exact orthopraxy; He left His teachings, His relationships, and the Spirit. The Holy Spirit indeed came to the apostles on the day of Pentecost ushering in a new era in history and forcing subsequent believers to rely on the Holy Spirit, the Word of God, and community with each other to define what it means to be a follower of Christ (Acts 2:1-13).

It is important to note that though “you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9-10), having a secure salvation through Christ does not mean that a person no longer struggles with sin and hears God’s will perfectly at all times. It does mean, however, that the struggle against sin in one’s life is guided by the Holy Spirit and will ultimately lead to victory and a deeper relationship with Christ as one learns dependence on His loving grace, and trusting obedience. This can be said of believers today just as it can be said of the 12 apostles and all early christians. It is very important to keep this in mind when reviewing past mistakes the church and its leaders have committed. 

The first generation church experienced plenty of problems as people from all walks of life, races, genders, orientations, and social classes, were called out together in pursuit of God. Though it is true that the “the Word of the Lord does not return void” (Isaiah 55:11) and that it is “alive and active” (Heb. 4:12), anyone who has ever been to a loosely organized Bible study has probably experienced what can happen when such a group is gathered and begins to interpret scripture. Though this may very well be a Spirit-filled group and there may be undoubted devotion to God and a sincere desire to learn from His Word, without some level of training or accountability it is too easy to craft some well-intentioned but inaccurate or even contrary interpretations of scripture. Now imagine such a Bible study in which participants have never read the Bible, nor will ever have a copy to read for their own, nor have had any cultural background to the Jewish Scriptures (Old Testament). For the first Christians who were without the 2,000 years of tradition and theological scholarship on which much of modern faith is informed, the early church required leadership by those who knew Christ personally and had learned under His tutelage. These first leaders were the 12 apostles. (Paul is included as an apostle of this category and offers his own reasons in I Corinthians).

The book of Acts outlines the process by which the gospel of Jesus spread by the Holy Spirit through the teaching of these apostles and their disciples starting in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Aside from Revelation, the Gospels, and Acts, the remaining books of the New Testament are letters written by these apostles to other church bodies around the Roman Empire answering questions of practice and doctrine proposed by church members of local congregations. The fact that such correspondence exists is precedent for a level of human agency and authority in the church. Within these letters are instructions for determining who should be leaders of the church indicating both that there be a position of leadership over each body, and that these leaders meet certain qualifications (I Timothy 3:1-7; I Peter 5:1-4; Titus 1:5-9; James 3:1). This is further confirmed by the letters I & II Timothy and Titus which are letters specifically to pastors. Just what the role of these leaders is poses another valid question. Leadership described in Acts reveals a role both in practically organizing and serving the congregation’s physical needs (Acts 6:1-7 is just one example)  as well as defending and determining the correctness of doctrine. The Jerusalem Council in Acts 15 is an example of church leadership working at its best to determine orthodoxy by relying on evidence of the Holy Spirit. The Pastoral Epistles also reveal that leaders be able to teach right doctrine, carry out church discipline, and live in example of godliness (see the Book of Titus).

Until 1054 AD when the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church split, Christians were technically undivided by denomination and were led by local leaders who were beneath the authority of regional leaders and so on. Shifting culture, waves of persecution, and continuing academic scholarship necessitated an organized structure to be able to define and defend from within and outside the church what Christianity was for the purpose of spreading an accurate Gospel, and create systems to provide Christian services and charity throughout the Roman Empire. Today, many (though certainly not all) of Western Prodestant Christians are unfamiliar with the doctrines Eastern Orthodoxy, or even the importance and role of the Roman Catholic Church and tradition in our own faith which, for good or ill, has largely been informed through the lens of American Individualism and Enlightenment Era philosophical perspective on the Protestant Reformation. 

In looking at the vast diversity in Christian practice today, I can only appreciate the fact that Christianity is still definable--a providential miracle and evidence of the working of the Holy Spirit in all believers. It is also clear that the local church is an indispensable component of the Christian faith and the need to participate in a community of believers is biblical. Personal relationship with Jesus is indispensable, but personal relationship with Jesus is healthiest in relationship with other believers, and community with other believers functions most effectively under godly leadership. Christianity is not a faith of total isolation but of community and it is through the entire body loving one another that each learns the love of Christ through experience (Hebrews 10:25; Ephesians 5:1-2). Faith is active, and so too is church. It is in gathering together which we challenge each other to study and seek after the Word of God beyond our own presuppositions of what we think the Word should be (Galatians 3:1-29). Without such challenge, it is too easy to become stagnate in our own preferences rather than focusing on God’s. Church is learning, church is serving, church is worship, church is accountability (Matthew 18:15-17; I Corinthians 5:1-12), church is praying (Ephesians 6:18), and finally, church is submitting to authority while also holding that same authority to the standards prescribed in scripture (Titus 1:5-9; 2:7-8). 

Ultimately, we need Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, head of the church, and her bridegroom (Hebrews 12:2, Colossians 1:8, Revelation 19:7-9). Church participation will never be a substitute for a relationship with Christ nor will it lead to salvation, but participation in Christ has a place for church. For more thoughts on ecclesiology I recommend, Exploring Ecclesiology, by Paul Louis Metzger and Brad Harper, as well as Christianity Through the Ages, by Earle E. Cairns. 

]]> “let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10: 22-25

As a student of theology--which arguably we all are--I am hard pressed to find any word with more definitions or connotations than church. This word combines history, politics, culture, theology, ethics, and emotion. It is a combination of categories which proves the importance of the role of the church in the lives of believers and non-believers alike, and the ability to define what church means. Both inform each other. The word church (ekklesia) first appears in Matthew’s gospel (Matthew 16:18). In this passage, Peter makes a confession that Jesus is the Son of God. In reply, Jesus says “I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven” (Matthew 16:18-19 NASB). The actual translation history of ekklesia in this passage is complicated, but essentially, translators used the Greek word ekklesia, defined as a faithful people called out together and translated to English as church, to stand for the Aramaic word Jesus used in this dialogue. At its earliest definition, church means just that--a body of faithful believers called together for a purpose, the very body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12;27, Colossians 1:18). 

This particular passage is of utmost importance for the history of the Christian Church because this is traditionally interpreted as Jesus’ passing of authority to Peter to be the temporal leader of the body of faithful believers. Now, one may reasonably ask the question: if I have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and have received the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit, why should I need to go to church or submit to any human authority in my faith? This is a healthy question, but there is scriptural precedent for human authority and ecclesial organization in the body of believers. When Jesus ascended, He left the apostles with a command to teach, baptize, and make disciples of all nations, and with the promise of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:16-20, Acts 1:1-9). What Jesus did not leave was a 10,000 page legal codex on exact orthopraxy; He left His teachings, His relationships, and the Spirit. The Holy Spirit indeed came to the apostles on the day of Pentecost ushering in a new era in history and forcing subsequent believers to rely on the Holy Spirit, the Word of God, and community with each other to define what it means to be a follower of Christ (Acts 2:1-13).

It is important to note that though “you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9-10), having a secure salvation through Christ does not mean that a person no longer struggles with sin and hears God’s will perfectly at all times. It does mean, however, that the struggle against sin in one’s life is guided by the Holy Spirit and will ultimately lead to victory and a deeper relationship with Christ as one learns dependence on His loving grace, and trusting obedience. This can be said of believers today just as it can be said of the 12 apostles and all early christians. It is very important to keep this in mind when reviewing past mistakes the church and its leaders have committed. 

The first generation church experienced plenty of problems as people from all walks of life, races, genders, orientations, and social classes, were called out together in pursuit of God. Though it is true that the “the Word of the Lord does not return void” (Isaiah 55:11) and that it is “alive and active” (Heb. 4:12), anyone who has ever been to a loosely organized Bible study has probably experienced what can happen when such a group is gathered and begins to interpret scripture. Though this may very well be a Spirit-filled group and there may be undoubted devotion to God and a sincere desire to learn from His Word, without some level of training or accountability it is too easy to craft some well-intentioned but inaccurate or even contrary interpretations of scripture. Now imagine such a Bible study in which participants have never read the Bible, nor will ever have a copy to read for their own, nor have had any cultural background to the Jewish Scriptures (Old Testament). For the first Christians who were without the 2,000 years of tradition and theological scholarship on which much of modern faith is informed, the early church required leadership by those who knew Christ personally and had learned under His tutelage. These first leaders were the 12 apostles. (Paul is included as an apostle of this category and offers his own reasons in I Corinthians).

The book of Acts outlines the process by which the gospel of Jesus spread by the Holy Spirit through the teaching of these apostles and their disciples starting in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Aside from Revelation, the Gospels, and Acts, the remaining books of the New Testament are letters written by these apostles to other church bodies around the Roman Empire answering questions of practice and doctrine proposed by church members of local congregations. The fact that such correspondence exists is precedent for a level of human agency and authority in the church. Within these letters are instructions for determining who should be leaders of the church indicating both that there be a position of leadership over each body, and that these leaders meet certain qualifications (I Timothy 3:1-7; I Peter 5:1-4; Titus 1:5-9; James 3:1). This is further confirmed by the letters I & II Timothy and Titus which are letters specifically to pastors. Just what the role of these leaders is poses another valid question. Leadership described in Acts reveals a role both in practically organizing and serving the congregation’s physical needs (Acts 6:1-7 is just one example)  as well as defending and determining the correctness of doctrine. The Jerusalem Council in Acts 15 is an example of church leadership working at its best to determine orthodoxy by relying on evidence of the Holy Spirit. The Pastoral Epistles also reveal that leaders be able to teach right doctrine, carry out church discipline, and live in example of godliness (see the Book of Titus).

Until 1054 AD when the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church split, Christians were technically undivided by denomination and were led by local leaders who were beneath the authority of regional leaders and so on. Shifting culture, waves of persecution, and continuing academic scholarship necessitated an organized structure to be able to define and defend from within and outside the church what Christianity was for the purpose of spreading an accurate Gospel, and create systems to provide Christian services and charity throughout the Roman Empire. Today, many (though certainly not all) of Western Prodestant Christians are unfamiliar with the doctrines Eastern Orthodoxy, or even the importance and role of the Roman Catholic Church and tradition in our own faith which, for good or ill, has largely been informed through the lens of American Individualism and Enlightenment Era philosophical perspective on the Protestant Reformation. 

In looking at the vast diversity in Christian practice today, I can only appreciate the fact that Christianity is still definable--a providential miracle and evidence of the working of the Holy Spirit in all believers. It is also clear that the local church is an indispensable component of the Christian faith and the need to participate in a community of believers is biblical. Personal relationship with Jesus is indispensable, but personal relationship with Jesus is healthiest in relationship with other believers, and community with other believers functions most effectively under godly leadership. Christianity is not a faith of total isolation but of community and it is through the entire body loving one another that each learns the love of Christ through experience (Hebrews 10:25; Ephesians 5:1-2). Faith is active, and so too is church. It is in gathering together which we challenge each other to study and seek after the Word of God beyond our own presuppositions of what we think the Word should be (Galatians 3:1-29). Without such challenge, it is too easy to become stagnate in our own preferences rather than focusing on God’s. Church is learning, church is serving, church is worship, church is accountability (Matthew 18:15-17; I Corinthians 5:1-12), church is praying (Ephesians 6:18), and finally, church is submitting to authority while also holding that same authority to the standards prescribed in scripture (Titus 1:5-9; 2:7-8). 

Ultimately, we need Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, head of the church, and her bridegroom (Hebrews 12:2, Colossians 1:8, Revelation 19:7-9). Church participation will never be a substitute for a relationship with Christ nor will it lead to salvation, but participation in Christ has a place for church. For more thoughts on ecclesiology I recommend, Exploring Ecclesiology, by Paul Louis Metzger and Brad Harper, as well as Christianity Through the Ages, by Earle E. Cairns. 

]]> MISSION AND MIND-BODY DUALISM https://www.sonmission.org/blog/post/mission-and-mind-body-dualism https://www.sonmission.org/blog/post/mission-and-mind-body-dualism#comments Thu, 03 Oct 2019 19:48:00 -0700 https://www.sonmission.org/blog/post/mission-and-mind-body-dualism

MISSION AND MIND-BODY DUALISM

10/4/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture
​In Mark 2, we read that Jesus encounters a paralyzed man. Jesus is back home in Capernaum, and news of His power and teaching has spread through the area so effectively that a dense crowd has gathered in and around His house. If the paralytic is to be healed, his friends realize they must take drastic measures to get him in Jesus’ proximity. In a famous move of zealous faith, they audaciously dig a hole through the Messiah’s roof and lower their friend to His presence (Mark 2:1-4). 

Having been to Capernaum I can only imagine the scene in my head and wonder. There sits Jesus, packed sardine-style in a small stone house, shoulder-to shoulder with curious townsfolk and scribes, perhaps in tense conversation about the Law, when suddenly small chunks of dust and debris begin to rain down into His lap. A few moments later there suddenly appears a paralyzed man! Who knows how the crowds inside the house reacted—the text is silent—but Jesus is not angry about His roof or the dramatic disruption of His teaching. Instead, Jesus recognizes the faith of the men and responds by saying, “Son, your sins are forgiven” (Mark 2:5 [NIV]).

It is a necessary place to pause. Though many people who suffer from quadriplegia have remarkable strength of character and bear their sufferings with inspirational dignity, it is obvious that paralysis is not a preferred or desirable state of physical being. In the ancient world the condition was exceptionally difficult and often socially isolating. With this in mind, it is curious that Jesus’ initial response was, “your sins are forgiven,” and not “get up and walk.” 

