All About GOD - Growing Relationships with Jesus and Others
What has ever distracted you from the simplicity and profundity of the Gospel?
Sometimes I get so carried away wondering about secondary issues, and what others think about them, and whats right, and yes, even judging others at times(Gods helping me on this) that I fear my mind is taken off reading the Bible, and believing that I, yes I, can make an informed decision on what the scripture is telling me. This story by Nicole Cottrell has encouraged me to 'go back to basics', not to worry about things that do not concern me in my walk, and try to aim to be the best witness and child of God that I can be. There's a question posed at the end, that's why I have posted it in the forum :). Blessings.
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When I first met Tim, I was 23 and searching for a new church–a place I could call home. Tim came off a bit weird to me at first. To call him unconventional would be an understatement.
He was loud, gregarious, politically incorrect, and even mildly inappropriate (according to Christian standards). He even offended me a few times.
“This guy is the youth and college pastor,” I wondered? Really? Uh, okay…
It wouldn’t be long before my judgmental eye-rolls and deep sighs would be challenged. It wasn’t long before God gave me the proverbial Holy Spirit smack down.
What I initially failed to realize is that Tim was no one’s slave…except Christ’s. He didn’t bow down to the large church machine of the 10,000 person congregation in which he served.
He wasn’t a slave to any particular theological doctrine or praxis. He was enslaved to Christ Jesus. Ball and chain. Throw away the key.
In the midst of a conversation one day, the head pastor of the church where Tim served at the time asked him a fairly straight forward question:
“Tim, are you a Calvinist or an Arminianist?”
Tim responded, “I don’t know what that means.” The pastor chuckled, certainly thinking that Tim–the pastor to all of the elementary to college-aged youth of this mega-church–was just being facetious.
“No, really,” the pastor continued. “What are you?”
“I’m neither,” Tim answered. “I honestly don’t even know what those words mean.”
Now, some of us might scoff at Tim’s naivety. We might make a flash judgment and call him irresponsible, ignorant, or spiritually immature. How could he really not know?
This is how: He doesn’t care.
Tim was a devoted follower of Christ, dedicated and committed. He poured out his life to meet the needs of others. He had a heart to see all, and kids especially, come to know Jesus.
He was filled with the Spirit and Spirit-led, operating in full capacity for Christ. He didn’t know what “Calvinist” means because the definition of that word in no way contributed to him serving and loving others like Jesus.
Funny when we think of it…Jesus was never bogged by doctrine or theology. He skillfully and stealthily made others question their own theology without ever taking sides.
Jesus was a theological ninja. We, on the other hand, are often theological suckers.
We allow the debate to distract. We allow the diatribe to defraud. We allow our own fleshly concerns for correctness undermine the Gospel.
Tim got this and he never gave in to church pressure. He was far more concerned with walking the walk than talking some talk, more concerned with loving than pontificating. Nothing distracted Tim from the simplicity and profundity of the Gospel. Period. And no doubt, nothing ever will.
Tim is still around, serving Christ wholeheartedly. He has moved on from that church to another, but he continues to pour into the lives of youth.
Now in his sixties, his health deteriorated from diabetes and hours of dialysis each day, you would think he has slowed down, but he hasn’t. He still wears sleeveless T-shirts (a story for another time), talks boisterously, doesn’t follow the rules, and tells the best stories.
He recently told a story that encapsulates him and his love for God…
Tim was attending a church renewal meeting. A lady approached him and said, “It seems like Christianity isn’t that hard for you.”
Tim responded, “Yeah, I skip all the hard parts.”
I want to skip the hard parts, too. I want to be washed anew with the beautiful simplicity of the Gospel and Jesus’ love for each and every one of us. If people roll their eyes or chuckle at my “ignorance,” then so be it. If I were still trying to please man, I wouldn’t be a slave of Christ. Or, as Paul put it to the Corinthians:
“But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ.”
What has ever distracted you from the simplicity and profundity of the Gospel? Have you ever struggled with a particular theological doctrine? How did that help or hurt your relationships with others in the Church?
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by LucyP on
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Good word David, I think for a relatively new Christian as myself that the advice I have often seen is to start the day with Bible reading, perhaps devotion, and even a couple of Christian songs. From experience if I do not start my day this way I am not as strong to face my daily battles as if I had. So I do try to discipline myself. I think self discipline is important in our walk.
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Permalink Reply by David Velasquez on
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Lucy,
We often think that we can't afford to spend that morning time with the Lord because our schedules are so cramp, but anyone who spends that time with the Lord will tell you, we cannot afford not to," God makes things fall into place when we put him first in our lives. At the very least our reactions to the challenges of the day are drastically different when we are fed.
This is the one thing that is the most difficult of all. To establish a discipline time fellowshipping with our creator through bible study, a life style of worship and constantly talking to our Lord throughout the day (prayer). For the majority of our family in Christ, it all starts with either prayer and bible study in the morning or bible study and prayer. If I was Satan my main objective in life would be to keep Christians from the bible by giving them a millions things to do, for in the living word of God is their sustenance and freedom found.
