A service of mercy

“When another Christian falls into obvious sin, an admonition is imperative, because God’s Word demands it. The practice of discipline in the community of faith begins with friends who are close to one another. Words of admonition and reproach must be risked when a lapse from God’s Word in doctrine or life endangers a community that lives together, and with it the whole community of faith.”

“Nothing can be more compassionate than the severe rebuke that calls a brother back from the path of sin. When we allow nothing but God’s Word to stand between us, judging and helping, it is a service of mercy, an ultimate offer of genuine community. Then it is not we who are judging; God alone judges, and God’s judgment is helpful and healing” (Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together and Prayerbook of the Bible, trans. Daniel W. Bloesch, Augsburg Fortress, 1996, 105).

 

Are you discouraged by disunity?

A church leader commented that they had not had conflict in their Church for years. Another responded, “Sure. No movement; no friction.”

We don’t want our churches to be like the married couple who said that they haven’t fought for years and then admitted that they also haven’t talked to each other for years. 

While Christians are supposed to be distinguished by their love for one another (John 13:34-35), please don’t conclude that  this means they won’t have conflicts.

God’s Spirit within us longs for unity among us, but experiencing such unity will not happen without effort. This is what stands behind the call to “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3).

Some Christians become too easily discouraged by disunity because they hold unrealistic (or even utopian) notions of trouble-free fellowship among those who walk with God.

If you are praying for conflict-free fellowship, God might take you to the only place where this is possible – heaven. Conflict is unavoidable on earth, especially where sinners are joining together to advance God’s kingdom. 

There’s a reason why Jesus prayed for the unity of His disciples before leaving this world (see: John 17:20-23). Jesus placed our unity in the context of our witness to the world when He prayed, “that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me” (John 17:21). 

There are many threats to Christian unity but the key to unity in a Church is not the absence of conflict but a shared commitment to pursue reconciliation when conflict occurs (Matthew 5:23-24; 18:15-18).

But we also must have the maturity to understand that sometimes division is necessary. On one occasion, the Apostle Paul actually said, 

“….when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you. And I believe it in part, for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized (I Corinthians 11:18-19).

Most Christians would be surprised to observe how much of our New Testament is written to address issues of conflict, both potential and actual. 

A close look at the early church reveals points of division common to churches throughout history:

• Division over leaders – I Cor. 1:10-17
• Division over social distinctions – I Cor. 11:17-19
• Division over traditions – Acts 10:11-13 w/Gal. 2:11-14; Acts 15:1-2
• Division over economic status – Ja. 2:1-11
• Division over racial distinction – Acts 6:1; Acts 15, Gal. 3:28; Eph. 2:15
• Division over material needs – Acts 6:1; I John 3:18
• Division over doctrinal matters – Rom. 16:17; Gal. 3:1, 4:16-20; II Pet. 2:13; Acts 20:28-31
• Division over moral issues – I Cor. 5:1-13; Jude 4; and selfishness – Ja. 4:1-3    
• Division between leaders – Acts 15:36-40
• Division between individuals – Phil 4:2                                                                                                                                                                  

When you combine this list with the repeated emphasis on the need to maintain unity and purity in the church (e.g. Rom. 16:17; I Cor. 1:10; 5:7-13; Eph. 4:3; Phil. 2:3-5; 3:16; I Thess. 5:14-15; II Thess. 3:11-16; Ti. 3:10-11; I Pet. 3:8), it becomes even clearer that churches should expect many threats to unity.

Let us call our churches to recommit to the priority of pursuing reconciliation when conflict occurs by following the two primary New Testament directives for resolving conflicts — Covering in love and Confronting in love  (see: Two Principles For Resolving Conflicts). 

“Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other” (Romans 12:10, NLT).  

Other resources for unity in the Church:

• OVERCOME DIVISION WITH CORE VALUES
• RECONCILED RELATIONSHIPS MATTER TO GOD
• FIVE MOTIVATIONS FOR PROTECTING UNITY
• CONFLICT AND UNITY IN THE CHURCH
• JUDGE NOT, LEST YOU BE JUDGED
• UNITY ON DEBATABLE MATTERS

Steve Cornell

 

Ask for whatever you want me to give you

One of our sons recently said to me, “Dad, you’re the wisest man I know.” I was humbled by these words of appreciation because I know how foolish I  can be at times.

I just don’t think of myself in these terms. If I had said, “Yes, your father is wise and it took you too long to find out”  I would have exposed my lack of wisdom.

I think about the warning from Proverbs 3:7 not to be “wise in your own eyes.”