Around 334 B.C. and only in his early 30s, Alexander the Great managed to conquer the known western world for Greece. His empire stretched from the southern reaches of the Nile River to the northern shores of the Black Sea, and from modern Greece as far east as India. He died shortly after his power reached its height and control over the farthest corners of his empire quickly fizzled, but Grecian control over the Mediterranean persisted. Though by Jesus’ time a new empire, Rome, had conquered the West, the power of Greece prevailed—not in military might but in something more durable; the power of thought. 

Consequent of the Greek philosopher Plato’s Theory of Forms, much of the Greek understanding of the world included the notion of a physical and spiritual dualism.  What we see and experience in this life is but a mere shadow or representation of the actual form. There is then a divide between what is and what is experienced. For many who were living in the shadow of Classical Grecian rule, the idea that what is experienced in this physical life is of less value or virtue that what exists in the spiritual realm. 

So, what does Plato have to do with Jesus healing a paralytic man? In my mind, two things. Firstly, Jesus clearly demonstrates for us and the crowd surrounding Him the seriousness of His ultimate deity through this miracle.  Secondly, Jesus’ approach to healing and forgiving this paralyzed man—that is, recognizing both his spiritual and physical needs—presents a powerful model of Christianity’s missional influence to bring healing to this world. 

Were this account to stop at Jesus’ forgiveness of this man’s sins and not at his physical healing it would present an interesting dilemma, at least to my own reflections. I know that Jesus is the Messiah, and it is through Him that eternal salvation is given. I also know that this life is full of “light momentary affliction” which “is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison” in heaven (2 Corinthians 4:17-18 [NIV]).  I also know that those “light momentary afflictions” Paul is talking about rarely feel “light and momentary,” especially for the paralyzed man. A life doomed to quadriplegia is not a light or momentary affliction. But I also know that what Paul is driving at is that with a correct perspective shift in comparison of the whole of eternity in the glorious presence of God, this life is very short. With that perspective in place were Jesus to stop with healing the man’s sins that he might live for eternity in full joy and health and in the very presence of God—it is enough. More than enough, no matter what it feels like now. 

So why would I feel so bummed out if Jesus didn’t heal the man? Because I am a human. I am both spiritual and physical. To completely disassociate or divide from the grasping, pains, and joys of this life only to dwell on heaven come may look “extra-spiritual,” but that would not be a pure Christianity, rather a Christianized form of Buddhism. Christ’s life demonstrates the fullness of perfection of a Spirit-filled relationship with God. Fully God, fully human, Christ’s life was not a life disassociated from the reality of the pain, suffering, beauty, goodness, and joy this life has to offer even though it was a life more fully aware glory of heaven to come than anyone else. And for Jesus, it was not enough to forgive this paralyzed man of his sins without healing him from his paralysis. Jesus knew his spiritual needs, but counteracted dualism by dignifying his humanity when He went on to acknowledge the man’s physical state and provide a miraculous healing. 

The account continues to tell how the scribes sitting near Jesus began to have some serious questions too, but theirs were a little different from mine. “Why does this fellow speak in this way? It is blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” are their questions (Mark 2:7 [NIV]). And they are serious questions, because they’re right—no one can forgive sins but God alone. By telling this man that his sins are forgiven, Jesus is effectively calling Himself God, and if He weren’t God that was a crime worthy of capital punishment. Jesus’ response is risky. He asks them the question, “Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Stand up and take your mat and walk’?” (Mark 2:9 [NIV]). 

I am not a doctor and I know little to nothing about paralysis. Given the two options above, I would probably have to say “your sins are forgiven”--who around could see if that has actually happened? In Jesus’ case, given that He’d already told the man his sins were forgiven, if He were to say “walk” and the man couldn’t walk -- the result would have been Jesus’ own death at the hand of the crowds. But Jesus is God and He does have the power both to forgive sins and to heal the body, which He demonstrates in this passage, saying “But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic— “I say to you, stand up, take your mat and go to your home.” And [the man] stood up, and immediately took the mat and went out before all of them; so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!” (Mark 2:10-12 [NIV]).

What is clear in this particular miracle is that the ultimate reason for the physical healing is so that God would be glorified. As Christians we know all too well that miracles (by definition) are rare. We know that God can do all things, but sometimes He doesn’t. This may be the hardest part of unanswered prayers—not lack of faith, but pain in realizing that God is totally able and sometimes doesn’t. We must trust that God indeed cares about our lives and is grieved with us in our sufferings (more on God caring about our earthy lives: Exodus 3:6-8, Isaiah 58:6-11, Psalm 56:8, Luke 12:6-7). In these moments we must choose to rest in that same faith, in the truth of God’s character, and in the understanding that we do not have the full perspective of His plan. 

But Jesus does heal. Over and over again, Jesus heals the most unlikely, the most helpless, and the most despised and proves to us that God does indeed care about our lives this side of heaven. And time and time again, this physical healing is met with a forgiveness of sins. For true, holistic healing, it is imperative that the physical sufferings and injustices of this world be met with the power of the Gospel of Christ, and likewise that the Gospel of Christ must be met with action to relieve the injustice and suffering in the world. 

There are innumerable injustices and sufferings all around us—locally and globally alike. So too are there are innumerable charities, nonprofits, and advocacy groups doing good things to alleviate these pains. But as Jesus says in Matthew 6:26 [NIV] “What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?” If the good work being done to help those in need overlooks the spiritual realm and the very present reality of the shortness of this life and truthful perspective of eternity, all the best work done is stillborn in ability to activate everlasting transformation. This is an attempt to fix the problems of the world with only half of the necessary tools. True healing begins in the heart by the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

This does not give Christians a right to merely speak the words of the Gospel to those in need without rolling up sleeves, moving into the neighborhood, and doing the hard and uncomfortable work necessary to bring about change. We cannot call ourselves followers of Christ if we are unwilling to follow Christ to the cross and act in His loving compassion. James 2: 15-18 [NIV] drives this point: “Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” The power of the Gospel is the true Wisdom of God (I Corinthians 1:17-19). It is the power to bring about justice through truth, with love, and by the hope of the glory to come. 

Do not try to change the world by your own wisdom. 

Do not put your hope in a man-made program. 

Do not labor in vain trying to fix what cannot be restored apart from the Spirit of God. 

Do not speak of the Gospel while blaspheming the Name of Christ through non-action. 

Instead, follow Jesus’ example. Do every good work for the sake of God’s glory—not your own. Preach while you work, and work while you preach. Doing any less shortchanges the healing work of Christ’s body on earth.
]]>

MISSION AND MIND-BODY DUALISM

10/4/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture
​In Mark 2, we read that Jesus encounters a paralyzed man. Jesus is back home in Capernaum, and news of His power and teaching has spread through the area so effectively that a dense crowd has gathered in and around His house. If the paralytic is to be healed, his friends realize they must take drastic measures to get him in Jesus’ proximity. In a famous move of zealous faith, they audaciously dig a hole through the Messiah’s roof and lower their friend to His presence (Mark 2:1-4). 

Having been to Capernaum I can only imagine the scene in my head and wonder. There sits Jesus, packed sardine-style in a small stone house, shoulder-to shoulder with curious townsfolk and scribes, perhaps in tense conversation about the Law, when suddenly small chunks of dust and debris begin to rain down into His lap. A few moments later there suddenly appears a paralyzed man! Who knows how the crowds inside the house reacted—the text is silent—but Jesus is not angry about His roof or the dramatic disruption of His teaching. Instead, Jesus recognizes the faith of the men and responds by saying, “Son, your sins are forgiven” (Mark 2:5 [NIV]).

It is a necessary place to pause. Though many people who suffer from quadriplegia have remarkable strength of character and bear their sufferings with inspirational dignity, it is obvious that paralysis is not a preferred or desirable state of physical being. In the ancient world the condition was exceptionally difficult and often socially isolating. With this in mind, it is curious that Jesus’ initial response was, “your sins are forgiven,” and not “get up and walk.” 

Around 334 B.C. and only in his early 30s, Alexander the Great managed to conquer the known western world for Greece. His empire stretched from the southern reaches of the Nile River to the northern shores of the Black Sea, and from modern Greece as far east as India. He died shortly after his power reached its height and control over the farthest corners of his empire quickly fizzled, but Grecian control over the Mediterranean persisted. Though by Jesus’ time a new empire, Rome, had conquered the West, the power of Greece prevailed—not in military might but in something more durable; the power of thought. 

Consequent of the Greek philosopher Plato’s Theory of Forms, much of the Greek understanding of the world included the notion of a physical and spiritual dualism.  What we see and experience in this life is but a mere shadow or representation of the actual form. There is then a divide between what is and what is experienced. For many who were living in the shadow of Classical Grecian rule, the idea that what is experienced in this physical life is of less value or virtue that what exists in the spiritual realm. 

So, what does Plato have to do with Jesus healing a paralytic man? In my mind, two things. Firstly, Jesus clearly demonstrates for us and the crowd surrounding Him the seriousness of His ultimate deity through this miracle.  Secondly, Jesus’ approach to healing and forgiving this paralyzed man—that is, recognizing both his spiritual and physical needs—presents a powerful model of Christianity’s missional influence to bring healing to this world. 

Were this account to stop at Jesus’ forgiveness of this man’s sins and not at his physical healing it would present an interesting dilemma, at least to my own reflections. I know that Jesus is the Messiah, and it is through Him that eternal salvation is given. I also know that this life is full of “light momentary affliction” which “is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison” in heaven (2 Corinthians 4:17-18 [NIV]).  I also know that those “light momentary afflictions” Paul is talking about rarely feel “light and momentary,” especially for the paralyzed man. A life doomed to quadriplegia is not a light or momentary affliction. But I also know that what Paul is driving at is that with a correct perspective shift in comparison of the whole of eternity in the glorious presence of God, this life is very short. With that perspective in place were Jesus to stop with healing the man’s sins that he might live for eternity in full joy and health and in the very presence of God—it is enough. More than enough, no matter what it feels like now. 

So why would I feel so bummed out if Jesus didn’t heal the man? Because I am a human. I am both spiritual and physical. To completely disassociate or divide from the grasping, pains, and joys of this life only to dwell on heaven come may look “extra-spiritual,” but that would not be a pure Christianity, rather a Christianized form of Buddhism. Christ’s life demonstrates the fullness of perfection of a Spirit-filled relationship with God. Fully God, fully human, Christ’s life was not a life disassociated from the reality of the pain, suffering, beauty, goodness, and joy this life has to offer even though it was a life more fully aware glory of heaven to come than anyone else. And for Jesus, it was not enough to forgive this paralyzed man of his sins without healing him from his paralysis. Jesus knew his spiritual needs, but counteracted dualism by dignifying his humanity when He went on to acknowledge the man’s physical state and provide a miraculous healing. 

The account continues to tell how the scribes sitting near Jesus began to have some serious questions too, but theirs were a little different from mine. “Why does this fellow speak in this way? It is blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” are their questions (Mark 2:7 [NIV]). And they are serious questions, because they’re right—no one can forgive sins but God alone. By telling this man that his sins are forgiven, Jesus is effectively calling Himself God, and if He weren’t God that was a crime worthy of capital punishment. Jesus’ response is risky. He asks them the question, “Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Stand up and take your mat and walk’?” (Mark 2:9 [NIV]). 

I am not a doctor and I know little to nothing about paralysis. Given the two options above, I would probably have to say “your sins are forgiven”--who around could see if that has actually happened? In Jesus’ case, given that He’d already told the man his sins were forgiven, if He were to say “walk” and the man couldn’t walk -- the result would have been Jesus’ own death at the hand of the crowds. But Jesus is God and He does have the power both to forgive sins and to heal the body, which He demonstrates in this passage, saying “But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic— “I say to you, stand up, take your mat and go to your home.” And [the man] stood up, and immediately took the mat and went out before all of them; so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!” (Mark 2:10-12 [NIV]).

What is clear in this particular miracle is that the ultimate reason for the physical healing is so that God would be glorified. As Christians we know all too well that miracles (by definition) are rare. We know that God can do all things, but sometimes He doesn’t. This may be the hardest part of unanswered prayers—not lack of faith, but pain in realizing that God is totally able and sometimes doesn’t. We must trust that God indeed cares about our lives and is grieved with us in our sufferings (more on God caring about our earthy lives: Exodus 3:6-8, Isaiah 58:6-11, Psalm 56:8, Luke 12:6-7). In these moments we must choose to rest in that same faith, in the truth of God’s character, and in the understanding that we do not have the full perspective of His plan. 

But Jesus does heal. Over and over again, Jesus heals the most unlikely, the most helpless, and the most despised and proves to us that God does indeed care about our lives this side of heaven. And time and time again, this physical healing is met with a forgiveness of sins. For true, holistic healing, it is imperative that the physical sufferings and injustices of this world be met with the power of the Gospel of Christ, and likewise that the Gospel of Christ must be met with action to relieve the injustice and suffering in the world. 