...they will KNOW the TRUTH and the TRUTH will set them FREE....
keep it up sis. Don't let anything take your eyes off of Jesus the author and finisher of our Faith. Praise Him. :)
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Permalink Reply by Rita Cullimore on
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My Bible time and study time is always with my Creator. I know when I open the Bible and study that the Holy Spirit is right there teaching me. The soundness of the doctrine I believe is right there in the *instruction book*. I know I don't understand everything and some things I am not ready for yet, but the Holy Spirit keeps teaching and I keep listening. I can think of no greater way to fellowship with God than to study and learn His Word.
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Amen Rita. I always pray for the Holy Spirit to guide me before I read Gods Word. I have found this very powerful.
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Permalink Reply by Carla on
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Wow Lucy! Awesome Post!
I love to study.. I spend much of my time in study and in groups.. and I admit that it can sometimes lead me away from the simplicity of the gospel. The Lord brings me back to it though..continually. Even our ministry can take us away from Jesus if we put our gaze on the ministry and off of Christ. Jesus keeps reminding me.. "It's not you, It's Me". He wants to work through me, I'm His hands and feet. I volunteer leading a homegroup in my church on Tuesday nights. Every night before I lead (especially) I come before the Lord and submit to Him. I ask for His direction, wisdom, guidance, love, mercy, compassion, understanding and discernment. I can't do anything without Him.
It seems there is always someone in the group who wants to distract and get the message off course... just for the sake of a debate.. Now, when I feel passionately about something, I love to debate.. I'm almost always up for a good debate. If I didn't submit to the Lord prior to leading, imagine how damaging that would be to the group. It would be like I were pushing my own agenda. The point of a leader is to serve, and to draw others out and encourage them in their faith and strengthen their discipleship and submission to the Lord---to give them the desire to walk in obedience and a close intimacy with Jesus. A leader is certainly not supposed to get caught up in the distractions... yikes.
A person who has the gift of 'teacher' is someone who even though knowing some of the meatier teachings, can present them in a simple way so that they are not overwhelming, discouraging or confusing.. Simple says it best.
Ispiring and an important reminder for us to keep our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith... Stick to the simplicity of the gospel. God will do the rest.
Thanks for this. Simplicity is best.
Thanks so much for the story of Tim and the way he lives sold-out for Christ--no distractions allowed--
God Bless you,
Carla
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Hey Lucy.. I can't see what you wrote. I think it was probably gracious in keeping with who you are.. If u have time, I'd love to know what you wrote.
Blessings, Carla
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I will try remember what I wrote, its frustrating cos never the same as when you put it down fresh!, OK..ah yes its coming back to me lol, well,here goes..
hey Carla, I love to study too, I have always studied and when I gave my life to Jesus I approached Bible study much the same way how I'd always studied, oh I wanted to know about, question and understand EVERYTHING, (all in the first 2 weeks haha). But then I learnt that studying God's word is so, so different. As you say, the Holy Spirit is our guide in studying the Word. There are some things that the time is not now for us to understand, other things we may never know, and will have to hold those questions for when we meet our Great Maker. (although I shouldn't think we'll be bothered about our questions then hehe).
A person who has the gift of 'teacher' is someone who even though knowing some of the meatier teachings, can present them in a simple way so that they are not overwhelming, discouraging or confusing.. Simple says it best. yes , I am reminded of how Jesus taught so much using stories and parables to reach the people, Now Jesus was THE teacher above all others (goes without saying really) I think we have great theologians throughout history and great teachers, but they're definitely not always one and the same, both are different gifts. I think Tim's youth groups must have been very blessed to have, to all intents and purposes 'just a normal guy' , to teach them the love of our Jesus Christ.
Think that was more ore less what I wrote Carla hehe.
Note to self copy copy copy!!
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hahaha.. LOL. it's good to double check. the server we use 'Ning' still has some bugs apparently.
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Hey Carla, yes , I'm with you, I LOVE to study, have always studied, and I think when I gave my life to Jesus I carried on that love of study straight over into Bible-study. Oh I wanted to examine and question everything and UNDERSTAND(within the first 2 weeks haha) . However, I have now learnt that it is very different sort of study. For one, as you say, the Holy Spirit must guide us, and sometimes our eyes will not fully SEE or UNDERSTAND some things, The time may not be right for us to know that. And indeed there are some things we will never understand, we can save those questions for when we meet our Maker(although i shouldn't imagine we'd care about our wonders then hehe).
A person who has the gift of 'teacher' is someone who even though knowing some of the meatier teachings, can present them in a simple way so that they are not overwhelming, discouraging or confusing.. Simple says it best. yes this is so true, reminds me how Jesus taught so much by using parables and stories of everyday things. To get the people interested and to understand what He was teaching, He was a FANTASTIC teacher(GOES WITHOUT SAYING REALLY LOL) , i think academics/theologians are different from teachers. The two do not necessarily go together. I imagine the youth of Tim's ministry were extremely blessed and encouraged in their faith by by all appearances 'just a normal guy' who loved Christ.