"Sola Dei Gloria" without Sola is Idolotry

"S. D. G." (for Soli Deo Gloria) at the end of a G. F. Handel manuscript

I'm often taken back by the "political" inter-workings of church congregations.  Often times you will find groups of individuals that tend to operate aspects of the church, be it food preparation, grounds keeping duties, cleaning functions, Sunday school boards, mission boards.   These groups serve purposes, of course, good purposes and those members should be appreciated... they are appreciated.   Good works, this is what the christian should be focused on doing.  But my question is... to what end?

I can't directly question the motivation of all individuals, because many do take the rolls seriously and see it as a direction to bring glory to God alone.   But many, it's a job of personal satisfaction, they do the job in order to receive praise.    As a child and young adult I often attended churches that would have "special music" during the service, which was a code word for someone performing.  I have a problem with this during corporate worship, because when we clap after that person has sung or played an instrument... is that applause for them?   If the entire worship service is, in fact worship, the subject of our worship is on God.

This got me thinking... about the five Solas.   The five latin phrases that were the diving force of the reformation.   However, many today in the "Modern" church probably haven't even heard or tread upon these short nuggets:
  

• Sola Fide, by faith alone.
• Sola Scriptura, by Scripture alone.
• Solus Christus, through Christ alone.
• Sola Gratia, by grace alone.
• Soli Deo Gloria, glory to God alone.

 
Where am I going... well in these quick phrases we get some big, huge ideas.   First it's by faith and only faith that we are saved, not by works, not by doing good things, not by working at the church, it's the faith that is given by God.     We know this, because of the Bible, and it's the Bible alone that provides this revelation.  It is through Christ Alone we are saved, because it is the work of Christ that saves us, not our work, our faith is in the finished work of Christ who satisfied the Father's wrath against us and our sinful nature.  Why did Christ do this?  It was by Grace, meaning it was a free gift of incomprehensible value, bestowed to us while we are still sinners, reviving us, making us a new creation, regeneration.   Why was all this done?  To give all the glory to God alone, it is to show that God, while Holy and wrathful, is loving and kind, he shows mercy and grace.    We don't need to be praised for our works, God gets the Glory of our works, we should humbly submit them to Him... Alone.

There is a huge wave of ignorance and superstition that has entered our modern churches, where the act of worship is now just a big concert.   This is inexcusable!   Just because we have some personal need to be a "super star" doesn't mean it needs to come out at church, our purpose at church is to Worship God... Alone!

The need for self validation is in itself pride and stubbornness.   If we are truly in Christ, we have no Self-esteem,  we don't live for ourselves, we live for Christ, so anything we do is a reflection of Christ to the world.  If we are trying to glean that praise for ourselves... then we are living in idolatry.

I've also heard it said that the church worship service should be a beacon of light to the dead world, so making it "seeker sensitive" or making it more like a big flashy pop concert is more comfortable to them.   I disagree, the wicked never willingly come into the presence of God.   Our services should be to the Glory of God alone, not to our glory, not the the praise of man.  If we play this idea of "seeker sensitive" out, then we should water down our doctrine and theology and try to meet them where they are... Hence the hypocrisy, these "seekers" have their own sense of deity which unless quickened by God, is pagan practice, thus it leads to no good result...   At this point we've just spoiled all the dough with just a pinch of leaven.  Motivation is everything...  and it's the fine hair splitting between God centered and man centered world views.

Worship is an action of the heart, the inner being of a person, the whole person.  If that - Worship isn't completely directed to God, then it's not Sola Dei Gloria. 

This is an observation of my life, and this is the question I need to take with me daily: to who's glory am I doing this task?

Sola Dei Gloria

What a Shock, Josh Duggar is a Wretched Sinner...

Josh Duggar is a filthy wretched sinner!  There I said it,  What's new, other than we all thought he was a pretty nice guy.   It's crazy how the media makes it seem like he was the only client of  Ashley Madison, they are like piranhas with a drop of blood in the water.   Slowly the truth is relieved, yes Josh has been unfaithful to his wife.   Yes, he is a filthy wretched individual, yes he deserves to go to Hell and suffer eternal torment for his actions.   That is the facts.   It could get much worse for Josh, I'm sure, but does it matter at this point?   What more can the court of public opinion do to Josh?

When we pan out from the tree and look at the forest, we see something even more disturbing.  Josh wasn't the only client of Ashley Madison, actually he was one of 37 million.  That's a lot of people on a website that is specifically designed for people to cheat.   Yes, this was Adultery Central for several countries, which only started in 2001.   Now I know people have been committing adultery for centuries, actually even back when Joseph was a slave in Egypt he was solicited.   Nothing new here.