There are innumerable injustices and sufferings all around us—locally and globally alike. So too are there are innumerable charities, nonprofits, and advocacy groups doing good things to alleviate these pains. But as Jesus says in Matthew 6:26 [NIV] “What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?” If the good work being done to help those in need overlooks the spiritual realm and the very present reality of the shortness of this life and truthful perspective of eternity, all the best work done is stillborn in ability to activate everlasting transformation. This is an attempt to fix the problems of the world with only half of the necessary tools. True healing begins in the heart by the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

This does not give Christians a right to merely speak the words of the Gospel to those in need without rolling up sleeves, moving into the neighborhood, and doing the hard and uncomfortable work necessary to bring about change. We cannot call ourselves followers of Christ if we are unwilling to follow Christ to the cross and act in His loving compassion. James 2: 15-18 [NIV] drives this point: “Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” The power of the Gospel is the true Wisdom of God (I Corinthians 1:17-19). It is the power to bring about justice through truth, with love, and by the hope of the glory to come. 

Do not try to change the world by your own wisdom. 

Do not put your hope in a man-made program. 

Do not labor in vain trying to fix what cannot be restored apart from the Spirit of God. 

Do not speak of the Gospel while blaspheming the Name of Christ through non-action. 

Instead, follow Jesus’ example. Do every good work for the sake of God’s glory—not your own. Preach while you work, and work while you preach. Doing any less shortchanges the healing work of Christ’s body on earth.
]]> BUSIA DISTRICT https://www.sonmission.org/blog/post/-busia-district https://www.sonmission.org/blog/post/-busia-district#comments Fri, 14 Jun 2019 21:53:00 -0700 https://www.sonmission.org/blog/post/-busia-district Son Mission is almost three years old. Our primary focus has not changed since birth in 2016, “Making disciples from Jesus’ sacrificial grace.” God’s grace is freely given but not cheaply purchased. Jesus willingly laid down His life for our new, redeemed life in Him. Jesus is the only One who did not deserve death but He willingly absorbed the Father’s wrath, becoming the final sacrifice for sin. Three days later, Jesus’ resurrection mocked death and secured eternal grace, hope, and life for those who put their faith in Him. Son Mission marvels at Jesus’ transformative, sacrificial grace (which is rooted in true love). We are building on Jesus’ foundation - from Jesus’ finished work by the power of the Holy Spirit in accordance with His Word. How does Son Mission “make disciples from Jesus’ sacrificial grace” in the Busia District? I’m glad you asked. Check this out.
By God’s grace, I lead a team of 3 to the Busia District for the first time this February. Our time was refining, fun, and fruitful. The team was encouraged by the sincerity and hospitality of the Son Mission Busia District Mentors, the 13 Son Mission orphans, and the born-again churches we serve with. We visited, encouraged, and prayed with all the Primary and Secondary schools we partner with. We ran the Busia dirt roads with Basic Primary students for their morning exercise. We encouraged Lumino Baptist Church and Faith Church through preaching and prayer. We prayed with Faith Babies Home in Iganga. We shared a massive meal with the upcoming 2020 Son Mission orphans and their caregivers. We learned how to worship Jesus through song in the Saamia language. We ate cassava bread with our hands, avocados the size of small pumpkins, and African pineapple pizza. We experienced God’s global body working and dreaming together for Jesus’ sake in the Busia District. Our time with the Son Mission Busia District team was a shot of authentic Jesus-centered energy.
In 2019, the Son Mission Busia District Mentors will be teaching God’s Word to over 400 students in 7 schools through discipleship classes. Since birth, Son Mission has given over 500 (English Bibles) to students and schools. This is vital for many reasons. Most churchgoers in the bush do not have a Bible due to availability and price: on average a Bible in the Busia District costs 70,000 shillings (20 USD), which is an average monthly salary for those in the Busia bush. Additionally, when one does not have a Bible how can one weigh what the Pastor is teaching? The practicality of having a Bible can help thwart false teaching and grow one in transformative Truth. Finally, for the young adults, Bibles (in English) encourage them to dig deeper in the English language. English is Uganda’s national language and has the ability to connect students to people and opportunities all over East Africa and beyond. If a student stays relegated to their tribal language, the ability for them to grow intellectually, spiritually, financially, and educationally decreases. Son Mission desires for the citizens of the Busia District to love Jesus - not just in Spirit - but also in Truth. We are grateful for generous born-again churches who value the Word of God. We thank God for Grace City Church in Wenatchee who has donated over 250 Bibles to the Busia District! 
Son Mission is teaching God’s Word to 175 more students and discipling 10 more orphans this year, than last. Because of this, we are adding 3 more mentors to the Son Mission Busia District Team: Scovia, Constance, and Praxydees. Scovia and Constance have a combined 32 years of teaching experience at the Primary level in the Busia District, while Praxydees is a nurse and worship leader at Calvary Baptist Church in Busia Town. I am so thankful and humbled by the work from the Busia District team throughout 2018 and their commitment for 2019. Son Mission gives our mentors monthly salaries to disciple and teach. For instance, Otwona Emmanuel is currently teaching 2 discipleship classes in three schools each week. You can tremendously help Otwona as he helps youth come to know, love, and follow Jesus in Spirit and Truth. 30.00 USD per month goes a long way in bush. Please consider giving to Emma and the Son Mission Busia District Mentors. Find out more here.
​The fruit from Jesus-centered discipleship and continued education can take years to manifest. For the Son Mission orphans to be mature in the Lord and have sustainable skills from education will take years of discipleship, prayer, struggling through English, learning skills, and discipline. For example, Andrew and Flavia started discipling Erumbi Priscilla when she was in the P6 at Bright hope Orphanage in 2016 through Son Mission. This year Erumbi is a sophomore at Howard Christian High School. Erumbi has been undergoing 4 hours of Jesus-centered discipleship per week for more than 3 years through Son Mission. A consistent Godly voice that corrects and encourages in the Lord can go a long way if a student heeds the discipleship, which Erumbi has. In 2018, Erumbi was academically number #1 out of 70 students in her class at Howard Christian! The Headmaster of Howard Christian was surprised and encouraged by Erumbi’s growth over the course of her freshman year: mostly because she came from a bush village in Lumino where English is not frequented. Erumbi is taking full advantage of the opportunity God has given her through Son Mission. Erumbi says, “I thank God for Son Mission and my school fees paid.” Because Erumbi’s effort last year, she earned scholarship for the 2019 school year at Howard Christian!
​Son Mission adheres to Jesus’ command to make disciples (who make disciples). We understand the cultural context and methodology to make disciples looks different from country to country, culture to culture, and sub-culture to sub-culture, but the Spirit is the same. We earnestly desire the citizens in the Busia District to authentically come to saving faith in Jesus Christ: falling in love with Him, His church, His Word, and the lost. We do this by searching for orphans in the bush who have very little and then develop Jesus-centered relationships with them. Jesus-centered discipleship involves gritty conversations that require salty yet graceful speech and leadership. Andrew Wafula and his wife Flavia (Son Mission’s Busia District overseers) embody this type of leadership. The Wafula’s disciple Namu, a 15 year-old orphan, who qualified for Secondary Support in 2018. A supporter from America paved the way for her High School education fee’s for one full year through Son Mission, but 3 months before her freshman year started at Howard Christian, Namu got pregnant. Before she was 100% certain she was pregnant, she did not want anyone to know the possibility, except for Andrew and Flavia. Praise God for Jesus-centered discipleship. I am thankful Namu trusted the Wafula’s, so that she would not face such a life-altering realization alone. After the doctor confirmed her pregnancy in the hospital (the Wafula’s took her there), Namu had an emotional and spiritual breakdown. She recently lost both of her parents. She just lost her high school scholarship with Son Mission. Now she is facing motherhood at 15 - with very little support. Andrew and Flavia sat down with Namu for 5 hours: crying with her, encouraging her, showing her this child is a blessing and her responsibility, and that God is not punishing her through this pregnancy. You may be reading this and saying, “Why did Namu lose her scholarship with Son Mission?” Son Mission has expectations, and one of our main focuses is specifically providing orphans with Secondary education. Namu is unable to give her undivided attention to her studies and live in a boarding environment while being pregnant. Andrew and Flavia are NOT discontinuing discipleship with Namu but her High School scholarship was revoked, for now. When Namu is ready, Son Mission will reconsider helping her with High School education.
Discipleship doesn’t always produce immediate and tangible fruit, so we are grateful for those who give to Son Mission in faith. Intangible or tangible, Son Mission is producing sustainable ripples in the lives of orphans and beyond. Here is a quote from Haley Winkelman about her time with Son Mission in the Busia District this February, “This was not volun-tourism. I really felt like what we were doing was not an Instagram photo-op but a genuine and sincere effort to spread the Kingdom one small and sustainable step at a time.” Haley is a High School teacher at C.S. Lewis Academy in Oregon. She finished her Master’s in Theology at Multnomah University and has been all around the world serving the Lord. Three weeks before she jetted to Uganda, she was in Israel. Haley joins the Son Mission team as the Discipleship Coordinator to help train mentors to mentor students through Jesus-centered classes in the Busia District. Moreover, she is coordinating a pen pal project between her students at C.S. Lewis and Son Mission students at Howard Christian! Additionally, Max Samples joins the Son Mission team as a Stateside Representative who advocates for our orphans Secondary education in the United States. Max is an associate pastor at The Church of the Groves in Leesburg, Georgia and adds a wealth of youth ministry experience to the Son Mission team! Bryan Visscher joins the Son Mission team as an Overseer and board member. Bryan graduated from Calvin College in Chicago in economics. He has over 10 years of experience as a contractor and 19 years as a director and operational manager. Currently, Bryan is a consultant. Bryan adds a wealth of practical experience to the Son Mission team! Jeremy Kelley joins the Son Mission team as the Treasurer.  Jeremy lives in Wenatchee, WA with his wife Melissa and both have been doing ministry for the past four years leading teams to Sicily and Vietnam. They have a passion to see more people meet, love, and follow Jesus in Wenatchee and throughout the world. Finally, my wife Noelle Raelene Heine. We fell in love at first hike last summer :) Her grace and positivity is exactly what I need day-in and day-out, especially our time in the Busia District. Noelle has a genuine love for orphans and the Busia District Team. She joins the Son Mission team as the Secondary Support Coordinator!
​Son Mission thanks all the individual supporters who continue to shoulder the educational fees for the 13 orphans. Additionally, we thank Grace City Church for Bibles, support, and opportunities to share what God is doing in the Busia District. Sowing into God’s Kingdom reaps an eternal harvest that cannot be destroyed. If you are God’s child, you give. It’s a natural impulse from the love He has given you. So no matter what your financial situation, these words are still true: it’s better to give than receive. I want to highlight Heather Hendricks who has been giving to Son Mission since 2017. Heather is a single mother of twins. She lives, works, and worships in the Wenatchee Valley. As a single mother of two, she has a billion reasons not to give to Nasirumbi Lillian’s education. The valley is expensive, making it difficult for married couples (two incomes), let alone a single mother of two with one income. But Heather finds a way to give to Nasirumbi’s education each year. God got ahold of Heather’s heart when she heard about the orphans in 2017. Her natural response was, “I want to help one!” And she has. Additionally, Heather’s twins pray for Nasirumbi each night! Son Mission is built on this type of giving and prayer.
]]> Son Mission is almost three years old. Our primary focus has not changed since birth in 2016, “Making disciples from Jesus’ sacrificial grace.” God’s grace is freely given but not cheaply purchased. Jesus willingly laid down His life for our new, redeemed life in Him. Jesus is the only One who did not deserve death but He willingly absorbed the Father’s wrath, becoming the final sacrifice for sin. Three days later, Jesus’ resurrection mocked death and secured eternal grace, hope, and life for those who put their faith in Him. Son Mission marvels at Jesus’ transformative, sacrificial grace (which is rooted in true love). We are building on Jesus’ foundation - from Jesus’ finished work by the power of the Holy Spirit in accordance with His Word. How does Son Mission “make disciples from Jesus’ sacrificial grace” in the Busia District? I’m glad you asked. Check this out.
By God’s grace, I lead a team of 3 to the Busia District for the first time this February. Our time was refining, fun, and fruitful. The team was encouraged by the sincerity and hospitality of the Son Mission Busia District Mentors, the 13 Son Mission orphans, and the born-again churches we serve with. We visited, encouraged, and prayed with all the Primary and Secondary schools we partner with. We ran the Busia dirt roads with Basic Primary students for their morning exercise. We encouraged Lumino Baptist Church and Faith Church through preaching and prayer. We prayed with Faith Babies Home in Iganga. We shared a massive meal with the upcoming 2020 Son Mission orphans and their caregivers. We learned how to worship Jesus through song in the Saamia language. We ate cassava bread with our hands, avocados the size of small pumpkins, and African pineapple pizza. We experienced God’s global body working and dreaming together for Jesus’ sake in the Busia District. Our time with the Son Mission Busia District team was a shot of authentic Jesus-centered energy.
In 2019, the Son Mission Busia District Mentors will be teaching God’s Word to over 400 students in 7 schools through discipleship classes. Since birth, Son Mission has given over 500 (English Bibles) to students and schools. This is vital for many reasons. Most churchgoers in the bush do not have a Bible due to availability and price: on average a Bible in the Busia District costs 70,000 shillings (20 USD), which is an average monthly salary for those in the Busia bush. Additionally, when one does not have a Bible how can one weigh what the Pastor is teaching? The practicality of having a Bible can help thwart false teaching and grow one in transformative Truth. Finally, for the young adults, Bibles (in English) encourage them to dig deeper in the English language. English is Uganda’s national language and has the ability to connect students to people and opportunities all over East Africa and beyond. If a student stays relegated to their tribal language, the ability for them to grow intellectually, spiritually, financially, and educationally decreases. Son Mission desires for the citizens of the Busia District to love Jesus - not just in Spirit - but also in Truth. We are grateful for generous born-again churches who value the Word of God. We thank God for Grace City Church in Wenatchee who has donated over 250 Bibles to the Busia District! 
Son Mission is teaching God’s Word to 175 more students and discipling 10 more orphans this year, than last. Because of this, we are adding 3 more mentors to the Son Mission Busia District Team: Scovia, Constance, and Praxydees. Scovia and Constance have a combined 32 years of teaching experience at the Primary level in the Busia District, while Praxydees is a nurse and worship leader at Calvary Baptist Church in Busia Town. I am so thankful and humbled by the work from the Busia District team throughout 2018 and their commitment for 2019. Son Mission gives our mentors monthly salaries to disciple and teach. For instance, Otwona Emmanuel is currently teaching 2 discipleship classes in three schools each week. You can tremendously help Otwona as he helps youth come to know, love, and follow Jesus in Spirit and Truth. 30.00 USD per month goes a long way in bush. Please consider giving to Emma and the Son Mission Busia District Mentors. Find out more here.
​The fruit from Jesus-centered discipleship and continued education can take years to manifest. For the Son Mission orphans to be mature in the Lord and have sustainable skills from education will take years of discipleship, prayer, struggling through English, learning skills, and discipline. For example, Andrew and Flavia started discipling Erumbi Priscilla when she was in the P6 at Bright hope Orphanage in 2016 through Son Mission. This year Erumbi is a sophomore at Howard Christian High School. Erumbi has been undergoing 4 hours of Jesus-centered discipleship per week for more than 3 years through Son Mission. A consistent Godly voice that corrects and encourages in the Lord can go a long way if a student heeds the discipleship, which Erumbi has. In 2018, Erumbi was academically number #1 out of 70 students in her class at Howard Christian! The Headmaster of Howard Christian was surprised and encouraged by Erumbi’s growth over the course of her freshman year: mostly because she came from a bush village in Lumino where English is not frequented. Erumbi is taking full advantage of the opportunity God has given her through Son Mission. Erumbi says, “I thank God for Son Mission and my school fees paid.” Because Erumbi’s effort last year, she earned scholarship for the 2019 school year at Howard Christian!
​Son Mission adheres to Jesus’ command to make disciples (who make disciples). We understand the cultural context and methodology to make disciples looks different from country to country, culture to culture, and sub-culture to sub-culture, but the Spirit is the same. We earnestly desire the citizens in the Busia District to authentically come to saving faith in Jesus Christ: falling in love with Him, His church, His Word, and the lost. We do this by searching for orphans in the bush who have very little and then develop Jesus-centered relationships with them. Jesus-centered discipleship involves gritty conversations that require salty yet graceful speech and leadership. Andrew Wafula and his wife Flavia (Son Mission’s Busia District overseers) embody this type of leadership. The Wafula’s disciple Namu, a 15 year-old orphan, who qualified for Secondary Support in 2018. A supporter from America paved the way for her High School education fee’s for one full year through Son Mission, but 3 months before her freshman year started at Howard Christian, Namu got pregnant. Before she was 100% certain she was pregnant, she did not want anyone to know the possibility, except for Andrew and Flavia. Praise God for Jesus-centered discipleship. I am thankful Namu trusted the Wafula’s, so that she would not face such a life-altering realization alone. After the doctor confirmed her pregnancy in the hospital (the Wafula’s took her there), Namu had an emotional and spiritual breakdown. She recently lost both of her parents. She just lost her high school scholarship with Son Mission. Now she is facing motherhood at 15 - with very little support. Andrew and Flavia sat down with Namu for 5 hours: crying with her, encouraging her, showing her this child is a blessing and her responsibility, and that God is not punishing her through this pregnancy. You may be reading this and saying, “Why did Namu lose her scholarship with Son Mission?” Son Mission has expectations, and one of our main focuses is specifically providing orphans with Secondary education. Namu is unable to give her undivided attention to her studies and live in a boarding environment while being pregnant. Andrew and Flavia are NOT discontinuing discipleship with Namu but her High School scholarship was revoked, for now. When Namu is ready, Son Mission will reconsider helping her with High School education.
Discipleship doesn’t always produce immediate and tangible fruit, so we are grateful for those who give to Son Mission in faith. Intangible or tangible, Son Mission is producing sustainable ripples in the lives of orphans and beyond. Here is a quote from Haley Winkelman about her time with Son Mission in the Busia District this February, “This was not volun-tourism. I really felt like what we were doing was not an Instagram photo-op but a genuine and sincere effort to spread the Kingdom one small and sustainable step at a time.” Haley is a High School teacher at C.S. Lewis Academy in Oregon. She finished her Master’s in Theology at Multnomah University and has been all around the world serving the Lord. Three weeks before she jetted to Uganda, she was in Israel. Haley joins the Son Mission team as the Discipleship Coordinator to help train mentors to mentor students through Jesus-centered classes in the Busia District. Moreover, she is coordinating a pen pal project between her students at C.S. Lewis and Son Mission students at Howard Christian! Additionally, Max Samples joins the Son Mission team as a Stateside Representative who advocates for our orphans Secondary education in the United States. Max is an associate pastor at The Church of the Groves in Leesburg, Georgia and adds a wealth of youth ministry experience to the Son Mission team! Bryan Visscher joins the Son Mission team as an Overseer and board member. Bryan graduated from Calvin College in Chicago in economics. He has over 10 years of experience as a contractor and 19 years as a director and operational manager. Currently, Bryan is a consultant. Bryan adds a wealth of practical experience to the Son Mission team! Jeremy Kelley joins the Son Mission team as the Treasurer.  Jeremy lives in Wenatchee, WA with his wife Melissa and both have been doing ministry for the past four years leading teams to Sicily and Vietnam. They have a passion to see more people meet, love, and follow Jesus in Wenatchee and throughout the world. Finally, my wife Noelle Raelene Heine. We fell in love at first hike last summer :) Her grace and positivity is exactly what I need day-in and day-out, especially our time in the Busia District. Noelle has a genuine love for orphans and the Busia District Team. She joins the Son Mission team as the Secondary Support Coordinator!
​Son Mission thanks all the individual supporters who continue to shoulder the educational fees for the 13 orphans. Additionally, we thank Grace City Church for Bibles, support, and opportunities to share what God is doing in the Busia District. Sowing into God’s Kingdom reaps an eternal harvest that cannot be destroyed. If you are God’s child, you give. It’s a natural impulse from the love He has given you. So no matter what your financial situation, these words are still true: it’s better to give than receive. I want to highlight Heather Hendricks who has been giving to Son Mission since 2017. Heather is a single mother of twins. She lives, works, and worships in the Wenatchee Valley. As a single mother of two, she has a billion reasons not to give to Nasirumbi Lillian’s education. The valley is expensive, making it difficult for married couples (two incomes), let alone a single mother of two with one income. But Heather finds a way to give to Nasirumbi’s education each year. God got ahold of Heather’s heart when she heard about the orphans in 2017. Her natural response was, “I want to help one!” And she has. Additionally, Heather’s twins pray for Nasirumbi each night! Son Mission is built on this type of giving and prayer.
]]> BUILDING ON JESUS https://www.sonmission.org/blog/post/-building-on-jesus https://www.sonmission.org/blog/post/-building-on-jesus#comments Mon, 14 May 2018 21:55:00 -0700 https://www.sonmission.org/blog/post/-building-on-jesus Every moment is accounted for. Every decision is weighed. Every word is recorded. Every thought is naked. Every motive is exposed. Every failed battle against the flesh is known. Every mumbled inner-curse against one’s neighbor loudly echoes with clarity. Every brick laid will be tested. God knows all. Nothing is hidden from Him. He is not surprised by anything. The God who created man and woman knows man and woman fully (see Corinthians 13:12). For the Christian, this is great news. The God who created everything and everyone, who intimately knows all personal struggles and shortcomings: willingly put on human flesh, lived a perfect life, and then stripped himself of words by shutting his mouth all the way to the point of death on a tree for our sins, so that His Father would be glorified and His people would have an eternally perfect home in His Kingdom now and to come. 
Jesus’ finished work.
Because of Jesus’ perfect obedience, born-again believers have a foundation to build from - namely on Jesus’ finished work. The new heart God gives His people is one intimately connected to Him by the Holy Spirit. God’s people have no need to hide their sin from God, no need to spend hours cleaning the “outside of the dish”, no need to invest in a temporary kingdom, and no need to seek God’s approval through good works alone or passive religious traditions that portray a man-centered righteousness. The born-again Christian was loved and found by God while sick and dead in sin. The thought of God’s people trying to hide their current or future sins from Him is laughable. So is trying to self-atone for past, current, or future sins. The enemy wants to distract the Christian from embracing the authentic freedom found in Jesus’ finished work by trying to convince them that Jesus is not enough. Jesus’ finished work produces grace-driven laboring, which illuminates a Kingdom to come in the new hearts of God’s people. 

