Grace Roots

Joel,religious people will hate you always.They ar...

2012-05-29T10:38:30.668-05:00

Joel,religious people will hate you always.They are expecting God's judgement on me for stopping to attend church services and you are saying all these????? One thing about religious people is they believe any bad thing that happens to non church goer must be a judgement from God.Religion produces wicked wishes for others and its grossly ungodly

Yes, I so agree. I like the back and forth of iron...

2012-05-28T20:37:52.403-05:00

Yes, I so agree. I like the back and forth of iron sharpening iron in community. Even God doesn't control us - gives us a free will. --Cindy

That's quite often how I've seen it, or he...

2012-05-27T08:56:26.318-05:00

That's quite often how I've seen it, or heard about it from others. The "covering" concept is used as more of a control thing, rather than a way to help and edify and care for others. There are indeed people who have a genuine "shepherd's heart" for others, but I don't think they were ever meant to be in control of others. Rather, they use their influence and compassion to help build the body, rather than using the body to help build themselves, so to speak.

Oh, and by the way, I also agree with your comment...

2012-05-26T23:17:10.079-05:00

Oh, and by the way, I also agree with your comments on covering, too. Each of your points on covering remind me of scriptures that would back up your points. I believe at some point, it likely made natural sense to just organize doing "church" (not necessarily a bad thing in and of itself). The traditions we now have, seem to be accepted as if Biblical directives (without questioning, or letting the scripture point out/divide for our discernment between what is pure - from God - and what is tradition - from man). We need to let the scripture be our truth, constantly washing us clean from confusion. --Cindy

I so agree w you on giving, and I think when I wan...

2012-05-26T22:47:20.684-05:00

I so agree w you on giving, and I think when I want to refresh my thoughts on this, I'll go back to 2 Corinthians 8 & 9 amplified version for my "refresher". On covering (a bit off subject), I'm still needing to study a bit further, since it involves curiosities other than about giving that still seem to puzzle me (like Pastors saying they are responsible to God for us -- it seems that is Jesus' position: He keeps us until the end). I've only heard a Pastor, in everyday life (not in a sermon or on TV), use this in what seemed to be a controlling way to keep someone at their church or to stay in a ministry when that person felt called in a different direction. But I digress (another one I don't have time to study out at this point). :) --Cindy

Thanks Howard. Aussie John... amen! It's ama...

2012-05-20T16:16:33.801-05:00

Thanks Howard.

Aussie John... amen! It's amazing that so many people come to Christ not knowing that that means that their sins have been dealt with once and for all!

Hi Cindy, I certainly understand what you mean by...

2012-05-20T16:07:42.505-05:00

Hi Cindy,

I certainly understand what you mean by "choosing your battles" as to what you have time to study out. I do the same thing. There are many biblical things that interest me, but I just don't have time to get into all of them, so I stick with ones that I seem to be more passionate about.

On this particular issue - giving - I really think it boils down to something very simple. Whatever is on your heart to give, and whatever you are able to give, give it freely and not because anyone "compels" you to give ("under compulsion"). We have so much freedom of choice in this. We "get" to give - from our hearts! - rather than it being about always giving a specific amount or percentage, and also rather than it being a matter of comparing what we give to what others give or trying to analyze and over-analyze what we're "supposed" to give. :)

On the subject of "covering," there really is no New Covenant concept of that... at least not in the sense that some churches make it out to be. Jesus Himself is the Head of His church. He Himself is our covering. There is no hierarchy in the church - which is His body. No one is "above" anyone else. Each one of us is unique, and we play our individual and diverse parts within the body as a whole.

There are indeed people who are more mature than others, and who can play very helpful mentor roles and "leadership" roles, but they are not our "covering," and they are no more in need of being supported than anyone else in the body. In other words, we are all equally in need of supporting one another.

That said, some things that people do within the body do indeed "cost" more than other things, and we, as a body, can step up and support them in larger ways if needed. But the concept of pastors and teachers (etc) being paid in the ways that they are paid these days is indeed tradition, and not biblical. "Pastors" weren't put in the body as "paid positions." However, if a local body is set up that way, and they all agree that they want to have their local body set up that way, then they can most certainly do that. A local body is not limited or compelled to do things a certain way.

I'm kind of getting off track here, but the main thing I wanted to point out is that we are Christ's body, and He is the Head. We, together as a body, support one another, rather than it being a matter of supporting certain special people. :)

Joel, this is the first time I'm reading a blo...