Perhaps even the title of my blog (Wisdomforlife) could sound a little arrogant as if someone should look to me for wisdom. The truth is “the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding” (Proverbs 2:6). And “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 9:10). Don’t ever follow my counsel if it doesn’t line up with God’s truth! 

But my son’s compliment caused me to reflect on an intense time in my life just before I began pastoral ministry (29 years ago). I distinctly remember a prayer that filled my heart during that time. The scene from which this prayer originated is amazing. 

“At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, ‘Ask for whatever you want me to give you’” (I Kings 3:5).  

What would you have asked for? Long life? Prosperity for you and your loved ones? Wealth and influence? 

“Solomon answered, ‘You have shown great kindness to your servant, my father David, because he was faithful to you and righteous and upright in heart. You have continued this great kindness to him and have given him a son to sit on his throne this very day.

“Now, Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?’” (I Kings 3:6-9).

In thinking about God calling me to pastoral work, I quickly identified with this prayer. But after spending a bit of my life running the streets of Philadelphia and finally being thrown out of High School, there were plenty of rough edges for God to refine. I adopted this as my prayer and then found that the path has often felt like an uphill climb with the wind in my face. Yet God has used it to remind me that He “put His treasure in a jar of clay to show that the all-surpassing power is from God and not from us” (II Corinthians 4:7). I had no idea what it would involve to answer my prayer for wisdom. 

Wisdom is not easily gained! Scripture says that, “Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far away” (Proverbs 22:15). Words alone will not dislodge the foolishness. Sometimes I’ve been confused and discouraged because I ‘ve felt that God’s “rod of discipline” has been heavy on my life. But dislodging the foolishness has not been an easy project. How true are these words of Scripture, 

“God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it” (Hebrews 12:10-11). 

The rest of the story

“The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for — both wealth and honor — so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings. And if you walk in obedience to me and keep my decrees and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life.”

still learning to walk in obedience by grace,

Steve Cornell

 

Sovereign Ecclesiastical Consumers

“A growing number of evangelicals are unwilling to commit themselves to any particular congregation. Operating as sovereign ecclesiastical consumers, they hop from church to church looking for the best spiritual deal in town.”

“If evangelicals still value their heritage, they can lament the obscurity into which the church visible has sunk, a tragedy to which they have contributed in both word and deed.  Furthermore, they can commit themselves toward a rediscovery of the church in our time, not just out of faithfulness to a tradition, but in devotion to their Lord who promised, ‘I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.’” 

“Evangelicals need to affirm aggressively the necessary connection between faith in Christ and commitment to his church. So called solitary or independent Christians need to be incorporated into the life and discipline of some congregation.  Those who are already church members need to remain committed to their church, taking seriously their accountability to the congregation and resisting the temptation to jump ship when problems develop.” 

“If the church is a nurturing mother for the souls of believers, as John Calvin proclaimed, those disconnected from her are nothing more than spiritual orphans. They are cut off from a vital source of spiritual nourishment and growth.  They may think that spiritual fitness is an individual matter, but their failure to participate in the corporate life of God’s people can only stunt the kind of growth in grace that the apostle Paul envisioned …”  (Christianity Today, 3/11/91, In Search of the Visible Church, R. Paterson).    

“Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple” (I Corinthians 3:16-17, ESV).

“It is unfortunately possible for people to attempt to build the church out of every imaginable human system predicated on merely worldly wisdom, be it philosophy, pop-psychology, managerial techniques, relational good feelings, or what have you. But at the final judgment, all such building (and perhaps countless other forms, where systems have become more important than the gospel itself) will be shown for what it is: something merely human, with no character of Christ or His gospel in it. This is one of the few texts in the NT where we are exposed both to an understanding of the nature of the local church (God’s temple indwelt by His Spirit) and where the warning of v. 17 makes it clear how important the local church is to God Himself.”        

“One of the desperate needs of the church is to recapture this vision of what it is by grace, and therefore also what God intends it to be. In most Protestant circles one tends to take the local church altogether too lightly. As the temple of God they are expected to live as His alternative both to the pagan temples and to the way of life that surrounds them. …. So sacred to God is His temple that those who would destroy it (as they were doing by their quarrels and worldly wisdom) will themselves be destroyed by God (3:17)”  (Pp. 145, 149, I Corinthians, N.I.C.N.T., Gordon Fee).  

Note the close connection between a commitment to Christ and to His church (Mt. 16:18; 25:40; Lk. 10:2; Acts 2:47, 9:4; I Cor. 3;6; Eph. 5:25; Heb. 6:10).   