Funny thing is, when people are asked about the ten commandments, those laws given to Moses by God, there was a line item about just this issue... "Thou shalt not commit adultery." Exodus 20:14.   Yes, Josh broke this along with 37 million people, but it doesn't stop there...

Jesus said:

27 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: 28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. 29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. 30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell."  - Mattew 5:27-30

Wow...  now Josh can be lumped in with a bunch of people... most red blooded men have actually done this, even if they didn't actually physically commit the act.   It's the condition of the heart!   

Now one thing for Josh is, well he hasn't murdered anyone...  Well hold your horses there...  Jesus also said:
"21Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: 22But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire." -Matthew 5:21-22

So if you call a person a fool (even if you just think it and don't say it) you've committed murder in your heart!  Wow...  We just went from 1 to 37 million to the whole world and all of history.   Guess what, we are all bad people, we are all terrible wretched sinners, we all deserve Hell.  Is there anything we can do to save ourselves, the Bible is clear on that one also, there is nothing we can do in ourselves.

But the Gospel... how about that?   How about it?   Does Josh deserve the gospel?  Do those 37 Million cheaters deserve the Gospel?   Does anyone deserve the gospel... No!   We don't deserve it.   That's the point, the Gospel is all about grace.   Many people think it's about "turning over a new leaf", but there is nothing you can do to make yourself right before God.   So what is the Gospel?   Come back tomorrow and we will discuss this one!   Until then stew in the thought that Josh Duggar and Me aren't a whole lot different.  Actually... we are all a whole lot alike deep down inside.   We are all sinners and we all deserve Hell!
  

Looking to 2012

2011 is almost over,  it's been an eventful year, a growing year, and a challenging year.  I found these questions helpful in looking forward to the next year:

1. Am I consciously or unconsciously creating the impression than I am better than I really am? In other words, am I a hypocrite?
2. Am I honest in all my acts and words, or do I exaggerate?
3. Do I confidentially pass on to another what I was told to me in confidence?
4. Can I be trusted?
5. Am I a slave to dress, friends, work or habits?
6. Am I self-conscious, self-pitying, or self-justifying?
7. Did the Bible live in me today?
8. Do I give it time to speak to me every day?
9. Am I enjoying prayer?
10. When did I last speak to someone else of my faith?
11. Do I pray about the money I spend?
12. Do I get to bed on time and get up on time?
13. Do I disobey God in anything?
14. Do I insist upon doing something about which my conscience is uneasy.?
15. Am I defeated in any part of my life?
16. Am I jealous impure, critical, irritable, touchy or distrusting?
17. How do I spend my spare time?
18. Am I proud?
19. Do I thank God that I am not as other people, especially as the Pharisees who despised the publican?
20. Is there anyone I fear, dislike, disown, criticize, hold a resentment toward or disregard? I If so, what am I doing about it?
21. Do I grumble or complain constantly?
22. Is Christ real to me?
   

Should Christmas only be about Christmas?

 There is a cultural war brewing in America.  Each year we see traditions such as nativities, Christmas tree lighting change to holiday displays and holiday lighting.  The word Christmas - which comes from Christ Mass, the celebration of Christs birth seems to be offensive to those of no or little faith.  The desire of change is to create a pure commercial holiday, with out Christ.   How will the next battle of this war be waged?

I just finished reading an article by Rebecca Hagelin,  It's worth the time, she's done a great job of laying out the battle lines -> We need Christmas now more than ever.

Government and the Christian Worldview

As we again move into a new election cycle in the United States, we are bombarded daily by political messages. Some of these messages are informative, and tell us things which the politician plans to do, and helps us understand how they will govern. Other messages tell us things about the opponent, and faults and failures, also helping us understand how they will govern. Even more there are messages, which aren't true, and will also help us understand how the person releasing the message plans to govern. But the real question is Who Governs us?
In the democratic societies we elect our government, but where does true government begin? Does it start at the White house, Congress, and the courts? Does it start at our State, at our county, at our city? Or does it start at our front door, does government start in our Hearts? William Penn, the founder of the Pennsylvania colony once said "If men will not be governed by God, they will be ruled by tyrants". These words are so true. As A Christian living in America, I understand the freedoms I hold so dear, but I also must know that these rights are a gift given by God, not by man. If I choose not to be governed by God, He has all authority to place a tyrant over me (us as a nation). I must understand that God is the highest point of government, and self-government (aka self control) is my responsibility. We live in a world which has a low view of ethics, morals, and virtue. As a Christian I must live with with a high ethics, high morals and virtue! Government starts with me.