Paul addresses grace-driven laboring to the Corinthians:

“By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved - even though only as one escaping through the flames.” 1 Corinthians 3:10-15

With so much in these verses, I want to focus on just three parts of the text: grace fuels one to build on Jesus Christ; the intentions of every work (whether fueled by grace alone or work alone) is fully known by God; and God should be embraced as both Savior and Lord. 

Grace fuels. 

Paul wrote, “By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder…” Because Jesus Christ is love: he extends life-transforming grace to all people who turn from their sin, their gods, their way, their wisdom, their old heart, and their throne to His righteousness, His Father, His way, His wisdom, His new heart, and His Father’s throne. When Paul said, “By the grace God has given me…” he established the foundation of everything he was building upon by humbly acknowledging that Jesus’ grace is the fuel. Grace fueled Paul to build on Jesus’ foundation. Grace must fuel what born-again Christians do, say, and build today. Grace produces humility, hope, and hunger to live-out and share the love of Jesus Christ to a broken world. When Paul experienced God’s grace, he laid down his man-made accomplishments and righteousness at the feet of Jesus. Paul experienced the level ground found in Jesus, which welcomes all people to experience His new Kingdom - not just the “religious elite”. If God’s grace alone isn’t fueling the Christian to build, then “man-made works” apart from Jesus will. “Man-made works” apart from Jesus is dangerous ground to build on, as it’s temporary and sinking.

Intentions known. 

Paul wrote, “But each one should build with care. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.” In essence, Paul is saying to bring all your intentions to God before building (and as you build). It’s not like the Father doesn’t already know one’s intentions, so submitting every thought to Christ makes sense for the Christian (see 2 Corinthians 10:5). Ask God to examine and prune your intentions before building (and while building). Are you building to impress others? Are you building for self-glorification? Are you exclusively building for the outside to look nice? Are you building just to build? If so, repent, turn from temporary aspirations, and move to Jesus-centered intentions. From my experience, it is easy to sway into temporal pursuits, but God is good to refine, realign, and redeem upon repentance, seeking Him, listening to His word and Spirit, and applying His reproof moving forward. Born-again Christians will make mistakes while building (I have and will continue to) but be hopeful and encouraged in front of the Father with a heart willing to be shaped by God’s love and purpose - moment by moment - from Jesus’ finished work. 

Moreover, Paul was saying that born-again Christians should not create a different foundation or take from or add to Jesus Christ. Paul is urging the Corinthians not to be entangled with impure motives. He is reminding them to stay rooted in the grace that Jesus has extended to both Jew and Gentile through His death on a tree, resurrection from the grave, and current mediation between believers and the Father. Oh, the freedom that is in Jesus Christ alone! The pure intention of building from Jesus’ foundation is for others to be earnestly transformed by Jesus. Cleaning the inside of the bowl can only be accomplished by humbly allowing God’s intentions to reign over one’s selfish intentions, so that earnest transformation, sanctification, and building can occur individually and corporately. God knows all intentions. Christians must continually seek to submit and align theirs to His. 

Savior and Lord. 

Paul wrote, “If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved - even though only as one escaping through the flames.” Paul makes the point that some born-again Christians embrace Jesus as Savior but not as Lord. In essence, they call on Jesus to save when in need but have not fully submitted their intentions and continued work to Jesus as Lord of their lives. Yes, they are saved, but they build on their own wisdom, not on Jesus’ finished work. My prayer for Son Mission, the corporate church, my personal life, and you reading this is for us to embrace Jesus as both Savior and Lord - building on Jesus with continually edified, pure intentions that come from Him alone. Our one life and walk with Jesus on this earth does not need to be one that just “escapes the flames” but rather one that is joyfully and confidently resting and building from the grace continually given us. 

The Two Foundations.

So how does one build on Jesus Christ?

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on a rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it has been founded on the rock. Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain fell, the floods came, the wind blew and slammed against that house; and it fell - and it was a great fall.” - Matthew 7:24-27

These were Jesus’ last words in His sermon on the mount. To build on Jesus Christ is to accept Jesus’ finished work, believe His word, and actively put His word into practice by the power of the Holy Spirit. One either builds on Jesus or doesn’t. The storms of life are coming to test the foundation one is building on. How much wiser is building on the One who controls the storms, than on the one who can’t?

Solid Ground.

