Pyromania is “an obsessive desire to set fire to things.” Obviously, the condition is a bit destructive. And though you may never have considered putting a match to our building, let me propose the possibility that each one of us may have this flammable tendency when it comes to church. I’m thinking of what the apostle James had to say (James 3:5-9):

5 … How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God.

Our building is where we meet. The church is the “we.” The church is the people—those who trust in and love Jesus and meet together to worship Him.

We’ve never had any problems with regular building destruction. But the pyromania by the people and toward the people is always lurking. If we’re honest we have to admit that we are often inclined to “light each other up” with the words that we say about one another to one another. Gossip—this is church’s pyromania. And of course we never set our brothers and sister ablaze to their face—we wouldn’t want them to know the cause of the strange warmth they’re feeling around them. We set them on fire by “mentioning,” “conversing,” or “sharing” something negative about them to someone else.

This easiest of sins is a great and devastating evil. It kills relationships, and we’re each somewhat to blame for 1) initiating it and 2) hosting it.

The first thing to realize is that God sees gossip as wicked. Consider these connected selections from Romans 1:

Romans 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men …

Romans 1:21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened…

Romans 1:28 And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. 29 They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God…

Right there in the midst of the morass of depravity and rebellion against God, just one word away from “haters of God” is the word gossip. Gossip is an easy sin, but it is not a small sin.

What is gossip? Try this definition on for size:

Gossip is any inappropriate sharing of information that would cast someone in a negative light.

Furthermore, gossip is awful for many reasons. Here are six:

1. Gossip is immature.

O how the long-time church-goers can be most excellent at the eloquent BBQ-ing of their own brothers and sisters. Those who would see themselves as theologically mature can gossip as easy as breathing. The poison comes out unfiltered and undisciplined, with no thought to God’s direct teaching on the matter:

Ephesians 4.29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

May God enable our tongues’ discipline and maturity.

2. Gossip is selfish.

Sometimes we gossip for a sense of intimacy. Sharing juicy details about someone else can make our conversation more interesting. Sometimes we gossip for status. We enjoy feeling important enough to be privy to sensitive information. Sometimes we gossip for revenge. We can get back at the hurt someone has caused us by slandering them to others. Sometimes we gossip for our insecurity. It makes us feel better about ourselves to advertise the flaws in others. Sometimes we gossip to feel wise, when the info presented gives us opportunity for an “I told you so” moment.

In any case, it is all about “me.” The selfishness of gossip means two things: 1) it is unloving, and 2) it is prideful. That gets pretty gnarly when you consider God’s Word:

Proverbs 16.5 Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord; be assured, he will not go unpunished.

1 John 3.14 We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death.

3. Gossip is unfair.

When person A tells person B about person C, person C is guilty without trial. He never has a chance to know the accusations against him, apologize for them or explain them. He’s just guilty. That’s unfair.

4. Gossip is untrue.

In the same way, gossip is distinctly one-sided. The whole story is never known. Therefore the gossip is untrue. As the Proverb (18.17) reads, “The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him.”

5. Gossip destroys relationships.

Relationships are so important to the church. They are our vehicles for living out the gospel and glorifying God. Gossip sets fire to the church because it destroys relationships. Sadly, we must realize that a lot of gossip “gets around.” That is its nature. People hear what you say. And so often, when a person hears what’s gone around the horn about them, they have no opportunity to respond or apologize without compromising others. So the ugly awkwardness is burning away at everyone and relationships are destroyed, with no clear path towards healing.

6. Gossip is cowardly.

If we were truly mature, we would talk with the person with whom we have the problem. Period. As Jesus taught in Matthew 18, if you have something against someone, go to them first. You don’t have any right to spread the news ‘til you’ve already addressed the source. But we are often too afraid to do what is right…and, oftentimes, we feel our own flaws are more likely to be exposed when we talk out the problem.

Lets Be Gossip Killers

Here are a few principles that can help us “live lives worthy of the gospel” in regards to gossip.

