It has been a while since I have posted. Time has been at a premium this month. Between traveling to Mexico for a Men’s Congress, and returning home to a major Advent and Christmas production, something had to give. Apparently it was the blog site. Go figure, it is one of my favorite outlets, mainly because it gives me the opportunity to encourage others.
That is my mission here. I have had a few ask me, “Apostle, why don’t you use the site to bring the things you have taught to so many?” And, “That message was great – insightful and challenging. It should be on the post.” Or, “I never realized the powerful gift God gave us with regard to the Eucharist, or ‘Lord’s Supper’. I will never receive it in the same way.”
(I quoted these because I told those who said it; I would get around to it. This blog post is dedicated to them!!!)
Quite frankly there is a reason why I do not use this venue to bring “the deeper things”. I did not create this blog to spread doctrine. I created it to offer encouragement to others – to inspire people and challenge them to consider how to wring the most out of life and to recognize the potential God built in them.
I often receive response from people who have read the blog, or read one of my articles in the paper. Some are encouraging. Others are – well – let’s just say, I would expect a bit more from a pastor…
Not that it bothers me, but in recent weeks, it has apparently bothered a few others. Hence this post, which is designed to bring simple clarity of purpose to the reason for this blog in the first place.
There are people from all walks of life who touch my world. This is intentional. I harvested that by specifically targeting people who are usually avoided by the “religious community at large”. I have had believers delete me from their list of facebook friends because they took offense at a posting on my page from someone who used course language or someone who’s post indicated that they were living in an ‘alternative lifestyle’. “What if your church members see that?” Or, “What example are you setting for your children?” Hopefully, it is one that Jesus labored to set for us…love one another. Faith that can be shaken by such outburst is a shaky faith indeed. One interesting comment that came was an unsigned, anonymous note. In its entirety it read:
“Therefore, come out from among them and be ye separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean and I will receive you. 2 Cor. 6:17 –
ENOUGH SAID”
The problem here is compound. First, the verse alone is out of context. Paul was referring to believers in Corinth who were entering relationships (sexual in connotation) and marrying others who’s beliefs were contrary to the Gospel. The word “touch” is the Greek word, ἅπτομαι (hä'p-to-mī) (St G680) It defines the “attaching of one’s self to, to adhere to, to cling to, and more specifically, of carnal intercourse or cohabitation. From a Levitical standpoint - the avoidance of pagan ritual." – NOTE: Not avoiding pagans. The Israel of old had a plan to adopt those who were not Jewish into the fold( see RAHAB) If they were to avoid such people all together, there would be no need for such a plan.
Ironically, in 2 Cor. 6:14, which is part of the same instruction from Paul, he uses the phrase “unequally yoked together” with unbelievers. This phrase is a translation of the Greek word ἑτεροζυγέω (he-te-ro-zü-ge'-ō). It means "to come under a different or unequal yoke." In this case Paul was forbidding the Church at Corinth from having intercourse with unbelievers.
(Another ironic note is that I find myself trying desperately to teach unwed BELIEVERS not to have intercourse with others – believers or not, until they are married – a story for another venue on another day!)
What is funny about the words Paul used is that they are derived form the word Jesus used - ζυγός (zü-go's) (St. G2218) which means "yoke, or enslaved" and ἕτερος (he'-te-ros) (St. G2087) which means "to another, a number, of different value or quality." These words in context of Jesus’ teachings referred to being enslaved to the religious mindset of the Pharisees, who were long on sacrament and protocol but short on spiritual insight and compassion. They believed their expression of worship was the most revelatory and that those who could not see it were of a lesser mind and purpose. In short, their’s was a judgmental life in which they were the only ones with a valid point to make. Hence, their role in the Crucifixion. Jesus' teachings, actions and associations were naive to their revelation and thus, He was disqualified as a Messiah.
All this to say, relax, I am not unequally yoked. I am looking at the people to whom Jesus reached out. They were fishermen, tax collectors, doctors, Jews, gentiles, even demoniacs and prostitutes. And I took notice of the phrase, “To him who has ears to hear, let him hear…” Jesus reached those in need by inspiring them and encouraging them. He knew that not everyone in His hearing was prepared to receive all He could say. He used parables which seldom “quoted the word” but inspired while introducing to people, kingdom values and principles. He carefully held the doctrine of the kingdom to those who embraced Him and were walking with Him. The multitude vs. the disciples. Those who were listening vs. those who were listening and following. When Jesus did open the Word, He generally brought challenge and even provocation – usually to the religious. There are times for that but not here.
Jesus said, if I am lifted up, I will draw all men unto me. My purpose here is to exalt Jesus. It is to encourage and inspire those who do not know Him to discover Him and how great He is. Further, it is to inspire those who do know Him to discover in greater measure the plan and purpose He designed for their life.
To surmise, my dad told me, “Don’t tell everybody everything you know.” He was right. This blog is not an indication of all of who I am. It is an indication of something I want to be: a man who encourages, a man who inspires, and a man who demonstrates with simple clarity that God is love.
Enough said.