God’s grace tastes so good because mankind will never meet God’s standard alone. But by grace through faith in Jesus, Christians are imputed Jesus’ righteousness. The Father sees Jesus’ perfection when looking at His redeemed children. This is why GRACE tastes so good! Christians no longer need to hide themselves from God in the garden. Because of Jesus’ finished work, Christians can boldly approach God’s throne of grace with confidence - as they stumble to build authentically on Jesus Christ. 

“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4: 14-16

Kingdom Coming.

God’s people are experiencing God’s kingdom in part now, but a time is coming when His children will experience His kingdom in full - when Jesus consummates all things. If you feel as if your work today is useless, you may not be considering the hope found in the Kingdom to come, or you may be working with the wrong intentions, or you may be building on sinking sand. Jesus’ kingdom to come is not some place where “good people” float in the sky with harps. God’s kingdom is a real place where death is mocked, pain is gone, tears are no more, and love reigns. Jesus ate real fish in His resurrected body, Adam worked the garden before sin entered the cosmos, and Isaiah paints us a picture of peace among the created. When you are building, are you experiencing a genuine hope of God’s kingdom or are you sinking on temporal ground? Oh, the hope found in Jesus’ Kingdom to come! 
]]> Every moment is accounted for. Every decision is weighed. Every word is recorded. Every thought is naked. Every motive is exposed. Every failed battle against the flesh is known. Every mumbled inner-curse against one’s neighbor loudly echoes with clarity. Every brick laid will be tested. God knows all. Nothing is hidden from Him. He is not surprised by anything. The God who created man and woman knows man and woman fully (see Corinthians 13:12). For the Christian, this is great news. The God who created everything and everyone, who intimately knows all personal struggles and shortcomings: willingly put on human flesh, lived a perfect life, and then stripped himself of words by shutting his mouth all the way to the point of death on a tree for our sins, so that His Father would be glorified and His people would have an eternally perfect home in His Kingdom now and to come. 
Jesus’ finished work.
Because of Jesus’ perfect obedience, born-again believers have a foundation to build from - namely on Jesus’ finished work. The new heart God gives His people is one intimately connected to Him by the Holy Spirit. God’s people have no need to hide their sin from God, no need to spend hours cleaning the “outside of the dish”, no need to invest in a temporary kingdom, and no need to seek God’s approval through good works alone or passive religious traditions that portray a man-centered righteousness. The born-again Christian was loved and found by God while sick and dead in sin. The thought of God’s people trying to hide their current or future sins from Him is laughable. So is trying to self-atone for past, current, or future sins. The enemy wants to distract the Christian from embracing the authentic freedom found in Jesus’ finished work by trying to convince them that Jesus is not enough. Jesus’ finished work produces grace-driven laboring, which illuminates a Kingdom to come in the new hearts of God’s people. 

Paul addresses grace-driven laboring to the Corinthians:

“By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved - even though only as one escaping through the flames.” 1 Corinthians 3:10-15

With so much in these verses, I want to focus on just three parts of the text: grace fuels one to build on Jesus Christ; the intentions of every work (whether fueled by grace alone or work alone) is fully known by God; and God should be embraced as both Savior and Lord. 

Grace fuels. 

Paul wrote, “By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder…” Because Jesus Christ is love: he extends life-transforming grace to all people who turn from their sin, their gods, their way, their wisdom, their old heart, and their throne to His righteousness, His Father, His way, His wisdom, His new heart, and His Father’s throne. When Paul said, “By the grace God has given me…” he established the foundation of everything he was building upon by humbly acknowledging that Jesus’ grace is the fuel. Grace fueled Paul to build on Jesus’ foundation. Grace must fuel what born-again Christians do, say, and build today. Grace produces humility, hope, and hunger to live-out and share the love of Jesus Christ to a broken world. When Paul experienced God’s grace, he laid down his man-made accomplishments and righteousness at the feet of Jesus. Paul experienced the level ground found in Jesus, which welcomes all people to experience His new Kingdom - not just the “religious elite”. If God’s grace alone isn’t fueling the Christian to build, then “man-made works” apart from Jesus will. “Man-made works” apart from Jesus is dangerous ground to build on, as it’s temporary and sinking.

Intentions known. 

Paul wrote, “But each one should build with care. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.” In essence, Paul is saying to bring all your intentions to God before building (and as you build). It’s not like the Father doesn’t already know one’s intentions, so submitting every thought to Christ makes sense for the Christian (see 2 Corinthians 10:5). Ask God to examine and prune your intentions before building (and while building). Are you building to impress others? Are you building for self-glorification? Are you exclusively building for the outside to look nice? Are you building just to build? If so, repent, turn from temporary aspirations, and move to Jesus-centered intentions. From my experience, it is easy to sway into temporal pursuits, but God is good to refine, realign, and redeem upon repentance, seeking Him, listening to His word and Spirit, and applying His reproof moving forward. Born-again Christians will make mistakes while building (I have and will continue to) but be hopeful and encouraged in front of the Father with a heart willing to be shaped by God’s love and purpose - moment by moment - from Jesus’ finished work. 

Moreover, Paul was saying that born-again Christians should not create a different foundation or take from or add to Jesus Christ. Paul is urging the Corinthians not to be entangled with impure motives. He is reminding them to stay rooted in the grace that Jesus has extended to both Jew and Gentile through His death on a tree, resurrection from the grave, and current mediation between believers and the Father. Oh, the freedom that is in Jesus Christ alone! The pure intention of building from Jesus’ foundation is for others to be earnestly transformed by Jesus. Cleaning the inside of the bowl can only be accomplished by humbly allowing God’s intentions to reign over one’s selfish intentions, so that earnest transformation, sanctification, and building can occur individually and corporately. God knows all intentions. Christians must continually seek to submit and align theirs to His. 

Savior and Lord. 

Paul wrote, “If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved - even though only as one escaping through the flames.” Paul makes the point that some born-again Christians embrace Jesus as Savior but not as Lord. In essence, they call on Jesus to save when in need but have not fully submitted their intentions and continued work to Jesus as Lord of their lives. Yes, they are saved, but they build on their own wisdom, not on Jesus’ finished work. My prayer for Son Mission, the corporate church, my personal life, and you reading this is for us to embrace Jesus as both Savior and Lord - building on Jesus with continually edified, pure intentions that come from Him alone. Our one life and walk with Jesus on this earth does not need to be one that just “escapes the flames” but rather one that is joyfully and confidently resting and building from the grace continually given us. 

The Two Foundations.

So how does one build on Jesus Christ?

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on a rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it has been founded on the rock. Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain fell, the floods came, the wind blew and slammed against that house; and it fell - and it was a great fall.” - Matthew 7:24-27

These were Jesus’ last words in His sermon on the mount. To build on Jesus Christ is to accept Jesus’ finished work, believe His word, and actively put His word into practice by the power of the Holy Spirit. One either builds on Jesus or doesn’t. The storms of life are coming to test the foundation one is building on. How much wiser is building on the One who controls the storms, than on the one who can’t?

Solid Ground.

God’s grace tastes so good because mankind will never meet God’s standard alone. But by grace through faith in Jesus, Christians are imputed Jesus’ righteousness. The Father sees Jesus’ perfection when looking at His redeemed children. This is why GRACE tastes so good! Christians no longer need to hide themselves from God in the garden. Because of Jesus’ finished work, Christians can boldly approach God’s throne of grace with confidence - as they stumble to build authentically on Jesus Christ. 

“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4: 14-16

Kingdom Coming.

God’s people are experiencing God’s kingdom in part now, but a time is coming when His children will experience His kingdom in full - when Jesus consummates all things. If you feel as if your work today is useless, you may not be considering the hope found in the Kingdom to come, or you may be working with the wrong intentions, or you may be building on sinking sand. Jesus’ kingdom to come is not some place where “good people” float in the sky with harps. God’s kingdom is a real place where death is mocked, pain is gone, tears are no more, and love reigns. Jesus ate real fish in His resurrected body, Adam worked the garden before sin entered the cosmos, and Isaiah paints us a picture of peace among the created. When you are building, are you experiencing a genuine hope of God’s kingdom or are you sinking on temporal ground? Oh, the hope found in Jesus’ Kingdom to come! 
]]> STAND ON THE ROCK https://www.sonmission.org/blog/post/-stand-on-the-rock https://www.sonmission.org/blog/post/-stand-on-the-rock#comments Wed, 17 Jan 2018 20:58:00 -0800 https://www.sonmission.org/blog/post/-stand-on-the-rock Before Saul became Paul, he was a false teacher who persecuted those who belonged to Jesus Christ. Saul persecuted followers of Jesus Christ because they preached the Gospel, which threatened his own self-righteousness, manmade religion, pride, power, and position. Saul’s pursuit to persecute Christians came to an end when he was given a new name by the sacrificial grace of Jesus Christ. By the person and power of the Holy Spirit, Paul’s spiritual eyes were opened to Truth, which allowed for Paul to confidently preach the Gospel: warning and admonishing against false doctrines, teachers, and religions. Paul wrote letters to Timothy, Titus, Rome, Corinth, and Asia: drawing clear distinctions between true and false teachers; even naming specific persons to steer clear from and the motivations behind their false teachings: 
​“A time will come when people will not listen to accurate teachings. Instead, they will follow their own desires and surround themselves with teachers who tell them what they want to hear. People will refuse to listen to the truth and turn to myths.” 2 Timothy 4:3-4

“If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teachings that accord with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing.” 1 Timothy 6:3-10

“You are aware of the fact that all who are in Asia turned away from me, among who are Phygelus and Hermogenes.” 2 Timothy 1:15

“But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness, and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, men who have gone astray from the truth saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and they upset the faith of some.” 2 Timothy 2:16-18

“For there are many rebellious men, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, who must be silenced because they are upsetting whole families, teaching things they should not teach for the sake of sordid gain.” Titus 1:10-11

“And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do other scriptures.” 2 Peter 3:15-16

“These people are false apostles. They are deceitful workers who disguise themselves as apostles of Christ. But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no wonder that his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. In the end they will get the punishment their wicked deeds deserve.”  2 Corinthians 11:13-15

“Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hinderances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them. For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting.” Romans 16:17-18

Satan and his servants are masters at distorting God’s word: leading people to believe true is false and false is true. Many false teachers subtly distort (little by little) God’s Word and character. A little leaven will eventually leaven the whole lump of dough (see Galatians 5:7-9). When a false teacher sows a false seed, he or she reaps bad fruit. In other words, false teachers produce false converts. Jesus preached a sermon that urged His listeners to discern between good and bad fruit:

“Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes, nor figs from thistles, are they? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit; but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So then, you will know them by their fruits. Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.” Matthew 7:15-23

God’s Word paints a clear picture for His followers to admonish false teachings, teachers, and converts (see Titus 1:10-11; 2 Timothy 4:1-5), flee from the temptation of adhering to false doctrines (see 1 Timothy 6:7-11; Galatians 5:7-10), and expose falsehoods within the church (see 1 Corinthians 5:2; 9-13; John 7:24; Galatians 2:4). This must be pursued with humility, grace, and love: prayerfully hoping for the Gospel to earnestly penetrate hearts and minds. The Holy Spirit transforms His people into the image of Jesus by implanting within them a fervor to put on Jesus Christ in Spirit and Truth. This will make for difficult conversations within the church and division among the world. When born-again believers unapologetically cling to the Gospel, an expectation of persecution, division, and suffering from the world should be embraced with unwavering joy (see Romans 5:1-5).  False religions, teachers, and converts hate Jesus Christ and His finished work. How much more will those who unapologetically love and follow Jesus be hated by the world (see John 15:18-19)? 

Before labeling religions, teachers, and converts as true or false, there must be a foundational lens that can be objectively gazed through to see what is clearly true and false. In other words, man’s opinion on Scripture isn’t the objective standard, God’s Word is: scripture interpreting scripture (with the Holy Spirit leading the way) is the foundational, objective lens that illuminates Truth in the midst of falsehoods. God’s word is very clear as to Who saves, how one is saved, why one needs to be saved, where those who deny Jesus are headed, if there is life after death, the character of God, who Jesus is, Who the Holy Spirit is, what sin is, etc. That which is unequivocal in Scripture is Primary doctrine. That which is NOT so clear is Secondary. 
Primary vs Secondary
​What is the difference between Primary doctrine and Secondary stances? All true brothers and sisters in Christ wholeheartedly agree with Primary doctrine, which is bedrock to the Christian faith. False doctrines derive from false teachers who distort Primary doctrine: compromising foundational Truth for sordid gain (i.e. money, fame, approval, power, comfort, self-righteousness, etc). False teachers who veer from Primary doctrine use a plethora of arguments for their veering, such as: “God is love, everyone is going to Heaven” or “Hell isn’t real.” or “Who am I to judge?” or “Jesus wasn’t fully God.” or “You can make yourself right before God through spiritual rituals.” or “All roads lead to Heaven.” or “Jesus is coming back in 6 days.” or  “You’re saved when you finally speak in tongues.” or “If you just have enough faith then God will heal you.” or “Jesus is one of many ways to the Father.” or “Men marrying men is God’s design because God just wants people to find love.” or “God’s word isn’t fully reliable, but buy my book that discloses God’s mysteries.” or “God met me in a dream and told me that he will heal you if you give all your money to my ministry.” And the nonsense continues. Below is Primary doctrine that all true brothers and sisters in Christ rejoice in: 
Salvation by grace alone: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9 (see Ephesians 2:3; Philippians 1:29; 1 Peter 1:3-5; 1 John 1:16-17; Romans 3:23-24, 6:14)

Salvation is a gift from God. Jesus Christ sacrificially purchased salvation by his sinless life, willing death on a tree, and resurrection from the grave. False teachers, doctrines, and religions teach that you have to work for your “salvation”. If you have to work for grace, then grace is no longer a gift from God: nullifying the very purpose of Christ Jesus. God’s grace is more powerful than any sin. All are welcome to repent, turn from their unrighteousness, and be reborn by God’s grace. 