Steve Cornell                                                                                                                                                                    

 

Suppose the Bible had never been written

Recent controversy over comments made by Andy Stanley, (pastor of North Point Community Church outside of Atlanta, Georgia), made me recall a quote from the late OT scholar, Dr. John Bright. I’ll get to Dr. Bright’s comment in a moment. First, a little context.

Andy Stanley is one of the leading younger evangelical figures in America. He is a gifted communicator with a passion for the gospel of Jesus Christ. He has a special interest in explaining truths in ways that the common person can clearly understand. His ministry at North Point Church has extensive influence both locally and globally.

All of this means that when Andy speaks, his words will be closely and widely scrutinized – the price of visibility and influence! (And why we should pray for such leaders).

In the recent controversy, I am not sure if Andy would admit it but he could have found a better way to say what it seems to me he wanted to say. Some of his critics, however, need to realize that Andy effectively communicates in ways that address some of the deeper assumptions held by skeptics. I see this as a loving effort to clear unnecessary confusion that blinds people to the gospel.

Andy said,

“The foundation of our faith is not the Scripture. The foundation of our faith is not the infallibility of the Bible. The foundation of our faith is something that happened in history. And the issue is always – Who is Jesus? That’s always the issue. The Scripture is simply a collection of ancient documents that tells us that story…”

Bloggers like Denny Burk picked up on Andy’s words and offered critical review. Andy graciously commented on Burk’s blog and offered important clarification.

Comment by Andy:

“Perhaps the confusion stems from the fact that I was suggesting an approach to talking about “The Bible” in a culture that is no longer moved by “The Bible says.” But I do believe the epicenter of the faith is something that actually happened….”

On one level, Andy’s point needs to be heard by evangelical leaders who keep themselves far more insulated from culture than leaders like Andy. It’s too easy to take our clichés for granted in a world that either doesn’t get it or sneers at it. Phrases like, “The Bible says…” or “The biblical approach….” are often ineffective and counterproductive to our desire to encourage people to hear from God.

But there is danger with going too far in adjusting our language for culture. Paraphrases of the Bible like “The Message” offer quite a few examples of overreaching to be colloquial with Scripture. I heard of a church that promoted God’s kingdom as God’s party to get people to “sign on” for God. This is how we don’t want to adjust our language. We can exercise wisdom in this area by simply asking how the audience might hear you when you use certain words. Do you want them to think of their parties when they think of God’s kingdom?

Don’t misunderstand. Relevance is important and many bible teachers fail to see ways that it shaped the choice of words in the New Testament. I am not advocating the idea that we should only use words from the Bible when teaching and sharing truth.

Those who say, “Stick with the terms used in Scripture!” demonstrate a naive understanding of biblical words. The great New Testament words of salvation (redemption, propitiation, sanctification, justification, reconciliation, etc…) came from the world of that time and had prior meanings and associations ranging from the market place; to the temple; to the courtroom, etc…. Was there risk of misunderstanding when including such terms in the New Testament?

Yes, we need to be careful not to acquiesce to trendy terms if their popular meanings could lead people into serious misunderstandings of God’s revealed word.  Yet we must be willing also to restore some words to richer and fuller meanings based in a God-centered worldview.

I believe I understand what Andy wanted to convey but he could be accused of fallacious reasoning when emphasizing “what happened in history” over the reliability of the written text of Scripture.

When I think about this matter, I prefer what the late OT scholar Dr. John Bright wrote: 

“We do not worship a book. On the contrary, the sole legitimate object of worship, and the supreme authority to whom the Christian submits himself, is God — the God who, according to the Scripture, worked his redemptive purpose in Israel and, in the fullness of time, revealed himself in Jesus Christ.  The Christian’s God is the Creator and Lord of all things, and is the Lord also of Scripture.  He existed before there was a Bible, and quite independently of it. He performed his work of creation when no man was there to record it. He gave his covenant law at Sinai, and that law had authority in Israel before the Pentateuch was written. He did his saving work in Jesus Christ, who came, did mighty works, died, and rose again, and this would be just as true had the Gospels never been penned.”

“The Bible, therefore, derives its authority from God; it does not have authority of itself, but rather by virtue of the God to whom it witnesses and who speaks in its pages.  The God of the Bible is the Christians’ supreme authority in all senses of the word.”

“True. Yet there is a practical sense in which this comes to much the same thing. What, after all, would the Christian know of his God, of Christ, and of the nature of the Christian faith apart from the Bible? Suppose for a moment the Bible had never been written or had been lost to us. What would we know of the history and faith of Israel? What would we know of Jesus, his life, his teachings, and the significance of his saving work as the early church understood it? The answer is: precious little” (p. 31, The Authority of the Old Testament, 1975).