• If you have a problem with someone, try to overlook it and forgive. Let’s be humble and give grace! Consider Jesus’ humility and grace in Philippians 2:1-11.
• If you need to talk about it, talk first with the one with whom you have the problem and work for reconciliation.
• If someone comes to you with juicy info, apply Ephesians 4.29 (below). If the message isn’t helpful or if that person has not first spoken to the one with whom they have a problem, refuse to listen to their gossip and encourage them to do what is right.
• For the glory of God and our joy, let’s put the fires out with the self-control and grace of God.

Ephesians 4.29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

Let’s stop church fires together.

1. You love Jesus
2. You hate sin
3. You love God’s Word
4. You love Truth
5. You love believers.

In case you missed this great series by Jon Chenot (which wrapped up just a few weeks ago) here are the posts:

• Part 1
• Part 2
• Part 3
• Part 4

I cannot imagine what the Merrick family must be going through right now.

This last Sunday, Pastor Britt Merrick preached a message on the Beauty of Suffering for the Christian. The sermon helps me understand. More importantly, it helps me understand how Christ is more supremely treasured in our suffering.

As Daisy’s father explains, the Merrick family has been given a gift. It’s the gift of cancer. And this gift has been used by God to shine a light on the hope we find in Christ alone. What a joy.

And what a faith.

Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you.’ (Ps 55:23) This is truth. I am experiencing this. Thank you Jesus.

—Britt Merrick

I highly suggest watching Pastor Britt’s sermon.

He counts the many blessings that God has gifted them through this storm:

• In Daisy’s own life and testimony
• In his own
• In the lives of others.

Watch below. And please continue to keep the Merrick family in your prayers. We have a big God.

Struck Down But Not Destroyed from Reality on Vimeo.

Were people a bad investment for God? The answer seems obvious to a Christian–“well, of course not”–because the Christian knows that God does not act without purpose, and he accomplishes exactly what he aims to do (Isaiah 55:11)… always.

However, knowing people, the human condition, seeing our personal failures and flaws, and seeing what the Bible says about humanity makes one wonder how an unfailing and purposeful God could have bought something that has no value in itself. For instance, the Bible refers to our righteous deeds as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). What would you tell someone who paid the highest possible price for a heap of filthy rags?

Another way of asking this question would be simply: Were people worth it? If so, why? Anyone who has spent a significant amount of time in the contemporary, mainstream church has heard that God died for sinners because he considers people to be of some worth, and that we should stand amazed by the fact that God considers us worth a great deal, even to the point of death on a cross–but does he? Is that why Jesus bore the Cross, because we were worth it? I don’t think so.

The price Christ paid on the Cross is not a reflection of God’s appraisal of my worth, it is a reflection of God’s appraisal of his own glory. My worth was bought for me at the price of the Cross. Therefore, the Cross cannot merely be seen as God’s reaction to the way he values me, but instead, the Cross needs to be seen as the means by which I am able to be valued by a perfect and holy God, who is eternally satisfied in himself.

Unfortunately, some may read this and dub me a self-hating, cynical person who would rather beat people down than build them up.  But the fact is, this truth should do the opposite. I believe that this way of thinking actually gives Christians greater confidence, steadier assurance, and more joy than the seemingly empowering statement that says, “God died for you because you were worth it.”

We can have greater confidence in our worth because it is not found in ourselves.

If we are being honest, most of us enjoy hearing about the worth we possess precisely because we know it’s not there. Reality is constantly nagging us with the truth, with our failures, and with the poor state of our hearts, saying, “you are not worthy.” However, when we can answer that belittling truth with the righteousness of Christ, which has been imputed (or given) to us, we show worth beyond measure, and without fault!

The reason for our assurance being steadier is mostly the same. If we truly meditate on the idea of God loving us–to the point of dying for us–based on our worth, we will find it impossible to find anything of worth in ourselves. The only worth we will ever find is the righteousness of Christ.

If you want assurance of God’s love for you, don’t try to place yourself as the reason, but instead, look to God’s glory. His glory was shown when he loved sinners by dying on the Cross for you, and his glory does not fail like you do. Be comforted.

We have more joy because God’s glory is more joyful than ours. Think about that. Our glory is disappointing. Our glory is not real. God’s glory is very real. God’s glory is the very thing that we will spend eternity celebrating. When all the saints are joined together in heaven, we will not be pleased to pat ourselves on the back, because we will know an even greater joy–the greatest joy of all–sitting in the glory of God, and ceaselessly singing his praises.