Justified by faith alone: “And to the one who does not work but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness.” Romans 4:5 (see Romans 3:28, 5:1; Galatians 2:16, 3:6, 24; Ephesians 1:13; Genesis 15:16; Philippians 3:9)

Some false teachers will argue against “faith alone” by highlighting James 2:24. James was arguing that sincere faith in Christ will actively produce good works that give God the glory. The bedrock of the Christian faith is trusting in Jesus’ finished work for salvation. It’s from Jesus’ finished work that born-again believers are motivated, compelled, and transformed to do good works. In other words, born-again believers are working from (not for) Jesus’ love. Isaiah made it very clear that our good works apart from God are like fifthly rags (see Isaiah 64:6).

Jesus Christ alone: “I am the truth, the life, and the way.” John 14:6 (see Colossians 2: 6-23; 1 Timothy 2:5; John 16: 13-15; Hebrews 1:1-4)

Only one name (Jesus Christ) can reconcile man to God (see Acts 4:12). Jesus Christ is the only way to the Father, the only way to rebirth, the only way to truth, the only way to fruitful wisdom, the only way to the new heavens and earth. False teachers will deny Jesus’ deity or add to His finished work. Jesus plus anything ruins everything. 

Scripture alone: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” 2 Timothy 3:16 (see John 17:7; Hebrews 4:12; Luke 24:44, 27; 2 Peter 1: 3-4, 20) 

God’s Word is filled with sobering clarity, endless hope, and awe-struck mystery. Because God cannot lie, every word in God’s Word is true (see Psalm 119:160; Numbers 23:19; Hebrews 6:17-18). False teachers take God’s Word out of context to fit their manmade context. They cannot correctly interpret Scripture because they cannot hear God’s voice (see John 8:43-45). Instead, they have created their own counterfeit spirits to promote their manmade agendas. There isn’t hundreds of holy spirits at war with one another: one fighting for Baptists, one fighting for Pentecostals, one fighting for Jehovah Witness, one fighting for Mormons, one fighting for Roman Catholics, etc. Instead there is only one Holy Spirit of God who seeks the lost and helps born-again believers interpret, believe, heed and preach Scripture (see 1 Corinthians 2:14; Ephesians 4:4-6).

God’s glory alone: “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgements and unfathomable are His ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who became His counselor? Or who has first given to Him that it might be paid back to Him again? For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.” 1 Corinthians 11:33-36 (see Ephesians 1:4-6,11-12; Isaiah 2:12-17; Colossians 3:17; 1 Corinthians 10:31)

God does not save man because man is awesome. God saves man because God is awesome. Paul rebuked the crowds who tried worshipping him after the Holy Spirit used him to strengthen a man’s lame feet. Paul argued that God must be glorified, not him (see Acts 14:8-17). False teachers promote a man-centered gospel that focuses on man’s gifts: placing themselves in the glory seat. The totality of the Bible points to God and His glory alone. 

Death, Burial, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ: “Rulers and elders of the people, if we are on trial today for a benefit done to a sick man, as to how this man has been made well, let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by this name this man stands here before you in good health.” Acts 4:9-10 (see Mark 8:31, 16:5-7; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Matthew 27:65-66, 28; Luke 24:6-7; Romans 8:34; Philippians 2:5-8)

Jesus Christ was born of a virgin, lived sinlessly, willingly died on a tree, physically laid lifeless in a tomb, and then resurrected from death - conquering satan, sin, death, and demons for all those who are in Christ Jesus. False teachers minimize or deny any part of Jesus’ virgin birth, perfect life, willing death, burial, or resurrection. If Jesus ceased to be fully God at any point then he was never God to begin with. If Jesus didn’t absorb God’s wrath, then Christians do not have His imputed righteousness. If Jesus didn’t resurrect from the grave, then Christians are hopeless and should be pitied the most (see 1 Corinthians 15:16-19). 

Monotheism and the Holy Trinity: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you.” Matthew 28:19-20 (see Isaiah 9:6; Colossians 2:9; 2 Corinthians 3:17; Colossians 1:15-17; 1 Peter 1:1-2) 

God is three distinct individuals - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - in one true God. God refers to Himself as “us” and “we” throughout His Word. False teachers and religions deny or distort the triune nature of God to fit their manmade religion (they even revise the Bible to fit their interpretations). The Father loves His son Jesus Christ; Jesus Christ submitted himself to the Father’s will, and the Holy Spirit convicts and comforts this world while making much of Jesus’ sacrificial grace and the Father’s love. God the Father, God the son, and God the Holy Spirit are three distinct individuals who are all fully God, in unison, as One.

Any teaching contrary to Primary doctrine is false and will lead many astray. By the grace of God, one who is born-again can rejoice in the promise and person of Jesus Christ alone. Many Secondary stances have divided brothers and sisters in Christ. Christians and denominations make a major mistake when they misplace Secondary stances as Primary doctrine. For instance, a church or person may have a deep conviction that the ESV Bible is the most reliable and accurate among all versions. This deep conviction becomes heresy when making a law that states, “Whoever does not read the ESV is NOT Christian”. This would be misplacing Secondary stances into Primary doctrine, which produces false doctrine and man-made religion. On the flip side, one may say ALL versions of the Bible are correct - along with the book of Mormon, Koran, New World Translation, etc. This is heresy as well because some versions of the “Bible” (and other books that claim to be another revelation of God’s Word) compromise Primary doctrine. In Christ, brothers and sisters can and will disagree about Secondary stances, but disagreements on Secondary stances should never take precedence over the foundation born-again believers share in Primary doctrine. Once again, these disagreements should never completely divide true brothers and sisters in Christ - if Primary doctrine isn’t compromised. But division is inevitable and necessary when Primary doctrine is compromised. 

Spirit and Truth

Some false teachers will say, “who cares about believing, knowing, and loving right doctrine. We just need to love people.” The problem with that is: there is no “love” apart from Jesus. We can’t love the way Jesus loves unless we: (1) accept that Jesus loved us first in accordance with scripture (see 1 John 4:19); (2) love God in return by worshipping Him in Spirit and Truth (see John 4:24). Moreover, if one believes wholeheartedly that Scripture is unequivocal on a specific Secondary stance, he or she should not automatically chalk up one who holds an antithetical view on a Secondary stance as a false convert or teacher, especially when that teacher or convert clings firmly to Primary doctrine. Additionally, be careful not to label people into camps so quickly, but instead reflect on how long it took you to come to your Secondary stances through prayer, study, personal experiences, and worship. Not every brother and sister in Christ is a weathered believer who has strong convictions on Secondary stances. Some Christians are just beginning to work out their salvation. Born-again believers who are discipling “younger” believers must extend grace, point to Scripture interpreting Scripture, and ask sound questions that will spark them into a deeper desire to know, love, and obey Jesus in Spirit and Truth.

Believing correctly is essential because it produces authentic worship, sober thinking, and pure convictions. Feelings alone will never produce right relationship with God. Born-again believers know God’s love for them is deep, wide, and eternal because His Word says so. If feelings alone were the catalyst for understanding God, man wouldn’t know his left from his right, let alone God’s character. For instance, if you believe God’s Word is not clear on how the love for money can deceive you: your worship, thinking, and convictions will be distorted. Your bank account will illuminate your true love(s). Of course, someone can preach correct theology and give money to the poor but meanwhile live a deceitful life. This is why Jesus encouraged us to not only discern between true and false teachers and doctrine but also acknowledge the fruit teachers and converts are producing in their own personal lives. Americans have access to thousands of theological books, sermons, podcasts, and blogs. Those in Christ must be on guard: a false gospel is no Gospel. Just because a pastor is plastered on magazines, has a huge instagram following, and is in the ears of millions of podcasters does not mean he or she is communicating and living Truth. Born-again believers must first be engrained in God’s word: discerning between what is counterfeit and true. And most importantly, Christians must value and have a deeply personal relationship with Jesus so that they can stand on The Rock in the midst of trails, temptations, failures, suffering, and persecution. 

God did not give us His Word so we can study the right answers and score an “A” on His final exam. God gave us His Word so that we will be authentically transformed into the image of Jesus Christ through a personal and corporate relationship with Him. God’s Word is active and alive: piercing through the innermost parts of the Christian’s fabric. When we allow the Holy Spirit to work out our salvation, we find that the Primary doctrine of the Christian Faith is bedrock: filled with joyful hope, unwavering security, and authentic identity, for eternity, as the children of God.
]]> Before Saul became Paul, he was a false teacher who persecuted those who belonged to Jesus Christ. Saul persecuted followers of Jesus Christ because they preached the Gospel, which threatened his own self-righteousness, manmade religion, pride, power, and position. Saul’s pursuit to persecute Christians came to an end when he was given a new name by the sacrificial grace of Jesus Christ. By the person and power of the Holy Spirit, Paul’s spiritual eyes were opened to Truth, which allowed for Paul to confidently preach the Gospel: warning and admonishing against false doctrines, teachers, and religions. Paul wrote letters to Timothy, Titus, Rome, Corinth, and Asia: drawing clear distinctions between true and false teachers; even naming specific persons to steer clear from and the motivations behind their false teachings: 
​“A time will come when people will not listen to accurate teachings. Instead, they will follow their own desires and surround themselves with teachers who tell them what they want to hear. People will refuse to listen to the truth and turn to myths.” 2 Timothy 4:3-4

“If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teachings that accord with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing.” 1 Timothy 6:3-10

“You are aware of the fact that all who are in Asia turned away from me, among who are Phygelus and Hermogenes.” 2 Timothy 1:15

“But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness, and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, men who have gone astray from the truth saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and they upset the faith of some.” 2 Timothy 2:16-18

“For there are many rebellious men, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, who must be silenced because they are upsetting whole families, teaching things they should not teach for the sake of sordid gain.” Titus 1:10-11

“And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do other scriptures.” 2 Peter 3:15-16

“These people are false apostles. They are deceitful workers who disguise themselves as apostles of Christ. But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no wonder that his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. In the end they will get the punishment their wicked deeds deserve.”  2 Corinthians 11:13-15

“Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hinderances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them. For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting.” Romans 16:17-18

Satan and his servants are masters at distorting God’s word: leading people to believe true is false and false is true. Many false teachers subtly distort (little by little) God’s Word and character. A little leaven will eventually leaven the whole lump of dough (see Galatians 5:7-9). When a false teacher sows a false seed, he or she reaps bad fruit. In other words, false teachers produce false converts. Jesus preached a sermon that urged His listeners to discern between good and bad fruit:

“Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes, nor figs from thistles, are they? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit; but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So then, you will know them by their fruits. Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.” Matthew 7:15-23

God’s Word paints a clear picture for His followers to admonish false teachings, teachers, and converts (see Titus 1:10-11; 2 Timothy 4:1-5), flee from the temptation of adhering to false doctrines (see 1 Timothy 6:7-11; Galatians 5:7-10), and expose falsehoods within the church (see 1 Corinthians 5:2; 9-13; John 7:24; Galatians 2:4). This must be pursued with humility, grace, and love: prayerfully hoping for the Gospel to earnestly penetrate hearts and minds. The Holy Spirit transforms His people into the image of Jesus by implanting within them a fervor to put on Jesus Christ in Spirit and Truth. This will make for difficult conversations within the church and division among the world. When born-again believers unapologetically cling to the Gospel, an expectation of persecution, division, and suffering from the world should be embraced with unwavering joy (see Romans 5:1-5).  False religions, teachers, and converts hate Jesus Christ and His finished work. How much more will those who unapologetically love and follow Jesus be hated by the world (see John 15:18-19)? 

Before labeling religions, teachers, and converts as true or false, there must be a foundational lens that can be objectively gazed through to see what is clearly true and false. In other words, man’s opinion on Scripture isn’t the objective standard, God’s Word is: scripture interpreting scripture (with the Holy Spirit leading the way) is the foundational, objective lens that illuminates Truth in the midst of falsehoods. God’s word is very clear as to Who saves, how one is saved, why one needs to be saved, where those who deny Jesus are headed, if there is life after death, the character of God, who Jesus is, Who the Holy Spirit is, what sin is, etc. That which is unequivocal in Scripture is Primary doctrine. That which is NOT so clear is Secondary. 
Primary vs Secondary
​What is the difference between Primary doctrine and Secondary stances? All true brothers and sisters in Christ wholeheartedly agree with Primary doctrine, which is bedrock to the Christian faith. False doctrines derive from false teachers who distort Primary doctrine: compromising foundational Truth for sordid gain (i.e. money, fame, approval, power, comfort, self-righteousness, etc). False teachers who veer from Primary doctrine use a plethora of arguments for their veering, such as: “God is love, everyone is going to Heaven” or “Hell isn’t real.” or “Who am I to judge?” or “Jesus wasn’t fully God.” or “You can make yourself right before God through spiritual rituals.” or “All roads lead to Heaven.” or “Jesus is coming back in 6 days.” or  “You’re saved when you finally speak in tongues.” or “If you just have enough faith then God will heal you.” or “Jesus is one of many ways to the Father.” or “Men marrying men is God’s design because God just wants people to find love.” or “God’s word isn’t fully reliable, but buy my book that discloses God’s mysteries.” or “God met me in a dream and told me that he will heal you if you give all your money to my ministry.” And the nonsense continues. Below is Primary doctrine that all true brothers and sisters in Christ rejoice in: 
Salvation by grace alone: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9 (see Ephesians 2:3; Philippians 1:29; 1 Peter 1:3-5; 1 John 1:16-17; Romans 3:23-24, 6:14)

Salvation is a gift from God. Jesus Christ sacrificially purchased salvation by his sinless life, willing death on a tree, and resurrection from the grave. False teachers, doctrines, and religions teach that you have to work for your “salvation”. If you have to work for grace, then grace is no longer a gift from God: nullifying the very purpose of Christ Jesus. God’s grace is more powerful than any sin. All are welcome to repent, turn from their unrighteousness, and be reborn by God’s grace. 