Steve Cornell

See: Is the Bible from God?  

 

Is it time to refocus your life?

“Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever”

(Westminster Catechism, see, Psalm 16:5-11; 144:15; Isaiah 12:2; Philippians 4:4). 

When we worship and serve our Creator, we experience the joy and fulfillment we were meant to know. Jesus taught that the greatest command is to: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37, NIV).

God fills our lives with meaning and satisfies the longings of our hearts when we love Him with our entire being.

Idolatry is allowing our hearts to be consumed and controlled by something other than God. Anything or anyone that controls us in ways that violate God’s revealed will must be viewed as an idol.  This could include excessive activities or behaviors that otherwise might be considered harmless.

Seemingly neutral activities like work, exercise, listening to talk radio, watching cable news, internet use, reading, and sports can become harmfully addictive. Any behavior, activity or relationship that occupies a place in our lives that hurts other priorities must be brought under God’s will.

We inevitably sabotage ourselves when we ignore God; set ourselves up as God, or try to define God on our own terms. When we ignore God, we lose our sense of reference and direction.

When we turn the good gifts of the Creator against ourselves by excluding the worship of the Giver, we disorient life from its intended center. This happens when life becomes a means for meeting my needs and not for glorifying the Creator and serving others.

Steve Cornell

 

 

People who want to feel important

“Half the harm that is done in this world is due to people who want to feel important. They don’t mean to do harm, but the harm does not interest them … or they do not see it, or they justify it … because they are absorbed in the endless struggle to think well of themselves” (T. S. Eliot ).

Scriptures to protect you

• “Not to us, Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness” (Psalm 115:1).
• “If anyone thinks he is important when he is nothing, he is fooling himself” (Galatians 6:3). 
• “For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you” (Romans 12:3).
  
• “So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty’” (Luke 17:10).
• “Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ” (Galatians 1:10).
• “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen” (I Peter 4:10-11).
• “To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breastand said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner. ‘I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted’” (Lk. 18:9-14).
• “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus. Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2:3-9).

Steve Cornell

See also: A gospel postured self perspective

 

7 Emphases for Effective Church Ministry

In 1985 my wife and I moved to the community of Millersville, Pennsylvania, (USA) to join a small group of people in starting a new Church.

Original facility pictured here —————————->

After serving the Millersville community for 21 years, an Evangelical Mennonite congregation steadily dwindled until 1985, when only seven members remained. Finding it impossible to move forward, this small group implemented a series of decisions that were as unlikely as they were courageous.

Recognizing the strategic value of their location near the campus of Millersville State University, they determined that the Church should make an effort to move forward with a new identity and new leadership with fresh vision and energy.

Millersville Bible Church began on June 3rd of 1985 from this little group of people. We are now a large Church with five full time pastors, multiple staff and two sites.

MBC is a healthy and growing congregation with ministry that extends far beyond the borders of the town in which it began!                       

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                (Worship and Education facility on 15 acres)

Throughout all the years of growth, we emphasized the seven points below.

1. Emphasis on qualified spiritual leadership: 1 Timothy 3; Titus 1; Hebrews 13:17.
2. Emphasis on unity: Ephesians 4:3; Philippians 2:14-15; John 17:21
3. Emphasis on humility in service: Luke 17:10; Mark 10:45; Philippians 2:3-5
4. Emphasis on every member ministry: Ephesians 4:16; Hebrews 3:12-13
5. Emphasis on grace in debatable matters: Romans 14:3
6. Emphasis on loving God by serving others: Hebrews 6:10;10:23-25        .
7. Emphasis on evangelism, discipleship and salt and light influence: Acts 1:8; Rom.1:16; Matt. 5:13-16; 28:19-20

Steve Cornell

 

Conflict and Unity in the Church

The story is not a pleasant one when a Church becomes a center of conflict instead of love. Yet the story is not exceptional either as many of our letters in the New Testament reveal.

I smile when people say they wish they could just get back to the way it was in the New Testament Church. Sometimes I ask, “Which one?” 

Start with the earliest expression depicted through the letter we call “James.” What was happening that James had to write, “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?” (James 4:1). A survey of the book reveals less than calm circumstances in the Church.

Move forward a little to the Churches of Galatia. Imagine how bad it had become for the apostle to write, “If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other” (Galatians 5:13).  A little later he wrote, “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other” (Galatians 5:25-26).