2012-05-20T00:23:49.857-05:00

Joel, this is the first time I'm reading a blog of yours. I read through the Bible regularly and also study it, but never did a study on tithe. I did see the points you make as I read the word, but without studying it, didn't bother to search for a conclusion on tithing (I was "choosing my battles" as to what I had time to study out, and so just continued to tithe just to be "sure" -- play it safe-- and just made sure I did it with a good attitude [I really do want to be in a position to give and God has always provided enough for me to do so]). Now that I've read your blog, I do agree (it lines up with what I've read in both Old/New Covenant). What I take away from this, is that I must be sensitive to the Holy Spirit in what I give. Also, 2 Corinthians 8 & 9 amplified version is a good scripture to give balance and understanding on the concept of giving.

The idea of giving also leads me to question (try to understand) the idea of "covering", because it makes sense to support your "covering" (if there is such a thing). Is this also a traditional concept rather than a Biblical one? Some say your covering is only related to marriage, not your church or it's leaders - others don't agree. Do you have any answers from a new covenant perspective on this? --Cindy

Joel, To answer your question frankly: NO! Anyon...

2012-05-19T17:14:52.606-05:00

Joel,

To answer your question frankly: NO!

Anyone claiming to be a child of God who says otherwise has not understood the reason for Christs finished work of His life crucifixion, and resurrection

I read Hebrews 9 through 10 both chapters slowly d...

2012-05-19T10:51:14.505-05:00

I read Hebrews 9 through 10 both chapters slowly digesting it and see what you say Joel is very true and it is all in context here in Hebrews enjoy
Howard

Hi Rf, That's a great question, as it's t...

2012-05-17T10:38:47.431-05:00

Hi Rf,

That's a great question, as it's true that not everything is black and white when it comes to this topic.

I think Paul said it well when he said, "All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any." (see 1 Cor 6:12). Later in the same epistle he also wrote, "All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify. Let no one seek his own, but each one the other's well-being" (see 1 Cor 10:23-24).

The point isn't so much trying to figure out what is sinful and what isn't. It's more about growing into maturity in the union that we already have with God, and knowing His heart for us in various given situations as we seek Him, and rest in Him. We won't always have a definitive understanding, but we can always rely upon His life in us to carry us through.

Our conscience can also be our friend in these matters, as long as we don't bog ourselves down with trying to analyze every little detail. Often we simply have an overall "sense" that what we're doing is either 'of God' or 'not of God.'

The beauty of it all is that there is no condemnation for us, so even if we get it 'wrong' or if we don't follow what we believe our conscience is telling us, we still stand in God's high favor, since it's not based upon our behavior but based upon His grace. We can trust Him as our loving Father to lead us and guide us in all truth and understanding.

Joel, what if we have a gray area that we're n...

2012-05-16T16:13:37.679-05:00

Joel, what if we have a gray area that we're not sure if it's sin or not, but worry that we displease God by repeating it. As a single man. Rf

God knows when we have done our best. You have to ...

2012-05-06T15:41:50.156-05:00

God knows when we have done our best. You have to trust him. And he will HELP not take you all the way there but push you along. All people have a storm in there life Jesus is still there and loves you but it is for your own good.Jesus didn't create the storms sin did. That day you didn't forgive that person or "borrowed" something without asking.

Thanks Jake. These are things that I have struggl...

2012-04-29T21:44:18.245-05:00

Thanks Jake. These are things that I have struggled with, or at least questioned, throughout the years, and it really helps to have a view of the scriptures as a whole - especially what is revealed in the New Covenant - in order to really begin to shed light on all of this.

Thanks for this post Joel. It helps answer some o...

2012-04-26T14:55:32.895-05:00

Thanks for this post Joel. It helps answer some oft asked questions (as you mentioned in the original post)

So indeed, if it's in the Bible, it's &quo...

2012-04-26T13:10:43.195-05:00

So indeed, if it's in the Bible, it's "true," but it's only true in the sense that God meant it to be true. In the case of the law, God intentionally gave the law as the ministry of death and condemnation. David thought he could find life and righteousness and fruit in the law, but it only produced quite the opposite. While David had somewhat of an understanding of God's grace, if he'd fully known and understood the gospel as Paul (who referred to himself as a "Hebrew of Hebrews" and as "blameless" according to the law), he would have also realized that he had to die to the law in order to be found in Christ alone.

David was not talking about the law of love. Davi...

2012-04-26T13:07:04.384-05:00

David was not talking about the law of love. David was talking about the law that Paul would later come to find out to be the ministry of death and condemnation (2 Cor 3:7-9). The fruit of the law that David was talking about, as Paul would later come to find out, is death, condemnation, bondage, guilt and sin.