He alone is worthy.

Be sure to join us!

I read her dad’s twitter updates last night and received a couple of emails from our friends at Reality Carpinteria this morning, asking us to pray for Daisy. Her cancer is back.

Her father, Pastor Britt Merrick of SoCal church Reality Carpinteria, posted this morning on Daisy’s blog:

Thank you for all your prayers, comments and tweets. We found out last night that my daughter’s (Daisy-6) cancer is back. The tumor is huge. It is in her abdomen, the size of a grapefruit and inoperable at this point.

About 15 pastor/elders from Reality just laid hands on Daisy and prayed for healing. The tumor will be biopsied this afternoon.

We are devastated, but trusting Jesus.

…

Daisy’s biopsy will be tomorrow at 8:30am PST. Please pray the tumor is gone or benign. God is able!

Would you pray with us?

What is the Gospel? free on the Amazon Kindle and the Apple iBookstore
At the Crossway blog: Greg Gilbert’s What is the Gospel? is available for free this month on Amazon’s Kindle and in the iBook store! But just as the gospel isn’t only for us individually, our desire is that this content would reach well beyond those of you who download it for free!

Scheduling Time in the “Alone Zone”
The Orange County workplace is a busy place. Whether you labor away as a business professional, a blue collar worker, a student, or in full-time ministry, you know that if you want to be effective with your time, you need to be intentional with it. Michael Hyatt, Chairman and CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishers, provides a wise word on time management and getting to your “alone zone.”

ESV.to URL shortener
Also at the Crossway blog: We have developed a URL shortening service for the ESV Bible: ESV.to. URL shorteners simply convert long addresses into shorter ones (helpful for Twitter, for example, where character count is important). Bookmark www.esv.to to quickly generate shortened URLs for the ESV Online.

The Blessings of the New Media
Ed Stetzer writes for Tabletalk Magazine on how social media can be used for gospel proclamation. Like all good things common to man, social media can be either a distraction or a blessing. It depends on what we do with them. Some say they take too much time — which tells me they may not be familiar with tools such as Twitter or Facebook.

Meet the Rizers
Re:Sound introduces their latest installment–the Rizers. The Rizers are a music group that started with the vision of producing “an album of Scripture based, guitar-pop worship songs for kids.” The project started as a series of jingles to help children memorize Bible verses. You can download a few tracks for any price you choose.

Trip Lee interview
Justin Taylor interviews Trip Lee about his new album Between Two Worlds.

Westminster Bookstore Sale
Westminster Bookstore is moving it’s warehouse. To make up for lost time (since they cannot ship anything until the move is over), they are hosting an insane sale on many great books, including all ESV Bibles from Crossway. Any orders placed will be shipped July 14.

“Grace fails legalism, but fuels righteousness.” – John Lunde

The Pharisee in us all can, at times, become so obsessed with righteousness and good works that we fail to recognize that the only way to truly live righteous lives is by God’s empowering grace.  This comes first. This is Prior Grace.

Prior Grace is the notion that grace from God precedes (and later leads to) a demand for obedience*.  This is evident in the New and Old Testament, as well as in our lives today.

Consider the dawn of Creation. In the Garden of Eden, there was provision, position in the created order, companions, and communion with God.  These things preceded the command to fill the earth and subdue it (Genesis 1:28). In the wilderness during the Exodus, God rescued the Hebrew nation out of Egypt.  This preceded the Law (Exodus 20).  On the cross, there is forgiveness and grace. This grace precedes good works (Ephesians 2:8-9).

All that we can do is receive this grace.  Did Adam achieve grace because he exercised good dominion over plants and animals? No, it had nothing to do with the work of his hands. Likewise, the Hebrews didn’t merit salvation from the slavery bonds of Egypt because they were in a covenantal relationship with Yahweh and following the Law.  So then, do you think I deserve grace because I am a “good Christian”? Of course not. A grace built on merit is no grace at all.