Why were the believers in Ephesus told to “Make every effort to keep the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3)?  The repeated emphasis on pursuing peace reminds us that there never was a local Church where unity did not take effort. “Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace…” (Romans 14:19). “Do everything without complaining or arguing” (Philippians 2:14).

We must check the tendency to want an easy path or a quick formula. On this side of heaven, we cannot experience uninterrupted peace — especially in our relationships.

Yet our desire for the full experience of the peace we’ve found in Christ is part of the normal Christian life. We are a people who sigh with hopeful expectation for God’s final transformation. Our longing for peace is a powerful result of the ministry of the indwelling Spirit.

“we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently” (Romans 8:23-25).

Walk by the Spirit

Part of the reason we continue to struggle for unity is that the spiritual change in our salvation is not subtraction of the flesh but addition of the Spirit.

To experience true unity of Christian fellowship, we must “walk by the Spirit.” We cannot overcome the pull to “gratify the desires of the flesh” in our own strength. We are weak. We are only vessels of clay, yet God put His treasure in such vessels “to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us” (II Corinthians 4:7). We must remind ourselves often that we are weak and God is strong. ”Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this: that power belongs to God” (Psalm 62:11).

The Spirit of God who lives in us (II Corinthians 1:21) is the one who enables us to break the power of canceled sin. But we must be humbly honest about the conflict. “For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other” (Galatians 5.16-17).

The apostle makes a significant connection between halting the destruction of relationships and walking by the Spirit.

“If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”  (Galatians 5:15-16)

Here there is a direct connection between protecting relationships from destruction (bite, devour, destroy: all metaphors from the animal kingdom) and the role of the Holy Spirit. Avoiding destructive relationship happens when we (v.16) – walk by the Spirit; (v.18) – be led by the Spirit; (v.25a) – live by the Spirit; (v. 25b) – keep in step with the Spirit

Galatians 5:16 — “so I say”, (or ςέ “but I say”). The apostle is saying, “Here is the remedy for the situation described in v. 15” (Phillips). To protect Christian community (relationships) from destruction, each member must “live or walk by the Spirit.”

By acknowledging the reality of conflict in this life, I am not encouraging anyone to settle for mediocre relationships. I am more concerned about protecting believers from a dangerous kind of discontentment based on misguided expectations of utopian fellowship in this life. But settling is never an option for those who are being continuously transformed into the image of Christ (II Corinthians 3:18). 

When spiritually changed people are immersed by one Spirit into life together we should look for reconciled relationships!  Community life of this kind (in marriages, families, and local Churches) among those who are walking by the Spirit (being filled by the Spirit) will be distinguished by the fruit of the Spirit.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23).

Imagine any relationship where these qualities are absent. Now imagine what relationships would be like where these qualities flourish. It is worth noting that each quality in this fruit of the Spirit also appears in the NT as an action commanded of us. This reminds that we are not passive recipients of the activity of God. Unworthy recipients? Yes! But not passive recipients.

“… continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” (Philippians 2:12-13).

Steve Cornell

See also: 

• What does the Spirit-filled life look like?
• How can I walk in God’s will? (12 requirements)

 

Warnings for Church leaders (and others)

 

As one entrusted with spiritual leadership, I must meditate often on the truths in these five texts. 

1 Corinthians 3:11-15 (NIV)

“For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his 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 man’s work.  If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward.  If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.”

Thought: On that day my “work will be shown for what it is” not for what I want others to think it is. 

I Corinthians 4: 2-5 (NIV)

“Now it is required that those who have been given a trust (stewards) must prove faithful. I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself.  My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent.  It is the Lord who judges me.  Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring  to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts.  At that time each will receive his praise from God.”

Thought: What will happen when the Lord comes? My work will be shown for what it is because He “will expose the motives of men’s hearts.  At that time each will receive his praise from God.”

2 Corinthians 5:9-10 (NIV)

“So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad” (cf. Romans 14:12; John 12:42-43; Matthew 22:16; Proverbs 29:25 cf. Proverbs 3:5-6).

Thought: The words “all” and “each one” remind me that I cannot skip this appointment and I won’t be hiding in a group session but will have a personal session with the Lord. “Good or bad” will be determined when the Lord exposes “the motives of men’s hearts.” 

Matthew 6:1 (NIV)

“Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.”

Thought: There will be no “praise from God” if my motive was to seek the affirmations and accolades from men.

 ^{Matthew 5:16 (NIV)}

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Thought: I must shine so that others will see my good deeds without the motive of being seen in a way that does not glorify my Father in heaven.