As I mentioned in this post:

Rom 7:5 For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions which were aroused by the law were at work in our members to bear fruit to death. (See also verses 8-11, in which Paul says that the Law, which he thought was to bring life, actually brought death, and see 2 Cor. 3:7-10 in which Paul calls the Law the ministry of death and the ministry of condemnation).

Paul came to find out that he had to be freed from the law in order to truly walk according to the Spirit of the Life of Jesus Christ.

If it is in the bible it is true. David was showi...

2012-04-26T08:59:28.134-05:00

If it is in the bible it is true.
David was showing two things here, the law that would set him free is the law of love, and that no matter how much we want to, we cannot fulfill it depart from His strength.
All we do now is by the power of the spirit. Fruits of the same.

Hi Kalio T.K, I understand what it is to be in bo...

2012-04-22T20:54:45.628-05:00

Hi Kalio T.K,

I understand what it is to be in bondage to things that we don't want to do. As humans, we yearn for freedom. I could give you all kinds of tips and principles to follow, but none of those would point you to the One who is the Way, the Truth and the Life.

Focusing on the things that keep us in bondage usually only keeps us in bondage, and often can drive us further into bondage. Rather than struggling and striving to try to overcome each of these things, instead focus on the Life of Jesus Christ. He Himself is our Life.

Just stand in front of the One who loves you more than you could ever know and bare it all in front of Him. He knows. He's not against you. He's for you. He can help you through all of this as you stand in front of Him in all your weaknesses. In your weakness, His strength is found.

Don't focus on behaviors disappearing. Focus on His life in you and His never ending, never failing love for you, no matter what.

HOW DO I BREAK LOOSE FROM FILTHY HABITS. Please i ...

2012-04-18T07:59:16.842-05:00

HOW DO I BREAK LOOSE FROM FILTHY HABITS. Please i have struggled for years to come out of lust, pornography, masturbation and Homosexuality, but to no avail. i cant imagine how i got into this mess. Please what do i do. can i really be free from these abominable sins. I desperately need an advise.

Kalio T.K

Sure, that would be great, Howard. :)

2012-04-11T19:53:09.100-05:00

Sure, that would be great, Howard. :)

Wow! go Joel I know this is not Joel it is the Hol...

2012-04-11T18:39:12.704-05:00

Wow! go Joel I know this is not Joel it is the Holy Spirit living through you. Joel that is awesome, may I use this over on the blog, naming it "a willing servant is a friend" and penning it from you Joel as the willing friend

Wow, Joel thanks man yes it is, ans akll will know...

2012-04-11T13:11:13.554-05:00

Wow, Joel thanks man yes it is, ans akll will know,
Howard

Yep, no worries, Howard. :) I had no one in mind ...

2012-04-11T10:08:29.536-05:00

Yep, no worries, Howard. :) I had no one in mind when I wrote this. I had been having a conversation with others on Facebook about memories from a radio station that I used to work at, and then those thoughts began to mix together with other thoughts in my mind, and that's simply how this blog post came about.

My intention was never to make a huge issue out of this. :) In the post I used the word "admonish," but I think Bino said it better in his comment. It's simply a gentle "reminder" to any and all of us who are pushy or arrogant when discussing our views with others, and trying to get points across to others.

Also Joel When I read in matthew chptr 10, I read ...

2012-04-11T09:51:53.285-05:00

Also Joel When I read in matthew chptr 10, I read about you will be dragged through synagogues and courts for Jesus's sake. I took this personal and thus read and heard. Do not worry for any reply of what is to be said, for through your trust in me (God) I (God) will give you the right words at the right time with such logic (power) that no opponent will be able to reply. This is on a case by case basis, and I am still growing in stature and wisdom from this as you are. People went against Jesus from every direction, and Jesus just stood for the truth, as we do today,for what I discovered is die to my flesh and blood, in romans 6,7, not sure which chapter in a verse he said reckon thyself dead to your flesh, and serve God with the inward man of you, which makes no mistake. In other words relax God has got your back just love all as he has loved you especially those that go against you. Railing accusations and so forth. Count it all joy when ones flesh tries to revive when ones flesh is dead. Being in this world we are ambassadors representing the kingdom of Heaven the Love, the Joy, the peace, and the righteousness in the Holy Ghost. Now the advarsary does come and throw everything at you to get you to walk out of flesh, for no flesh can please God, only Jesus and Jesus overcame this world, so you in Jesus also already overcame this world for you died to flesh as well. Love you Joel, Howard