Justified by faith alone: “And to the one who does not work but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness.” Romans 4:5 (see Romans 3:28, 5:1; Galatians 2:16, 3:6, 24; Ephesians 1:13; Genesis 15:16; Philippians 3:9)

Some false teachers will argue against “faith alone” by highlighting James 2:24. James was arguing that sincere faith in Christ will actively produce good works that give God the glory. The bedrock of the Christian faith is trusting in Jesus’ finished work for salvation. It’s from Jesus’ finished work that born-again believers are motivated, compelled, and transformed to do good works. In other words, born-again believers are working from (not for) Jesus’ love. Isaiah made it very clear that our good works apart from God are like fifthly rags (see Isaiah 64:6).

Jesus Christ alone: “I am the truth, the life, and the way.” John 14:6 (see Colossians 2: 6-23; 1 Timothy 2:5; John 16: 13-15; Hebrews 1:1-4)

Only one name (Jesus Christ) can reconcile man to God (see Acts 4:12). Jesus Christ is the only way to the Father, the only way to rebirth, the only way to truth, the only way to fruitful wisdom, the only way to the new heavens and earth. False teachers will deny Jesus’ deity or add to His finished work. Jesus plus anything ruins everything. 

Scripture alone: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” 2 Timothy 3:16 (see John 17:7; Hebrews 4:12; Luke 24:44, 27; 2 Peter 1: 3-4, 20) 

God’s Word is filled with sobering clarity, endless hope, and awe-struck mystery. Because God cannot lie, every word in God’s Word is true (see Psalm 119:160; Numbers 23:19; Hebrews 6:17-18). False teachers take God’s Word out of context to fit their manmade context. They cannot correctly interpret Scripture because they cannot hear God’s voice (see John 8:43-45). Instead, they have created their own counterfeit spirits to promote their manmade agendas. There isn’t hundreds of holy spirits at war with one another: one fighting for Baptists, one fighting for Pentecostals, one fighting for Jehovah Witness, one fighting for Mormons, one fighting for Roman Catholics, etc. Instead there is only one Holy Spirit of God who seeks the lost and helps born-again believers interpret, believe, heed and preach Scripture (see 1 Corinthians 2:14; Ephesians 4:4-6).

God’s glory alone: “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgements and unfathomable are His ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who became His counselor? Or who has first given to Him that it might be paid back to Him again? For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.” 1 Corinthians 11:33-36 (see Ephesians 1:4-6,11-12; Isaiah 2:12-17; Colossians 3:17; 1 Corinthians 10:31)

God does not save man because man is awesome. God saves man because God is awesome. Paul rebuked the crowds who tried worshipping him after the Holy Spirit used him to strengthen a man’s lame feet. Paul argued that God must be glorified, not him (see Acts 14:8-17). False teachers promote a man-centered gospel that focuses on man’s gifts: placing themselves in the glory seat. The totality of the Bible points to God and His glory alone. 

Death, Burial, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ: “Rulers and elders of the people, if we are on trial today for a benefit done to a sick man, as to how this man has been made well, let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by this name this man stands here before you in good health.” Acts 4:9-10 (see Mark 8:31, 16:5-7; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Matthew 27:65-66, 28; Luke 24:6-7; Romans 8:34; Philippians 2:5-8)

Jesus Christ was born of a virgin, lived sinlessly, willingly died on a tree, physically laid lifeless in a tomb, and then resurrected from death - conquering satan, sin, death, and demons for all those who are in Christ Jesus. False teachers minimize or deny any part of Jesus’ virgin birth, perfect life, willing death, burial, or resurrection. If Jesus ceased to be fully God at any point then he was never God to begin with. If Jesus didn’t absorb God’s wrath, then Christians do not have His imputed righteousness. If Jesus didn’t resurrect from the grave, then Christians are hopeless and should be pitied the most (see 1 Corinthians 15:16-19). 

Monotheism and the Holy Trinity: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you.” Matthew 28:19-20 (see Isaiah 9:6; Colossians 2:9; 2 Corinthians 3:17; Colossians 1:15-17; 1 Peter 1:1-2) 

God is three distinct individuals - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - in one true God. God refers to Himself as “us” and “we” throughout His Word. False teachers and religions deny or distort the triune nature of God to fit their manmade religion (they even revise the Bible to fit their interpretations). The Father loves His son Jesus Christ; Jesus Christ submitted himself to the Father’s will, and the Holy Spirit convicts and comforts this world while making much of Jesus’ sacrificial grace and the Father’s love. God the Father, God the son, and God the Holy Spirit are three distinct individuals who are all fully God, in unison, as One.

Any teaching contrary to Primary doctrine is false and will lead many astray. By the grace of God, one who is born-again can rejoice in the promise and person of Jesus Christ alone. Many Secondary stances have divided brothers and sisters in Christ. Christians and denominations make a major mistake when they misplace Secondary stances as Primary doctrine. For instance, a church or person may have a deep conviction that the ESV Bible is the most reliable and accurate among all versions. This deep conviction becomes heresy when making a law that states, “Whoever does not read the ESV is NOT Christian”. This would be misplacing Secondary stances into Primary doctrine, which produces false doctrine and man-made religion. On the flip side, one may say ALL versions of the Bible are correct - along with the book of Mormon, Koran, New World Translation, etc. This is heresy as well because some versions of the “Bible” (and other books that claim to be another revelation of God’s Word) compromise Primary doctrine. In Christ, brothers and sisters can and will disagree about Secondary stances, but disagreements on Secondary stances should never take precedence over the foundation born-again believers share in Primary doctrine. Once again, these disagreements should never completely divide true brothers and sisters in Christ - if Primary doctrine isn’t compromised. But division is inevitable and necessary when Primary doctrine is compromised. 

Spirit and Truth

Some false teachers will say, “who cares about believing, knowing, and loving right doctrine. We just need to love people.” The problem with that is: there is no “love” apart from Jesus. We can’t love the way Jesus loves unless we: (1) accept that Jesus loved us first in accordance with scripture (see 1 John 4:19); (2) love God in return by worshipping Him in Spirit and Truth (see John 4:24). Moreover, if one believes wholeheartedly that Scripture is unequivocal on a specific Secondary stance, he or she should not automatically chalk up one who holds an antithetical view on a Secondary stance as a false convert or teacher, especially when that teacher or convert clings firmly to Primary doctrine. Additionally, be careful not to label people into camps so quickly, but instead reflect on how long it took you to come to your Secondary stances through prayer, study, personal experiences, and worship. Not every brother and sister in Christ is a weathered believer who has strong convictions on Secondary stances. Some Christians are just beginning to work out their salvation. Born-again believers who are discipling “younger” believers must extend grace, point to Scripture interpreting Scripture, and ask sound questions that will spark them into a deeper desire to know, love, and obey Jesus in Spirit and Truth.

Believing correctly is essential because it produces authentic worship, sober thinking, and pure convictions. Feelings alone will never produce right relationship with God. Born-again believers know God’s love for them is deep, wide, and eternal because His Word says so. If feelings alone were the catalyst for understanding God, man wouldn’t know his left from his right, let alone God’s character. For instance, if you believe God’s Word is not clear on how the love for money can deceive you: your worship, thinking, and convictions will be distorted. Your bank account will illuminate your true love(s). Of course, someone can preach correct theology and give money to the poor but meanwhile live a deceitful life. This is why Jesus encouraged us to not only discern between true and false teachers and doctrine but also acknowledge the fruit teachers and converts are producing in their own personal lives. Americans have access to thousands of theological books, sermons, podcasts, and blogs. Those in Christ must be on guard: a false gospel is no Gospel. Just because a pastor is plastered on magazines, has a huge instagram following, and is in the ears of millions of podcasters does not mean he or she is communicating and living Truth. Born-again believers must first be engrained in God’s word: discerning between what is counterfeit and true. And most importantly, Christians must value and have a deeply personal relationship with Jesus so that they can stand on The Rock in the midst of trails, temptations, failures, suffering, and persecution. 

God did not give us His Word so we can study the right answers and score an “A” on His final exam. God gave us His Word so that we will be authentically transformed into the image of Jesus Christ through a personal and corporate relationship with Him. God’s Word is active and alive: piercing through the innermost parts of the Christian’s fabric. When we allow the Holy Spirit to work out our salvation, we find that the Primary doctrine of the Christian Faith is bedrock: filled with joyful hope, unwavering security, and authentic identity, for eternity, as the children of God.
]]> GOD'S MISSION https://www.sonmission.org/blog/post/-gods-mission https://www.sonmission.org/blog/post/-gods-mission#comments Fri, 16 Jun 2017 10:00:00 -0700 https://www.sonmission.org/blog/post/-gods-mission God’s mission is rooted in His Word and Spirit, which ultimately points to the eternal glory of God and the joy His people have in Him. God gives us detail into the who, when, how, where, and why of His mission in Acts 1:7-9. Let’s hermeneutically tackle these verses to unpack God’s mission in more detail. 

“He (Jesus) said to them, ‘It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by His own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.’ And when He had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took Him out of their sight.” Acts 1:7-9

Who does God send and plant? 

His disciples. 

In Acts 1:7, “He (Jesus) said to them…” The “them” was referring to His disciples. Soon thereafter, Jesus’ disciples multiplied in one mind (see Acts 2: 46-47). This was exactly what Jesus prayed for (see John 17:20-21). All people have the opportunity to become disciples of Jesus Christ. When Adam sinned, all sinned. When Christ conquered sin, all have access to be liberated from sin (see Rom. 5:17-21). The most heinous crime holds less power than Jesus’ finished work on the cross. God sends and plants His disciples who are born-again believers: clothed with His righteousness and guided by His Spirit.

When does God send and plant His disciples?

Now. 

Born-again believers must be ready to give an account in and out of season (see 2 Tim 4:2). In other words, Christians are always on “mission”. Jesus rebuked His disciples by commanding them to stop trying to figure out times or seasons. In Acts 1:7, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by His own authority.” Christians are not called to idly debate the exact time when Jesus is coming back. His disciples must know that they don’t know, but the Father does. There’s a great childlike mystery and comfort in knowing the Father’s timing is perfect and just. His disciples don’t know when Jesus is coming back, when they’re going to be called home (if Jesus doesn’t come back first), and when their non-believing co-worker, neighbor, relative, etc. will breathe their last. This unknown should produce a patient urgency for the Christian to witness now. This does not mean Christians should bash Bibles across the heads of non-believers in desperation, nor does it mean Christians should uncomfortably force people to speak in tongues. Born-again believers must be in unison with His one Spirit and covenant community: patiently meeting people where they are in their faith, then urgently and prayerfully planting and watering the seed of Truth. God sends and plants His people now, as tomorrow will care for itself.  

How does God send and plant His disciples? 

By the Holy Spirit. 

In Acts 1:8, “…but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you…” God gives born-again believers His Spirit to carry out His mission. In the context of Acts 1:8, Jesus’ disciples had to wait for the Holy Spirit. Today, the Holy Spirit is graciously poured into the hearts of born-again believers. The Holy Spirit produces within Christians the true understanding of His Word (which will breed legitimate questions and answers: see 1 Corin 2:1-14), confirmation and empowerment to carry out His calling (the still small voice that aligns with God’s Word and character: see John 10:27; Matt 7:13-14), joy in suffering (persecution for following Jesus is promised: see 2 Tim. 3:12; Matt 5:11; Rom. 5:3-4), sanctification through pruning (the old self must experience death daily: see Col. 3:5-11), and unity by submitting (meshing Christians together with Godly leadership in one Spirit, mind and Truth: see Acts 2:42; Ephesians 4:4). The Holy Spirit empowered and moved God’s mission forward through Barnabas and Paul’s journey to and from Iconium (see Acts 14:1-28). The Holy Spirit boldly empowered Paul and Barnabas to preach with knowledge in an environment that was hostile toward God’s message of grace (v. 1-3); they heard whisper from the Holy Spirit to flee Iconium because of ensuing persecution (v. 5); Paul was given supernatural strength to endure physical persecution (v. 19-20); Barnabas and Paul commended new elders in the church, which ultimately formed unity (v. 23); they were given the humility to point to God for their wisdom and power (v. 15); and they made earnest disciples in Christ and souls were saved (v. 21, 28, 1). Without the power of the Holy Spirit, Paul and Barnabas’ mission to and from Iconium would have been futile. God sends and plants His children by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Where does God send and plant His disciples? 

Everywhere. 