So why is Prior Grace such a difficult concept for us to grasp?  I think because it goes against our very nature as human beings and the culture in which we live.  Our world tells us that we are to do, do, do, do, do! The very culture we live in defines who we are by what we do.  It is so much more difficult, at least for me, to sit back, knowing that there is absolutely nothing that I can do to achieve grace–all I can do is receive it.

I pray that you may learn the beauty of God’s grace and the reality of our own powerlessness.  Our feeble hands must emerge from the dust and ashes to receive the free gift of grace from God. And what a joy it is to truly understand that we play no part in earning the Grace-gift.  Only then can we truly live righteous lives–empowered by God’s good grace.

And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” Matthew 26:39

In this passage in Matthew, Jesus knows that the end of his hourglass is drawing near. He will soon be carrying his own cross.

How does Jesus respond to the will of the Father when it means that he must suffer? How does Jesus do what is difficult? Does he suck it up? Does he pray that God will give him strength to do something begrudgingly? Or is it something else?

Here is something that may be shocking to some: Whether or not you want to do God’s will does matter! Many of you will read that statement and think something like this:

“What are you saying? You just told me that Jesus said, ‘not as I will, but as you will,’ and now you’re saying that I need to want to do what God wants me to do?” Yes, that is exactly what I’m saying.

Hebrews 12:2 says that Jesus bore the cross for the joy that was set out before him. The joy? I mean, think about that: how do you think he was joyful about dying on a cross, and bearing the weight of sin, and the wrath of a righteously angry Father? It is because Jesus—God in the flesh—spent time with God the Father, knowing him, loving the glory of the Father, and having his will conformed to the will of the Father. Even the Son and the Spirit submit to the will of the Father; don’t you think we ought to as well? Yet, we read verses like Matthew 26:39, and John 6:38, and we get the idea that it’s ok to hate God’s plan, provided that we do what he says anyways. Where do we even get that? That’s not what the text says! In fact, it’s saying just the opposite.

How can it be true that Jesus—who is always perfect—had to submit his will to the Father, while it is also true that we must want what God wants? The answer is this: When the time came, God the Father caused God the Son to want to do what he was obligated to do. When the time came, Jesus endured the cross “for the joy that was set out before him.”

He did not endure the cross despite his will, he endured it because of his will—and his will was to endure the cross because he, as a son, had his will conformed to the will of the Father. Jesus did not sin in Matthew 26; rather, he acted as any son of God ought to act by relying on the Father, not only for his actions, but for his will also.

However, there is a wrong way to take this. Some of you may think that you are now off the hook. You say, “Mark said that if I don’t want to serve God, I shouldn’t.” That is not what I’m saying. I am not saying that we should not obey God because we don’t want to.

Here’s what I am saying: The fact that you don’t want to obey God is itself a sin, and that is the first thing that needs to be changed. Don’t ask God to give you strength to carry out a task before you ask him to give you joy. Do you think that God delights in a heart that doesn’t love the thing he loves?

If I don’t want to do what God clearly wants me to do, it doesn’t mean that I’m off the hook, and it doesn’t mean that I should simply follow the law; it means that my will is seriously messed up, and that it needs to be conformed in a serious way.

Jesus didn’t pray in the garden because his will was messed up. He prayed the way he did because, in his perfect goodness, he was making sure that his will was perpetually being formed by the will of the Father. He wasn’t doing what he didn’t want to do, he was making sure that the Father’s will and his will would be the same thing when it came time for him to endure the worst pain that anyone has ever suffered. If this is true about God himself, how much truer is it about you and me?

And here is the thing about the prayer of Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane: it worked! Hebrews 12:2 tells us that Matthew 26:36-46 worked, because we know he endured the cross joyfully.

So, let me close with an encouragement. Though you are without a hope to please God by your own strength, and though your righteous deeds are as filthy rags to God (Isaiah 64:6), and though you are a sinner, whose very will is naturally in opposition to the Father, we have been given the gift of prayer. Use it! If you have been born again—not of the flesh, but of the Spirit (John 3:6)—then feed this life in prayer and with the Word of God.

Do everything you can to make sure that you want the things that God wants. And when you don’t want what he wants, repent, and rely on him, and the God who has called you will be faithful to conform you to joyfully do his will.