In Acts 1:8, “…you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Some believe God only sends “missionaries” by plane to destitute locations. This is so far from true. God sends and plants His disciples everywhere. God’s mission field is anywhere on His earth where people reside. Jesus calls many of His disciples to stay planted exactly where they are for long, long seasons. Paul commanded Christians in Thessalonica to work diligently with their hands and live quiet lives for the purpose of witnessing Jesus to non-believers (see 1 Thess 4:11). In other words, God calls some Christians to stay planted in one location to work hard without complaining, take care of their financial obligations, give to the God’s local and global mission, and witness Jesus by Word and action in their local community. Plenty of emotionally-driven charismatic movements have lead many astray from Paul’s command. In these circles, God is an emotion or feeling that only shows up in exterior locations in dramatic form. The followers of these movements are always searching for God in the world instead of the hidden place found in Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit isn’t playing hide and seek, but rather He openly and relationally resides in the hearts of born-again believers - even in the “mundane” moments. In essence, false teachings and movements of the “spirit” have lead people from genuinely seeking authentic opportunities to be a witness in their community because their too busy searching for God in some exterior event. 

God has some children planted in one location and other children on global missions. When I lived in the Busia District of Uganda, Africa I met a man named Bishop Victor Wanyama Kwedende on the outskirts of a tiny village near Lumino, Uganda. Bishop Victor runs an orphanage called Victory Tabernacle where he houses, feeds, and educates over 50 orphans. God placed a healthy burden in Victor’s heart for widows as well, as they have bedrooms near the orphan’s dormitories. The widows intercede in prayer throughout the day and oversee the orphans at night. Breaking bread with Bishop Victor and his large family of orphans and widows was joyous. The name of Jesus naturally rolls off his tongue with childlike reverence and excitement. On a Wednesday night after preaching, Bishop shared with me (over cassava and African spiced tea) his testimony of when God sent him to the United States for one year to serve the people of the United States. God sends and plants His people anywhere and everywhere despite socioeconomic challenges, racial tensions, cultural blockades, language barriers, intellectual abilities, and denominational allegiances. Some of Jesus’ disciples may be called to plant in one location with the purpose of serving orphans, whereas others may be sent on plane to serve in locations for shorter seasons. God sends and plants His disciples everywhere. 

Why does God send and plant His disciples? 

That all may earnestly give their lives to Jesus. 

In Act 1:8, “…and you will be my witnesses…” In the Gospel of John, Jesus prayed to the Father, “…so that the world may believe that you sent me.” (see John 17:21) Jesus sends His disciples to witness to all people, so that all would know the only true unwavering hope for mankind, Jesus Christ. Everything in God’s mission is centered around knowing, accepting, loving, and extolling the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus deeply desires restored relationships with all people. God’s heart is for all to repent and come into personal relationship through His blood bought grace (see 2 Peter 3:9; Ephesians 2:1-10; Hebrews 9:11-14) Christians must be on mission for this very reason. Jesus dragged mankind's cross through the dirt because He is love. Death has no dominion in Jesus. Sin is atoned for in Jesus. New names are inherited in Jesus. New life permeates from Jesus. God sends his people to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ: loving people through Word and deed, so that all may earnestly give their lives to Jesus.

Can Jesus fly? 

Yes. 

In Acts 1:9, “And when He had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took Him out of their sight.” Jesus is not confined to time, space, and matter. The Creator doesn’t submit to His creation, instead He has dominion over it (see 1 Colossians 1:15-20). We see this throughout the life of Jesus. After He resurrected from the dead, he took on the physical form of His heavenly body (see John 20:20). When Jesus returns and consummates all things, His children will receive new heavenly bodies (see 1 Cor. 15:40)! Will these new bodies fly? Hopefully. But what is certain, many will need new professions. There will be no need for psychologists, traveling nurses, medical doctors, pastors, embalmers, etc. The new heavens and new earth will be filled by the illumination and glory of Jesus Christ!  

God’s mission is rooted in His Word and Spirit, which ultimately points to the eternal glory of God and the eternal joy His people have in Him. God accomplishes His mission by sending and planting His disciples. Jesus’ disciples are born-again believers who are clothed with Jesus’ righteousness: their time is now; their power is the Holy Spirit; their purpose is to disciple and share God’s love to everyone in everyplace through Word and deed. God’s mission is not to have stale converts who just passively say “yes” to Jesus, then walk through the motions of lukewarm faith in superficial community that seeks self over Christ. God’s heart is for earnest discipleship that values, glorifies, and loves Jesus Christ: this is where true, sustaining joy and multiplication is found. How tragic would it be if a project provided people with unlimited free meals, clean water, new buildings, and free education but not Jesus Christ in sincerity, love, and Truth? This would be like cleaning the outside of a dish, but neglecting the inside (see Matt 23:26). God’s mission is for His disciples to preach, share, and be the love of Christ to a world that is perishing, so that all may repent and become sons and daughters of the only true Father.

]]> God’s mission is rooted in His Word and Spirit, which ultimately points to the eternal glory of God and the joy His people have in Him. God gives us detail into the who, when, how, where, and why of His mission in Acts 1:7-9. Let’s hermeneutically tackle these verses to unpack God’s mission in more detail. 

“He (Jesus) said to them, ‘It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by His own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.’ And when He had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took Him out of their sight.” Acts 1:7-9

Who does God send and plant? 

His disciples. 

In Acts 1:7, “He (Jesus) said to them…” The “them” was referring to His disciples. Soon thereafter, Jesus’ disciples multiplied in one mind (see Acts 2: 46-47). This was exactly what Jesus prayed for (see John 17:20-21). All people have the opportunity to become disciples of Jesus Christ. When Adam sinned, all sinned. When Christ conquered sin, all have access to be liberated from sin (see Rom. 5:17-21). The most heinous crime holds less power than Jesus’ finished work on the cross. God sends and plants His disciples who are born-again believers: clothed with His righteousness and guided by His Spirit.

When does God send and plant His disciples?

Now. 

Born-again believers must be ready to give an account in and out of season (see 2 Tim 4:2). In other words, Christians are always on “mission”. Jesus rebuked His disciples by commanding them to stop trying to figure out times or seasons. In Acts 1:7, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by His own authority.” Christians are not called to idly debate the exact time when Jesus is coming back. His disciples must know that they don’t know, but the Father does. There’s a great childlike mystery and comfort in knowing the Father’s timing is perfect and just. His disciples don’t know when Jesus is coming back, when they’re going to be called home (if Jesus doesn’t come back first), and when their non-believing co-worker, neighbor, relative, etc. will breathe their last. This unknown should produce a patient urgency for the Christian to witness now. This does not mean Christians should bash Bibles across the heads of non-believers in desperation, nor does it mean Christians should uncomfortably force people to speak in tongues. Born-again believers must be in unison with His one Spirit and covenant community: patiently meeting people where they are in their faith, then urgently and prayerfully planting and watering the seed of Truth. God sends and plants His people now, as tomorrow will care for itself.  

How does God send and plant His disciples? 

By the Holy Spirit. 

In Acts 1:8, “…but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you…” God gives born-again believers His Spirit to carry out His mission. In the context of Acts 1:8, Jesus’ disciples had to wait for the Holy Spirit. Today, the Holy Spirit is graciously poured into the hearts of born-again believers. The Holy Spirit produces within Christians the true understanding of His Word (which will breed legitimate questions and answers: see 1 Corin 2:1-14), confirmation and empowerment to carry out His calling (the still small voice that aligns with God’s Word and character: see John 10:27; Matt 7:13-14), joy in suffering (persecution for following Jesus is promised: see 2 Tim. 3:12; Matt 5:11; Rom. 5:3-4), sanctification through pruning (the old self must experience death daily: see Col. 3:5-11), and unity by submitting (meshing Christians together with Godly leadership in one Spirit, mind and Truth: see Acts 2:42; Ephesians 4:4). The Holy Spirit empowered and moved God’s mission forward through Barnabas and Paul’s journey to and from Iconium (see Acts 14:1-28). The Holy Spirit boldly empowered Paul and Barnabas to preach with knowledge in an environment that was hostile toward God’s message of grace (v. 1-3); they heard whisper from the Holy Spirit to flee Iconium because of ensuing persecution (v. 5); Paul was given supernatural strength to endure physical persecution (v. 19-20); Barnabas and Paul commended new elders in the church, which ultimately formed unity (v. 23); they were given the humility to point to God for their wisdom and power (v. 15); and they made earnest disciples in Christ and souls were saved (v. 21, 28, 1). Without the power of the Holy Spirit, Paul and Barnabas’ mission to and from Iconium would have been futile. God sends and plants His children by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Where does God send and plant His disciples? 

Everywhere. 

In Acts 1:8, “…you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Some believe God only sends “missionaries” by plane to destitute locations. This is so far from true. God sends and plants His disciples everywhere. God’s mission field is anywhere on His earth where people reside. Jesus calls many of His disciples to stay planted exactly where they are for long, long seasons. Paul commanded Christians in Thessalonica to work diligently with their hands and live quiet lives for the purpose of witnessing Jesus to non-believers (see 1 Thess 4:11). In other words, God calls some Christians to stay planted in one location to work hard without complaining, take care of their financial obligations, give to the God’s local and global mission, and witness Jesus by Word and action in their local community. Plenty of emotionally-driven charismatic movements have lead many astray from Paul’s command. In these circles, God is an emotion or feeling that only shows up in exterior locations in dramatic form. The followers of these movements are always searching for God in the world instead of the hidden place found in Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit isn’t playing hide and seek, but rather He openly and relationally resides in the hearts of born-again believers - even in the “mundane” moments. In essence, false teachings and movements of the “spirit” have lead people from genuinely seeking authentic opportunities to be a witness in their community because their too busy searching for God in some exterior event. 

God has some children planted in one location and other children on global missions. When I lived in the Busia District of Uganda, Africa I met a man named Bishop Victor Wanyama Kwedende on the outskirts of a tiny village near Lumino, Uganda. Bishop Victor runs an orphanage called Victory Tabernacle where he houses, feeds, and educates over 50 orphans. God placed a healthy burden in Victor’s heart for widows as well, as they have bedrooms near the orphan’s dormitories. The widows intercede in prayer throughout the day and oversee the orphans at night. Breaking bread with Bishop Victor and his large family of orphans and widows was joyous. The name of Jesus naturally rolls off his tongue with childlike reverence and excitement. On a Wednesday night after preaching, Bishop shared with me (over cassava and African spiced tea) his testimony of when God sent him to the United States for one year to serve the people of the United States. God sends and plants His people anywhere and everywhere despite socioeconomic challenges, racial tensions, cultural blockades, language barriers, intellectual abilities, and denominational allegiances. Some of Jesus’ disciples may be called to plant in one location with the purpose of serving orphans, whereas others may be sent on plane to serve in locations for shorter seasons. God sends and plants His disciples everywhere. 

Why does God send and plant His disciples? 

That all may earnestly give their lives to Jesus. 

In Act 1:8, “…and you will be my witnesses…” In the Gospel of John, Jesus prayed to the Father, “…so that the world may believe that you sent me.” (see John 17:21) Jesus sends His disciples to witness to all people, so that all would know the only true unwavering hope for mankind, Jesus Christ. Everything in God’s mission is centered around knowing, accepting, loving, and extolling the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus deeply desires restored relationships with all people. God’s heart is for all to repent and come into personal relationship through His blood bought grace (see 2 Peter 3:9; Ephesians 2:1-10; Hebrews 9:11-14) Christians must be on mission for this very reason. Jesus dragged mankind's cross through the dirt because He is love. Death has no dominion in Jesus. Sin is atoned for in Jesus. New names are inherited in Jesus. New life permeates from Jesus. God sends his people to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ: loving people through Word and deed, so that all may earnestly give their lives to Jesus.

Can Jesus fly? 

Yes. 

In Acts 1:9, “And when He had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took Him out of their sight.” Jesus is not confined to time, space, and matter. The Creator doesn’t submit to His creation, instead He has dominion over it (see 1 Colossians 1:15-20). We see this throughout the life of Jesus. After He resurrected from the dead, he took on the physical form of His heavenly body (see John 20:20). When Jesus returns and consummates all things, His children will receive new heavenly bodies (see 1 Cor. 15:40)! Will these new bodies fly? Hopefully. But what is certain, many will need new professions. There will be no need for psychologists, traveling nurses, medical doctors, pastors, embalmers, etc. The new heavens and new earth will be filled by the illumination and glory of Jesus Christ!  

God’s mission is rooted in His Word and Spirit, which ultimately points to the eternal glory of God and the eternal joy His people have in Him. God accomplishes His mission by sending and planting His disciples. Jesus’ disciples are born-again believers who are clothed with Jesus’ righteousness: their time is now; their power is the Holy Spirit; their purpose is to disciple and share God’s love to everyone in everyplace through Word and deed. God’s mission is not to have stale converts who just passively say “yes” to Jesus, then walk through the motions of lukewarm faith in superficial community that seeks self over Christ. God’s heart is for earnest discipleship that values, glorifies, and loves Jesus Christ: this is where true, sustaining joy and multiplication is found. How tragic would it be if a project provided people with unlimited free meals, clean water, new buildings, and free education but not Jesus Christ in sincerity, love, and Truth? This would be like cleaning the outside of a dish, but neglecting the inside (see Matt 23:26). God’s mission is for His disciples to preach, share, and be the love of Christ to a world that is perishing, so that all may repent and become sons and daughters of the only true Father.

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